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IN THISISSUEopen paw training

aDoption SUCCeSS StorieS

FUrrY pHoniCS SUCCeSSFUL KiCK-oFF

KiDS pHoto ConteSt winnerS

HSp HireS FULL-time Veterinarian

FLoriDa #1 For HeartwormS

HSp HappeningS

F A L L 2 0 1 3

ConneCt witH US

HSP was selected in a competitive process to participate in the annual ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. This challenge encourages shelters to adopt out more animals than they did in previous years. The first month results were released and we were #1 in our division!

This success was in part to our kick-off event, the Free Fur All weekend which found homes for a record-breaking 41 dogs and 39 cats during the 2-day adoption event with over 800 customers visiting the shelter.

We are so grateful for our media friends who have been so supportive of HSP, helping us spread the word for the Pick Me! Project. It is with their support so many came to the shelter to find their next pet.

We also want to thank our 24 virtual adopters who pledged to help find our animals homes through their Facebook posts. Through this effort Troy found a home when his post received 121 Likes and 91 Shares on Facebook. Since January we have increased our Facebook followers by almost 1,300 to more than 8,400 caring and committed animal lovers sharing our cause.

PIck ME! ProjEcT

99% of adopters responding to our recent survey said they have, or will definitely recommend HSP to a friend.

In the first six months 1,125 homeless pets found their new homes: 580 dogs, 514 cats, 19 rabbits, 10 pocket pets, and 2 birds.

Finding homes for abandoned pets is our top priority at HSP and we are proud to report

this year has seen some great success.

3040 State road 590Clearwater, FL 33759(727) 797-7722HumaneSocietyofpinellas.org

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open Paw TrainingThe HSP is an Open Paw ® shelter and advocates use of positive reinforcement methods with companion animals for handling and training. We strive to be science based in approach, as advocated by organizations such as American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior. How can all of this translate for the average animal-loving human? Learn the “language” of dogs or cats. Animals use multiple signs of their pleasure and displeasure. Resources may be found at our web site PinellasPass.org/training. Remember, love includes patience. Learning, and continuing to learn, about our buddy specie is critical for success. Woof, purr and more!

check HSP website for price list.HumaneSocietyofPinellas.org

HSP NEWS

Keep your eye out for our new marketing thanks to our friends at Think Tank.

CatCH our Make Your MatCH Branding

LEavINg a

Upon entering Gloria’s cozy Florida home, you immediately knew that you were in an“All Animals Welcome Here” environment, from the Humane Society calendar in the kitchen to the animals roaming happily around the house.

Gloria Mackey Relth was an animal advocate. Throughout her younger years she and her father volunteered at HSP. As she got older she remained faithful with her financial support.

When Gloria passed away she made sure to find a caregiver for her animals and she chose the Humane Society of Pinellas as one of her benificiaries, saying she chose to live a bit more frugally than necessary so she would have more to leave to the animals.

Thank you Gloria for your thoughtfulness. Your legacy continues to live on through your estate gift. If you would like more information about making a planned gift please contact Kelly Hodges at (727) 797-7722 x226.

Legacy

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CORALCoral, a sweet 6 year old Rottweiler arrived at HSP in October, 2012. Shortly after her arrival she became

ill. As you know, HSP is committed to the health of all our animals. Testing revealed a strain of pneumonia

that required antibiotics and daily IV fluids. Soon Coral was healthy and playful. A few more months

passed while Coral waited for adoption during which we noticed her leg became swollen. X-rays indicated

osteoarthritis. Supplements and pain relievers helped relieve the soreness and inflammation but to help

Coral long-term we went the next step and sent Coral to hydro therapy. Staff was pleased when Coral,

all healthy, found her new home this June.

JAspeRIn 2010, Jasper came to HSP at around 5 months old. He was a spritely young boy that was overlooked

for more than 4 months before he was adopted for the first time. Being so active, Jasper’s needs were

sometimes misunderstood. He was adopted and returned two more times over the next 2 years. After

a 3-year long journey here at HSP, Jasper is now one happy cat in a forever home where he can be his

loving and active self.

BiALy & BRuCe Bialy, a Maltese-Poodle adopted by Bruce, a one time HSP volunteer, shared the exciting news that

Bialy was recently certified as a Therapy Dog. When talking about his time spent at the shelter Bruce

commented, “My time at HSP was more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined.”

BOngOBongo was adopted from HSP and needed some continued help on his self-control. HSP volunteers

started teaching Bongo self-control while he was at HSP, through our Open Paw(R) program. After

adoption, Bongo and his new mom, Katie, teamed up with Ann at New Dawn Animal Behavior Center

to hone their skills. From his picture you can see his wonderful sitting skills and his sonar ears paying

close attention to mom!

seBAstiAnSebastian was adopted (in July) by the Schwarz family who gave him a wonderful home. He now sleeps

with the kids, hangs out with their boxer, Phoenix. He is enjoying watching the finches in the sunroom

and surveying his kingdom from his new kitty condo.

Have a success story to share? Email your happy tale and a photo to Tiffany@HumanePinellas.org!

SUccESS STorIES

“Thank you for taking such good care of him. He is very

special and turned out to be the cat we always wanted.”

– The Schwarz Family

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SErvINg oUr coMMUNITY

We kicked off our new Furry Phonics program at the Wood Valley

facility of the Boys and Girls Club. This program consists of trained

teams meeting with grade school children to spend one-on-one

time reading with that child, using a companion dog or cat to

create a safe encouraging environment.

Children like Yael, a 6-year-old boy that entered the program

because his teachers and counselors realized he was having

issues with reading, have enjoyed reading to “their” dog. At

the first meeting Yael and his dog read “Pete the Cat: Pete’s

Big Lunch.” Yael made 35 mistakes the first

time through but when he read that

same book at the end of the

program he only made five,

showing big improvements

in comprehension and

reading.

ReAching OutIn the first six months of 2013 our education outreach programs reached 2,500 people of all ages through presentations to YMCA groups, Pinellas County Public Schools, UPARC and many other community partners. We have conducted over 30 tours of the shelter for various civic organizations, schools and Girl Scouts earning their “Pet Care” Patch offered through a partnership between the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.

HSP often participates in community events to promote the organization and adoptable pets such as Gulfport’s Annual “Get Rescued” event, Tarpon Middle Schools’ Community Night and Safety Harbor’s monthly 3rd Friday event.

SUccESSfUL kIck-offFurry Phonics

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HSP kicked off the PASS Program the April. The mission of PASS is to reduce shelter surrender in Pinellas County by offering access to services

that help keep pets and people together. In the first 40 days we helped 60 people find the resources they needed. This includes behavior

problems, low cost vaccines, rehoming options, as well as any other issues they had that made them consider abandoning their pet(s).

One family helped was Frank and his 5 1/2 year old Daschund Prince, who suffered a back injury that left him paralyzed from the waist

down. Frank was not sure how he was going to be able to care for Prince and reached out to HSP. Through our PASS Program we were

able to connect Frank to For Paws Hospice who provides loaner wheelchairs, giving Prince back his mobility to lead a more normal life.

Prince’s health continues to improve and he is getting the necessary exercise and Frank, well he’s resting easier too.

P.A.S.S PROgRAmPineLLaS aLternatiVeS to SHeLter Surrender

“Had it not been for your advice I don’t know what I would have done.” – Frank C.

kidS PHoto ConteStWe asked kids to pick up their cameras and

take pictures of their pets being healthy and

happy as part of our “Be Kind to Animals”

Photo Contest. Congratulations to our two

winners, 9 year old Jesse H. with his dog

Bailey and 15 year old Tyler with his dog Lonny

(shown). Go online to learn more about our

Adoption Poster Contest.CoMMunitY FOOd PAntRyWhen a family falls on hard times and

needs help feeding their pets, our Animeals

Community Food Pantry is there to help and

keep the pet in the home until the family

can get back on their feet. This would not

be possible without pet food donations

from our community. Since January, 193

families have enrolled in the program with

393 requests for pet food. Thanks to our

community, pets can stay in their homes.

Care For Life The Care for Life Program is for those making end of life decisions and are in

need of a home for their loved pets. The Humane Society of Pinellas offers

these individuals peace of mind by caring for, and finding homes for, their

furry friends. For more information contact Kelly Hodges at (727) 692-8435

or by email, Kelly@HumanePinellas.org

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MEDIcaL DEParTMENT NEWS

We’re pleased to announce that Dr. Kristin Artman has been hired full-time to provide for the medical needs of our adoptable pets, and those of the community through our vaccines, spay / neutering, microchip and testing services.

HSP HireS Full-Time VeTerinarian

dR. KRiStin ARtmAn

HSP is dedicated to the health and well being of each and every animal that comes through our door. Our medical department exams and provides immediate and on-going care for all animals in our shelter. During the first six months of 2013 this included:

• HSP pets altered: 248 cats, 264 dogs, 14 rabbits

• 2,140 vaccines given to 529 cats, 304 dogs

To help our community pets stay healthy and to reduce pet overpopulation, we offer low cost medical services, and free medical services to those who qualify. During January – June many pet owners took advantage of this service:

• Free vaccines & tests: 21 dogs, 11 cats

• Vaccine clinic 143 cats, 263 dogs

• Spay/Neuter clinic 153 cats, 69 dogs

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FLorida #1 For HeartworMSThis is an alarming statistic for every pet owner. Keep your pets healthy and protected. Bring your pet to HSP for heartworm testing. The best treatment is prevention. For just $99 you can keep your pet safe from this deadly disease with the monthly use of Trifexis. Ask at our Low Cost Vaccine Clinic.

FoSter Care HeroeSThank you to the 40 plus foster volunteers who have worked tirelessly through bottle feeding kitten season, meeting our ongoing needs and helping us go above and beyond for our animals. Volunteers are always needed; please contact Danielle at Foster@HumanePinellas.org.

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LAdy Bug’s stORy Lady Bug, a staff favorite because she always has a wagging

tail, was a shelter transfer who appeared healthy upon arrival.

A few weeks after arriving, she “crashed” becoming lethargic

and unresponsive. She needed immediate care to survive.

Several blood transfusions and treatments later, and with the

help of our friends at AA Animal ER Center, Lady Bug was

on the long road to recovery. She has been diagnosed with

autoimmune disease and hyperthyroid but this didn’t stop

Elaine, who adopted Lady Bug on June 22nd. It is with the

support of so many that we can save lives and give a dog like

Lady Bug a second chance.

OttO’s stORyOtto came in to us from a Good Samaritan who found him

limping through a Clearwater intersection. It was clear he had

some trauma because Otto couldn’t feel us examine his leg

and he was clearly shaken. We thought we might have to

amputate the limb but Otto proved us wrong. We kept him

under observation and he started adapting and overcoming his

mobility limitation. We wanted to encourage his growth and

development so he spent some time in a loving foster home

relearning how to walk and just be a kitten before finding his

permanent home.

HSP HaPPENINgS

humAne SOciety OF PineLLAS 3040 State Road 590 • CleaRwateR, Fl 33759 • humaneSoCietyoFpinellaS.oRg

HAppy tAiLs A hundred people enjoyed the 3rd Annual Happy Tails presented by Home Port Marina this past May.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported HSP and to our sponsors Rogan & Associates, St. Pete MRI, David & Helen Henwood, Abrahamson & Viterwyk and Stahl & Associates.

BARk At tHe BALL pARk1,000 guests and 250 dogs were present July 6th for Bark at the Park held at BrightHouse Field. Robert Bayne and 13 year old Kassy took this year’s look a like contest. Amanda Koch, Promotions /Community Relations Manager for the Clearwater Threshers (our host), commented “The line to run the bases with the dogs was longer than I ever remembered.” Thank you to our sponsors Banfield, BrightHouse Networks, A Quick Print Plus, Tampa Bay Times, and

2014 CALendAR witH yOuR pet! entRies & VOting Open untiL septeMBeR 22

Out & ABOut HSP is grateful for those businesses within our community that help HSP generate funds and friends that provide networking and fundraising opportunities businesses like BankUnited who sponsored a reception at Blur.

Help the Humane Society of Pinellas when you head out to dinner! Check our calendar for restaurant specials that donate a portion to HSP. Businesses that support HSP through this endeavor are: Crabby Bill’s Beach & Grill in Clearwater, McDonalds in Safety Harbor and Buffalo Wild Wings in Oldsmar.

CRuising FOR CRitteRs nOVeMBeR 2, 2013 Cruising For Critters Fun Run in Memory of Patches is presented by Fran Haasch Law Group and hosted by Quaker Steak & Lube. This year enjoy a bridge run with a goodie pack for all registered riders followed by an afternoon of amazing raffle give-aways, entertainment, and more.

tHe HOunds OF tHe HARBOR • tHuRsdAy, nOVeMBeR 7

2013 Humane Society of Pinellas Award Dinner & Murder Mystery Safety Harbor Resort and Spa

The Humane Society of Pinellas invites you to join us to honor this year’s recipients of the Golden Paw Award. While you are socializing with Humane Society of Pinellas, friends’ secrets will be revealed, scandals will break and homicide will happen...and each of you will be called upon to help solve the mystery.

Ticket cost is $100 and supports the HSP’s efforts to find homes for abandoned pets. Reserve your place by contacting Tiffany at (727) 797-7722 x 229 or by email, Tiffany@HumanePinellas.org.

Easy as 1, 2, 3

1) Find your favorite pet photo in your phone (you know you have several!)

2) Text to: HSP@mulabula.com

3) Reply to your awaiting email with $10 donation

See who is already included & vote for your favorites: www.mulabula.com/humanepinellas