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First Pet Toy Drive Brings In More Than 200 Donations

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: January 7, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Tails are wagging from pet toys donated for cats and dogs at the county's animal adoption center.

The first Toys for Tails drive collected some 200 Kongs, Zanies, squeakies, twirlies, and other unique playthings to arouse the curiosity of the pets, according to leaders with the Friends of the Pasco Animal Services support group.

At least three boxes were stuffed with donations at the West Pasco Government Center, Commissioner Michael Cox said. He serves as an adviser to the nonprofit Friends group.

"They responded overwhelmingly," Cox said about the generosity of county employees and residents.

The toys often help decrease the anxiety of the animals while they wait in cages to be adopted, Cox explained. The toy goes with the pet to its adopted home.

And 2009 is shaping up to be a big year for both the Friends group and the animals services shelter, Cox observed.

The Friends supporters are working on the next event, Have a Heart Pet Fair and Adoption Event. It will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Pasco County Animal Services headquarters, 19640 Dogpatch Lane.

Dogpatch Lane, formerly known as Lake Patience Road, is off U.S. 41, in the Land O' Lakes area.

The Animal Services phone number is 727-834-3216.

Friends of Animal Services will pay $10 toward pet adoptions on Feb. 14. Other activities include tail painting, photos with pets, vendor booths and a kissing booth.

"I have some other really good news," Cox said, referring to a matching grant for up to $20,000.

The friends group's fundraising total will be matched by the Pennsylvania-based Alice Everard Charitable Foundation.

"We need to raise 20,000 bucks," Cox said about the support group's goal.

One possible project might be rolling billboards on vehicles with advertisements to spay or neuter pets, Cox said.

In the meantime, after some false starts, construction could commence on an extension to the county animal services department in Land O' Lakes.

"I'm very optimistic this time," Cox said about getting the project off the ground.

The county first advertised for bids in December 2005, but rejected the bids as much too high in April 2006. The county had estimated the cost at $2.1 million, but the lowest bid came in at $4.7 million at the time. After changes, a revised construction plan was presented in September 2008 for the addition with 12,656 square feet.

A new building would house an adoption center, plus a new surgery suite for the county staff veterinarian Dr. Terry Spencer who now works out of makeshift quarters, Cox said.

The county department last year had earned the Outstanding Agency of the Year Award from the National Animal Control Association in June 2008, Cox noted.

The officers for the Friends support group are Abbey Cox, president; Kelly Yzaguirre, vice president; Darlene Green, treasurer; and Megan Hollingshead, secretary.

Other board members are Dr. Courtney Riley, Maureen Schooley, Evelyn Tracy, Dr. Patricia Weston-Bogart and Betty Holland.

For more information about the Friends group, send e-mails to friendsofanimalservices@msn.com or send mail to: Friends of Animal Services Inc., P.O. Box 215, Elfers, FL 34680.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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