winter 2018
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Hurricane Michael Survivor
CONTENTS
6 5 ©Marc Edwards Photographs
LETTER FROM THE CEO, 3 BARK IN THE PARK / WAYS TO GIVE, 4 THE GIFT OF HEALTH, 5 Stories from our animal hospital THE GIFTS WE GIVE, 6 Stories of hope
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THE GIFTS WE GIVE, 8 How we help
ADOPTIONS & ALUMNI UPDATES, 13 Tales from life after HSTB
THE GIFTS WE GIVE, 9 Home, no greater gift
VOLUNTEERING / EVENTS, 14 Our volunteers hit a huge milestone
NORDIC NIGHTS SIZZLES, 10 Recap and photos from Tuxes & Tails
SPECIAL THANKS / EVENTS, 15 Community donations of time and resources that help us save lives
Cover photo and photo top left by AGold Pet Photography Sherry Silk, Chief Executive Officer SherryS@humanesocietytampa.org (813) 774-4309 Board of Directors President Mary Scott VP for Community Affairs Suzie Archibald VP for Strategic Oversight and Development Stephen Hickey Treasurer Laura Tatem Secretary Diane Homa
2 Winter 2018 Making Tracks Member At Large L.M.. Satcher
Members Meredith Balasco Ryan Cook Mike Gratz Mary Kate Harrison, Ph.D. Ana Landis Morris C. Massey Kim Mello Michael Neff Nancy Newman Rachel Ridley Elise Zahn, DO, MBA, FACEOP-D Emeritus Board Linda Reitz
Advisory Council Victoria J. Alvarez, P.A. Pat Antinori Greg Balasco Katie Busciglio Yvonne Yolie Capin Lisa DeBartolo Nikki DeBartolo Lindsay Deignan Carol Funk Thomas Gonzalez Bobby Harris Commissioner Sandy Murman Kim Rogers Jacalin Russo Judge Tracy Sheehan Cathy Smith Andrea Gonzmart Williams
Editor & Designer: Nash McCutchen NashM@humanesocietytampa.org (813) 774-4313 Contributors: Sarah Dale Valerie Hogan Liz McCoy Nash McCutchen Karen Ryals Sherry Silk Reagan Singleton Ornella Varchi
#WeAreHSTB
LETTER FROM THE CEO
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This holiday season we wanted to share the “gifts” that we give to animals each and every day. Our handsome cover boy, Beau, represents just one of the many animals that we have transferred in from disaster situations. Bridget and Buddy (page 7) are a bonded pair who were owned by a homeless veteran. When we took them in we made a promise to do everything we could to find them a home together before the holidays. And then there is Mya (page 5), who was hit by a car and severely injured. Our hospital was able to perform the surgery that saved her life and we later found her a wonderful home. And it doesn't stop with dogs and cats! Just a few weeks ago, at our free shot clinic in Rowlett Park, we rescued two potbellied pigs (Romeo and Juliet) who had been abandoned there. We discovered that Juliet was in late-term pregnancy which would have been difficult for her to manage on her own and unprotected in a city park. Now, the expectant pair is living safely at our shelter until we can find a farm that will take them together. They never stray far from each other's sides and find comfort snuggling together in the hay. Ever the gentleman, Romeo even allows Juliet to eat first before he starts in on his bowl of chow … they truly do love each other. None of these happy endings would be possible without you, our loyal supporters. Your donations and support allow us to save lives. We practice our vision, “every life counts”, every single day. Whether the animal in need is a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, guinea pig, or even a pot bellied pig, we do our very best to give them everything they need to thrive. On behalf of our Board of Directors, Staff, Volunteers, and especially our animals, we thank you for the gift of your support and wish you and your families a wonderful and happy holiday season. For the animals,
Sherry Silk Chief Executive Officer
SHELTER
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
CLOSED December 24th, 25th, & 26th and January 1st
CLOSED December 23rd, 24th, & 25th and January 1st
CLOSING EARLY at 2pm December 31st
CLOSING EARLY at 2pm December 31st
Making Tracks is a newsletter published quarterly for donors of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay
Humane Society of Tampa Bay
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To become a sponsor, please contact Ornella Varchi at 813.876.4150 or specialevents@humanesocietytampa.org
FORM YOUR PACK NOW
the gift they gave
When Bob and Doris Wagner decided to create a lasting legacy they named their two favorite charities, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and WEDU PBS. They established the Wagner Trust with their attorney to ensure both organizations receive impactful gifts to help them carry on their missions now and in the future. When Doris passed away earlier this year (preceded by Bob in 2002), both organizations were notified of their generous gift. We could not be more grateful to them for leaving a legacy of giving that will benefit animals in need for years to come. Including our animals in your estate plans is a wonderful way to give back and to help ensure that the future is bright for Tampa Bay's homeless pets. For more information on leaving a legacy for animals, contact Karen Ryals, Chief Development Officer, at 813.774.4311 or KarenR@humanesocietytampa.org 4 Winter 2018
Making Tracks
more ways to give this season
DONATE FOOD, TOYS AND OTHER NECESSITIES from our Wish List to help us cut down on expenses: HumaneSocietyTampa.org/wishlist BECOME A MONTHLY PET PARTNER and make your gift last all year long: HumaneSocietyTampa.org/petpartner MAKE A DONATION IN HONOR OF SOMEONE who seems to have everything! We'll send them a card to notify them of your tribute and how it helps: HumaneSocietyTampa.org/give DONATE YOUR VEHICLE Who knew that your old junker could help animals? Hassle-free donation through two trusted sites: HumaneSocietyTampa.org/give DO YOUR SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE from the convenience of your couch and choose Humane Society of Tampa Bay as your charity: Smile.Amazon.com PURCHASE A KENNEL PLAQUE In Honor/Memory of a beloved friend or pet HumaneSocietyTampa.org/give
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ANIMAL HOSPITAL FEATURE
Our Animal Hospital is a gift that keeps on giving. It's main purpose is to offer affordable, full-service, high-quality veterinary care and low-cost spay/neuter services to the public seven days a week so that pets can be kept healthy and in their homes. Any proceeds we make at the hospital go right back to our homeless animals by helping to fund our life-saving programs. While that purpose is impressive in itself, our hospital gives back to homeless animals in an even more direct way by offering diagnostic, surgical, and treatment services to homeless pets who come to us with special needs that can't be addressed at our shelter. Mya was turned in to Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center with a severe break in her leg. Since they do not have the resources to fix these types of injuries, they were faced with having to euthanize her. Due to our strong partnership and the surgical capabilities we have, they reached out to us for help. Upon arrival to our shelter, Mya could not put any weight on the painful leg and had to be carried. We loaded her into our golf cart and drove her to our hospital for examination. Dr. Justin Boorstein evaluated her injury and was hopeful that, although it would be a complicated surgery, the leg could be saved. Through all of her time with us, she remained a sweet and trusting soul. The pain she was in must have been intense, but she allowed us to handle her and care for her as if she knew we were there to help. Soon after her surgery was complete, she began to brighten and her recovery went smoothly. She was up and using her newly rebuilt leg within days. Because of this and her thriving spirit we allowed her to be adopted into a loving home right away to complete her recovery. She was so happy when she met her new mom and stayed right by her side as if she knew she was "home". It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to the pets we've helped and loved, but we couldn't have been happier to watch her walk away with a slight limp and a huge smile,
Our affordable, full-service, AAHA-accredited Animal Hospital is open to the public from 8:30am to 3:00pm, seven days a week, and any proceeds benefit our homeless pets, like Mya.
HumaneSocietyTampa.org/ahc
Humane Society of Tampa Humane Society of Tampa Bay Bay 5
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BEAU
Do you ever wonder why you give? Do you worry that your gift is meaningless in the face of so much need? Take a moment to study the animals you see pictured on these pages. Consider the bright eyes and relaxed postures of the dogs; the blissful calm and content of the nursing mother cat. These faces are your gifts at work. These photos reflect the hope you allow us to give to animals in need. These faces are just a few of thousands. Your gifts matter. 6 Winter Winter 2018 2018
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ŠAGold Pet Photography
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SMOKEY
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BRIDGET & BUDDY
ANGUS clockwise from page 6 BEAU When Hurricane Michael ravaged the Panhandle, we opened our doors to help. Beau was one of the lucky survivors of the decimation. He was confused and worried when he arrived at our shelter but settled in quickly. After just a few weeks he was adopted by a man so happy to have finally found a Victorian Bulldog to adopt that he couldn't stop smiling and laughing.
ANGUS SMOKEY In the animal world, there are few situations more precarious than being a pregnant cat on your own. Thankfully, Smokey found her way to us and was placed in one of our incredible foster homes. There, she gave birth to a healthy litter of four and mothered them perfectly. Once all her kittens were adopted, she received the best gift of all - a forever home with the foster family who had fallen madly in love with her.
BRIDGET & BUDDY Life is cruel and often the best way to help is to pick up the pieces when everything falls apart. That is what we did for Bridget and Buddy. After being surrendered to the Pet Resource Center when their owner became homeless, this senior, bonded pair found themselves in danger of never making it out. We stepped in and brought them to safety. While they have not yet found a new home, they are safe and loved with us until they do.
ANGUS A pitbull. A black pitbull. The odds were stacked against this sweet little stray who was found by TPD Officer Andrew Lepochat. When he brought Angus to us it was evident that the two had already formed a bond. That is why when his stray hold ended and no one had claimed him we didn't hesitate to call the officer. Now this lucky pup will spend the rest of his life in the arms of his rescuer. Is there any greater gift? Humane Society of Tampa Bay 7
THE GIFT OF HELP Believe it or not, pets aren't the only thing we care about. We also take great pride in helping the humans who love their pets. In addition to our affordable veterinary hospital, we also help our community through Safety Net Programs including Food Assistance, TNVR, Shot Clinics, and Community Outreach. The goal of these initiatives is to keep people from having to surrender their pets to a shelter because of limited income, unexpected medical bills,
or other disadvantages. We want pets to stay with the families who love them. FOOD ASSISTANCE Families struggling to feed their pets can get free food from us in two ways: 1. Mobile citizens can visit the shelter during designated hours for a free bag of dog or cat food; 2. Homebound citizens can apply to receive a monthly delivery of pet food to their homes through our Animeals program. Since January, we've given 81,760 pounds of free food to pets in need.
TNVR People who love and care for feral cats can get help with low-cost sterilization and vaccinations as well as basic treatments for minor conditions. The cat pictured below found relief from scabies after just a few treatments from our veterinary staff. COMMUNITY OUTREACH In addition to taking pets to hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort, we assist senior citizens through the AARP Community Service Employment
Program by offering them a place to learn and practice new skills that will help them expand job prospects. SHOT CLINICS Twice a year we hold free vaccination clinics for pets in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The community always turns out and is so grateful for help with their animals. Since beginning these clinics in 2008, we've given more than 25,000 free vaccinations to help keep pets and the community safe from disease.
FOOD ASSISTANCE TNVR
SHOT CLINICS
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
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OKU
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ROMEO & JULIET
MISTY
BUDDY
THE GIFT OF HOME would have it, a couple No elaboration needed, just came to visit and was read the stories below. immediately drawn to him because he resembled their OKU dog who had passed away. Oku was at risk in an overIt was love at first sight for crowded shelter but, all involved and certainly thankfully, was transferred worth the wait. to us. He always knew he was meant to be a little MISTY boy's pillow. Life is bliss. This quiet, timid kitty lived on her own in a trailer park RED where she was frequently Red spent weeks in our taunted by children. A kind shelter without a visit and soul took pity and brought at our Clear the Shelter her to St. Francis Animal event in August, was the Society, but they were only animal left. Seeing him completely full. Because of so lonesome in his kennel the strong partnership we broke our hearts but we share, they contacted us didn't give up. As fate to see if we had an open
ROMEO & JULIET We came across these abandoned pigs during our free shot clinic at Rowlett BUDDY Park. After an incredible This delightful, big-hearted team effort and some hightripod came to us from a spirited wrangling we got shelter that didn't have them in our vans and to the the resources to care for shelter for safety. Although him. We frequently care for they have not yet found a tripods and they always find home, their story illustrates wonderful homes, so we how we offer the closest agreed to take him. We're proximation of "home" that ecstatic to report that he hit we can to so many pets the jackpot with one of our who've lost their way. We're trusted volunteers who fell a safe and welcoming stop head over heels. The feeling on their journey to forever was mutual, he couldn't homes. It is our honor and take his eyes off of her, even pleasure to give in this way. for their go-home picture. Humane Society of Tampa Bay 9 space. We did and, not long after arriving, Misty found her Prince Charming.
2018 Tuxes & Tails was a night to remember as animal-loving guests drank, dined, and danced with fervor to support their shared passion for ending animal homelessness. While the event’s “Nordic Nights” theme drenched the Tampa Convention Center in wintry blues, sparkling snowflakes and silvery stars, the atmosphere sizzled. The pre-program cocktail hour and VIP Lounge featured more than 70 adoptable dogs and cats who had no trouble warming hearts in the 1,100+ person crowd. As dinner was hailed by the haunting drone of a Viking horn, guests were treated to entertainment by Dorene Collier's Event Show Productions that brought glitter and glitz to the runway throughout the evening. Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Russell Rhodes and Cynthia Smoot from FOX 13 welcomed the crowd with Humane Society of Tampa Bay CEO Sherry Silk. Guests were treated to a film featuring the Society’s lifesaving work followed by onstage appearances by some of the pets featured. Honorary Co-Chairs Lisa DeBartolo, Nikki DeBartolo and Auctioneer Gabriel Butu-Boyle then roused the room to action during and helped the event raise nearly $480,000 for the animals. Once the final gavel of the Live Auction fell, attendees were treated to a highenergy runway show with event sponsors, Humane Society supporters, and Tampa Bay personalities sharing the stage with adoptable dogs. The celebration continued on the Riverwalk at an Apres-Ski themed after party complete with coffee cocktails, poutine, cigars, shotskis and, unbelievably, snow. Guests threw back and kicked up their heels to tunes from DJ Corey to celebrate the evening’s success which included 48 adoptions. Event sponsors listed on page 12 Photos by JJR Photography 10 Winter Winter 2018 10 2018
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Fox 13's Jennifer Epstein and Russell Rhodes share the runway with adoptable dog Summer
Andree Ward celebrates the evening's success at the after-party.
Gosia Eberle and Ken Beau Schwartz show off Polly and Hugh
Beau Williams & Andrea Gonzmart Williams enjoy the entertainment
Chris and Brooke Brink pose during the VIP Party with Snow Queens from Dorene Collier's Event Show Productions
Honorary Co-Chairs Lisa DeBartolo and Nikki DeBartolo welcome the guests
Jayme, Christa, and Alexandra Antinori walk the runway with Aladdin, Charming, and Prince Eric
Amber McDonnell and Cherie Schonbrun walk Luther and Harry down the runway
Haley, Bobby, and Mercedes Harris help showcase Sweetie, Zeus, and Cutie. Humane Humane Society Society of of Tampa Tampa Bay Bay
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TUXES & TAILS NORDIC NIGHTS
THANK YOU, SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR The Brink Foundation BEST IN SHOW SPONSOR An Anonymous Friend of the Animals TIES & TIARAS SPONSORS Antinori Family Gerry & Suzie Archibald / Tampa Coin BlueGrace Logistics Cypress Boutique Lisa DeBartolo & Don Miggs Nikki DeBartolo & Sheriff Chad Chronister Periodontal Health Center Cherie & Harvey Schonbrun The Yerrid Foundation
MODEL PURRFECT SPONSORS Greg & Meredith Balasco / Lakeland Automall Craig Clifford Dorene Collier’s Event Show Productions Columbia Restaurant Group DeBartolo Foundation Glenn & Danita Dickman Flawless Face Forever, Inc Gentrifix Hill Ward Henderson
ImageNet InVision Advisors Jan-Pro, Accuform, & Circles Michael & Lori Kosloske John & Letitia McKibbon Kimberly & Mark Moore Amy Nelson & Frank Agliano New Age Reprographics Jim & Jean Palermo Paragon Water Terry Lea Pepin
PNC Wealth Management and Hawthorn Family Office Reeves BMW Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Tampa SGD Communications Tito’s Handmade Vodka Town N Country Automotive / LM & Deborah Satcher Mr. & Mrs. Steven Tresser
PRETTY PAWS SPONSORS Ronde & Claudia Barber Chasm Communications, Inc Lenny Chew / Adcock Financial Group Craig Clifford
The Homans Family Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Diane Homa InvestRes Kforce Edward & Becky Kobel
Laser Locators, LLC Lightning Foundation Michael W Neff, CFP / Wells Fargo Advisors Neurological Specialties PAR, Inc
Skin Savvy RX Stepps Towing & Heavy Transport TD Bank Bill Wagner Family Zahn Health Solutions
IN-KIND SPONSORS AFR Furniture Arlene Floral and Event Design Bay Stage Live Blue Wave Orthodontics Busch Gardens Tampa Colorgraphx 12 Winter Winter 2018 12 2018 Making Making Tracks Tracks
Connie Duglin Linen Creative Loafing DJ Cory Barren & Co Downtown Dogs Dream Team Artistry Marc Edwards Photographs FOX 13 News
JJR Photography Teach Peace Kinship Productions Val’s Home Decor Nabors Media Group Vincent & Tampa Pepin Distributing Cigar Company Republic National Distributing Todd C. Wilson Photography Scatter Brothers Productions Winsor Event Studio Tampa Bay METRO Magazine
ADOPTIONS & ALUMNI UPDATES This lovely lady came by our shelter to adopt Van and promptly changed his name to Taco! Needless to say, she and her pug, Caesar, are in love. Taco has the biggest smile and is such a happy boy in his new home. Caesar is happy to finally have a brother, and their owner is on cloud 9.
Noir the kitty turned four this year and is doing great! She loves relaxing on the screened patio, eating tuna, and pouncing on her little brother. She’s a sassy momma’s girl and her owner can’t imagine life without her!
Bye-bye Rufus! Our darling, lovebug of a boy (left) found his forever home! One of our volunteers fell in love with him and couldn't stand to see him in the shelter for one more day. She'd seen him come in weeks before with hair loss from mange, underweight and in need of major TLC. She'd been there through his treatment and watched his coat become glossy and new and his sweet spirit blossom along with his weight. Like the rest of us, she'd been excited for him to find a home once he became available. The problem? He was HUGE, and a bully breed, and he kept getting overlooked by adopters. She decided that had to stop; she took him home.
WHAT A CUTIE! When Fox (formerly Spicey) was adopted her description said to go slow, as she liked to choose her friends. She was, indeed, ‘spicey.’ She had clearly been though some difficulty in her past, so it did take time for this gorgeous kitty to fully relax. In the early days, she would get nervous sometimes and lash out. With time and patience, she grew more and more comfortable. Now she sleeps by her owner's head, follows her around chatting, and brings her toys in exchange for treats. She used to be grumpy but now she is a love bug! Fox got her second chance and is living a full and happy life. Humane Society of Tampa Bay
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VOLUNTEERING
For Volunteer of the Quarter, we usually feature one individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. However, for this issue of Making Tracks, we need to recognize the entire volunteer team at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay because, for the first time in our history, our volunteers have contributed more than 100,000 hours of support to us in a calendar year! Last year, our fantastic volunteers contributed over 93,000 hours of support, which is the equivalent of 45 full-time staff positions. We thought that was amazing enough, but already this year our volunteers have contributed over 120,000 hours! By the end of the year the total number of hours will likely approach 130,000 hours, which his nothing short of spectacular.
James Connell
HSTB volunteers help us in nearly every aspect of our operations, from fostering underage animals, to helping our adoption staff connect animals with loving homes, representing HSTB at outreach events to tell the community about all that we do, providing exercise and socialization to our shelter animals, and assisting our medical team with caring for our animals day in and day out.
Volunteers like James Connell, who rides the city bus to the shelter nearly every day of the week to assist our surgical staff and Carolyn Brown, who is at the shelter at 7am nearly every weekday to help our kennel staff get all the animals and their cages cleaned for the day. Volunteers like Mike Lazo and David Saunders, who spend nearly every weekend at the shelter training our newest volunteers and Kim Kizirian, who has spent hundreds of hours over the last few months fostering kittens who are too young to go up for adoption, and even takes awesome adoption photos for them before they come back to the shelter. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Humane Society of Tampa Bay would not be able to provide the programs and services we offer and save as many lives as we do if it weren’t for our volunteers. WE THANK YOU!
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PHOTOS WITH SANTA November 24th & December 1st 11am to 2pm 3607 N Armenia Avenue Making Tracks
Portraits with your favorite elf for children & pets
SPECIAL THANKS
CORPORATE & GROUP DONATIONS Achieve Wellness and Health Ameriprise Financial BayCare Central Patient Financial Services C & S Wholesalers/Winn Dixie Colorgraphx, Inc Doc's 2 Dogs Epicurean Hotel/Mainsail Corp Erika's Pet Care Ernst & Young Essentials Spa of Carrollwood Feeding Tampa Bay First Coast No More Homeless Pets Florida Eye Specialists Fuzzie Buddies Pet Resort Grace Lutheran Church HGI Tampa Suncoast Parkway Hills Pet Food
Kärcher North America Kong Cares Lead Village USA MacDill Air Force Base - Tinker Elementary MacDill Air Force Base Hospital Martinez Middle School Dance Team Mosquito Squad Royal Pets Market and Resort Sickles High School Target Stores The Pet Stop United Methodist Church Lake Magdalene Vector Solutions Vetoquinol West Meadows Community
CORPORATE & GROUP VOLUNTEERS Accusoft Alpha Phi Omega, USF Chapter Amalie Arena Events Team AmWINS Busch Gardens Darrigo, Diaz & Jimenez DHL Disney Store Embassy Suites at USF Ernst & Young Fate Real Estate Florida Blue Franklin Street Holland & Knight JP Morgan Chase Lombardo Real Estate MacDill AFB
New Town Connections Nextech Paws for a Cause at UT Project Helping Ralph Lauren Raymond James Financial Ready Realty Resource Solutions Group Shook, Hardy & Bacon Spark Suncoast Credit Union TECO UBS USF Women’s Rugby Team WellCare Zeta Beta Tau, USF Chapter
FUNDRAISERS & OUTREACH PARTNERS Abby’s Health & Nutrition AGoldPhoto Ameriprise Financial Services Bottle and Bottega Bryan Glazer Family JCC c. 1949 CAMP Tampa and 81Bay Brewery Columbia Community Harvest Creative Loafing Downtown Dogs Earl of Sandwich Eddie V’s and DeBartolo Family Foundation Hawaiian Soap Company
Hawgs for Dawgs Hyde Park Village Maloney’s Irish Bar Miller’s Ale House Orange Theory Fitness Price Waterhouse Cooper RSBP Events + PR and WTR at the Godfrey Tampa Tile The Patio Victor and Sanna Hedman West Third Boutique Women’s Care
Our heartfelt gratitude to Nora Cummings for sponsoring a food drive for our animals every October at Incarnation Catholic School. This year 235 students participated, bringing 700 pounds of dry dog/cat food, 277 cans of dog/cat food, 50 pounds of treats/chews, 20 pounds of litter, 1 pet food bowl, 3 boxes of bird food and 2 boxes of gerbil treats. Simply incredible. Thank you!
Many thanks to Kong Cares for sending us a supply of kongs in all sizes for our dogs to enjoy. Filled with cheez whiz and/or treats, these toys provide our pups with hours of delicious entertainment as they wait to go home. Thank you!
GRANTS & FUNDING ASPCA Best Friends Animal Society Bissell Pet Foundation Dancing For Donations Florida Animal Friend General Mills Foundation
SEW-A-THON December 11th & 12th 10:30am to 4:30pm Keep Me In Stitches, Tampa & Largo
Help make kennel mats to keep our pets comfy
Junior League of Tampa Maddie's Fund PetSmart Charities T. Rowe Price Foundation
Alorica held a food drive for our animals A big shout out to Brooke Palmer Kuhl and WTR at the Godfrey for hosting Puppies at the Disco!
8TH ANNUAL CHARITY POLO CLASSIC February 23, 2019 12pm to 5pm Di Polo Tour
A portion of proceeds benefit our homeless pets
2019 SAVE THE DATES BARK IN THE PARK: March 23rd ISLAND PAWS: May 3rd TUXES & TAILS: October 12th Humane Society of Tampa Bay 15
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay also gives freedom. Feral cats remain one of the most marginalized of the companion animal population. They are misunderstood at best and reviled at worst. These cats need the freedom to simply exist. Our Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return (TNVR) program offers a humane alternative to the traditional practice of "Catch and Kill". Cats in this program are protected from the spread of contagious disease and the cycle of reproduction is broken, stabilizing the population. Unable to be adopted into traditional homes, most of our TNVR'd cats return to their neighborhoods to live out their lives in peace. Some, such as the beauty pictured here, enter into our Working Cat program. These semi-social felines are adopted to families with barns or other out-buildings who need help with pest control and/or companionship for farm animals and livestock. More often than not, they end up becoming beloved members of the families they serve. To find out more, visit: humanesocietytampa.org/Working-Cats
For location, hours & other information visit
HumaneSocietyTampa.org The Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) is a private, 501(C)3 organization that receives no federal or state funding and relies on donations from individuals and private corporations. HSTB is not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA or any other national organization. Give local, give to HSTB!