Sherry’s Bio

Sherry has worked in animal welfare for over 35 years. Prior to becoming the CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, she was the Operations Manager for the Michigan Humane Society in Detroit for most of her career.  She oversaw the large urban shelter as well as the cruelty investigation department.   In this capacity she appeared on Animal Planet’s Animal Cops for several years.  She has also worked for the ASPCA as an Outreach Manager covering six southern states providing assistance, guidance and grants to animal welfare organizations.

She currently serves on the board of the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations (FAAWO), a state wide coalition of animal welfare and protection agencies.   She also serves on the HSUS Companion Animal Advisory Council representing the State of Florida and sits on the Best Friends Florida Steering Committee to work towards No Kill Florida 2025.

She has two adult children and shares her home with two terrier mixes and 3 cats.

Karla’s Bio

Dr. Karla Bard graduated from University of Florida from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She and her husband moved to Tampa/St. Petersburg in 2001. Before joining the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Dr. Bard worked all hours of the night at the Animal Emergency Clinic of St. Petersburg and performed the surgeries for Friends of Strays. She cannot decide whether she is a dog or cat person but has a soft spot for the abandoned ones. She shares her home with three dogs, one cat, and one sugar glider, each with a long story and medical history. Dr. Bard enjoys quilting and craves pizza with hot sauce on a regular basis.