Author: Humane Society of Tampa Bay

On Saturday, May 21st, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is proud to be a sponsor of the 4th Annual Champions for Change Challenge in Tampa Bay. 

The event is hosted by 21 & Change, Inc., a Florida-based non-profit organization that champions inclusion, education, and human rights for people with developmental disabilities.

If you are an amateur, professional, or athlete with developmental disability, register today for FREE and join your family and friends along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders and mascot, Captain Fear, on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tampa Movement Lab, 1335 W. Gray Street, Tampa, FL 33606 for the Champions for Change Challenge.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will have one adoptable dog at the event with a focus on the power of pups with children that have developmental disabilities.

Pets provide companionship for kids who struggle socially.

Pets offer a bond for kids who struggle to make connections with their peers, which can leave them feeling lonely and isolated. Dogs and even cats can be a very good support system; they are non-judgmental, good listeners, stress-relievers, and they cuddle.

Pets reduce stress and anxiety.

Kids with special needs often feel anxiety on another level. The calm demeanor and loving presence of dogs can cause a perceived reduction in stress and cortisol levels in children.

Dogs help kids with special needs stay physically active.

Getting active can be a stress reliever, as well as a mood booster. Pets encourage children to engage in physical activity and spend time outdoors, which is beneficial for healthy lifestyle habits.

Pets can help kids with autism build social skills.

Research has shown that animals increase social behaviors in children on the spectrum. In studies, children with autism were more likely to talk, smile, laugh, and make physical contact with others when they had real pets, rather than toys.

Taking care of an animal helps kids learn responsibility.

Taking care of their pets will help a child with special needs create their own schedule, including when to feed or bathe the pet, and even when it’s time for some fun. This daily routine helps create better habits, such as the ability to make plans, focus and stick to them.

Pets can help kids with physical disabilities with everyday tasks.

Animals can be trained to grab objects, open doors, and guide children with limited mobility or physical impairments.

Support dogs can help with a child with special needs’ well-being.

A fully trained support dog can be taught behaviors such as applying pressure to help with a panic attack or sounding the alarm if
self-harming behaviors are happening.

*Source: NYmetroparents.com, “7 Ways Having a Pet Benefits a Child with Special Needs”, April 9, 2021

****View the full story as covered by ABC Action News here.****

 

Tampa, FL. (May, 2022) – Humane Society of Tampa Bay received a $200,000 grant investment for 2022 & 2023 from national nonprofit Petco Love during a special celebration at Westshore Petco at 136 S. Westshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida. This took place on May 19th at 11 a.m. in support of their lifesaving work for animals in the Tampa Bay area.

Petco Love is a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since its founding in 1999, Petco Love has invested $330 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. And Petco Love helps find loving homes for pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4,000 organizations — like ours — across North America, with 6.5 million pets adopted and counting.

“The Humane Society of Tampa (HSTB) is a leader in animal welfare in an area of Florida where a lot of work is still needed to create lifesaving communities for animals,” said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. “Despite the pandemic, HSTB continues to partner with their local Petco for adoptions and works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets.”

The investment in the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is part of more than $30M in investments recently announced by Petco Love to power local organizations across the country as part of its commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized. Petco Love recently celebrated the one-year launch anniversary of Petco Love Lost, a national lost and found database that uses pet facial recognition technology to simplify the search for lost pets.

Petco Love grant of $200k to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

“The Humane Society of Tampa Bay tremendously appreciates Petco Love supporting the lifesaving work that our shelter provides day in and day out for the Tampa Bay community,” said Sherry Silk, Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s CEO.

For more than 100 years, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to ending animal homelessness and providing care and comfort for companion animals in need. Named a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator and accredited by AAHA, the standard in veterinary excellence, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is dedicated to the highest standards in animal sheltering and veterinary care. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s adoption programs, affordable veterinary services, community outreach efforts, and volunteer opportunities are essential to the health and well-being of animals across Tampa Bay.

For more information about the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, visit humanesocietytampa.org. Learn more about Petco Love here: petcolove.org.

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About the Humane Society of Tampa Bay: For more than 100 years, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to our vision of leading the way because every life counts. Named a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator since 2008, designated a Platinum Participator with GuideStar, and accredited by AAHA, the standard in veterinary excellence, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is dedicated to the highest standards in animal sheltering and veterinary care. Our adoption programs, affordable veterinary services, community outreach efforts and volunteer opportunities are essential to the health and well-being of thousands of animals across Tampa Bay. Visit humanesocietytampa.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube to learn more about our programs and the animals we help every day.

 

About Petco Love: Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we’ve empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $330 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We’ve helped find loving homes for more than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide.

Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us.  Join us. Visit petcolove.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day.

 

 

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is disappointed to hear the news about the $1.6 Million embezzled by a former Executive Director and her husband at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast in Hernando County.

Those donations were intended for the animals.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and other shelters are completely independent of each other, HSUS, ASPCA and the Humane Society of the Nature Coast. Each have their own bylaws and board of directors.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has a 4-Star Rating by Charity Navigator and a Platinum Rating by Guide Star which certifies we have the highest and most exceptional standards of transparency, financial health, and accountability. Our financials are audited each year by an independent CPA to confirm accuracy and ensure proper use of funds.

 

 

Petco Love (previous the Petco Foundation) has a campaign called “Love Stories” in which adopters can submit stories and the non-profit in which they adopted from has a change to receive grants. We were fortunate enough to have 2 stories that were chosen by Petco Love to receive grants.

One of the adopters is our volunteer Dwight Raines, and the other is an adopter named Olivia!

Please vote for both (you can only vote for each story once per email). Please let me know if you have any questions! I’ve included both story links below.

Dwight & Buddy: https://bit.ly/32RTFAU

Olivia & Ollie: https://bit.ly/3rp3yjB

Thank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of homeless animals!

Why spay/neuter your pet?
By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control pet homelessness crisis, which results in millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized* in the United States annually simply because there aren’t enough homes.

What are some of the medical benefits?
Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering your male pet prevents testicular cancer and prostate problems.

What are some of the behavioral benefits?
Your spayed female pet won’t go into heat.
Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home
Your neutered male may be better behaved. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

Help your pet live a longer, healthier, and happier lifestyle by making an appointment with our Animal Hospital to have them spayed/neutered. Please contact them at 813-870-3304

*The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is a managed admissions no-kill-for-space shelter. We do not euthanize an animal to make room for another. Our 2020 save rate was 93%.

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.