It's Raining Puppies at SPCA Tampa Bay

More than two dozen puppies and small dogs have arrived at  SPCA Tampa Bay  from an overcrowded North Florida shelter that planned to euthanize them.

Nora Hawkins, SPCA's senior director for marketing, does not expect that the new arrivals will last long at the Largo shelter before they're adopted.

The small dogs include such popular breeds as Dachshunds, Terriers, Chihuahuas and a Pomeranian.

The puppies are part of the same transfer from North Florida. They originally came from breeders who had left the animals at the North Florida shelter, because they had trouble selling them in the bad economy.

The puppies look healthy but do not appear to be purebred; they include mixed breeds that are predominantly Chihuahua, Collie, St. Bernard, Shepherd, Hound and Labrador Retriever.

A couple of adult female dogs bred for their puppies also are in the mix.

All the puppies will not be placed for adoption at the same time. Some will be in the adoption area as early as today at the SPCA in Largo, with the rest ready over the next week after medical checkups, vaccinations and surgeries for spaying and neutering are complete.

There will be a second transfer of more puppies and small-breed dogs next week.

Hawkins said the nonprofit's priority is to rescue, rehabilitate and find permanent homes for unwanted, abused and neglected animals in the Tampa Bay community.

But Hawkins said that animal rescue organizations increasingly work collaboratively, especially in times of dire need.

She noted the bad storms and tornados in the South have led to overcrowding in shelters in nearby states, with SPCA Tampa Bay doing what it can to help out, accepting dogs from agencies overwhelmed by need.

Likewise, the North Florida animal shelter that was faced with euthanizing healthy puppies and popular small breeds because it did not have room turned to SPCA Tampa Bay.

Hawkins said that rescue workers quickly moved to transport 26 small dogs and puppies to SPCA Tampa Bay as soon as they got word there was space at the shelter.

ADOPTION COSTS

The fee to adopt a puppy or small dog under 25 pounds is $180, which includes a 30-inch crate, soft bed, collar, leash and two food dishes. The dogs are vaccinated, tattooed, microchipped, and spayed and neutered prior to being placed for adoption.

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