The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is in the midst of a national fee-waived adoption event, which began less than 48 hours after staff took in 21 dachshunds rescued from a hoarding situation in Pasco County.
Ben Moehnert, the shelter’s senior medical services manager, has worked at the organization for nearly two decades. He said Thursday’s arrival of the dogs stood out.
“There were dachshunds all in the cages in poor conditions,” Moehnert said, describing what animal services found in the backyard of the Pasco County home.
Staff estimate the dogs range in age from two to seven years old.
All of the dachshunds were transferred from Pinellas County Animal Services after their owner surrendered them earlier in the week, and Moehnert said the shelter may take in more animals from the same case.
“There are more. We may end up getting five or six more on top of the ones we took in,” he said. “The other agencies have some with them as well.”
The shelter is participating through Sunday in “Clear the Shelters,” a national campaign that waives adoption fees for all animals. Moehnert said the event has already helped provide a home to a longtime resident.
“One of the best things was yesterday, Tre, a pitbull that was our longest resident, he got adopted,” Moehnert said. “It gives a chance to the long-term dogs. The ones that may not always get looked at to go home and get a chance.”
Before the campaign began, Moehnert says the shelter housed about 60 dogs, roughly 100 cats and several rabbits.
“There are so many animals that need homes that are either abandoned [or] strays,” he said. “They are loving, good dogs. Just because they are at a shelter doesn’t mean they’re defective or something is wrong with them. Most of them are great family dogs or cats that ended up with us.”
Moehnert said the rescued dachshunds are expected to be available for adoption by midweek.
The “Clear the Shelters” campaign runs through 5 p.m. Sunday, when the Humane Society closes.
Other shelters in Pinellas and Pasco counties are also participating in this campaign, depending on where it is convenient for you and your family to go and visit.