Category: HSTB News

October 9, 2023 – In response to recent media coverage of an animal shelter partnering with a puppy-selling store and broker (puppy mill), the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is reaching out to our community to caution Bay Area residents about the cruel practice and to distinguish our position on the retail sale of dogs in stores.

Make no mistake, puppies in pet stores harbor an ugly reality; most are trucked hundreds of miles from puppy mills before arriving at the store for resale, their parents remaining behind to suffer indefinitely in puppy mills.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay unequivocally denounces the sale of dogs and cats in stores and condemns the inherently cruel commercial dog breeding industry that thrives on the retail sale of puppies. We strongly support state legislation prohibiting the retail sale of dogs and cats in stores.

Puppy-selling retail stores obtain their dogs from commercial dog breeders, also known as puppy mills, through a pipeline of breeders and brokers. Puppy mills put profit before the welfare of the animals in their care, keeping breeding dogs confined in filthy conditions with poor veterinary care, little socialization or grooming, and ceaseless breeding for years. Consumers who purchase puppies in stores often report that their puppies were ill at the time of purchase or later suffered from congenital disease due to poor breeding practices.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay urges people who wish to bring a new pet into the family to adopt from a shelter or rescue group. If you are looking for a particular breed, many shelters, and rescue groups have specific dog breeds available for adoption or can help advise you on finding a particular type of dog.

When adoption is not an option, please ensure that the breeder is responsible and not a commercial puppy mill. Responsible dog breeders do not sell their dogs to brokers or stores for resale. Make sure that you meet the parents of the puppy and visit the premises where the dogs are bred and raised to ensure that the breeder provides high-quality living conditions, socialization, and veterinary care for their dogs.

Thousands of homeless dogs and cats sit in shelters and rescues that deserve safety and care in a home. Please consider adoption.

HSTB receives over 100 adoption applications for Persian cats with inheritance

TAMPA, Fla. — The Humane Society of Tampa Bay said it has received more than 100 applications for seven Persian cats at the shelter.

Sherry Silk, CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, said 84-year-old Nancy Sauer died about six months ago and left about $300,000 to care for her animals…

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Photo by: WFTS

Florida woman leaves $300K estate to her seven Persian cats as adoption requests pour in

A Florida woman reportedly has left a pricey estate to her seven beloved Persian cats, who were her loyal companions until the day she died — and there now appears to be no shortage of people wanting to adopt the felines, as they come with an inheritance of sorts…

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South Tampa cats left inheritance to go up for adoption after care concerns following owner’s death

TAMPA, Fla. – Seven ‘wealthy’ South Tampa cats are looking for forever homes after their owner’s dying wish for them to be cared for after her passing wasn’t being met…

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7 South Tampa Persian cats with six-figure inheritance to be adopted soon

Seven Persian cats are now up for adoption at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay after their owner left behind an inheritance to care for them long after she passed away…

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7 South Tampa Persian cats with six-figure inheritance to be adopted soon

Seven Persian cats are now up for adoption at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay after their owner left behind an inheritance to care for them long after she passed away…

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Photo by: WFLA

7 Persian Cats Left ‘Six-Figure’ Inheritance Find New Homes with Help from Florida Rescue

Seven wealthy Persian cats are starting a new chapter in Florida.

“I’ve been doing animal welfare for a long time. This has been an overwhelming experience. I never would’ve thought it would’ve gotten such traction,” Sherry Silk, CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB), tells PEOPLE of the cat pack…

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The Humane Society of Tampa Bay was extremely disappointed to read the article titled “Humane Society of Tampa Bay decision to put 40 kittens to death stirs controversy” by Esmé Fox. The reporter took information from a misinformed and disgruntled volunteer who rarely volunteered with our organization, has no medical background, and provided false information.

Our organization knew we had Feline Panleukopenia virus when kittens were dying in their cages just a day after they were playful and appearing healthy. Many kittens were adopted out after being medically checked by our shelter medical staff and were then found dead in their new homes two days later. That is, unfortunately, what happens when this terrible virus breaks in a shelter. Humane euthanasia was the kindest and most responsible course of action to take. This action also protected the other 300+ animals that are in our shelter.

The misinformation that this reporter chose to spread hurts not only HSTB’s mission but the homeless animals in need in our area. We are surprised that the Tampa Bay Times allowed this article to be published, and we expect more from this media outlet. In the future, we are hopeful that the appropriate research will be done before publication and potentially damaging a reputation.

 

Starting July 1st through August 15th, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center will be spaying/neutering 500 owned bully breed dogs and mixes through Operation Pit Stop. Dogs will also receive DHPP and rabies vaccinations, a county license, a microchip, and a bag of dog food courtesy of Chewy.com. We are excited to bring Operation Pit Stop to Tampa and help reduce litters of dogs. Dog owners need to call now to make their appointment.

Hillsborough County has seen an increase of bully breed dogs coming through shelter doors and spending significantly longer than other dogs before getting adopted. This crisis affects kennel space. HSTB is a managed admission shelter known as “No-Kill for Space,” meaning no animal will be euthanized to make room for another. Spaying and neutering bully breeds will help reduce the population of unwanted dogs that will end up in shelter care.

Owners can call the Humane Society of Tampa Bay or the Pet Resource Center to schedule their appointment. Each location will be doing up to 250 surgeries. Owners of dogs sterilized through Operation Pit Stop will be entered to win cash prizes. Five winners will be chosen and awarded $1,000 each.

“We are happy to provide these surgeries to keep dogs healthy and reduce the number of dogs in our kennels,” said Sherry Silk, Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Don’t be left out, to schedule an appointment at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay located at 3809 N. Armenia, call (813) 252-2023 and to schedule an appointment at the Pet Resource Center located at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. call (813) 301-7387.

 

 

A video from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay showed a person taking a puppy out of the bed of a pick-up truck and then tossing it over a six-foot fence.

Employees at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay said the incident happened when the shelter was closed at around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday. The man tosses the 4-month-old dog over the fence into the play yards.

Staff discovered the injured dog the next day, on Easter morning.

READ THE FULL STORY »

A Florida high school cross-country team has been running alongside shelter dogs to help get them adopted.

Logan Ryan, RARF Sponsors Month Long Free Dog Training for
Dogs Adopted at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety and NFL Animal Welfare Leader Logan Ryan and his wife
Ashley, Support Adoptable Dogs at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Tampa, FL – (July 22, 2022) – Logan and Ashley Ryan, founders of The Ryan Animal Rescue
Foundation (RARF), are sponsoring free virtual dog training scholarships through GoodPup for
dogs adopted from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay starting July 26th through August 26th.

July 26th kicks off Logan Ryan’s first training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Logan
knows that training is the key to success in both football and his other passion, helping pets and
their people!

“So many dogs are surrendered or returned to shelters due to behavioral issues. Training is an
important step in creating understanding between you and your dog,” says two-time Super Bowl
Champion Logan Ryan. “This is a way for us to make a difference for a few hundred dogs here
in Florida and give them a second chance to succeed while helping their new families better
understand their new dog.”

During Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp (7/26 to 8/26), Logan Ryan’s Animal Rescue
Foundation (RARF) will fund GoodPup Dog Training Scholarships for all dogs adopted from the
Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Each scholarship will give adopters 4 weeks of dog training
with a Certified Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer through GoodPup.

“The use of positive reinforcement training is so important to us and is at the core of RARF’s
Behavioral Assistance Fund.” RARF Founder Ashley Ryan said. “By partnering with GoodPup,
we have been able to expand our ability to assist shelters and rescues with access to dog
training for post-adoption support, foster home support, and surrender prevention. We are
excited to be extending this support to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay!”

Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation was founded in 2017 in Nashville, but has expanded to
provide adoption promotion, financial and educational resources nationwide. Since its inception,
the foundation and the Ryan’s have promoted thousands of animals for adoption and
contributed over $250,000 to the animal rescue community through grants and private
donations.

For more information about the Humane Society Tampa Bay and its mission to provide shelter
for homeless & at-risk animals, adoptions, hospital, and TNVR services for the general public;
which operates independently from the Humane Society of the United States., please visit:
https://humanesocietytampa.org.

For ways to help the animal community through The Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation, please
visit https://www.rarf.org/. Follow RARF on social media at @rarf (Instagram) @rarf_official
(Twitter), and The Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation (Facebook).

GoodPup provides private, one-on-one dog training over live video calls. GoodPup trainers use
science-based, positive reinforcement methods to teach cues, address unwanted behaviors,
and socialize dogs. For more information, visit https://goodpup.com/

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(Download PDF here: HS-Tampa-Bay-RARF-GoodPup-Press-Release)

TAMPA, Fl. (HSTB) – Summertime in Florida can be dangerously hot for humans and dogs alike. Since our pets can’t speak for themselves, we have to be on the lookout for these symptoms that they’re having a heat stroke. Some dogs are more susceptible to heat strokes. Those are dogs with thick fur, short noses or underlying medical conditions. However, even the healthiest of dogs can still get a heat stroke.

(Owner helping his pug on a hot day. Heat stroke prevention)

Symptoms:
• Excessive Panting
• Dizziness/Staggering
• Lethargy/Weakness
• Seizures/Muscle tremors
• Collapsing/Lying down
• Little urine production
• Agitation/Restlessness
• Red/Pale gums
• Bright red tongue
• Increased heart rate
• Vomiting/Diarrhea
• Mental confusion/Delirium

(Jack Russell sitting in front of a domestic electric fan)

If you suspect your pet is having a heatstroke:
• Remove your pet from the hot environment
• Get pet into a cooler area, preferably air conditioning
• Place a cool damp towel on your dogs underbelly, inner thighs or neck – these spots cool your dog down quickest
• Let your dog drink as much cool water as they want without forcing them
• Cool your dog off with cold water by placing a soaked towel on their back
• Put ice cubes in your dogs water to lower the temperature
• Let your pet lay on icepacks
• Apply cool water to their fur/skin (Note: Do not use ice cold water)
• Wet down the area around your pet with cool water
• If symptoms do not get better, take your pet to the nearest Veterinarian

(Dog Cools Head in Bucket of ice)

TAMPA, FL. (HSTB) – According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration the upcoming 2022 Hurricane season is expected to be busier than normal. Here is a direct quote from their publication “NOAA predicts above-normal 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season“.

“NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.”

So how do you take care of your pets in these trying times? Keep reading to find out.

 

According to Channel 10 News in Tampa the following are key steps to take before a hurricane strikes.

  • Call your vet and get a copy of records showing your dog or cat is up-to-date on all of its vaccines.
  • Update the microchip information for your pet with your most current contact information.
  • Take a current photo and write out defining features.
  • Keep those documents together and put them in your hurricane kit.
  • Label your kit with pet’s name and your contact information.

 

For more details on animal-friendly shelter and what you should pack for your animal if you have to evacuate, read the full Channel 10 News article here.