Dogs, and going for walks, are basically my two favorite things in the world. My own dog sometimes wearies of the relentless walking. And shelter dogs, waiting to be adopted, need breaks from their kennels. So every chance I get I head over to an animal shelter to take dogs out for a stroll. Being new to this area — my husband and I moved here from the tundra of D.C. — now, while the north is buried in snow, seemed an especially good time to investigate the shelter dog-walking scene in Tampa Bay.
Pups and Pelicans
One recent Monday, I came to the Suncoast Animal League, in Palm Harbor, expecting pups.
I was not expecting Waldo, a convalescing pelican.
Rick Chaubody, SAL’s executive director and wildlife rehabber, was treating Waldo until he could be dispatched back into the wild.
In the interim, Waldo had grown to enjoy being hand-fed fish by volunteers and staff.
Suncoast has three dog-walking shifts per day. This afternoon, SAL’s Tara Smith and I got a big fellow named Rudolph out of his kennel. An older guy being treated for heartworm, he was only up for walking a couple of blocks. Still, Rudolph had pep and decided to roll in something disgusting, a gleeful look on his greying face. We cleaned up and repaired to the spacious outdoor dog run.
I was not expecting Waldo, a convalescing pelican.
Katie Mleczko and Ernie Webb, a couple who volunteer every Monday, were watching a pair of dogs romp and play. Waldo was there in his large cage, ignoring the fish in his kiddie pool (and mostly ignoring the dogs and humans as well). Outside on that beautiful day it would be hard not to feel content.
“A lot of people get a case of the Mondays,” Mleczko said. “We never get that.”
Dogs and Bunnies
It was chilly and damp when I ventured to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay — a cheerful-looking nonprofit shelter in Tampa that allows folks who’ve gone through a training session to walk dogs any time the shelter’s open. Once you’ve been around a bit, you can take dogs off-campus, even for sleepovers. Given the brisk weather, volunteer coordinator Leslie Menichino and I stayed close, bringing a quiet pit bull named Sugar into a fenced enclosure, filled with toys and playground equipment.
After some coaxing, Sugar began chasing balls — and squirrels. It was fun helping the shy, skinny girl enjoy herself.
“Exercise is the number one thing they need,” Menichino said, meaning the shelter dogs — who have a rough time when they are understimulated.
We headed inside, where I learned the indoor offerings are also impressive. For example, the shelter’s veterinary clinic needs volunteer snugglers for animals waking up from anesthesia. And anyone can hang out in the screened-in “Rabbit Resort,” or the cat space — a large indoor/outdoor room with couches, fountains, heaters, and a television playing squirrel videos.
By the way, HSTB is running a special: $5 for cats who are 4 months or older. I almost adopted several. Plus Sugar. And a bunny.
After Ogling Pigs, We Take A Dog On An Outing
The Tampa Bay SPCA, in Largo, has many cats and dogs. Also pigs, being trained to walk on a harness using… What’s that?
“Pup-Peroni,” said Stacey Mettinger, resident pig expert, while a porcine sweetie sat patiently, then rolled over for belly rubs.
It was a gorgeous Monday, sunny, but not hot: The sort of winter day that makes you feel especially smug to live in Florida — especially happy to be outside, with dogs.
The shelter lets volunteers take dogs on day trips; they wish more people would take advantage. Humane care manager Hayley May and I decided to run off on an adventure with 7-year-old ChooChoo, who seemed like she could use a change of scene.
ChooChoo hopped into my car and stared out the window as May and I drove to Eagle Lake Park. The dog was eager to see the water and to sniff the trees and grass. She walked easily on the leash, near the lake. You could see how great a pet she’d be... given the chance.
“She is doing better than my dogs would be,” May observed, noting that her dogs enjoy being pushed in a carriage.
After a while, it was, alas, time to go back to the shelter.
ChooChoo jumped back into the car, and curled up in the back seat. She fell right asleep.
It had been a good day.
ChooChoo, Rudolph, and Sugar are still up for adoption, as are some pigs. Suncoast Animal League successfully released Waldo the pelican back into the wild. Where, no doubt, he is glad for the freedom but misses being hand-fed fish.
You should do this, too.
Most shelters in the Tampa Bay area (and elsewhere!) welcome volunteers to walk dogs and more. Call or email the shelter you'd like to visit, to ask about their age requirements, the hours that volunteers are welcome, and if dog walkers need to attend a training session before they can go strolling with a pooch.
For example, you must be 18 years old and take a short training class, to walk dogs at the Pet Pal Animal Shelter (405 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-328-7738). Be sure to stop by the cage-free cat room while you're there. It's great.
Friends of Strays (2911 47th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-522-6566) prefers dog walkers to be 18 or older, but will work with younger volunteers under appropriate circumstances. Executive director Constance Paras tells CL that FoS will increase its dog walking opportunities soon — so stay tuned.
"We are expanding our dog program to enable specific dogs to be walked downtown with adoption vests to help find their perfect home," she said. "Since we live in such a dog friendly city we want to take advantage of it!"
And here are addresses for the shelters in this story:
Suncoast Animal League, 1030 Pennsylvania Ave., Palm Harbor, 727-786-1330
SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N., Largo, 727-586-3591
Humane Society of Tampa Bay, 3607 North Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-876-7138
