Meet Your New Family Member at the Pet Adoption Marathon!

Pasco County Animal Services will play host to a pet adoption marathon Saturday, July 19, as part of the Hill's Pet Nutrition Second Chance for Love program.

The Hill's pet food producer will bring its mobile tour to the county pet shelter in Land O' Lakes and underwrite the costs for at least 25 pet adoptions, Animal Services Manager Denise Hilton recently told the County Commission.

The shelter is a 19640 Lake Patience, Land O' Lakes, off U.S. 41, north of S.R. 54.

The Friends of the Animal Shelter support group also will dedicate the outside playground.

Pet photographer Jim Dratfield will take pictures of the adopters and their new pets.

Free pet food samples will be available as well.

A company contest offers free pet food to winners, while the shelter might qualify for a chance at donations of more than $10,000. People who share a written or video adoption story will be entered into the Second Chance for Love Contest.

The grand prize cat and dog winner will win a VIP photo shoot with Dratfield in New York City, a one-year supply of Science Diet pet food and $10,000 for the Pasco shelter. Eight, second-prize winners will get a one-year supply of Science Diet pet food and $2,000 for the shelter.

For the past few years, the shelter has gotten free Science Diet pet food from Hill's in exchange for posting the company's promotional posters, Hilton explained. So the offer to bring the mobile tour here was welcomed. Commissioners approved the event so long as Hill's provides the liability insurance for the tour visit here.

"Yes!" Commissioner Pat Mulieri exclaimed about news of the event. "This is exciting." Mulieri also rates the staff veterinarian, Dr. Terry Spencer, as "outstanding."

Commissioner Jack Mariano also expressed his enthusiasm for the "great program." In addition, Hilton reported that veterinarian interns from area schools will work over the summer for the Pasco Animal Services shelter, in Land O' Lakes.