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News Of Free Pet Clinic Brings Deluge Of Requests

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By PENNY CARNATHAN

pcarnathan@tampatrib.com

Published: January 1, 2009

TAMPA - The calls started pouring in early this week, about the time the billboard went up announcing free pet vaccinations.

It's just more sad evidence of how financially depleted residents are struggling to keep their animals, said Sherry Silk, executive director of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

On Jan. 10, the shelter plans to set up tables, chairs and seven veterinarians at Sulphur Springs Park, at the corner of Nebraska Avenue and Bird Street. From 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. it will vaccinate the first 500 dogs and cats against rabies and distemper. Hillsborough County Animal Services will provide free licenses for residents in the 33604 ZIP code, which includes Sulphur Springs, a community with many low-income residents and wandering stray animals.

"We've had over 100 phone calls," Silk said Wednesday. "I'm getting a little nervous because we had to have a cutoff. We've had people call from out of county asking if they can come. But it's Hillsborough County residents only this time."

The only other criteria are that dogs must be leashed and cats in a carrier.

To the best of anyone's knowledge, the giveaway is the first of its kind here. It came as the shelter noticed with alarm the growing number of people saying they couldn't afford shots and licenses for their pets.

"There was a distemper outbreak recently in Pasco; that's just one county away," Silk said. "We definitely need to have people current on vaccinations."

The shelter is spending $5,000 on the clinic; shots will be administered by four shelter vets and three volunteer animal doctors.

Last spring, the Humane Society started a pet food assistance program in response to the growing numbers of financially struggling pet owners. The need spiked dramatically in September and October, Silk said, and has held steady since.

There will be a truck load of free pet food at the shot clinic. Those who don't make it there but need food — or can donate food — can stop by the Humane Society, 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, during normal hours: noon to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The society hopes to offer shot clinics again in the spring and the fall.

"The need is so great," Silk said. "It breaks my heart that people want to do right, but they can't."

Reporter Penny Carnathan can be reached at (813) 259-7612.

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