Community Corner
You CAN Make a Difference
A local canned food drive strives to help rescued animals and struggling pet owners.
From Hillsborough County Government Online:
Hillsborough County Animal Services provides a safe haven for lost, frightened, and injured animals with nowhere else to go. During the month of November, supporters can help make a difference for these animals and struggling pet owners by donating pet food at multiple locations in Hillsborough County.
An initiative titled You CAN Make a Difference is being spearheaded by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Timothy Conference in Tampa. The charity's stated mission is to serve those in need by helping to alleviate suffering or deprivation. This latest food drive fits their mission by emphasizing canned food donations for the recovery of pets suffering from severe distress.
While dry food is also needed, wet or canned-types are most frequently used by Animal Services' emergency animal responders working in the field and at the shelter. Frequent cruelty investigations and the constant arrival of hungry animals require immediate resources for treatment and recovery. Additionally, Animal Services has found that wet food is more effective in socializing traumatized animals.
To help the community's hungry animals, You CAN Make a Difference donations of wet or canned dog and cat food can be placed inside specially marked receptacles at the following locations during the month of November:
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- Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., first floor lobby, downtown Tampa
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3, Plant City
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, 410 30th St., SE, Ruskin
The pet food drive will benefit Hillsborough County Animal Services and partners at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for Casper's Cupboard, a local food assistance program which aids pet owners in economic distress. The program was named after an Animal Services’ rescue and landmark cruelty case involving a nearly starved boxer dog. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Timothy has been supporting pets in need since Casper's discovery, helping countless shelter animals and struggling families.
For more information, please contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at (813) 744-5660 or online at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices.
