Sweet Ramona Is a Staffordshire Terrier

Ramona looks similar to a pit bull but she is a different breed of dog.

Sweet Ramona. She is full of energy and so eager to please. She also may face an extended stay at Pinellas County Animal Services for no fault of her own. Ramona is an American Staffordshire terrier, which means she looks similar to a Pitbull. Some people pass over pitbulls these days, which is too bad and another story altogether. But that's a double shame for Ramona. She is a different breed and nothing but a sweet girl who loves to snuggle up to her favorite people. How to Adopt Ramona is ready to go to her forever home. She is spayed and microchipped. The adoption fee is $35 and includes the first set of shots, a collar and leash, a bag of food and a toy for the dog. We've attached an adoption form (PDF) to make it easy. Adopt Ramona, …

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Pet Pal Rescue of the Week

Gertrude, a Terrier Mix, Is a Playful Pup

Gertrude may have the old-fashioned name of a proper lady, but she likes nothing better than to romp with other dogs and sit for a treat.

Gertrude, an 18-month-old Terrier mix, has so many great qualities, it is a wonder that she has not been adopted. This perky pup arrived at the no-kill Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Pete, when the open-admission shelter where she was staying became over-crowded. Pet Pal welcomed this full-of-life young dog, rather than to see her euthanized for lack of room. Gertrude is fun, a natural performer who knows how to sit for a treat. She likes nothing more than to play with other pups her size. She is good on a leash and will take long walks with an owner looking to get outside for pleasure and exercise. What else is there to know aout her? All the hassles of getting a dog vaccinated, spayed and microchipped already are done. All her new owner …

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Pet Pal Rescue of the Week

Simone is a Quiet Champion Who Beat the Odds

This pit bull mix had her one-year anniversary at Pet Pal, waiting for a forever home. But don't feel bad for this patient girl who endured so much before her rescue.

Happy one-year anniversary, Simone! The white, pit bull mix is now the longest resident at Pet Pal, a no-kill animal shelter. But, please, don't feel bad for Simone, as she waits patiently for a forever home. Her previous life was marked by deprivation, sickness and abuse. Simone was found by Pet Pal Executive Director Scott Daly in South St. Petersburg last July. When driving to Pet Pal, Daly noticed a sickly dog stumbling through a vacant field. He quickly turned around to check her welfare and discovered a filthy, emaciated and severely dehydrated dog in desperate need of rescue. She possibly had just given birth to puppies. Knowing the dog needed immediate medical attention, Daly raced her to Pet Pal Vet Clinic and called for backup …

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Rescue Me

It Takes a Special Person to Adopt a Rescue Dog

Some rescue dogs have been chained outside, kept in a kennel, dumped on the side of the road or worse.

As the adoption coordinator for a local rescue organization, I have had many conversations about adopting a rescue dog. Adopting a rescue dog is different from buying a dog. Most dogs purchased are puppies and come from breeders or people who have to give them up. A rescue dog can be from anywhere and may have gone through more things in life than you or I.  I have found that some rescue dogs have issues, but nothing that they are not willing to work on to please you. Both of my pets are rescue dogs, and they both look at me with appreciation. They seem to be saying thank you sometimes. However, adopting a rescue dog is not for everyone. Some rescue dogs have been chained outside, kept in a kennel, dumped on the side of the road or just …

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