Potential Pet Parents Get Curbside Cuddles In Coronavirus Crisis

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — There's no need to delay plans to adopt a pet during the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, according to Hillsborough County Pet Center director Scott Trebatoski, a new pet can ease the loneliness of mandated self-isolation and help people focus on something other than the coronavirus crisis.

To help potential pet parents adopt a dog or cat, the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center has launched a pilot program called Curbside Cuddles. The program is for any adopters interested in having an isolation sidekick, but are unable to physically come into the pet shelter.

The program allows adopters to find a match and request a pet online by submitting their full name, contact information and the ID number of their dream pet to the pet center website or by calling 813-272-5900.

Then potential pet parents can swing by and get a furry curbside delivery. For adopters unable to arrange a Curbside Cuddles pickup, the Pet Resource Center is offering limited pet delivery through its new Cuddle Shuttle program. Deliveries will be offered based on availability and will only be to select areas of Hillsborough County.

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Those adopting through Curbside Cuddles and Cuddle Shuttle pilot programs will be required to provide the same information as required for in-person adoption prior to pickup or delivery. Once the adoption has been approved, staff will work with adopters to schedule a Curbside Cuddles pick-up or Cuddle Shuttle delivery. Adoptions will be on a first-come, first-served.

The Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Road, is also open for in-person adoptions. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. The shelter will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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