Community Spotlight – Kind Kids

Generous Birthday Boy

Wes celebrate his birthday with the animals by holding his party at the shelter. He asked his friends and guests to forego buying him birthday gifts and, instead, to bring in donations for the homeless pets in our care! Thank you, Wes, for your generosity; you make the future look bright!

Stella & Olivia

These sweet sisters held a lemonade stand to raise money for three charities. But, after some deliberation, they decided to donate all of the proceeds to the animals! They were so excited to bring us their donation and spend some time visiting with the homeless pets.

Kindergarten Class at Grady Elementary

These super cool students did a project inspired by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay! The students created a pet parade float by investigating, planning and testing how to make the floats move, which is one of the kindergarten learning objectives! They checked out the HSTB website, picked their favorite adoptable pets and began their creations!

First-grade Class at Carrollwood Elementary

Students at Carrollwood Elementary recently welcomed a new classmate – HSTB alumni England the bunny. He free-roams the classroom, hopping from lap to lap during reading time and hanging out with students on the carpet during STEM activities. England is teaching the students how to care for animals and inspired them to start a garden so that they can feed him fresh veggies! We are so happy for England and know he’s loving his new role as teacher’s assistant!

HERE TO HELP! HSTB takes in 41 animals needing medical care from the island of Dominica

HSTB is often contacted by other shelters when they are facing a crisis. Usually those calls come from organizations in Florida or neighboring states in the southeast, but sometimes we are privileged to help animals in other countries.

In February, local veterinarian Shelley Jensen, reached out to HSTB to help with a rescue effort she was coordinating for Saint Nicholas Animal Rescue on the island of Dominica. This area of the island has limited veterinary care and a large population of dogs and cats that need extra medical attention before being adopted. HSTB enthusiastically agreed to take thirty-eight dogs and three cats so that we could address their medical needs and find them loving homes.

Another HSTB partner, Wings of Rescue, facilitated the transfer by flying the animals from the island to Tampa. HSTB staff, volunteers, board members and donors met the plane at the airport to help unload the furry travelers and drive them to the shelter. The tired, hungry animals were so happy to get a full meal and settle into soft, clean bedding after such a long day.

Over the next few weeks, the Dominica pets received medical treatments, spay/neuter surgery, enrichment and socialization to prepare for adoption.

The Tampa Bay community was so welcoming to these sweet animals who had come so far for a second chance! HSTB is happy to announce that all of them were adopted.

Archie

Archie was brought to HSTB emaciated, heartworm positive, covered in fleas, and with nails so overgrown they had deformed his paws. The HSTB veterinary team addressed his medical needs then gave him a gentle spa treatment, complete with a doggy pedicure. After a nutritious meal the clearly depressed pup went to an experienced foster home to decompress and gain weight.

A month later, Archie was back at the shelter with a heavier body but a lighter spirit! He’d put the past behind him and was happy, friendly and loving. Meanwhile, Genesis was at the shelter ready to add a dog to her family. Archie’s sweet face tugged at her heart and when she heard what he had been through, she began to cry. She knew this brave survivor was the perfect pup for her and that she was destined to ensure he would never suffer again.

Omen

Omen (aka Roger) was brought to HSTB as a stray around the same time that threeyear-old Kayla’s family was looking to adopt a cat! They fell in love with Omen and he has become a treasured part of the family. He and Kayla have a special bond, napping and playing together all day. Omen has found his forever.

Luna

Luna was brought to HSTB when her owner developed complications in her pregnancy. The five-year-old cat was nervous, confused and sad. She also had allergies, dental disease and an ocular disorder that required her eye to be removed. Despite these challenges, when Celeste saw Luna on the HSTB website, she fell hard. She rushed to the shelter to meet her and the rest, as they say, is history.