MacDill Happenings

For veterinary care for your pet, check out the MacDill AFB Veterinary Clinic. Located right behind the Exchange Mall at 7804 Blackbird St, Bldg 936, the clinic is easy to find. The clinic is housed in a new modern facility. Personnel with a military ID card with hospital privileges can use the clinic services. The clinic specializes in immunizations, heartworm testing, microchipping and outpatient services for the control of animal diseases transmissible to people. Health Certificates are also available for animals that will be traveling.  If you getting ready to PCS overseas, then stop by the Clinic and they can help with everything you need to know and what to do to bring your pet overseas!  They will help you save a lot of money and can help you with any questions that you have.  Surgery is not done at this clinic. However, you can purchase medications and over the counter items to include flea and tick control, heartworm prevention medication, shampoos, tartar control chews and vitamins and prescription medications. Vaccines are now being divided into two classes. ‘Core’ vaccines for dogs are those that should be given to every dog. ‘Noncore’ vaccines are recommended only for certain dogs. Whether to vaccinate with noncore vaccines depends upon a number of things including the age, breed, and health status of the dog, the potential exposure of the dog to an animal that has the disease, the type of vaccine and how common the disease is in the geographical area where the dog lives or may visit. If you’re not sure what immunizations your pet should have, you can call the clinic or stop by to ask questions. Dogs should have an update to date rabies shot and bordetella shot if they are going to be boarded. Cats should have an up to date rabies shot and several other types of recommended immunizations. Heartworm medication is recommended in Florida. All services require an appointment which can be made by calling 828-3558. The Clinic is open Mon-Fri from 8am to 4pm. The Clinic is closed the last work day of every month for training.

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If you’re looking for something for kids to do, then head over to Sarasota to the Southeastern Guide Dog Discovery Center. One of the best thing about this trip is that it is a free event, but you also help someone out at the same time! But you’ve got to love puppies! The Southeastern Guide Dog Discovery Center with their Hug a Puppy & Walk a Dog program is open to anyone who wants to help them with their puppies. By hugging the puppies, you are helping the puppies achieve socialization needed to develop world-class guide dogs; dogs that are comfortable with people and accustomed to stimulation. This will help the puppies learn to focus on their job despite the distractions. These fun sessions help them prepare for life as a guide dog. Volunteer dog walkers help provide mild exercise, recreation, physical stimulation, and occasional grooming for dogs in training. The Dog Walking Hours and the Puppy Hugging Hours are from 9 am to 11 am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Southeastern Guide Dog Discovery Center has a mission to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life’s journey with mobility, independence and dignity. Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization and has provided guide dogs to people with visual impairments for 28 years since 1982.

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Check out the Pumpkin Patch at Old Hyde Park Village until 31 October. There will be pumpkins for purchase, pets in costumes and all sorts of photo opportunities!  All money raised during the Pumpkin Patch will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is a limited admission shelter. They only accept animals that they feel can be adopted. The Humane Society is a “No Kill for Space” shelter which means the shelter will not euthanize an animal to make space for another animal. Hours are Monday to Wednesday 5pm to 8pm, Thursday 4pm to and Friday noon to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday noon to 6pm.Hyde Park Village is an open-air shopping center located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. The Village center is situated in several buildings located between Swann and Rome Avenues. Although are national retailers, the majority of tenants in the center are independent boutiques and eateries. The neighborhood of Hyde Park is located near the University of Tampa and close to Tampa’s business and cultural arts district. The boundaries of the neighborhood include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue. There are 3 free parking structures available in Hyde Park.

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The City of Largo is hosting a Soggy Doggie Splash Party on Saturday 16 October. Dogs of all sizes are welcome to come and play. Event time for dogs 18 inches or shorter is from 11am-1pm, dogs taller than 18 inches is from 1:30-3:30pm. The fun takes place at the Highland Family Aquatic Center. This year’s event is “Poker Dogs,” so be sure to dress for the occasion and have some fun! Although slides will not be open, there will be plenty of activities and contests. Planned activities including a poker chip relay race (small dogs), all-in sprint swim (big dogs), kicker costume contest and command contest. Concessions and a poker photo opportunity will be available for all guests and their dogs. Pre-registration is recommended and available at local Pet Supermarket locations in Largo (East Bay Drive), Palm Harbor (US-19 and Tampa Rd) and St. Petersburg (49th St and 38th Ave N). Owners can’t go swimming but they can enjoy concessions, sponsor displays and goody bags. Proof of vaccination will be required before entering the facility. Admission is $5 per dog, but owners are free to attend. Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county and about a 30 minute drive from MacDill AFB. It is centrally located in Pinellas County, touching the Intracoastal Waterway to the southwest and Tampa Bay to the northeast. Clearwater is Largo’s neighbor to the north. To the northwest are the towns of Belleair and Belleair Bluffs. The City of Pinellas Park lies south of eastern Largo. Seminole lies south of western Largo. The community of Ridgecrest forms a large enclave between western and central Largo. A number of county enclaves pepper the City of Largo.

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When you move to the Tampa area, your pets will be covered under Hillsborough County Ordinances. All dogs and cats must be vaccinated and registered for rabies and that dogs be caused to wear current Hillsborough County tags. All dogs must be confined to their owner’s property and be restrained by a leash or under the direct control of the owner or responsible person when in public areas.  A great place to get vaccinations completed is at the MacDill AFB Veterinary Clinic.  The Clinic is open M-F from 8am to 4pm and located behind the Commissary/PX on Blackbird St, Bldg 936.  Call to make a reservation at 828-3558.  You can also get a microchip and supplies for your pets.

Hillsborough County requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets that are four months of age or older to be registered with the department and issued a tag. All dogs must wear the tag when outside. Cats are required to either wear a tag or be microchipped, tattooed, or have an ear tag when outside. The rabies tag may be obtained from the department or a Hillsborough county veterinarian. A license tag is a “free phone call home” for a lost pet. License tags cost $10 for a sterilized animal and $30 for a non-sterilized animal. License fees for ferrets are $5. Senior citizens age 62 or older receive a discount and may purchase a tag for a sterilized cat or dog for $5 or $15 for an intact cat or dog. For further information, contact Animal Services at 744-5660.

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How about taking out the pooch for a fun treat this Saturday! My dog doesn’t care for the water, but I know plenty of dogs do love the water. Today, the St. Petersburg Recreation Department is offering three sessions at Fossil Park Pool: 9-10:30 am, 11 am-12:30 pm and 1-2:30 pm of off leash-free swim and play for dogs before pool closes for season and maintenance. You just have to register at either start time with proof of dog’s current vaccination. Donations of dry Iams or Science Diet dog food, Nylabones, bleach, dish soap, trash bags, newspapers, clean towels and blankets accepted for the SPCA. Sorry no swimming for humans! The cost is only $5 per session dogs, but owners can watch for free! This pool is classic, with a one-meter and a three-meter diving board, two slides that reach around 20 feet tall, a basketball hoop set up in the shallow end and a baby pool option. The water in that pool sits between 2 1/2 to 3 feet deep and is a perfect splash area. Besides the pool, Fossil Park include: the Fossil Park Recreation Center, a playground, playcamp site, two lighted outdoor basketball courts, lighted regulation baseball field, two lighted youth-size baseball fields, a un-lite youth baseball field, six lighted tennis courts, a skate park and exercise trail. St. Pete is just across the bay from MacDill AFB and is about a 20 minute drive. The city is located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is connected to mainland Florida to the north; with the city of Tampa to the east by causeways and bridges across Tampa Bay; and to Bradenton in the south by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Interstate 275), which traverses the mouth of the bay. It is also served by Interstates 175 and 375, which branch off I-275 into the southern and northern areas of downtown respectively. With a purported average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, it is nicknamed “The Sunshine City.”

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For a free and fun time this Saturday evening come down to Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa for a free out showing of the classic movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. This part of the Sunset Cinema series sponsored by the Tampa Theatre. Built in 1926 as one of America’s most elaborate “movie palaces”, the Tampa Theatre today is a historical treasure of Tampa. Located in downtown Tampa, the Theatre is easily accessible from I-275 and I-4. Designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson, the Tampa is a superior example of the “atmospheric” style of theatre design. Inside the Tampa, audiences are transported to a lavish, romantic Mediterranean courtyard replete with old world statuary, flowers, and gargoyles. Over it all is a nighttime sky replete with twinkling stars and floating clouds. Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a Tampa City Landmark, and is a member of the League of Historic American Theatres. There is on street parking nearby and parking lots within walking distance. Legendary outlaws Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) display their gifts for perfect comedic timing and charisma as they pull off heist after heist in this Academy Award-winning film from director George Roy Hill. To evade a relentless posse, the boys flee to Bolivia, thinking they’ll find easier pickings there. But trouble finds them in Bolivia. The film starts around 8:45pm, but arrive early to get a good spot. Bring your own chairs and blankets to sit on. Alcohol is not permitted in the Park, but this is a great time to have a picnic dinner! There will be concessions selling food and drinks if you don’t want to bring your own. Right across the street from the park is Five Guys Hamburger, so you can get your fast food fix for the day if you need it. Pets are allowed with a leash and the Park has a fenced dog park along the River. The film will be shown on a 50-foot wide screen using dual projectors that produce a crisp image and a powerful sound system ensures that you can hear the movie from any place in the park. Parking is available at the Curtis Hixon parking garage or at nearby public parking lots. On street parking is free in Tampa after 6pm, so you don’t have to place any quarters into the meters!

The 5th Annual Ruskin PetFest will take place on Saturday 27 February from 9am to 2pm.  Dr. Ott’s Off-Leash Dog Park will host this event. This a full off-leash event. Come out and see the pet fashion contest, children’s activities and musical entertainment. All proceeds from this event will benefit C.A.R.E., a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in Ruskin. The Festival starts at 9am with food, music and vendors selling unique items for your pet. At 9:45am the open ceremony kicks everything off. There is a Pet Fashion Contest at 10:30am so make sure your pet is dressed for success! The Sillly Pet Tricks contest starts at 11:330am so start training your pet now. If you think your pet looks like you, then enter the Pet Owner Look-Alike contest at 12:30pm. The festival concludes at 2pm. Most of the animals that come to C.A.R.E. need just a few weeks of special care before they are ready for adoption to a good home. Others, who are older or sick or have suffered extreme trauma, become C.A.R.E. ambassadors and find a special home at C.A.R.E. for the rest of their lives. C.A.R.E. also offers a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in the hopes of deterring the homeless pet population. C.A.R.E. is restricted in having the ability to house and care for a limited number of animals awaiting adoption because of our relatively small size, our no-kill mission and our limited resources. We can currently house between 15-20 dogs (depending on sizes) and 25-35 cats. C.A.R.E. is an all volunteer organization and is funded totally by donations, adoption and sign up fees, fundraisers and small grants.

For a low cost way to have your pet vaccinated or spayed or neutered, you might want to check out Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT). ACT is located at 1719 W Lemon St in Tampa, just northwest of the University of Tampa. ACT is a licensed, 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 2001 with a mission to end killing as a means to control pet overpopulation in Hillsborough County. Currently, there are close to 23,500 cats and dogs destroyed at Animal Services because there are too many for the available homes. ACT’s want to have a community where dogs and cats are safe and treated with respect and value. ACT operates a low cost, high volume and high quality pet clinic. We just had our dog receive her vaccinations at ACT. What a great place! The vet techs were very friendly and the place is very well organized. They don’t try to sell you something extra for your pet. They provide an exam of your pet and let you know what needs to be done and is nice to have done for your pet. You can also have your pet licensec at ACT. The prices are published online and there are shot packages available so you know ahead of time exactly what you will have to pay.  During the month of December, ACT has an online coupon for $5 off a service.  Although there is a drop in time available, your best bet is to make an appointment. Shot and Microchip Clinics for dogs and cats are held on Saturdays by appointment and Monday through Friday from 12pm to 2pm without appointment. An appointment requires a $5 deposit that you can pay over the phone. ACT has medications available for purchase.