MacDill Happenings

The 22nd Annual Bark in the Park takes place on 14 Mar at Al Lopez Park from 8:30am to noon. Help raise funds for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and have a doggone good time while doing it. Collect donations to help the Humane Society of Tampa Bay provide shelter, food, spay/neuter services and medical care for the thousands of dogs and cats that are relinquished to shelters in our county each year. There will be pet costume contests, demos, vendors and more. Bring your pets out so that they can enjoy time with other pets. There is a one mile walk fundraiser begining at 10 am with a pet costume contest immediately after the walk.  The Humane Society of Tampa Bay was established in 1912 as the Hillsborough County Humane Society with the mission “to enforce the law applicable to the prevention of cruelty to children and cruelty to all animals of any description, capable of suffering, and to do everything and anything which is legal to prevent cruelty and harsh treatment to children and animals.” It is one of the oldest corporations in the state of Florida. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has a “No Kill for Space” program which means that no adoptable animal will be enthanized to make room for another coming through the door.

Every Tuesday the Tijuana Flats restaurant in New Port Richey hosts “Yappy Hour”.  “Yappy Hour” runs from 4pm to 7pm and takes place on the outside patio.  Pets and pet owners are welcome to come out socialize together with other pets and share a meal.  Please have you pets on a leash and be prepared to pickup after your pet. If you haven’t been to a Tijuana Flats then you will find good food, reasonable priced, served quickly, friendly employees and a fun atmosphere.  When you enter a restaurant you’ll go straight to the register and place your order. The food is served in a basket lined with paper. Cups are styrofoam.  You’ll also throw away your own trash at the of meal.  However, a server will bring your meal to your table, and refill your drinks. The menu is not too large and intended to be quick.  Portion sizes are generous and the food is made with fresh ingredients.  A great appitizer choice is the nachos which are also refilled for free.  There is a free salsa bar so you can chose mild to hot to go with your meal.  The meals are pretty inexpensive from $5-$7 and is a great place to bring the kids.  Alcohol is served, so of course you can get that margarita if you really want to get in the mood!  You can also order takeout if you can stay.

The Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort (CARE) in Ruskin, a no-kill shelter for homeless dogs and cats, is holding its Seventh Annual Tree of Lights for the Animals fundraiser from now through Christmas. The annual events allows area residents an opportunity to honor their past or present pets with a Christmas bulb or personalized dog or cat ornament which will be placed on a shelter tree. The trees will be lit through the holidays and the donations will go directly to supporting the 50-60 pets currently at the shelter. For a tax-deductible contribution of $5 or more each, a bulb will be placed on a tree for every pet you want to honor. For a $10 or more donation, a cat or dog ornament with the name of your pet(s) will be placed on a tree. At any time during the holiday season, visitors are encouraged to come view the trees and, hopefully, visit some of the pets available for adoption - if only to say hello and Merry Christmas. Tree of Light donation forms can be found online. For more information, call (813) 645-2273.

This Sunday at Hyde Park Village stop by to get your free picture taken with Santa Claus.  Santa Claus is available from noon to 4pm at Santa’s Cottage located between Milagros & B’szene Boutique. Donations are accepted and will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Pets are also welcome to have their picture taken. Located in south Tampa, Hyde Park Village has great mix of boutiques, stores and unique restaurants that can pique anyone’s interest.   South Tampa is the area generally defined as the part of Tampa that is south of Kennedy Blvd.  MacDill AFB is located at the southern end of South Tampa.  There is plenty of free parking available in Hyde Park Village with several parking garages available and also complimentary valet parking during the holiday season!

If you thinking of taking a trip during the kids’ Christmas vacation and are a pet owner, then you want to make sure that the pets’ shots are to update if you are going to have to board them overnight.  The MacDill AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility offers a great price on veterinary service! They specialize in providing 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. Medications and over-the-counter items available include flea & tick control treatments, heartworm prevention medication, shampoos, tartar control chews, vitamins and prescription medications. Services are by Appointment Only, call 828-3558. Hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm, closed on the weekends. The Veterinary Treatment Facility is located on the road behind the commissary and exchange.  You must have an ID card to use this service.

This Saturday is the Pet Adoption Expo from 10am to 4pm at the Florida State Fairgrounds – Special Event Building4800. Just like President-elect Sen. Obama’s family, the best way to find a new pet is at a shelter!  More than 30 animals rescue groups, including The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County Animal Services, will have hundreds of cats and dogs available for adoption inside the fairgrounds. The event will also feature pet merchandise, “Ask a Dog Trainer” and “Ask a Vet” booths. At the Spring Pet Adoption Expo in  April, more than 386 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies were adopted and nearly 3,000 people attended.  Admission is free, but donations are welcome both on-site and through TampaPets.org. Free parking is available at the Fairgrounds entrance off Orient Road. For more information about the Adoption Expo, please contact Lisa Knight at (813) 367-2078

Come out with the children and enjoy the Fall Festival at Old Hyde Park Village in South Tampa this Saturday from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Enjoy activities like a moon bounce, balloon sculptors, trick-or-treating, and more! There will also be a pumpkin patch which is open until the 31st! For two weeks, you will find plump pumpkins, pets in costume and fun photo opportunities. This benefits the Humane Society of Tampa Bay so bring your pets and children enjoy all the activities and fun! Parking is free!

The downtown St. Pete area has something for everyone and their pets this Saturday! Hogs and Dogs in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg will give dogs their day and hawgs their due with a street party, between First Avenue N and First Avenue S, from 19th to 31st streets. There will be have motorcycle displays, a dog pageant and costume contest, pet portraits, exhibits and live entertainment from 11 am to 4 pm Saturday.

If you’re new to Tampa and want know where to take your dog out to enjoy the great Tampa weather and get a little exercise, then you’re in luck!  In the Tampa area, there are 4 dog parks spread throughout the county.  In the northern part of the Tampa area, there is the Carolyn Meeker Dog Park located in Lutz.    In the northeast part of Tampa, there is Logan Gate Dog Park. In Seffner just east of I-75 and north of MLK, is the Mango Recreation Center.  Just north of Tampa International Airport is West Park.  In each park there is a play area featuring 5 acres with a 6 foot galvanized chain link fence with double gated entries. Each area is split into two separate access areas for small and large dogs. In addition, there are water fountains for people and dogs, picnic tables, shelters, dog washes, a hitching post, and doggie mitt receptacles.  Hillsborough County has dog park rules and regulations, and a brochure to make sure you know what to do and what to expect.

The owners of Give A Dog A Bone in Apollo Beach on US 41 will be hosting a dog wash fundraiser for Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) this Saturday. The fundraiser will run from 11am to 2pm.  Give a Dog A Bone carries specialty products for dogs and cats using all natural dog/cat food and treats. Their products contain human grade meat, fruits, and vegetables with no by-products. They also bake all natural bones in the store daily using the freshest human ingredients. CARE is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter for abused and abandoned cats and dogs located in Ruskin. Save a lot of money, help out other animals and have a clean dog! You just can’t beat that! A washing costs $5, a conditioning treatment and afterbath spray is an additional $2. Cruzin’ K9 will clip doggy’s nails for $5. All the money raised will be donated to C.A.R.E. For more information, call (813) 641-3734.