On November 12, 2020, nothing could dampen the excitement at Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB), not even a tropical storm. Though Eta pounded the Tampa Bay area with wind and rain during the early hours of Thursday morning, by afternoon the clouds had broken, and HSTB staff and volunteers were busy preparing for the Grand Opening of the long-awaited DeBartolo Family Animal Shelter. That evening, HSTB donors, friends, volunteers, staff and Tampa celebrities such as Mayor Jane Castor and Titus O’Neil gathered under the stars in the Lasher Family Courtyard to celebrate. The new shelter not only offers increased space for events, a recently launched Humane Education Program, and fully equipped surgical suites and intake areas, but it doubles the capacity for animal housing and will allow HSTB to save twice as many animals each year.

For more than 70 years, the Society operated from the ramshackle building at 3607 N Armenia Avenue, making the best of limited space, no climate control for animals, and structures crumbling from age. Despite the antiquated facility, HSTB placed thousands of animals each year by using space efficiently and creatively and maintaining a cheerful, happy environment for the people and animals who visited.

Borrowed Buddies allows individuals and families to "check out a dog for the day" to go on adventures, release some energy and have good old fashioned fun! It's a great way for people to get to know potential new family members and to encourage safe socialization during the pandemic. Check out the video below for more information:

Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch (Humane Society of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta) has been nominated for three 2020 Hats Off Nonprofit Awards:

• Nonprofit Executive Of The Year: Pat Deshong (pictured left)
• Nonprofit Of The Year
• Community Collaborator of the Year: for their relationship with the Renewal Coalition through their Shelter to Service Dog Program

The awards ceremony will take place virtually on December 7th. We wish Ms. Deshong and Furry Friends the very best of luck and congratulate them on the hard work and dedication that led to these nominations.

In September, Southeast Volusia Humane Society put a fancy twist on cat adoptions with their Real Housecats Adoption Promotion. For the entire month, adoption fees for cats featured in the event were just $20! Volunteers with the Society got creative with wardrobe and accessories giving these cats all the bling with NONE of the [email protected]!ch often seen on the popular Real Housewives TV series. The promotion was loads of fun and a huge success for cats (all found homes!) and adopters alike.

Story and photo courtesy of The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement

When the pandemic first hit, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando regularly asked staff what they needed and how they were doing. Their top 3 concerns? Their safety, their paycheck, and their families. In order to fully support employees who needed a safe space for their children to finish up the school year remotely, the Florida agency set up a Bring Your Child to Work Program. 

Here are the key components that made the program such a success:

Photos and information courtesy of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League

Each year, dozens of local animal rescue groups join together for the Countdown 2 Zero (C2Z) Adoption Event - Palm Beach County’s largest one-day adoption event- in an effort to save the lives of hundreds of animals. Due to COVID-19, the 7th Annual Countdown 2 Zero Adoption Event was held as a virtual event and took place for one-week, instead of one-day. 

Article featured in The New Barker Dog Magazine

As our nation responds to the COVID- 19 pandemic, reports of increasing rates of domestic violence have surfaced across the country, including Florida. Thankfully, a new lifesaving law (SB 1082), signed by Governor DeSantis, went into effect on July 1, 2020.

Courtesy of Pensacola Humane Society

COVID-19 drastically changed how animal shelters operated around the country. As state stay-home mandates went into effect many shelters, Pensacola Humane Society included, scrambled to figure out how to keep animals safe and cared for while maneuvering the ever-changing rules and regulations that the global pandemic brought. One of the positive things to come out of it all was the way it brought together animal shelters around the nation with regular zoom calls keeping people in the loop, offering advice and being a sounding board as we all tried to make the best decisions. Another positive that came out of all the changes caused by COVID-19 was the forming of our Help Team. The Help Team was created to offer support, advice and help to the community of Pensacola by way of phone calls and emails, regularly communicating with the community remotely. 

Courtesy of SPCA Tampa Bay

SPCA Tampa Bay has been innovating a lot these past couple of months. With those new innovations, inevitably come new pitfalls. Our team is currently struggling with some of the consequences of moving our veterinary center to curbside and drop-off pick-up. We’ve asked clients to call to check-in but it’s clogging up our phone lines. Clients give vague descriptions of their cars which leaves our staff searching the parking lot for longer than they should. Additionally, some local facilities around us have closed and subsequently increased the number of clients we get seeking treatment.  

Courtesy of the ASPCA Media Team

Under normal circumstances, adults, children, and pets living in an abusive home can face major obstacles to escape harm’s way. In this time of quarantine, the necessity of staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has made domestic abuse situations substantially more dangerous for both people and pets. As our nation responds to this pandemic, reports of increasing rates of domestic violence have surfaced in many areas, including Florida. 

Hurricane Season 2020

2020 is predicted to be an active hurricane season. FAAWO will be monitoring and assisting with information and resources before, during and after a storm makes landfall.  Here is some helpful information to assist you with your readiness:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on your activities, the Board of Directors of FL Animal Friend has extended the deadline for completion of your project and your report.

Instead of filing no later than September 1, your final report is now due no later than 5 PM on November 1, 2020.

Here is the press release describing the important points from a new study that was just published. The study was conducted by a premier infectious disease research group at the Wisconsin veterinary school and demonstrated that cats are susceptible to infection by COVID virus from people and infected cats can spread the virus to other cats housed in close association (same housing unit). Infected cats shed virus from the respiratory tract (not the gastrointestinal tract) for 6 days.

The importance of these findings are highlighted near the bottom of the press release, including for shelter cats.

The ASPCA is thrilled to announce it's new virtual advisor, Ask the Expert! Wondering which disinfectants kill parvo? Want ideas to support your fosters with behavior? Need help starting an equine foster program? Submit a question to an ASPCA expert from our Shelter Medicine, Animal Behavior, or Equine Welfare team and get a quick response via email.

ASK THE EXPERT NOW

The Pet Foster Care Stimulus Grant: Up to $20K 

The application window for this grant, offered by Maddie's Fund, closes this Friday, April 17. ProvidES funding to support foster programs with food, medical care, supplies, staff time and more. 

From the Florida Department of Health Division of Disease Control and Health Protection Bureau of Epidemiology:

RABIES RELATED ESSENTIAL SERVICES (Florida Statute 828.30)

ASPCA supports veterinary telemedicine during COVID-19 Pandemic

CLICK HERE TO READ THEIR STATEMENT

2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

FL 2020 ANIMAL WELFARE BILLS - NEED-TO-KNOW END OF SESSION UPDATES

This link includes some terrific resources regarding spay/neuter guidelines and COVID-19:

CLICK HERE