The First Place For Pets

For Florida residents passionate about animal welfare and dedicated to providing loving homes to pets in need, The First Place For Pets holds a significant position in the Tampa Bay community. This establishment is not a retail pet store in the traditional sense of selling animals; rather, it is widely recognized as the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center. As an open-admission animal shelter, it plays a critical role in caring for and rehoming countless dogs and cats annually, accepting pets regardless of their breed, age, condition, or history. It serves as a vital hub for pet adoption, lost and found services, and broader animal welfare initiatives in the region. If you're a local in Tampa looking to adopt a new family member, searching for a lost pet, or simply want to interact with animals needing homes, The First Place For Pets offers a welcoming and essential resource for the Florida pet community.

The First Place For Pets, officially known as the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, is conveniently located at 440 N Falkenburg Rd, Tampa, FL 33619, USA. This address places it within a highly accessible area of Tampa, making it a central point for residents across Hillsborough County and surrounding parts of Florida. N Falkenburg Road is a well-known artery, ensuring that the facility is straightforward to find and reach, whether you are driving from various neighborhoods in Tampa, Brandon, or other nearby communities. The accessibility is crucial for potential adopters, individuals searching for lost pets, or those needing to access their various pet support services. Ample parking is typically available on-site, contributing to a convenient visit. Its strategic location underscores its role as a primary resource for pet-related needs throughout the Tampa Bay area, making it a go-to destination for many Florida pet owners and animal lovers.

### Services Offered

As the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, "The First Place For Pets" offers a comprehensive range of services vital to animal welfare and pet ownership in the community:

• Pet Adoptions: This is a primary service, connecting adoptable dogs and cats with new, loving homes. They facilitate both "ready-to-go" adoptions (pets that have completed their stray hold, spay/neuter, and vaccinations) and "pre-adoptions" for animals still awaiting veterinary services.
• Stray/Lost Pet Intake & Reclaim: As an open-admission shelter, they accept stray domestic animals found within Hillsborough County. They also provide a crucial service for owners to reclaim their lost pets, working to reunite families.
• Owner Surrender: They accept owner-surrendered domestic animals, providing a pathway for pets whose owners can no longer care for them, regardless of the animal's condition.
• Pet Fostering Program: They run robust foster programs, including "Wait until 8" for kittens and "Foster Express" for short-term fostering of adoptable pets, allowing animals to decompress and thrive outside the shelter environment.
• Pet Registration/Licensing: The center is responsible for pet registration tags and licensing within the county.
• Animal Control & Law Enforcement: They investigate cruelty and neglect complaints, enforce animal-related laws, and handle issues such as dangerous pets or dog bites, ensuring animal safety and community well-being.
• Spay/Neuter Voucher Program: They offer spay/neuter voucher programs, often for income-qualifying residents, promoting responsible pet population control.
• Basic Veterinary Exam & Vaccinations (for adopted pets): Animals adopted from the center receive age-appropriate vaccinations, a basic veterinary exam, fecal tests, FeLV/FIV tests (for cats), flea/tick preventative, and heartworm tests as part of their adoption package.
• Microchipping: All adopted animals are microchipped for permanent identification, greatly increasing the chances of reunion if lost.
• Pet Resource Information: They provide information on responsible pet ownership, disaster preparedness for pet protection, and other essential resources for pet owners.
• Volunteer & Donation Opportunities: They actively seek and welcome volunteers and donations (including food, toys, blankets) to support the care of animals at the shelter.

### Features / Highlights

• Open-Admission Policy: A significant highlight is their "open-admission" policy, meaning they accept any domestic animal regardless of breed, size, or medical condition. This commitment ensures that no pet in Hillsborough County is turned away.
• Vast Number of Adoptable Animals: With hundreds of dogs and cats housed at any given time, potential adopters have a wide variety of animals to meet, increasing the chances of finding the perfect match.
• Compassionate Staff & Volunteers: Reviews frequently praise the staff as "very friendly" and "super helpful" in guiding adopters. The general atmosphere suggests a team genuinely committed to the animals' well-being.
• Focus on Animal Well-being: Customers observe that animals generally "appeared to be doing well" and that the "cages were clean." The positive interactions with friendly dogs indicate a focus on socialization.
• Comprehensive Pre-Adoption Care: Adopted pets come spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, and with an initial health assessment, providing new owners with a healthy start and peace of mind.
• Support for Lost & Found Pets: As the central hub for stray intake, they are the primary resource for reuniting lost pets with their worried owners in Hillsborough County.
• Community Engagement: Beyond adoptions, their active volunteer and foster programs, along with educational resources, highlight their deep engagement with the local community to improve animal welfare.
• Affordable Adoption Fees: Often, adoption fees are low (e.g., $20 for "ready-to-go" animals), making pet adoption accessible to more families.

### Contact Information

For those in Florida looking to adopt, report a lost or found pet, or utilize their various animal services, you can contact The First Place For Pets (Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center) using the following details:

Address: 440 N Falkenburg Rd, Tampa, FL 33619, USA

Phone: (813) 301-PETS (7387) - This is the general number for Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, as often referred to in public information.

Shelter Hours (Adoptions): Monday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM.

Intake Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 AM to 4:30 PM.

It is always recommended to check their official Hillsborough County website for the most current hours and any specific guidelines before visiting, especially for unique services or holidays.

### Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

For Florida locals, particularly those in Hillsborough County, The First Place For Pets, known as the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, is not just suitable; it is an indispensable community asset. Its role as an open-admission shelter ensures that every domestic animal in need finds a place, providing a crucial safety net for pets facing hardship. This commitment alone makes it an invaluable resource for compassionate residents.

For prospective pet owners, the center offers a unique opportunity to adopt a wide array of dogs and cats, each seeking a forever home. The comprehensive pre-adoption care, including vaccinations, spay/neuter, and microchipping, provides new families with healthy, well-prepared companions. The positive interactions reported by visitors, highlighting friendly animals and helpful staff, create a welcoming environment for what is often an emotional decision.

Beyond adoptions, the center’s services for lost and found pets, its foster programs, and its role in animal control underscore its vital contribution to responsible pet ownership and community well-being in Tampa. By choosing to adopt from or support The First Place For Pets, locals are not just finding a new companion; they are actively participating in and supporting the humane treatment and care of animals across their Florida community. It is truly the first place to look for those who believe in giving a second chance and enriching their lives with a rescued pet.

The First Place For Pets

440 N Falkenburg Rd, Tampa, FL 33619, USA