Letter from the CEO

We love dogs at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. In the last year, we have noticed a decline in adoptions for bully breed (pit bull-type dogs) and large dogs. This is a trend in shelters across the country. I believe this is due in part to our unstable economy, as many people are worried about the expense of pet ownership. The other reason is that there are more pit bulls in this country than any other breed. Consequently, pit bulls are the number one breed in shelters. The majority of them are wonderful dogs. Unfortunately, many apartment complexes, HOA’s and deed restricted communities ban them from living there. Also, many insurance companies will not issue a home owners policy to those who own a pit bull-type dog (or Doberman, Rottweiler, Chows, etc.). Because of this, many owners end up surrendering their beloved pets to already crowded shelters. In my opinion, it is a national crisis.

We believe landlords and insurance companies should not discriminate against these dogs. Their actions are filling up shelters that are already at capacity. We have created some advertising that you may see on billboards and elsewhere around town addressing this discrimination (see below!). We are also reaching out to places that discriminate against the breed in an effort to change their minds. In the meantime, we will continue to house and love these dogs until we can find them homes.

For

the Animals,

Chief Executive Officer SherryS@HumaneSocietyTampa.org

RESCUED! The HSTB Rescue Team answers the call for animals in distress across Tampa Bay

Party Of 12

Sweet Scarlett was abandoned on a remote, dirt road in Seffner with her 11 infant puppies. They had no food, water or shelter, leaving them completely vulnerable to the weather, vehicles, disease, and other animals.

It is difficult to know how long she and her puppies were on that road in the middle of nowhere, and horrible to imagine how stressful it must have been for Scarlett to feed, care for and protect her pups all alone.

Thankfully, a Good Samaritan saw the desperate family and called the HSTB Rescue Team for help. When the team arrived at the scene, Scarlett was cautious but hopeful and relieved to hear the sound of kind human voices.

The family cooperated and were soon headed to the HSTB puppy nursery, where clean, comfy bedding, food, and water were waiting. Scarlett settled in quickly, finally able to relax and rest, and continued her work as a mother with ease. After a few weeks, the family went into foster care for a little more R&R and will return to the shelter for adoption in the coming weeks.

A Beautiful Sight

The HSTB rescue team received a call from a concerned citizen who had seen a very sick stray cat in the neighborhood. They said the poor kitty’s face was so crusted over with scabs that he couldn’t open his eyes, leaving him blind. Suspecting a bad case of scabies, the team headed to the location to help. Despite being unable to see his rescuers, the sweet boy was more than willing to crawl into their towels and blankets and allowed them to carry him safely to the van.

Once at the shelter, “Todd” was given a series of medicated baths and oral medication to relieve his discomfort and heal his skin. It was a trying process for Todd, but he never wavered or complained and was always excited to get the attention.

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK

The HSTB Rescue Team would not be successful without help from the community. We are fortunate that so many citizens contact us when they come across animals in need. The story below is just one example of this lifesaving partnership!

A lawn maintenance crew was working near a McDonald’s when they heard faint meows coming from a nearby dumpster. Inside, under heaps of trash, they found a box wrapped in a dirty blanket holding five, one-week old kittens barely clinging to life. The kind workers sprang into action searching the dumpster and surrounding area for more kittens and a mother, then called HSTB for help.

The Rescue Team arrived on scene and, after a thorough search, determined that there were no other kittens and no mother nearby. They swaddled the cold, hungry babies in warm towels and rushed them to the shelter where staff was standing by with bottles of formula. Soon they were resting peacefully in a cozy kennel with full bellies and not a care in the world. Because they needed round-the-clock bottle feeding, they were sent to a loving foster home where they are growing and thriving.

HSTB is grateful to these everyday heroes for helping the kittens who would not have survived much longer. It is people like them who give us hope and inspire us to keep fighting for homeless and needy animals.

After several weeks of TLC at the shelter, Todd was a new cat! The scabies were gone and his beautiful eyes were open and full of hope. Once made available for adoption, he found his new family quickly. For the Burks, it was love at first sight and Todd, feeling the same, jumped in their arms and never looked back.

Kind Kids

Tampa Bay’s smallest citizens make a big difference for homeless animals

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay absolutely loves having children at the shelter as often as possible. It is a privilege to be part of their lives and to watch them learn about animal welfare and philanthropy while enjoying quality time with the animals. We are grateful to have many wonderful young people who participate in our Humane Education Programs, but we also appreciate the kind kids, parents, and teachers who support HSTB by holding their own fundraisers, donations drives and service days for the animals!

Burns Middle School

The student body at Burns Middle School (Brandon) held a donation drive for the animals. The students used the Wishlist on our website to choose the items we needed most! While this mother/teacher and her son/student are pictured with what they could carry in, there was a whole car-load of food, toys and supplies waiting to be unloaded in the parking lot!

Elliotte & Tinsley

These girls are frequent participants in our Humane Education programs and brighten the shelter with their smiling faces. One weekend, they set up a snack stand on the Tampa Riverwalk to raise money for HSTB and were thrilled to deliver the proceeds and visit with the cats!

Ryan Nece Foundation

The Ryan Nece Foundation held its annual Youth Leadership Summit on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and chose the Humane Society of Tampa Bay as the site for their community service project. A wonderful group of eager-to-help high school students spent the morning practicing servant leadership by helping care for the animals at the shelter!