Dogs, Cats Up for Grabs at Pasco Shelter Event

While dogs and cats aren’t quite packed in like sardines at Pasco County Animal Services’ Land O’ Lakes shelter, it’s getting a little too close for comfort as the official capacity mark has been reached.

That’s why county officials have decided to open the shelter’s doors Saturday to give away dogs and cats for free.

19640 Dogpatch Lane shelter has a capacity of 100 dogs and 50 cats. Right now, the shelter has 145 dogs and 83 cats for a total of 228 animals in its care, according to shelter manager Mike Shumate.

“We have over 100 dogs for adoption this Saturday,” Shumate said, adding that many are fully vetted and ready to go. Those that aren’t can be pre-adopted to go home as soon as they’re fully vetted. Vetting includes being spayed or neutered, getting vaccines and a microchip.

Saturday’s event was originally on the books as a free one for students only, but the recent influx of animals prompted the county to open it to everyone.

"We hope our efforts to allow free adoptions for everybody on Saturday will relieve overcrowding,” Shumate said.

The event is open to residents throughout Pasco and from nearby counties. All animals available for adoption are being offered at no charge, but adoptive families must still pay for tags in their home county, Shumate pointed out.

The Adoption Center is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It opens from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays, as well.

For more information, visit animal services online.