News Releases:

• Learn the Basics of Dog Training Seminar
• Distemper Remains a Threat for Pinellas County
• Animal Services Earns State Awards
• “Tag for Life Concept” was initiated

Pinellas Paws Cause - Dec. 10

Join the party at Pinellas County Animal Services in a celebration of the new pet mural being created by Murals for Mutts. Sign up to have your pet included in the mural, with a portion of your $100 donation benefitting the animals at the shelter. The day’s festivities will include lots of holiday fun for pets and their humans, including photos with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Paws, a food truck with food for purchase, vendors, adoption specials and more. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.

Learn the Basics of Dog Training Seminar

First Saturday of each month

10 a.m.

Pinellas County Animal Services, 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo

Learn about housetraining, loose-leash walking and dealing with other challenging behaviors such as chewing and jumping. The seminar is conducted by a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. This fun and informative seminar is for anyone who has adopted a dog from Pinellas County Animal Services or another shelter. Please do not bring your dogs. Free. To learn more view the training page and register here, or call (727) 582-2600.

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Animal Services Earns State Awards
for Compassionate Care and Teamwork

The Pinellas County Animal Services staff earned three awards at the annual Florida Animal Control Association Conference.

A new cat/kitten adoption program earned the Outstanding Cooperative Team Achievement Award. Animal Services worked with other Pinellas County departments and local pet store owners to create a pilot program to display and offer cats for adoption. Today, cats from Animal Services are delivered and adopted through seven local stores. This is almost a double adoption rate over recent years.

Animal Services Program Coordinator Mary Taylor earned the Shelter Supervisor of the Year honor for her tireless, compassionate work. Taylor’s responsibilities are formidable. She supervises a staff of veterinary technicians, oversees technical operations, handles inventory management and assures cleanliness and order at the shelter. She also provides oversight for the Shelter Fostering Program. Taylor works with the public to educate them on animal health matters and talks about shelter policies. She was critical to the creation of the new cat/kitten adoption program. Taylor sacrifices personal time to support the adoption program and even serves as a foster caregiver.

Senior Animal Care Assistant Cindy Mazzaferro received the Animal Caretaker of the Year award for her strong work ethic, compassion for animals, ability to work with people and superior job performance. She provides daily care for animals in the shelter and has fostered numerous kittens and puppies to help them get a good start in life at the shelter. Mazzaferro shows much compassion when helping people seeking lost pets, turning in strays or adopting pets to make sure they leave the facility after having been treated with courtesy, empathy and professionalism.  She has a unique ability to treat fellow employees as well as she treats the animals in her charge.

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“Tag for Life Concept” was initiated

This means a license tag with a number is provided to a pet and that tag number will remain the pet’s license tag number for the life of the pet.  The license must be renewed in conjunction with the rabies vaccination’s expiration date.  This concept will provide years of savings on administrative work and materials.

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