Residents, volunteers press Hillsborough commissioners to fully fund Pet Resource Center now
September 16, 2026 | Hillsborough County, Florida
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Several Hillsborough County residents and longtime volunteers pressed the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 16 to accelerate funding for a new Pet Resource Center (PRC), saying the county's animal shelter is dangerously overcrowded and inadequately equipped for Florida summers.
"One washing machine trying to keep up with the needs of more than 450 animals," said Anne Malone, a PRC volunteer, describing daily conditions at the current facility. Malone told the commission that multiple kennel areas house more than 200 dogs without air conditioning and that temporary cooling measures overloaded the electrical system. "These are aging kennel areas where we also deal with flooding and drainage problems," she said.
Other speakers described recent, acute heat-related emergencies that strained staff and volunteers. Amy Summers, a lifetime Hillsborough resident, noted two incidents in 2026 when high heat indexes led to urgent pleas for volunteers and supplies: "PRC was begging anyone in the community to take dogs even for a day to get them in AC," she said, citing July 29, 2025, and July 20, 2026 appeals for emergency relief.
Speakers pressed for specifics on budgeting and timelines. John Marinello, a resident and longtime advocate for the shelter, said the county previously designated $30 million for a new shelter in 2024 but that the project appears to have been delayed or restarted. "Why are we starting all over again and possibly adding 5 or 10 years to the project?" he asked. Several commenters linked perceived funding shortfalls to other county commitments, including stadium spending, and urged commissioners to identify immediate funding sources.
Commissioner Miller later asked staff to provide quarterly updates on the PRC facility improvement project including funding status, scope, milestones and any board decisions required. The request was made as commissioners closed the public comment period and signaled an intent to keep the issue on the board's follow-up list.
The commission did not take an immediate vote to reallocate funds during the Sept. 16 meeting; speakers asked the board to prioritize a climate-controlled facility and to consider reprogramming unallocated affordable-housing dollars or other sources that staff could evaluate and report back on.
"One washing machine trying to keep up with the needs of more than 450 animals," said Anne Malone, a PRC volunteer, describing daily conditions at the current facility. Malone told the commission that multiple kennel areas house more than 200 dogs without air conditioning and that temporary cooling measures overloaded the electrical system. "These are aging kennel areas where we also deal with flooding and drainage problems," she said.
Other speakers described recent, acute heat-related emergencies that strained staff and volunteers. Amy Summers, a lifetime Hillsborough resident, noted two incidents in 2026 when high heat indexes led to urgent pleas for volunteers and supplies: "PRC was begging anyone in the community to take dogs even for a day to get them in AC," she said, citing July 29, 2025, and July 20, 2026 appeals for emergency relief.
Speakers pressed for specifics on budgeting and timelines. John Marinello, a resident and longtime advocate for the shelter, said the county previously designated $30 million for a new shelter in 2024 but that the project appears to have been delayed or restarted. "Why are we starting all over again and possibly adding 5 or 10 years to the project?" he asked. Several commenters linked perceived funding shortfalls to other county commitments, including stadium spending, and urged commissioners to identify immediate funding sources.
Commissioner Miller later asked staff to provide quarterly updates on the PRC facility improvement project including funding status, scope, milestones and any board decisions required. The request was made as commissioners closed the public comment period and signaled an intent to keep the issue on the board's follow-up list.
The commission did not take an immediate vote to reallocate funds during the Sept. 16 meeting; speakers asked the board to prioritize a climate-controlled facility and to consider reprogramming unallocated affordable-housing dollars or other sources that staff could evaluate and report back on.
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