I was familiar with the area, Suwannee County for over 10 years, but did not realize their cry for help until I was receiving and award this past November through Florida Animal Control. At the banquet after the awards they offered grant money to needy shelters. When they called out Suwannee as one of the four reciptents of $300.00 grant money I realized how easy it would be to adopt them. After talking to our Operations Manager and Veterinarians it was approved that Pinellas County Animal Services could adopt Suwannee County. We are sending our surplus donations of food and supplies to them. They really appreciate what we have done ! Seeing their facility made us realize how lucky are shelter animals are. They have to cover carriers with donated comforters to try to keep them a little bit warmer. Dogs are doubled up due to overcrowding. It was great meeting Janice and Joe, the only Animal Control officiers in the shelter.Janice is looking forward to the day when they might be able to have their own spay and neuter program at the shelter. Even though their funds are limited they were still able to do what larger shelter do, regarding disaster response and they even have a pet friendly shelter !! Good Luck Suwannee County ! Mary Taylor CVT
Pinellas County Program Coordinator

Pros: caring volunteers

Cons: overcrowding

I am the director of the shelter. I have been around animals and animal related fields most of my life and have never been around more selfless and dedicated employees and volunteers. What is accomplished with only 2 and 1/2 employees and a small group of volunteers is worthy of several makeovers. This little shelter has rescued, brought back to health, and assisted in locating owners as well as adopted a large share of their pet population. Not to mention their pet friendly shelter,their going to assist with the animal victims of Hurrican Katrina. Oh! and they deal with wildlife and impound lost livestock as well. They are on call 24 hours a day and are sometimes called out at nite. The volunteers are always there to raise money for the shelter, which helps with the spay/neuter program and will often foster pups or sick animals. Soooo much with sooo few!!! My hat goes off to the Little Shelter That Could.

Pros: Love the animals,experienced staff and willing volunteers

Cons: not enough financial backing

As a volunteer and member of the Governing Board, I know the dedication of the staff and all our volunteers, and how much time and effort is put into helping take care of an often overrun facility. We have worked very hard the last couple of years to raise additional funds for our expansion program, and we pray that through this website program we'll see our hopes and dreams for this shelter come true. Our two animal control officers cover over 700 square miles of county, and one part-time person oversees the running of the office, sees to the daily functions of the office, the supervision of the volunteers, and greeting the public as well as answering the constantly ringing phones. Considering our small facility and all the limitations it has to deal with, this shelter ranks very high in service, dedication, and care of all our furry residents.

Pros: Volunteers that dedicate their time to helpint care for all the animals, and citizens who donate time, money, food and supplies.

Cons: Limited space, limited operating finances, very small staff.

For such a small shelter all the people that make the shelter happen have such big hearts for the animals that come in. They have alittle space and a high volume of pets that may have no chance to fine a good home because of space. so if any one in the area of this shelter go by and lend a hand or two because you might just find a paw or four to take home. best of luck to this shelter on the maker over.

Pros: loving the animals

Cons: such little space

I started volunteering at the shelter about 3 years ago. I have a great love for most all animals and, this is where I got Trixie my dog. This shelter needs to be expanded, and all the volunteers have been working hard to raise the funds to help with the expansion. I surely hope that in the near future we will be able to start updateing the offices with new computers and making more for the staff to do their jobs.

Pros: dedicated to the animals

Cons: not enough room for some of the animals