Latest news with #SPCAFlorida
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Meet French Fry, a pointer mix with a sizzling amount of energy
Preview all of the adoptable pets at To meet or adopt a pet located at SPCA Florida, stop by the Adoption Center Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prior to adoption, all pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up to date on vaccines and come with a month of flea and heartworm prevention. For questions, contact SPCA Florida's Adoption Center at 863-577-4615 or adopt@ Breed: Pointer/Mix Gender: Female Weight: 48 pounds Age: 1 year Orphaned Since: Dec. 18 Adoption Fee: $250 Would you like a French Fry? This year-old pointer mix is uber-energetic and ready to mix it up with leash walks and play dates at the park. You can bond during couch chillathons during French Fry's favorite activity ― belly rubs. Stop in soon to visit and adopt this glass-half-full, four-pawed optimist. Breed: Bulldog Gender: Male Weight: 53 pounds Age: 4 years Orphaned Since: May 2 Adoption Fee: $150 For Oreo, both the cookie and the dog, it's all about the black and white markings ― white surrounded by black on both sides. For canine Oreo, it's all about the fun and yes, food. Spoiler alert: If it fits inside his mouth, edible or not, Oreo will grab it, and if it's tasty, he may coat it with drool. Oreo is happy when he's near his person and ecstatic if his human plies him with a treat or two. He's more than ready for a one-way trip home. Breed: Domestic Shorthair Gender: Male Weight: 11 ½ pounds Age: 8 months Orphaned Since: Oct. 23 Adoption Fee: $75 The name Barney brings to mind a kaleidoscope of characters: Barney, the kid-favorite, purple dinosaur; and for adults, the clumsy deputy in Mayberry, Barney Fife. But Barney, a former resident of Polk County Animal Control, personifies a people-pleasing feline who works the room at SPCA Florida's Tinker's Legacy. Twirl a wand toy, and it's game on for this energetic kitty who's ready to bulldoze his sweet self into your heart. He's ready for a play date ending in a trip home to his forever family. Breed: Domestic Longhair Gender: Male Weight: 10 pounds Age: 2 years Orphaned Since: March 4 Adoption Fee: $75 At first, he might play hard to get but give him a little time and a few gentle pets, and he'll show you his sweet, playful side. Johan loves toys, affection and mealtime (he never misses a snack). Once you earn his trust, you'll have a loyal companion who greets you with purrs and playful pounces. If you're looking for a low-key best friend with a soft spot for treats and snuggles, Johan's your guy. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet this week's SPCA pets: French Fry, Oreo, Barney and Johan
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Don't let the cutesy mane fool you. Barkley is an outdoor explorer
Preview all of the adoptable pets at To meet or adopt a pet located at SPCA Florida, stop by the Adoption Center Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prior to adoption, all pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up to date on vaccines and come with a month of flea and heartworm prevention. For questions, contact SPCA Florida's Adoption Center at 863-577-4615 or adopt@ Breed: Chow Chow Gender: Male Weight: 46 pounds Age: 4 years Orphaned Since: March 25 Adoption Fee: $150 Bow Wow! Barkley, a 4-year-old male Chow Chow is psyched to go to his forever home now now. This furry boy is in a hurry to explore the great outdoors, one of his favorite activities. And a plus: He behaves well on a leash. His adopter shouldn't cry as he gets to know this shy guy because he will show his true colors in good time. Originally bred for royalty, the Chow Chow exhibits exemplary loyalty. Stop by for a game of fetch and catch. Breed: Bulldog Gender: Female Weight: 54 pounds Age: 3 years Orphaned Since: April 7 Adoption Fee: $150 Dolly is a 3-year-old bulldog mix who sashayed her way to us while sweetly caring for her puppies like the devoted mama she is. Now that her motherhood chapter is closed, it's Dolly's time to shine, big hair not required, but she's definitely ready to be the star of the show. Much like her namesake, Dolly's got a heart as big as Tennessee. Loyal, affectionate and just the right amount of playful, Dolly is the perfect mix of sweet and sassy. She'll win you over with her soulful eyes, gentle nature, and signature bulldog charm. If you're looking for a companion who's all about love, cuddles and a little bit of country flair, Dolly is ready to be your leading lady. Breed: Domestic Shorthair Gender: Male Weight: 9 pounds Age: 1 year Orphaned Since: March 19 Adoption Fee: $125 Cappuccino, a hot drink, consists of espresso topped with foamy steamed milk. Thinking outside the box but at the Orlando Cat Café, Cappuccino the feline, all nine pounds, overflows with love capped off with affection for cats and people alike. This wannabe adoptee, no foam on top of him, is shy at first but like the refreshment he's named after, will warm your heart and have you begging for more. Stop by the Café and relax with two cappuccinos, the liquid and the kitty: Breed: Domestic Shorthair Weight: 11 pounds Age: 2 years Orphaned Since: Feb. 4 Adoption Fee: $100 Gucci evokes images of high-end accessories fashionistas flaunt when dressed to the nines. The number nine also brings to mind the number of lives attributed to a cat, especially a sleek, black one named Gucci. Perhaps he can strut his stuff down the runway, his neck adorned with his non-Gucci colorful necklace while he works the room in search of his future family. His stroll may have fits and starts since he loves to socialize with everyone and be the center of attention. Visit soon, no bling required. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet this week's SPCA pets: Barkley, Dolly, Cappuccino and Gucci
Fox News
18-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Beloved pet makes daring escape from animal hospital after surgery and travels 3 miles to get home
George the cat wasn't having it. The feline fugitive decided recently it was time to leave an animal hospital in Lakeland, Florida, while he was still recovering after being neutered. So, he broke out of his crate and scaled a fence. "I was distraught and heartbroken," George's owner, Bob Beasock, told FOX 13. Employees at SPCA Florida chased after George, but they weren't able to catch him. "George was able to bust out of the trap, and he literally scaled some dog fencing and went into the woods. And our staff were literally hoisting each other up over the fences to try to chase George to capture him," Randa Richter of SPCA Florida told FOX 13, adding he still had "silly drugs in him" after his neutering. Days later, George arrived home 3 miles away. "If I would've gotten stuck at the SPCA, I would've called an Uber, but George didn't have that option," Beasock joked. "But coming back from there, he has to go through two or three subdivisions. He has to go around the lake, another lake that's between us and the SPCA, and probably five or six roads." Certified cat behavioral specialist Joey Lusvardi told the station cats have evolved to find their way back. "We think it's due to a combination of scent or visual markers and possibly geomagnetism," which relates to Earth's magnetic field, Lusvardi said. "Contrary to popular belief, cats are very attached to us, so they will want to find their way back home eventually." Beasock, while brushing his beloved George, told the station, "He needed a human touch, and that's what he got."
Newsweek
17-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Cat Escapes Vet, Then Days Later Returns Home Three Miles Away
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A freshly neutered Florida feline named George returned to his home after escaping from a veterinarian appointment and walked nearly 3 miles back to his house over the course of a few days. Newsweek has reached out to SPCA Florida for more information via email on Saturday during non-working hours. The Context Cats are touted by some as excellent pets due to their self-reliance, able to eat, hunt and use the bathroom on their own. George, despite being on anesthesia, still had the directional sense to return to his owner and his home miles away. Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behaviorist, told local news station Fox 13 Tampa Bay that "cats evolved to naturally find their way back. We think it's a combination of scent, visual markers, and possibly geo-magnetism." What to Know George was still feeling the effects of his sedation medication when he escaped from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Florida, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported on Thursday. The feline's owner, Bob Beasock, told the station that George managed to break out of a cage, scale a fence, and run into the woods before making the 3-mile trek home. "He had to go through two or three subdivisions, around a couple of lakes, and cross five or six roads," Beasock said. "If I had been stuck there, I would've called an Uber. But George didn't have that option." Beasock added that George "was able to pop that cage open and he sprung out of there and he was gone in seconds." The cat's owner said the employees tried to give chase but weren't able to catch up to George. Randa Richter, Humane Programs & Public Media Director of SPCA Florida, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that the cat quickly outran the employees. "Our staff were literally hoisting each other up over the fences to try to chase George to try to capture him," Richter recalled. The daring escape made even more impressive by what he was on. "He still had silly drugs in his system," Richter added. Stock image. An orange and white cat is seen in Casper, Wyoming, on May 20, 2021. Stock image. An orange and white cat is seen in Casper, Wyoming, on May 20, 2021. What People Are Saying Bob Beasock told Fox 13 Tampa Bay: "I was distraught and heartbroken. He needed a human touch—and that's what he got." Randa Richter, Humane Programs & Public Media Director of SPCA Florida, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay: "George was able to bust out of the trap and he literally scaled some dog fencing and went into the woods." Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behaviorist, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay: "Contrary to popular belief, cats are very attached to us. They will want to find their way back home." What Happens Next? After a big adventure, George is safe at home and recovering from his procedure. It is unknown if the cat suffered any medical complications during his escape.
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Cat's escape was like a ‘prison break movie.' Then came a long journey home
A cat's daring escape was like a 'prison break movie' — then came a long journey home. George the outdoor cat was visiting a Florida shelter when he 'broke out of his carrier,' scaled an 8-foot fence and vanished into the woods, Randa Richter, humane programs and public media director for the animal organization, told McClatchy News in an email and phone interview. 'He was able to pop that cage open, and he sprung out of there — gone in seconds,' Bob Beasock, who had been taking care of the cat, told WTVT. George went missing from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Florida, leaving Beasock 'heartbroken.' The cat was at the shelter to get neutered and still had anesthesia in his system when he escaped, making his feat that much more remarkable, the shelter told the TV station. Before going on the run, George had been receiving care from community members within the Lakeland-area neighborhood of Loma Verde. The beloved cat was known for being 'stubborn' and was often found curled up in a chair, SPCA Florida wrote in a news release. After about nearly a week of searching, George popped back up in Loma Verde — about 2.7 miles from where he disappeared. Then came a moment of 'overwhelming relief,' according to the shelter. 'There was George — stretched out in his chair in our carport, looking like he had just returned from a grand adventure,' Beasock wrote in the shelter's release. 'He was a bit thinner, clearly hungry, but otherwise no worse for the wear.' After the heartwarming reunion, George basked in a long nap as a reward for all that he had been though. 'The trek from SPCA Florida to Loma Verde isn't terribly long, but for a cat, it's a formidable journey,' Beasock wrote. 'George would have to cross several busy roads, slip past barking dogs, and circle the vast shores of Lake Victoria — all while recovering from surgery.' The shelter is in Lakeland, a roughly 35-mile drive east from Tampa. 'When we heard the news that this cat navigated almost 3 miles to his house, we were just elated with joy,' Richter said.
