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Tour Gives Shelter Pets 2nd Chance At Love

Tribune photo by GREG FIGHT

A Labrador retriever cools off Saturday in the Shelter Pets Run & Exercise Enclosure at Pasco County's animal shelter.

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By LISA A. DAVIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - The Johnston family lined up early outside Pasco County's Animal Shelter and waited for the doors to open at noon Saturday in search of a pup to add to their family.

Ashley Johnston, 10, knew exactly what she wanted: a beagle.

"Cause they're so cute and friendly, and also they're famous because of that show," she said, scrunching her face trying to remember the show's name. "Oh, 'Underdog!'"

A few other families were lined up, too, before 11:30 a.m. Although the shelter is regularly open Saturdays, this was a special day: Hill's Pet Nutrition, the maker of Science Diet dog and cat food, covered the fees for the first 25 adoptions between noon and 3 p.m.

It was part of the company's Second Chance for Love tour, a nationwide effort to save the lives of 1 million cats and dogs by year-end.

The event drew scores of people and 25 animals - 18 qualified for the free adoption - went home with new families.

"That definitely was a record for us," said Denise Hilton, animal services manager. "I think our previous daily record was 17, so that's fantastic for us."

Cage by cage, Ashley looked for her new dog and then she saw him. Bobby, a somewhat overweight Beagle mix, quickly delighted the girl at first sight. Soon the Johnston family - Ashley, mother Lilly, 39, and father William, also 39 - entered a small air-conditioned room to play with the dog.

Bobby, with a pink and purple bandanna tied around his neck, practically bounced off the walls until Ashley crouched in front of him and scratched his neck. Bobby melted into the floor, enjoying attention.

"He's so cute. Isn't he? Yes, he is. Look at you," Lilly Johnston cooed.

It took only a few minutes to decide. Bobby would be the latest addition to the Johnston family, which already includes two sons and Snoopy, a Yorkshire terrier.

Bobby seemed to bark with glee at the announcement, then he was ushered back to his kennel while the family filled out adoption paperwork.

"I got a beagle!" Ashley announced.

Within two hours of their arrival, shelter worker Leonard Denk presented the family with their new pet.

"Hey, Bobby," he said. "This is your new family."

He handed the dog and new red leash to William Johnston. Ashley grinned from ear to ear.

What tickled her about Bobby rather than other dogs, including another beagle?

"He looks like a playful dog, and a friendly one, too," she said.

Across the parking lot from the shelter, another event was unfolding at the Pasco County Animal Services' center at 19640 Dogpatch Lane: the opening of a 10,000-square-foot play area for shelter dogs. Dubbed Shelter Pets Run & Exercise Enclosure, or SPREE, it was funded by donations from Friends of Animal Services, a year-old volunteer group that supports the animal shelter when public funds can't be used, such as for the purchase of chew toys and pet beds.

"The more comfortable they are, then the quicker they're going to be adopted," said Pasco County Commissioner Michael Cox, a founder of the Friends group. "The more we can get adopted, the less we have to put down."

Cox brought along Mason, the beagle-foxhound mix he and his wife adopted last year from another adoption event that brought shelter dogs from throughout Florida.

Usually one dog at a time is allowed in the fenced-in area that includes water bowls and a small plastic pool for the dogs.

"It's really something that dogs need," said volunteer Carol Comer of Brooksville. "Every dog needs exercise."

Though the day was successful all the way around, Hilton encourages families looking for pets to check out the county shelter.

"We have quite a few left who are waiting for their new homes," she said.

PASCO COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES CENTER

WHERE: 19640 Dogpatch Lane (formerly Lake Patience Road), Land O' Lakes

WEB SITE: www.pascocountyfl.net/pubser/comser/animal /animal.html

SHELTER HOURS: Noon to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

OFFICE HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

PHONE: (813) 929-1212, (352) 521-5194 or (727) 834-3216

AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY NUMBERS: (727) 847-8102 or 1-800-547-9427

TDD ACCESS: (727) 834-3263

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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