Hillsborough County began the first of two major renovation and construction projects last month at its Pet Resource Center, The First Place for Pets and the County animal shelter.
The first project budgeted at $500,000 with a completion date scheduled for the end of the year, will transform the shelter’s front entrance areas at the facility at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa, into one, unified customer service lobby.
County officials said that when completed the new lobby area will help to better serve residents for pet adoptions, lost pet searches and license tag sales, just to name a few.
“We are truly changing the Center’s approachability factor,” said Pet Resource Center Director Scott Trebatoski. “The reconstruction project will brighten and modernize the reception area, improve customer service, and modernize housing standards for cat adoption to current best-practices in the animal care industry.”
During lobby construction, the public entrance to the shelter will be temporarily relocated to the side of the building.
The second and more costly construction project budgeted at $1.7 million is said to replace portions of the facility’s roof beginning in mid-September.
“Work is said to be performed in quadrants across the kennel areas over a one-year period,” Ryan said, adding that the roof replacement will also be in compliance with hurricane standards to improve safety and ensure integrity for the department as first-responders for animals in Hillsborough County.
Construction at the Pet Resource Center, which is the county’s only “open-admission” facility, is expected to have little to no impact on operations or citizens.
Hours will remain the same, with the shelter open daily from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for adoptions, pet license tag sales, spay/neuter voucher authorizations, and more.
Animal turn-ins also will remain the same: Monday– Friday from 8 a.m.-12 Noon, with ID required at time of surrender.
The center is also celebrating the one year anniversary of its quite successful and much-anticipated signature community event; First Saturday Celebration.
For more information, call 744-5660 or visit HillsboroughCounty.org/Pets.
