FOHCASBy Michelle Colesanti

Rescue animals with special medical needs at the Hillsborough County Animal Services (Pet Resource Center) now have a better chance of being adopted. With assistance from Friends of Hillsborough County Animal Services (FoHCAS), a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit, even the most-needy animals can find a home. FoHCAS can assist with the cost of treatable medical issues. Jackie Osborne, president of FoHCAS, firmly believes that these medical conditions should not be a death sentence of a shelter animal.

FoHCAS’ primary source of funding is from individual donors and businesses. It receives no government funding.

To help raise money for FoHCAS, a Tennis Tournament and Fundraising event will be held Friday through Sunday, September 25-27. During this event, the community is invited to have some fun while also getting to meet animals available for adoption.

On Friday, September 25 from 5-9 p.m., there will be a Welcome Party, which will include live and silent auctions.

The Tournament will take place on both Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 27 at Buckhorn Springs Tennis & Swim Club, located at 2721 S. Miller Rd. in Valrico. There will be men’s and ladies Double and Mixed Doubles: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions. Tennis players from all over the Tampa  Bay area are expected to participate.

Osborne said, “The upcoming inaugural FoHCAS Tennis Tournament and Fundraising event is an exciting way for FoHCAS to reach more people with our mission. Greg Jones, the owner and managing director of Buckhorn Springs Tennis and Swim Club, approached us with the idea of the tournament and we happily signed on. A Saturday and Sunday tournament, with a welcome party on Friday evening, is a huge undertaking for a small non-profit like FoHCAS, and we hope the Hillsborough community will come out to support us. We are actively looking for sponsors, vendors, auction donations, tennis players and volunteers to make this a smashing success for the animals of Hillsborough County.”

For more information and to register as players and sponsors, visit www.FriendsofHCAS.org or email info@friendsofHCAS.org.

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Michelle Colesanti
Michelle has been with the Osprey Observer for almost nine years, and her current position is Assignment Editor. She resides in Bloomingdale with her husband Phil, two sons, Philip and Matthew, and Tigger the cat.