Adopt-A-Palooza Pet Fair Matches St.

Petersburg and Tampa Residents to Amazing Rescue Dogs and Cats

in Need

A recent article in The St. Petersburg Tribune highlights the Humane Society of Pinellas’ Adopt-A-Palooza, an annual event that brings in hundreds of visitors from the Tampa Bay Area and environs: http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/adop-a-palooza-event-in-st-pete-helps-pets-find-homes-20140518/

Hosted by Pinellas County’s largest no-kill shelter, the 2014 Adopt-A-Palooza featured nearly 125 dogs, cats, and other small animals for immediate adoption, many of which had been neglected or abused by their previous owners.

As a result, some of these loving (and lovable) animals develop behavioral issues that make them more difficult to adopt out, leaving countless dogs and cats in the Tampa area in a state of insecurity and homelessness.

On a positive note, almost half of the animals on display at the most recent Adopt-A-Palooza went to new homes where they will receive the love and care they’ve needed, from cats and dogs to rodents and reptiles.

Some of the featured animals included a hound-mix named Riley, a very sweet five-year-old with an even temperament and an unfortunate case of masticatory muscle myositis (MMM).

The autoimmune disease, which makes feeding difficult and chewing nearly impossible for certain dogs, further impedes Riley’s ability to find an appropriate path to adoption.

Thanks to Adopt-A-Palooza, Riley finally found Wyatt Schrim, who was more than happy to bring him into his heart and home.

Despite Adopt-A-Palooza’s success, there remains an estimated 30,000 homeless cats and dogs in Pinellas County, a figure that accounts for a substantial portion of the Tamp Bay Area’s stray animal population.

Much like Adopt-A-Palooza and the Humane Society of Pinellas, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay holds a number of important events throughout the year to put animals into good, permanent homes.

To learn more about either of these organizations, go to their official websites at http://humanesocietyofpinellas.org and http://humanesocietytampa.org.