Animal Lovers Come Together To Help Animal Lovers In Need
by Mary Collister
Community Pet Project (CPP) was formed in June 2017 with a vision to help the pets of homeless and at-risk residents of Hillsborough County. Since that date, CPP was helped 600-plus pets by providing food, collars, leashes, toys, flea and tick preventa- tive, and other needed pet items. Recently CPP has partnered with Pet Stop Clinic Tampa to provide vaccines, other than rabies, for their clients. The organization has also been active
in educating its clients about the impor- tance of spaying and neutering their pets. CPP is able to secure low cost options as well as providing transportation to and from the veterinarian’s clinic. CPP’s initial contact with a prospective
client is usually made at a quarterly home- less outreach event sponsored by the Hillsborough Sheriff ’s Office and Tampa Police Department. The law enforcement agencies partner with county churches and organizations throughout Hillsborough County to host the quarterly event. Hundreds of outreach participants are
offered information on the many county, city and local services available as well as free haircuts, showers, clothing, and hygiene kits. CPP offers its services to the partici- pants who have pets, helping between 35 to 70 animals at each event. After the initial contact, clients are encouraged to contact CPP for any new needs as they arise. Mary Branch, a CPP client, is very
Top photo: Rhonda Eldridge, CPP President. Bottom photo: James Phillips with his dog Diezel.
Community Pet Project PO Box 7206 Seffner, FL 33583 813.530.6722
CommunityPetProject.org
familiar with the services offered by CPP. She often attends the outreach and has an ongoing relationship with CPP. “I have a dog, a cat and someone recently gave me six kittens I am trying to care for,” she explained. “I am able to get food here and Rhonda (CPP president) will bring items to me when I need them.” Bentley, a blue-nosed pit bull, attended the event with his owner. Bentley needed
food, treats, shampoo, a harness and leash as well as a bed. His owner identified Bentley as “my best friend.” She continued, “I’m so happy to get these supplies for him.” Advised about the importance of spay-
ing her three-year old Chihuahua mix Muffin, Ethel Smith was given a voucher for a $10 spay with support from CPP to provide transportation. James Phillips shares his life with his dog Diezel, who was in need of food, treats, vaccines, and toys. Diezel also needed to be neutered, but James needed assistance. CPP took care of the financial support and transportation to help James. After the outreach, two officers with
the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office, through the Homeless Initiative, were able to secure shelter for James and Diezel. All American Dog Training Academy offered to train Diezel as James’ therapy dog. “This is what happens when a community comes together,” said Rhonda. Part of CPP’s mission is to enable
homeless and at-risk county residents to keep their pets. Rebekah Williams, CPP volunteer and board member, volunteered with the Humane Society while living in Texas and when she moved to this area she knew she wanted to continue volunteering in some capacity. “I know I would never want to let go of my animals so when I became aware of CPP it seemed like a good fit for me.” CPP volunteers continue to pursue the
goals of improving the lives of pets who belong to the homeless and at-risk residents of Hillsborough County. Through these actions, dogs and cats are also kept out of shelters. Eldridge summed it up by saying, “These pets may be the only family some of our clients have. Pets provide love and sup- port, and we will continue to provide for them as long as we can.”
U 44 THE NEW BARKER
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