COMMUNITY ADVOCACY INITIATIVE
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY NEEDS A NEW PET RESOURCE CENTER
Hillsborough County residents are advocating for a modern, climate-controlled animal shelter with noise-controlled kennel areas, designed to better support animals, staff, volunteers, adopters and our community.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Why Residents Are Calling for a New Shelter
WHY NOW?
WHY NOW?
Plans to address Hillsborough County's aging Pet Resource Center have been discussed for years. The County identified a shelter facility as eligible for Community Investment Tax funding, with an initial estimate of approximately $30 million.
More recently, Hillsborough County approved an approximately $796 million County contribution toward a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, including $360 million in Community Investment Tax funding, while the final scope and full funding for the Pet Resource Center remain unresolved. County officials have said shelter funding has not been eliminated and the project continues to be evaluated.
ADD YOUR VOICE
Sign the Petition for a New Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center
The petition asks County Commissioners to support funding for a modern, humane Pet Resource Center for Hillsborough County.
UPCOMING
NEXT IMPORTANT MEETING
Date
September 24, 2026
Time
6:00 PM
Meeting
FY2027 Second Budget Public Hearing & Capital Improvement Program Public Hearing
Location
Frederick B. Karl County Center, Tampa, FL
About This Meeting
The Board of County Commissioners will hold its second public hearing on the FY2027 budget. This is an opportunity to speak on the record about funding for a new Pet Resource Center.
How to Participate
Residents may participate in person or virtually. Speaker registration opens September 22 at 6:00 PM.
Sign up to speak and make your voice heard on the FY2027 budget.
IN THE NEWS
Recent Coverage & Updates
Animal advocates urge Hillsborough County commissioners to fund new shelter
Animal advocates spoke before Hillsborough County commissioners, urging them to fund a new Pet Resource Center and describing the aging facility as frequently flooding and lacking proper climate control.
READ / WATCH →Calls grow for new Pet Resource Center shelter
FOX 13 video report on growing community calls for Hillsborough County to build a new, modern Pet Resource Center to replace the aging Falkenburg Road facility.
READ / WATCH →Hillsborough pet shelter petition tops 5,200 signatures
The online petition calling on Hillsborough County commissioners to fund a new Pet Resource Center surpassed 5,200 signatures.
READ / WATCH →Tampa animal advocacy group concerned over future of Pet Resource Center amid Rays stadium approval
A Tampa animal advocacy group raised concerns that the county's approval of the Rays stadium deal could divert funding away from a long-promised new Pet Resource Center.
READ / WATCH →Thousands sign petition demanding county keep promise for new Pet Resource Center
Thousands of Hillsborough County residents signed a petition demanding commissioners honor their commitment to build a new Pet Resource Center, citing years of deferred action on the aging shelter.
READ / WATCH →Regional Advocacy
Shelter Advocacy Across Tampa Bay
Hillsborough County is not alone. Volunteers in neighboring communities are also advocating for shelters that meet the needs of their animals and residents.
Explore Regional Advocacy