Author: Humane Society of Tampa Bay


ABC The Now Tampa Bay speaks with Humane Society of Tampa Bay Veterinarian Dr. Christine Glenn about keeping pets safe from natural toxins.

The following is a response to the article titled “While in-state dogs and cats die, groups rescue from out of state” posted at Examiner.com on June 9, 2015 by Pamela Kramer as well as to those individuals criticizing our Transfer Program through social media.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) is currently being criticized by groups and individuals who question our practice of transferring out-of-state puppies and small dogs into our facility while local animals (Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, HCPRC) are slated to be euthanized at the county shelter due to lack of space.
Much of the information being shared by these critics is untrue and the result of individuals jumping to conclusions without knowing the full story.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay should not be blamed and criticized for pet euthanasia in this county. The blame for this tragic reality should be placed on irresponsible pet owners who do not spay/neuter their pets or abandon their pets at shelters when they are no longer convenient to care for. *Please note: there are legitimate reasons why some owners have to surrender their pets to shelters. We understand and respect those reasons and are here to help when those unfortunate circumstances arise.
We offer the following points in rebuttal to the accusations we have received thus far:
1. “Why does HSTB take animals from out-of-state when local animals are dying in shelters?”
a. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay takes SMALL DOGS AND PUPPIES from Out-of-State facilities when room allows. Most of the dogs dying in local shelters are large breed dogs, particularly pit bulls. We are notified every day by the county of animals on their euthanasia list and help when we are able. HSTB has limited kennel space for large dogs. We can house 25 large dogs at a time while we can house 125 small dogs and puppies. Our large kennels are normally at 100% capacity as we receive large dogs from the following LOCAL sources: owner surrender, strays and local county facilities such as Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Polk County, Highlands County and Manatee County. IN OTHER WORDS, THE DOGS WE ARE TAKING FROM OUT-OF-STATE ARE NOT TAKING AWAY KENNEL SPACE FROM THE ANIMALS ON LOCAL EUTHANASIA LISTS (large dogs needing large runs). Why should our small cages, that we can’t fill locally, sit empty while puppies and small dogs are dying in other states?
b. WE DO NOT TAKE CATS FROM OUT-OF-STATE, only from owner surrenders, strays and local county facilities. We, like all other rescues and shelters, are inundated with cats. Currently, in addition to the cats in our shelter, we have approximately 125 out in foster homes. If we are unable to take a cat from HCPRC it is simply because we don’t have room to house or foster them.
c. We take local animals, 7 days a week, from owners who surrender their pets to us. More than half of our animals come directly from the public in the form of owner surrenders.
d. We take local animals, 7 days a week, through the acceptance of strays. In November 2014, The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center entered into an arrangement to begin taking in strays and holding them at our facility rather than sending them to HCPRC. The aim was to reduce the intake at HCPRC so their animals would have more days to be adopted and they would be able to euthanize fewer pets. Here are the facts:

    • i.

SINCE JANUARY 2015, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY HAS TAKEN IN 880 STRAY ANIMALS.

    • Of those 880 animals, only 118 have been transferred back to HCPRC due to either our lack of large kennel space or bite cases requiring quarantine with the county.

 

    ii. According to HCPRC, we have reduced their intake by at least 500 animals since January.

2. “You want them [out-of-state puppies] for profit. You don’t care about the puppies in our shelters.”
a. WE ACTUALLY LOSE MONEY ON ADOPTIONS. We do not make a profit on ANY of our animals, large or small, baby or adult. And we DO NOT RECEIVE MONEY FOR TRANSFERS. We put an enormous amount of money into the medical care (including spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, blood work, X-Rays, microchips, medication, heartworm treatment, etc.) housing, feeding and enrichment of our animals- we do not make that money back when they are adopted. However, finding homes for animals is what we are all about and we gladly pay for their care while they are with us. Even though we don’t make any money on their adoptions, we celebrate each time an animal goes home.
b. CHARITY NAVIGATOR HAS RATED US A 4-STAR CHARITY (HIGHEST RATING) FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. This shows that we are committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency. 89% of annual monies received goes to our Programs and Services- our animals- which we do not make profit from.
c. Our local county shelters, HCPRC in particular, have ramped up their adoption programs to the point that they very rarely have puppies available for us. The public wants puppies and we want them to go to shelters, rather than puppy mills, to get them. THE ANIMALS BEING EUTHANIZED FOR SPACE AT HCPRC ARE NOT PUPPIES, THEY ARE CATS AND LARGE ADULT DOGS. When HCPRC has puppies in need of transfer, we take them. We also take nursing mothers and their litters from Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Highlands and Manatee Counties when needed.
d. We have already addressed in Point 1 that we take as many large adult dogs as we are able from owner surrender, strays and local county facilities. We can only house 25 at a time making our ability to help limited.
Finally, we’d like to reiterate a point: the animals we are transferring from out-of-state are coming from facilities that will euthanize them if other organizations cannot take them. These are healthy puppies and small dogs that deserve to live just as much as the large dogs and adult cats inundating our shelters in Tampa Bay. We save as many lives as we can. We are deeply saddened that we cannot help every animal in need. Our intake staff have very difficult and emotional jobs and are often heartbroken about the animals we have to turn away. Again, pet overpopulation and euthanasia is not our fault. It isn’t HCPRC’s fault and it isn’t the fault of rescue organizations or other county shelters. The fault lies with irresponsible pet owners. Until our community adopts a culture where pets are routinely sterilized and not seen as disposable, the tragedy of euthanasia for space will continue. We’ll be here to help as many as we can, for as long as we can. We hope you will support us in our efforts.

parvokills-webpageCanine parvovirus, a fast-acting, potentially deadly gastrointestinal disease in puppies and adult dogs, is alive and well in Tampa Bay. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Animal Health Center has seen a significant rise in the number of owned pets infected with the disease and is urging citizens to make sure their pets are vaccinated.
Parvovirus most frequently attacks puppies younger than one year of age, but unvaccinated adult dogs are also susceptible. While most infected adults recover, with expensive treatment, as many as 25% to 50% of infected puppies die from the disease if not diagnosed and treated immediately.
“Parvo is a devastating, highly-contagious and costly disease that strikes rapidly and without warning,” said HSTB Executive Director Sherry Silk. “Thankfully, a vaccination is available and we urge the community to make sure their dogs are up-to-date on their shots.”
Vaccinations for parvovirus are available at the Society’s Animal Health Center (813-870-3304) as well as veterinary practices, mobile clinics and some pet stores across Tampa Bay.
Puppies are not fully immunized from the disease until they complete their initial vaccination and a series of booster shots, at four months of age. Adult dogs should receive their vaccination on an annual basis to remain protected.
HOW PARVOVIRUS SPREADS
Parvovirus spreads when a dog comes in contact with the feces of an infected dog. Warm weather provides a perfect environment for the virus to thrive, allowing it to remain infectious on contaminated ground for months. Therefore, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay recommends keeping puppies under four months and unvaccinated adult dogs away from areas with lots of dog traffic (parks, beaches, kennels, pet stores, etc) to avoid possible infection.
SYMPTOMS OF PARVOVIRUS
Early diagnosis is critical to providing immediate and life-saving treatment. If your pet displays any of the following symptoms, please contact our Animal Health Center (813-870-3304) or your veterinarian immediately.

  • Lack of appetite
  • Lethargy or listlessness
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Abdominal distention (pot belly) or discomfort
  • Signs of dehydration
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Profuse diarrhea

TREATMENT OF PARVOVIRUS
Treatment involves addressing dehydration and preventing fatal infection. A rapid, in-clinic test will confirm the presence of the virus. For a mildly affected pet (usually an adult dog), outpatient care may be all that is needed. For severely affected pets (typically puppies) hospitalization is generally required.

Sherry Silk, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, first saw the “for sale” sign at the property on 3809 N. Armenia in July of 2009. The building was an old funeral home that had been unoccupied for several years. HSTB made an offer on the property and purchased it in December.

HSTB took it’s time with due diligence. After much research, Urban Studios was chosen to be the Architect for the building and A.D. Morgan was hired as construction manager. It took several months to finalize the plans for our dream of the Animal Health Center. It was important to include the staff’s suggestions regarding design and efficiency of the building.

With final plans in hand, the old funeral home was demolished in the beginning of November, 2011. In December, the Board of Directors invited the public to the official Ground Breaking Ceremony. Construction began immediately and moved rapidly. At the end of March 2012, we celebrated a traditional “Topping Out” Celebration, a construction celebration marking the completion of the roof.

In June and July, the medical equipment for the surgical center, funded through a grant from PetSmart®, was installed and staff was trained. The Animal Health Center opened the doors for business on July 28, 2012. On September 6, 2012 a Grand Opening Ceremony was held. Donors, City & County Officials, Board of Directors, Staff, and the Advisory Council were on hand for the event.

In April of 2013, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay successfully completed paying off all loans on the Animal Health Center.

Any proceeds from the Animal Health Center will benefit the mission and programs at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay was established in 1912 as the Hillsborough County Humane Society with the mission “to enforce the law applicable to the prevention of cruelty to children and cruelty to all animals of any description, capable of suffering, and to do everything and anything which is legal to prevent cruelty and harsh treatment to children and animals.” It is one of the oldest corporations in the state of Florida.

In 1926, the organization was left a bequest by two sisters, Allison and Helen M. Holland, of the property and a two story house on 3607 N. Armenia. In 1929, the animal shelter began operations using the declaration, “We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

In the 1970’s, the organization outgrew the original house and the current facility was built, however it was not until the early 1980’s, that the Holland house was demolished and the facility was enlarged to include the kennels.

In 2000, The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, realizing the importance of spaying and neutering animals in the community due to the overpopulation problem, opened the Spay and Neuter Clinic. In 2004, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay began the “No Kill for Space” program which means that no adoptable animal is euthanized to make room for another coming through the door. We do euthanize animals that are too sick to be treated or too aggressive or behaviorally unsound to be suitable for adoption. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is a managed admission shelter. We only accept animals that we feel we can adopt. We do not take in stray animals. They need to be taken to the county facility where their owners can look for them.

We at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay do our best to find homes for as many animals as possible. We are committed to a community approach to help lower the euthanasia rate in our county. We have an aggressive transfer program which takes in animals from other shelters that are open admission and house animals that are at risk of being euthanized.

In January 2007 HSTB joined the ASPCA, No More Homeless Pets, Animal Coalition of Tampa, and Hillsborough County Animal Services in the ASPCA® Mission: Orange™, a mutual mission to create a humane community where every adoptable dog and cat is guaranteed a loving home and where all animals are treated with respect and kindness.

In 2008, HSTB opened a Wellness Clinic and began offering veterinary services at affordable rates to owned pets in the community.

In 2012, our Wellness and Spay/Neuter clinics were expanded to a full-service, high-quality, affordable veterinary hospital located in our 10,000+ square foot state-of-the-art Animal Health Center. The veterinary hospital is open to the public seven days a week performing more than 11,000 spay/neuter surgeries and seeing more than 25,000 pets each year. In 2014 the Animal Health Center became the first non-profit veterinary hospital in Florida to be accredited by American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

For more than 100 years, we have helped over a million animals who have crossed through our doorway thanks to generous people in our community who have funded our work through donations and bequests.