Author: Humane Society of Tampa Bay

As we continue to have record breaking temperatures in Tampa, it is important for all pet owners to learn about pet heatstroke and heatstroke prevention.

What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a state of hyperthermia resulting in heat injury to tissues. Heatstroke occurs when heat generation exceeds the body’s ability lose heat.

What causes heatstroke?
• A warm/hot, humid environment with inadequate ventilation
• Inadequate shade
• Inadequate drinking water
• Excessive exercise

What can are some symptoms of heatstroke?
• Panting which increases as heatstroke progresses
• Agitation or restlessness
• Very red or pale gums
• Bright red tongue
• Increase heart rate
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Mental confusion, delirium
• Dizziness, staggering
• Lethargy, weakness,
• Seizures or muscle tremors
• Collapsing and lying down
• Little to no urine production

What should you do if you suspect your pet has a heatstroke?
• Remove your pet from the hot environment immediately
• Apply or spray tepid/cool (do not use ice cold water) water onto their fur and skin
• Wetting down the area around your pet can also help
• Take your pet to the nearest Veterinarian immediately

What can you do to prevent heatstroke?
• Have a cool, well-ventilated space for your pet
• All pets should have access to plenty of fresh drinking water at all times
• Never leave your pet in a car
• Avoid exercising animals in hot water
• Avoid hot sand, concrete or asphalt areas

Hurricanes, flooding, booming thunderstorms… summer brings Florida opportunities for disaster and we want to make sure you have the resources necessary to be prepared!

Receive one free waterproof disaster bag at the front desk at our Shelter or Animal Hospital, while supplies last. No appointment necessary, simply walk-in!

Receive one free personalized pet ID tag at our Shelter Retail Store with any purchase over $5.99. This promotion is valid 6/1/21 – 6/30/21. No appointment necessary, simply walk-in!

Receive one free microchip ($30 value) for your pet when you receive ANY service at our Animal Hospital. Microchip will be inserted during the time of your pet’s visit. This promotion is valid 6/1/21 – 6/30/21. Appointment is required.

We are excited to team up with AGoldPhoto Pet Photography to create a Fundraising Coffee Table Book titled, “Tails of Gratitude – A Collection of Thank You Notes from People to Their pets” in an effort to raise much needed funds for the shelter.

The goal of the project is to raise $7,500 which could help the shelter vaccinate 260 animals, spay/neuter surgeries for 110 animals and shelter 375 animals for 1 day.

Participation in the book will be facilitated via an application process and successful applicants will be guaranteed a double page spread in the book and pay a $150 registration fee, 100% of which will be donated to the shelter. The book is set to publish late November/early December 2021.

Photo Shoots will take place at AGoldPhoto Pet Photo Studio, located in South Tampa. Participants will get to select their favorite photo for the book and have the opportunity to purchase printed photographic artwork for their home or office. “We’re so grateful to be the recipient of funds from this coffee table book project with AGoldPhoto Pet Photography.” Said Sherry Silk, CEO of Humane Society of Tampa Bay. “2020 was a challenging year, not only for the shelter, but for pet parents as well. We can’t wait to see what pet parents want to thank their pets for.

“We’re beyond excited to launch this project with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Our pets are part of the family and we’re thankful for them every day.” Explained Adam, Co-Owner and Photographer of AGoldPhoto Pet Photo Studio” The funds raised from this project will help shelter animals in need and bring pets and their people closer together through photography”

The application to participate in the project can be found at agoldphoto.com/book.

About AGoldPhoto Pet Photography
AGoldPhoto Pet Photography is made up of a husband and wife team, Mary and Adam Goldberg. The couple started taking photos of adoptable animals at Humane Society of Tampa Bay in 2016 and have since opened their own photo studio in South Tampa. They have raised over $250,000 for animal shelters and rescues all over the country.

Protect your pet financially against unexpected vet bills. When you leave with pet insurance in place, you are adopting with confidence and peace of mind for your new family member.  We recommend you purchase pet insurance your on the day of your adoption so that you have immediate coverage in case this pet gets sick or injured.

• 1 in 3 pets will require unexpected medical care this year
• Every 6 seconds, a pet owner receives a bill for at least $1,000
• Fetch by the Dodo pet insurance covers exam fees, diagnostic tests and medications, dental injury and disease, chronic and hereditary conditions
• Customize your plan based on your desired yearly coverage amounts, deductibles and reimbursement percentage
• If you enroll within 24 hours of adoption, there is no waiting period…your coverage would go into effect at midnight
• Average costs: $11-$19 per month for cats and $18-$35 per month for dogs

Learn More & Sign Up

Reasons Why Adopting is Important

  • Because you’ll save a life. Each year, it′s estimated that more than one million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet.

  • Because you can help stop unkind and inhumane puppy mills. Puppy mills are breeding facilities who put profit over the welfare and wellbeing of their dogs, leading to poor conditions, improper medical care, and more. Just last September a puppy mill was shut down in Tampa due to inhumane conditions, with over 350 dogs being handed over to Hillsborough County Pet Resources. If we stop shopping and adopt instead, puppy mills will cease to exist!

  • Because it is so much more affordable than shopping. All animals adopted from HSTB come spayed/ neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed. Those are fees you don’t have to pay for! Additionally, dogs adopted through the Dolly’s Dream Dogs program come with supplies and 3 complimentary sessions of in-home dog training.

  • Because you’ll be helping more than just one animal. By adopting, you free up space in the shelter for other animals in need!

  • Because studies show that having an animal has immense psychological, emotional, and physical benefits. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose- and you can feel proud about saving a pet’s life when you adopt!

  • Because it feels good to change a pet’s life. Once you’ve adopted one, it’s hard to ever buy again!

  • Because your home will thank you. Many shelter animals come from previous owners and are already house-trained, so you won’t have to sacrifice your favorite rug or couch. Also, HSTB typically has information on animals who came from a previous home, so you won’t have to play the guessing game on whether or not they are good with kids and other animals, etc.

  • Because it supports an amazing cause. All of the proceeds from the adoption fee go right back to the shelter, so your adoption of one animal will help so many more!

  • Because you’re not just giving them a second chance. They’re giving you a new best friend!

  • Because the HSTB website makes it easy. Check out http://mariam22.sg-host.com/adoptions/ each morning to see all the animals up for adoption that day.

Still need convincing? Check us out on instagram (@HumaneSocietyTampaBay), Twitter (@HumaneTampaBay) and Facebook (Humane Society of Tampa Bay) for adoption stories and to see why people are so glad that they chose to adopt from HSTB!

These two kittens, along with their mother were saved from an abandoned house by our rescue team. Our team was shocked by their horrific living conditions. They found living and deceased kittens in a wall infested with fleas and roaches. We immediately examined the cats to determine the best course of action. We found that the mother cat has upper respiratory issues, dental disease, and ringworm. Unfortunately, her kittens also have upper respiratory issues, ringworm and were covered in fleas. They could barely open up their eyes…  We cleaned up and treated the whole family. All three cats are currently in a foster home receiving the love, care and medical attention that they deserve. 
We are still open and helping the animals that need us…
If you can, please support us by clicking the donate button below.

What is TNVR?

TNVR is the internationally proven practice of humanely trapping, spaying/neutering, vaccinating, ear tipping feral or outdoor cats and then returning them to their neighborhoods. Successful TNVR involves a volunteer caretaker who provides food and water.  TNVR has been shown to be the least costly, most efficient and most humane way to stabilize cat populations. There is a lot of bad information from people who do not like cats and  from some media in our community. These are the facts.

Why TNVR?

TNVR stabilizes the outdoor cat population (fewer to no births), resulting in lower animal control costs, reducing nuisance complaints by residents, addressing neighbors’ concerns, alleviating public health concerns, and improving the cats’ lives.  Additionally, cats provide rodent control for the neighborhood or businesses. Cats put in this program are unsocial and therefore not unadoptable.

Saves Lives

Since 2008, through our TNVR program we have helped over 60,000 outdoor cats. It gives cats a second chance at life as feral cats are unable to be adopted since they are unsocial.

Improves Quality of Life

TNVR improves outdoor cats’ lives. As long as there is someone to feed the cats, they can have a good life.

TNVR Keeps the Community Safe

Through TNVR all outdoor cats are administered a rabies vaccine.

Long-Term Solution to Stabilize Feral Cat Population

Leaving the cats where they are and spaying or neutering them through TNVR is the only hope for these cats. They would be euthanized in a shelter because they are unsocial. Sterilizing a sufficient percentage of the cats breaks the reproductive cycle and the combination of sterilization and attrition can gradually lead to a reduced population.

Nuisance Behavior Reduced

The nuisance behavior often associated with feral and free-roaming cats is dramatically reduced; including the yowling and fighting that come with mating activity and the odor of unneutered males spraying to mark their territory. Male urine spray smells are eliminated.

TNVR Saves Taxpayer′s Money

Catching and killing cats has been a futile effort used by animal control and shelters across the country for decades. Continuing an approach that is clearly not working is a waste of taxpayer dollars. TNVR works and saves taxpayer’s money by reducing cats in our public shelters.