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.

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

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!