Month: October 2024

In the days following Hurricane Milton, and Hurricane Helena before that, we have been assessing the damage and listening to our community and fellow shelters about their needs. HSTB was the only shelter that continued to take in strays displaced from the storm beginning Thursday morning, even when we were closed. We worked closely with first responders to ensure the animals found were safe.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our local community and from people in other states and countries who have donated money, supplies, and sent well wishes. Your kindness has deeply touched us, and it’s because of you that we can continue to support our neighbors and the animals in the Tampa Bay community.

We are still offering free pet food and supplies for those who may have lost theirs in the storm. We also rely on the generosity and support of the community to keep these efforts going.

If you’re still missing a pet, we encourage you to register them on Petco’s LoveLost site, check the lost and found page on our website, and visit your county’s Lost and Found Facebook page. You can find all the links below.

Thank you for your continued support—together, we can keep helping not only pets but also the people in our community.

Four years ago, our community rallied together in an extraordinary way. You helped us build a shelter strong enough to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, and because of you, we and our beloved animals were safe during Hurricane Helene. We are forever grateful for the love and support you showed us then.

Now, as our community faces another challenge, it’s our turn to give back. We know that times are hard for so many of our neighbors, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help. That’s why our Pet Pantry will now be open every single day—not just on Tuesdays and Saturdays—offering free dog and cat food, along with other pet supplies as available. We want to ensure no one has to worry about feeding their pets during these difficult days.

We’re also calling on everyone who can help to join us in our mission. We’re holding a donation drive for animal food and supplies to keep our Pet Pantry stocked for those in need. Every little bit helps, and your kindness will make a world of difference. If you would like to donate, please bring your donations to the adoption counter in the Shelter lobby.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of stray animals coming to us, and we are working tirelessly to reunite them with their families. Heartbreakingly, we’re also seeing more and more families forced to surrender their pets because of their profound losses.

We know that many families are struggling financially right now, and our hospital will continue to be here to provide affordable care for their pets. Together, as a community, we can get through this—just as we have before. Thank you for your unwavering support, your generosity, and your compassion. We’re all in this together.