Foster an adoptable Pinellas County shelter dog or cat for up to 30 days through Dec. 30. The county provides food and supplies. How to sign up and where to go.

Pinellas County Animal Services is asking residents to take a shelter dog or cat home for the holidays, even if they are not ready to adopt.

Under its “Home for the Holidays” program, residents can foster an adoptable dog or cat for up to 30 days. The program runs Nov. 1 to Dec. 30, according to the county’s Nov. 2 release.

The county said the stay gives animals a break from shelter life. It also helps staff learn how each animal behaves in a home, which helps them match it with an adopter.

“Not everyone can adopt, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a difference in an animal’s life,” Jennifer Renner, director of Animal Services, said in the release.

What the shelter provides

The county’s Home for the Holidays page lists what goes home with the animal:

  • Dogs: food, a leash or harness and a crate if needed
  • Cats: a litter box and food
  • Both: medical support from shelter staff during the stay

You can bring the animal back early, for any reason, any time the shelter is open. If it turns out to be the right match, you can start the adoption process at any point during the foster stay.

How to sign up

The county’s page sets out three steps:

  1. Visit the shelter and meet the cats and dogs.
  2. If you make a connection, take the animal’s kennel card to the lobby with your photo ID.
  3. A staff member finalizes the foster with you.

Before you go:

  • Other dogs at home: if you want to foster a dog, bring your own dogs in for a meet and greet first, to check they get along.
  • Renters: the county notes that landlords may have their own pet policies, and suggests checking with yours first.
  • Who can foster: the page invites Pinellas County residents to visit the shelter.

You can browse adoptable animals online before you visit.

Where and when

The shelter is at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo, about 13 miles northwest of downtown St. Petersburg.

  • Adoption center hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
  • Phone: 727-582-2600. Press 8 for fostering information.

What it means for you

  • If you have room at Thanksgiving or over the holidays but cannot commit to a pet for life, a 30-day foster is a way to help without that commitment.
  • The program ends Wednesday, Dec. 30. The county’s page does not say whether a stay that starts late in December can run past that date, so ask when you visit.
  • The adoption center is open Monday through Saturday, not Sunday.

Looking for places to take a dog once you have one? See our guide to dog-friendly St. Pete.