MIGUEL - Sweet senior and brave survivor of heart-wrenching neglect.
HSTB transforms the lives of animals who have been ignored and mistreated, 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
Nancy Newman
Secretary
Morris Massey Member at Large
Amy Nelson Agliano
Suzie Archibald
Scott Arnold
Meredith Balasco
Kevin Bischoff
Cord Christensen
Ryan Cook
Liana Fuente
Michael Neff
Phil Nodhturft III
Jacalin Russo
Jennifer Williams
BOARD EMERITUS
Linda Reitz
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Greg Balasco
Simon Canasi
Mayor Jane Castor
Lisa DeBartolo
Nikki DeBartolo
Lindsay Deignan
Danita Dickman
Commissioner Ken Hagan
Bobby Harris
Jeannine Hascall
Brad Lancaster
Sandy Murman
Scott Price
Kim Rogers
Cherie Schonbrun
Cathy Smith
Cynthia Smoot
Andrea Gonzmart Williams
IN THIS ISSUE
FROM
CEO 3 4 8
FEATURE STORY — BATTLING NEGLECT
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay fights a silent crisis.
A JOURNEY OF LOVE AND LOSS
The importance of spaying and neutering pets.
15
KITTEN SEASON AWARENESS
HUMANE EDUCATION
The unseen struggle to save lives. 14
Crucial programs for shaping young minds.
FORE THE ANIMALS
THE FACES OF NEGLECT
Victims of mistreatment look to you.
RECOGNITION & THANKS
Reserve your spot now: Tees Fore Tails. 16
MORE MIGUEL – LET’S END ON A HIGH NOTE
Behind-the-scene photos of care in recovery.
Layout and Design by Nash McCutchen
MAKING FALL 2024 Written & Edited by Regan Blessinger & Nash McCutchen
Contributors: Kaeli Hammer Photography, Valerie Hogan, Cristina Klein Photography, Madison Kostka, Liz McCoy, Lisa Novorska, Sherry Silk, Danyelle Van Horn, Ornella Varchi, Robyn Walk Photography 9 10 13
Dear Friends,
We are deeply grateful for the wonderful community of animal lovers in Tampa Bay. While HSTB cares for and rehomes animals in need, you play an equally active role in saving lives. From contacting us to report animals who are sick, injured, or in danger, to alerting us about abuse and neglect, to picking up strays and bringing them to the shelter, your dedication is inspiring . Without your compassion and willingness to help, animals like Miguel, Squeaky, Echo, Ollie, Cocoa, and Pudge, might still be suffering from neglect, abuse and homelessness.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of foster families who provide healing homes for many of these animals to recover, grow, and learn to trust again before returning to the shelter.
Of course, we cannot forget the incredible individuals and families who open their hearts to shelter animals by giving them a second chance and a forever home. HSTB adopters have changed the lives of thousands of animals and helped to make this community more humane.
Finally, because of your generous financial support, HSTB is able to continue helping animals every single day. You are the heart of animal welfare that continues to beat strong year after year. Thank you.
While HSTB cares for and rehomes animals in need, [Tampa Bay Citizens] play an equally active role in saving lives.
Photos, from left: 1. A litter of puppies was saved when a citizen found them abandoned inside a hot crate, struggling to breath, and brought them to the shelter 2. The HSTB rescue van is “on call” seven days a week to assist animals in need 3 Trevor was found wandering with a terrible burn on his neck and back and brought immediately to the shelter for care.
Feature Story
BATTLING NEGLECT
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay Fights a
Silent Crisis.
Animal neglect is a silent crisis, often hidden behind closed doors or in remote locations, where vulnerable animals suffer without the care they desperately need. This heart-wrenching reality calls for a dedicated and compassionate response, and that’s where your support allows the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to step in.
This form of mistreatment can be just as devastating as physical abuse. It includes situations where animals are left without sufficient food, clean water, shelter, or physical and medical care. In many cases, neglect leads to severe health issues and even death. In addition to these physical consequences, neglect can leave deep emotional scars, manifesting in anxiety, fear, and a loss of trust in humans.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has been at the forefront of the fight against animal neglect, offering a lifeline to animals in distress through rescue operations, affordable veterinary care, rehabilitation, and rehoming efforts.
The following stories about Miguel, Squeaky, Echo, Ollie and Cocoa demonstrate how neglected animals are transformed by your generosity, HSTB’s care, and the love of their forever families.
MIGUEL
Miguel’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful. This 10-year-old terrier mix was brought to the shelter after experiencing untold months of suffering at the hands of uncaring humans. His basic needs for consistent brushing and grooming were ignored, leaving him covered in mats so severe, painful, and filthy that he was unable to eat and could barely walk. Lack of adequate veterinary care resulted in a dislocated jaw, a burning infection from untreated dental disease, and lacerations from pieces of metal mesh caught in the mats around his mouth. Sensitive roots were exposed in his rotting teeth and his tongue was inflamed with ulcers.
It is difficult to imagine how the elderly pup’s spirit was not broken after enduring such agony. Although he was defeated and depressed, his eyes held a spark of hope as he settled into the comforting arms of HSTB veterinary staff, giving them gentle kisses and trying to wag his heavy, tangled tail.
Miguel underwent surgery to shave the mats, remove rotten teeth, and treat his seriouly infected mouth. His relief was palpable as he awoke from surgery able to move freely and eat without pain. He spent several weeks in an experienced foster home to recover and receive much-needed love and attention.
Miguel was adopted on his first day back at the shelter. His new mom had been following his heart-wrenching story on social media and came to the shelter to meet him. The connection was immediate and Miguel is now living a life full of joy with his mom and Pomeranian brother!
SQUEAKY
Squeaky arrived at the shelter after being rescued from extreme neglect. At two-yearsold, she barely weighed more than a kitten, was missing half of her fur and some teeth, was crawling with fleas, and had ears infested with mites. She was so forlorn that she spent most of her time hiding. That, along with her sickly appearance, resulted in her being overlooked at the shelter for weeks.
One day, an HSTB volunteer was spending time with the cats when Squeaky suddenly left her hideout, walked over to the volunteer and sat in her lap. Another volunteer in the room was stunned and said, “Squeaky never goes to anyone!” After learning her story, the first volunteer decided to give Squeaky a chance and adopted the brave girl. In the loving care of her new mom and furry siblings, Squeaky gained weight and her fur grew back soft and shiny. Now she no longer cowers in shadows, but basks in the warmth of the sun.
ECHO
Echo (Snookums at the shelter), suffered a fate all too common for hounds – she was unvalued, ignored, and abandoned. When she arrived at the shelter, her sad eyes told the story of loneliness and heartbreak.
At HSTB, Echo learned that humans could be kind and what it feels like to play and be petted. Her spirit began to blossom and she was soon adopted into a loving family. Her mom recently sent us an update: “[Echo] is truly the perfect fit in our family. She loves the cats ... [and] going to the beach, is lazy when we are ... and active when we are, does basic tricks and comes when she’s called, 8/10 times lol. She sleeps in bed with us every night ... [and] brings us so much joy and laughter ... thank you all so deeply, from the bottom of my heart, for what you do.”
Battling Neglect ...
OLLIE
Ollie, a 13-year-old kitty, arrived at the shelter with a lot of emotional trauma. Not only did he have a heart condition that had gone untreated, but he had been beaten. He was depressed, confused, nervous and distrustful. With the gentle care and patience of HSTB staff and volunteers, he gradually acclimated to his new surroundings. As he began to open up, a playful and sassy side to his personality was revealed and the transformation from a frightened, reactive cat to a vocal, confident, fun-loving charmer was complete.
When Susan visited with Ollie, she was instantly drawn to his sweet nature. But the moment she knew it was meant to be was when he posed perfectly for their picture. Ollie went home that day!
COCOA
Cocoa, a nine-year-old chow mix, was rescued from terrible neglect. She’d been left outside, had a severe ear infection and had such bad allergies that she couldn’t sit still without scratching frantically. Despite her anxiety and physical discomfort, Cocoa was friendly to shelter staff and volunteers, seeking attention whenever possible!
When Brianna met Cocoa at the shelter, she was smitten. Sadly, her schedule in the coming months was not conducive to caring for a dog. Heartbroken, she vowed to check on Cocoa when things settled down. Several months later, she couldn’t believe it when she saw Cocoa still on the adoption website. She rushed to the shelter to finally take her girl home. Cocoa ran right to her and covered her with kisses as if to say “I knew you’d come back!” The rest is history.
A DOG’S JOURNEY OF LOVE & LOSS
The
Importance of Spaying and Neutering Pets.
Pudge’s difficult story is a powerful reminder that spaying and neutering is critical to maintaining the health and well-being of animals throughout the community.
Pudge arrived at HSTB in the late stages of pregnancy with a painfully distended belly and labor threatening to start at any moment. Despite being uncomfortable and unable to move easily, Pudge was a beacon of happiness, her tail wagging and eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The dedicated team at HSTB prepared the nursery with everything Pudge would need and settled her in, staying close by to help during the birth. Sadly, complications arose during labor, putting the lives of Pudge and her babies in danger. HSTB’s skilled veterinary team performed an emergency c-section and worked tirelessly to save Pudge and her pups. Despite their best efforts, only four of the 12 puppies survived. It was a harrowing and heartwrenching ordeal for everyone involved. Through it all, Pudge showed inspiring resilience and strength. Though recovering from major surgery and coping with difficult loss, she immediately began caring for the surviving pups.
Pudge’s experience is a stark reminder that spaying and neutering is not only important for animal population control, but can be a matter of life or death for pets. Without medical intervention, Pudge would have endured a slow, painful death, a fate no animal deserves. Help more dogs
KITTEN SEASON The Unseen Struggle to Save Lives.
In Florida, warmer weather signals the start of “kitten season", a dramatic increase in the birth of kittens as unsterilized, free-roaming cats begin mating. For animal welfare organizations like HSTB, this cycle presents overwhelming challenges with the relentless influx of kittens and nursing mothers. Hundreds upon hundreds of these cats and kittens are sick with upper respiratory and eye infections that require extra medical care and attention. These health issues, though common among young, vulnerable animals, require immediate, sustained, and costly medical intervention to ensure survival.
To cope with the annual surge, HSTB relies heavily on the support of experienced foster caregivers. These dedicated individuals are vital, especially when it comes to bottle-feeding orphaned newborn kittens. Bottle-feeding is an intensive and round-the-clock task, requiring skill, patience, and an unwavering commitment to these tiny lives.
In order to reduce the number of homeless kittens born in the community and stabilize the population of free-roaming adult cats, HSTB established Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return (TNVR*) as a core program. TNVR works proactively to break the cycle of reproduction and improve the health and well-being of free-roaming cats. HSTB collaborates closely with other TNVR organizations to amplify these efforts. The partnerships formed through HSTB’s TNVR program are crucial to address the staggering number of cats in need throughout Tampa Bay’s tri-county community.
HSTB’s TNVR program relies heavily on the contributions of individuals and organizations to continue this transformative work. Feral and free-roaming cats are some of the most marginalized domesticated animal populations in our state and suffer immensely as they struggle to survive. Help HSTB stop the cycle and end the suffering by donating to our TNVR Program fund. Together we can create a more humane community for every creature who calls Tampa Bay home.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is investing in a more humane future by providing children and teens with fun, informative, and meaningful experiences with homeless animals. These educational programs play a crucial role in shaping young minds that value empathy, responsibility, and compassionate care for animals and the world around them. Children who experience these ideals are more likely to become adults who advocate for positive change and a more humane society for all beings.
Responsibility & Ethical Care
Companion animals depend on humans to sustain their lives. Humane Education helps instill this by encouraging a sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of animals and by demonstrating how to properly care for them with ethics and accountability.
Empathy & Compassion
Humane education allows children to experience a human-animal connection. Learning about an animal’s needs, behaviors and emotions helps children understand and relate to them with compassion and empathy. These qualities are essential for fostering kindness and consideration towards others.
Awareness About Animal Welfare
Humane education programs educate children about animal welfare, including issues such as abuse, cruelty and neglect, the importance spaying and neutering, and the benefits of adoption. This awareness can inspire future advocacy.
Cognitive & Emotional Development
Interacting with and learning about animals supports cognitive and emotional development by fostering connection, reducing stress, and enhancing mood. These, in turn, contribute to better mental health and give children a safe, fun space to practice and internalize emotional intelligence.
“I love to see all the animals ... my favorite thing we’ve done is feed dog treats to the big dogs.”
~ Lana (8), Critter Camper
COMMUNITY IMPACT
“My favorite part of [Critter Career Camp] is the tours because then I can take my family on tours and show them the animals.”
~ Dylan (11), Critter Career Camper
Environmental Awareness
Many humane education programs also emphasize the connection between animal welfare and environmental health. Children learn about habitats, ecosystems, and the impact of human activities on wildlife. They also learn to problem solve by brainstorming about creative ways they can support the planet and its creatures.
Community Involvement
Humane education often involves community outreach and service learning, encouraging children to participate in their communities actively. This helps them recognize their importance in greater society.
Learn about all Humane Education Programs: Scan code or visit HumaneSocietyTampa.org/Kids
The Faces of Neglect
Each year thousands of innocent faces, just like those pictured above and throughout these pages, look to HSTB for help during their darkest hours. While Tampa Bay is a kind and caring community for many animals, neglect and mistreatment remain a significant challenge. HSTB looks to you to help meet the challenge in two ways. Your support allows HSTB to:
Photos of Miguel during his time at the shelter recovering from surgery, clockwise from top left: Miguel rests peacefully in a cloud of blankets after having surgery. Miguel sports a cozy sweater as he gets used to his new haircut. Miguel spent many days recovering on the laps of staff and volunteers. Miguel gets a comforting kiss from a staff member during his stay.
