In Memory of Blessing who was gone too soon, but left behind a legacy of inspiration.
BLESSING, HOPE & SPIRIT
How three dogs sparked a movement for compassion and justice, pg. 4
Humane Society of Tampa Bay
LEADERSHIP & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Sherry Silk
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sarah Glaser
President
Wyatt Castellvi
Vice President
Steve Rovner
Treasurer
Kevin Bischoff
Secretary
Scott Arnold
Member at Large
Meredith Balasco
Sierra-Shae Brandt
Ryan Cook
Michael Neff
Amy Nelson Agliano
Phil Nodhturft, III
Jacalin Russo
Scott Savitt
BOARD EMERITUS
Linda Reitz
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Greg Balasco
Simon Canasi
Mayor Jane Castor
Lisa DeBartolo
Nikki DeBartolo
Danita Dickman
Andrea Gonzmart-Williams
Commissioner Ken Hagan
Bobby Harris
Jeannine Hascall
Brad Lancaster
Sandy Murman
Scott Price
Kim Rogers
Cherie Schonbrun
Cathy Smith
Cynthia Smoot
Elise Zahn
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE STORY — BLESSING, HOPE & SPIRIT
How three dogs sparked a movement for compassion and justice.
COMMUNITY FOCUS — QUIET HEROES
Celebrating feral cat caretakers, HSTB volunteers and HSTB fosters.
2025 TUXES & TAILS — BOLLYWOOD
A magical evening for homeless animals.
COMMUNITY FOCUS — PRESERVING FAMILIES
HSTB Initiatives that keep pets at home and an update from Loran, who was featured in 2025 Summer Making Tracks. 19 20
RAISE THE BARK — 2026 BARK IN THE PARK
Form your packs now then join us February 7, 2026 for Tampa’s favorite pet-friendly festival!
HAPPY TAILS
Feel-good tales from the adoption floor.
RECOGNITION & THANKS
ANOTHER BLESSING – LET’S END ON A HIGH NOTE
Angel – one of five dogs rescued with Blessing, Hope and Spirit – is home for the holidays.
Editor: Regan Blessinger
Layout and Design: Nash McCutchen
Contributors: Gretel Harvey, Valerie Hogan, Cristina Klein Photography, Madison Kostka, Liz McCoy, Lisa Novorska, Sherry Silk, Ornella Varchi
Letter from the CEO
Happy Holidays!
This season, our hearts are full of gratitude and hope. In this newsletter, you’ll find stories of animals once abandoned, abused, or forgotten — and how, with the help of our dedicated team and caring community, they’ve been given a second chance at life. Each story is a testament to your compassion and the generosity that defines the Humane Society of Tampa Bay family.
During the holidays, we are especially reminded that none of this would be possible without our loyal donors, volunteers, and supporters. Whether you open your home to a foster pet, adopt a new family member, or make a gift to support our mission, you are the reason we can save more than 10,000 lives every year.
From all of us at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, thank you for your kindness and commitment to helping animals in need. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and love-filled holiday season.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Chief Executive Officer
SherryS@HumaneSocietyTampa.org
HSTB HOLIDAY HOURS
Wednesday the 26th: CLOSING at 3 pm
Thursday the 27th: CLOSED
Wednesday the 24th: CLOSED
Thursday the 25th: CLOSED
Wednesday the 31st: CLOSING at 4 pm
JANUARY
Thursday the 1st: CLOSED
... thank you for your kindness and commitment to helping animals in need.
This story reminds us how a few caring hearts—and a lot of patience—can turn a scary moment into a story of hope and kindness. Sue, a tiny kitten, found herself stranded on I-275, darting for cover. She ended up inside a stranger’s Subaru engine (hence her name, Sue) and would not be coaxed out. That is when a compassionate Airport Division Chief and firefighters from Truck 14-C answered the call for help. After a dramatic series of “engine escapes,” Sue the survivor was finally scooped up and taken to HSTB, where she’s now safe, loved, and receiving the care she needs.
Feature Story
BLESSING, HOPE, AND SPIRIT:
How Three Dogs Sparked a Movement for Compassion and Justice.
Every once in a while, a story comes along that stops us in our tracks, a story that lays bare both the depths of cruelty and the heights of compassion that define our relationship with animals. For HSTB, that story came in the form of three dogs: Blessing, Hope, and Spirit. Their journey — from unimaginable neglect to a wave of community action — has become a rallying cry for animal advocates everywhere.
A Cruel Discovery
Behind a small gas station on U.S. 41, three Pointer/Hound mixes lay abandoned in the woods, fragile, filthy, and barely alive. Their bodies told the story before words could: starvation, neglect, and suffering no being should ever endure.
When HSTB’s medical team first saw them, it was clear this was one of the worst cruelty cases they had seen in years. The mother, later named Blessing, was emaciated, soaked in urine, covered in sores, and suffering from parvovirus. She couldn’t lift her head. Her two adult pups, Hope and Spirit, hovered near her, malnourished but still fighting to live.
The Fight to Survive
Blessing was placed under round-the-clock care, her weak frame surrounded by warmth, blankets, and love. Hope and Spirit were stabilized and monitored closely. It was a slow, delicate fight for survival, and the HSTB team refused to look away.
Blessing fought with every ounce of strength she had, but her body had endured too much. One quiet afternoon, after being visited by her pups and surrounded by the team who had been tirelessly caring for her, Blessing passed away.
Justice and Accountability
In the weeks that followed, justice took shape when Michelle Carla Sanchez Diaz was arrested for animal cruelty and child neglect. She remains incarcerated. For HSTB and countless advocates, the arrest represented more than closure; it represented progress. It was proof that advocacy, when paired with persistence and public outrage, can drive real accountability.
Continued on page 6
BLESSING
HOPE & SPIRIT
An innocent soul whose body could not recover from the ravages of human cruelty, but whose heart knew Love, Comfort, Kindness, and Peace during her final days at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
SHE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
Feature Story
Ava’s Second Chance at Motherhood
Just weeks later, another call came in. A stray, heavily pregnant spaniel mix was wandering near the Florida State Fairgrounds, searching desperately for a safe place to give birth. Workers at 2K Express watched as she tried to sneak inside the store, instinctively seeking shelter for her unborn puppies.
They called HSTB, and within hours, the rescue team arrived and brought the sweet expectant mother, now named Ava, to safety. Ava settled into the HSTB nursery, curled up in cool air conditioning and clean blankets, finally at peace. Days later, she gave birth to eight healthy puppies, who grew strong under HSTB’s care and have since been adopted into loving homes. Ava’s story is the flip side of rescue, not of tragedy, but of compassion and care. It’s what happens when a community steps in before suffering takes hold.
Continued on page 7
AVA & PUPS SAFE AT HSTB
Hermes: The Will to Live
Then came Hermes. Found in a trailer park thrown out beside a dumpster, Hermes was the picture of despair. A black string was tied tightly around his neck. He was little more than skin and bones, with fleabitten ears and no muscle mass.
Hermes is now safe at HSTB, receiving the medical attention, nourishment, and affection he was cruelly denied. His recovery is slow, but his will to live is undeniable.
Between Hermes, Blessing, Hope, Spirit, and Ava, the HSTB team has seen both the worst and best of humanity this year.
This Holiday Season: Be Their Blessing
As the holidays approach, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is once again filled with animals in need, some broken, some lost, all deserving of love.
Each rescue call means another life saved , but it also means more medical bills, more shelter space, more food, more hours of care.
When you give to HSTB, you restore hope. You give dogs like Hermes a warm bed instead of a dumpster. You give mothers like Ava a safe place to bring life into the world. You ensure that every Blessing, every Hope, and every Spirit who comes through HSTB’s doors is met with compassion, not cruelty.
Your gift this holiday season can be their miracle. Because behind every rescue, there’s a rescuer. And behind every rescuer, there’s you.
Give Now
to support the rescue program and all of HSTB’s other life-saving initiatives that help homeless animals in Tampa Bay.
HERMES WAITING FOR RESCUE
HERMES SAFE AT HSTB
CHAMPIONS OF THE UNSEEN: Celebrating Feral Cat Caretakers
Each day quiet heroes move through alleyways, parking lots, and backyards, carrying bags of food, fresh water, and compassion. These are the feral cat caretakers, the unsung champions of community cats. They don’t do it for recognition. They do it because every life, no matter how wild, deserves care.
Across our city, dedicated volunteers maintain hundreds of feral cat colonies. They ensure cats have clean food and water, safe shelter, and, most importantly, access to life-saving TNVR (Trap-Neuter-VaccinateReturn) programs. Thanks to their vigilance, countless litters of kittens have been prevented, and thousands of cats are living healthier, safer lives outdoors.
TNVR is more than just a humane solution to overpopulation — it’s a lifeline. When a feral cat is humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to its home territory, the cycle of endless breeding is broken. Neutered cats no longer fight or roam in search of mates, and their health dramatically improves. Over time, colonies stabilize, and the number of homeless kittens entering shelters drops, a victory for both cats and the community.
But TNVR doesn’t happen without people. It relies on those who notice the stray behind the grocery store, the caretaker who feeds rain or shine, and the volunteer who spends hours setting traps just to ensure one cat gets the medical attention it needs. They are neighbors, retirees, students, business owners, ordinary people doing extraordinary work.
At the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, we see the difference these caretakers make every day. They are often the first to notice when a cat is limping, when kittens appear, or when something is wrong. They are our eyes, ears, and hearts in the field. And we couldn’t do this work without them.
This season, we celebrate them, the quiet caretakers who feed the forgotten and protect the unseen. Their compassion doesn’t make headlines, but it changes lives.
TNVR: The Solution to Cat Overpopulation
Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return
TNVR is the internationally proven practice of humanely trapping, spaying/neutering, vaccinating, eartipping*, then returning feral or free-roaming community cats to their neighborhoods. This method stops the cycle of reproduction, stabilizing cat populations. *Eartipping is the international sign that a cat has been sterilized. When an eartipped cat is brought to the county shelter, the cat is included in a “found” report sent to registered Caretakers who retrieve the cats and return them to their areas.
COMMUNITY FOCUS – QUIET
Resources to Care for Cats and Protect Communities
TNVR at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay HSTB’s TNVR Program has provided care for feral cats in Tampa Bay since 2007, lowering euthanasia rates in Hillsborough county and protecting the community from infectious disease. Find out more and learn how you can help support TNVR by scanning the code at right.
THE HEART OF HUMANE: Celebrating Our Volunteers & Fosters
Every wagging tail, every healed paw, every second chance begins not just with the animals we serve, but with the people who make it all possible: our volunteers and fosters.
They are the heart behind the mission, the hands that lift, clean, comfort, and carry. They are the reason every year thousands of animals, from the tiniest kittens to the most senior dogs, get the care, love, and time they need to heal and find their forever homes.
The Power of Volunteers
Every day, HSTB volunteers show up – early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays – armed with nothing more than compassion and commitment. They walk dogs, socialize shy cats, clean kennels, transport animals, help at adoption events, and welcome the public with smiles that say, “You’re part of this, too.”
It’s not always glamorous work, but it’s sacred. They see the frightened faces of animals who have known neglect and help them learn to trust again. They cheer for every adoption, knowing they played a small but vital part. And they do it all without expectation, only the quiet satisfaction that comes from kindness in action.
The Heroes Who Foster
And then there are fosters — the lifeline between shelter and home. These generous souls open their doors (and hearts) to animals who need extra time and care: newborn kittens, medical recoveries, timid dogs, or moms nursing litters.
In their foster homes, these animals learn what it means to be safe and loved. Foster parents bottle-feed orphaned kittens through the night, coax fearful dogs into wagging their tails, and celebrate the moment a once-broken spirit learns to play again. Each animal they nurture makes space for another to be rescued. Without fosters, we simply couldn’t save as many lives.
Gratitude Beyond Words
There are never enough words to thank the people who give so freely of themselves. They are the heartbeat of every organization, the thread that holds this community together.
To our fosters and volunteers: your compassion transforms lives every single day. You are proof that love, multiplied, can change the world. Sign up to volunteer or foster at HumaneSocietyTampa.org/volunteer.
TUXES & TAILS 2025 – BOLLYWOOD
On October 18th at the beautiful Tampa Convention Center, more than 1,000 community leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate a mutual love for animals. Guests enjoyed a bright, colorful Bollywood theme with cocktails, dinner, a runway show with adoptable pets, traditional music and dancing, and a spirited afterparty. Attendees showed incredible generosity, and 38 homeless animals were adopted. We are grateful to all and give a special thanks to the event’s Honorary Chairs, Kurt & Kara Schafer for their hard work, and to actor, former wrestler, and animal advocate Dave Bautista for his generous support of 2025 Tuxes & Tails.
Save the Date for 2026 Tuxes & Tails, September 19 th .
Thank You, 2025 Tuxes & Tails Sponsors!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
The Brink Foundation
BEST IN SHOW SPONSORS
Brown Family Foundation
Rev1 Energy
Cherie & Harvey Schonbrun
Triad Foundation
AFTER PARTY SPONSOR
Frank Albert Realty
VIP LOUNGE SPONSOR
The Adele S. Bernett FoundationSimon M. Canasi, Executor
TIES & TIARAS SPONSORS
Boksen Family Foundation
BRANDT
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Andrew Thomas
Fetch
The Dental Boutique
ADOPTION SPONSOR
Scott & Kirsten Price
BALLROOM LOUNGE SPONSOR
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
BAR SPONSOR
Lakeland Automall –
Greg & Meredith Balasco
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR
Brandon & Tim Manka-Clemons
HYDRATION OASIS SPONSOR
Kay Jones
PADDLE SPONSOR
Audi Tampa
PROGRAM SPONSOR
Amy & Frank Agliano & Duke
VIP CHAMPAGNE SPONSOR
Bayshore Concierge Medicine
VOLUNTEER SPONSOR
Greg Margliano/Margliano Team
MODEL PURRFECT SPONSORS
Kevin & Valerie Bischoff
Morris C. Massey
Meat Market
New Age Reprographics
PNC Bank
Shumaker
Mickey & Scott Silverstein
TECO
The Yerrid Foundation
PRETTY PAWS SPONSORS
13 Ugly Men
Acrisure
Age-Less Medicine, Dr. Linda McClintock and Mayor Dick Greco
Air Masters of Tampa Bay, Inc
Anton Garcia Law
Jennifer Baltic OsgoodOsgood & Associates
Covetrus
Crown Automotive Charities / Hawkins Family Foundation
Dorene Collier's Event
Show Productions
Downtown Dogs & The Working K9
Laurie and Al Greco
Donna Greeanacre
Greenacre Properties, Inc.
Image Depot Express
INB Florida
JM Fertilizer, LLC
Mail Marketing Services
Katie McCarey & Scott Savitt
MUFG
My Corporate Ally
New York Yankees
PAR, Inc
Dan Pease & Lisa Zarek
Power Design
Reliaquest Bowl
Steve & Debbie Rovner
Kurt & Kara Schafer
BG Holmberg and Smith & Associates Real Estate
Kristi & Paul Taylor
The Sapphire Lounge Tampa
Titan Medical Center
Drs. Dene Williamson & Elise Zahn
Woofie's of South Tampa
Yost, Shields, Martin & Weser - Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
Keeping Families Together
The holidays are a time for love, gratitude, and togetherness, and that includes our pets. HSTB believes that no family should ever have to say goodbye to a beloved companion simply because they’ve fallen on hard times. That’s why, every day, we work to keep families, both two- and four-legged, together.
Through our Pet Food Pantry, HSTB provides free pet food twice a week to families in need, ensuring that pets stay nourished and cared for. For those unable to travel, our monthly at-home delivery program brings food and supplies directly to their doorsteps, a simple act that makes all the difference for seniors, individuals with disabilities, or animal owners without transportation.
We also offer affordable veterinary care through our full-service Animal Hospital, providing wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, and more at prices designed to ease the burden on struggling households. Because good health shouldn’t be a luxury, it’s a lifeline.
And when pets go missing, our Reuniting Services work tirelessly to bring them home. From scanning lost pets for microchips to managing online lost-and-found postings, our team helps reconnect hundreds of families each year.
This work embodies what the holidays are truly about: compassion, community, and the belief that love, not circumstance, defines a family.
So this season, as we gather with the ones we love, we celebrate every family that remains whole because of your support. Together, we can continue to keep pets in homes where they belong - safe, loved, and home for the holidays.
LORAN’S NEW BEGINNING:
From Neglect to a Life Full of Love
You may recognize Spring 2025 Making Tracks cover star, Loran! When her new owner first met Loran, she was tied to a tree — thin, anxious, and struggling to survive. Only four years old, she had already endured more hardship than most animals should in a lifetime. Concerned for her well-being, her new guardian spoke with her previous owner and learned that Loran had been suffering from severe malnutrition for quite some time.
Determined to give her a better life, he brought her home. One of his first stops was the HSTB animal hospital, where he worked with medical professionals to create a plan for her recovery. With patience, nutritious food, and daily care, Loran began to rebuild both in body and spirit.
As the months passed, her transformation was remarkable. Her coat grew shiny, her frame filled out, and her personality blossomed. The once-timid dog began to play, explore, and run freely across the ten acres of open land she now calls home. Fear had been replaced by joy.
Recently, Loran’s owner brought her to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to be spayed through the Dolly’s Dream Sterilization Grant, which provides free spay and neuter services for ten bully breeds each month at HSTB’s Animal Hospital. This essential program not only helps reduce overpopulation but also ensures that dogs like Loran can live healthier, longer lives.
Today, Loran is thriving, healthy, happy, and full of energy. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion, commitment, and community programs that give animals a second chance.
Thanks to her loving owner and the life-saving resources made possible through HSTB and Dolly’s Dream, Loran’s days of struggle are behind her, replaced with sunshine, freedom, and love.
HAPPY TAILS: Stories from the Adoption Floor
RABBIT
Shakira Rowe and her partner stopped by the shelter with their sweet senior dog after seeing our adoption event promoted on TikTok. When they spotted Rabbit on the website, they knew instantly that she was meant to join their family. Their dog is 14 years old, and Rabbit, at 15, was the perfect companion. Knowing that senior dogs are often overlooked, Shakira made it her mission to give Rabbit the loving home she deserved. The two dogs hit it off right away, playing together like puppies as if age had melted away. Shakira couldn’t wait to spoil Rabbit and give her the happy, comfortable retirement every senior pup dreams about.
JACLYN
Tila Nguyen came to the shelter and chose Jaclyn out of all the kittens we had. Jaclyn had come to the shelter with a broken hip and was still recovering from surgery. Tila knew all about the extra medical attention and rest Jaclyn would need for several weeks and was ready and willing to take on her care. She fell in love with her because of her sweet and playful personality. She already had two other female cats at home and wanted to add one more to her family of girls!
STARLIGHT & MOONDUST
When Lionhead sisters Starlight and Moondust arrived at HSTB as transfers from a Sarasota shelter, they were frightened and clung tightly to each other for comfort. Even after becoming available for adoption, the inseparable pair continued to find solace side by side, and everyone at the shelter hoped they’d find a home together. That wish came true when a wonderful family arrived looking for a bonded pair of bunnies, and Starlight and Moondust were the perfect match. After a sweet photo session in our cozy rabbit room, the soft, velvety sisters hopped off to their new home, ready for a life filled with Timothy hay, gentle snuggles, and endless love.
Angel’s story is one of resilience and hope. Just weeks ago, he was one of five dogs rescued in a cruelty investigation involving Blessing and her pups. When he and his sister, Grace, were confiscated after their owner’s arrest, both were emaciated, with overgrown nails and ammonia stains marking their fragile bodies. But Angel’s new beginning came with a family who instantly fell in love. “We’d been looking for a puppy for a while, but none clicked like Angel,” they shared. “He’s such a sweet, calm boy—you’d never guess he had such a rough start. He’s polite, gentle, and the perfect fit for us. We can’t wait to spoil him like he truly deserves.”
