Maggie Mae was picked up by SPCA Tampa Bay’s 24/7 emergency ambulance when a good Samaritan found her wandering the streets with severe damage to her eye. When we took Maggie Mae back to our emergency clinic, we discovered that her eye was out of its socket, most likely injured during her desperate attempts to escape from a fenced-in area.

When Maggie Mae arrived at our facility in Largo, we quickly knew this sweet pup with the wagging tail deserved a second chance at sight and love. The medical staff was able to put her eye back in its socket and we saved her sight.

Read more and find out how you can help more animals like Maggie Mae.

(Largo, FL) — Sox, a 9-month old Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle mix, came to SPCA Tampa Bay thanks to a concerned teacher’s call help.When two children under the age of ten told their teacher they thought their puppy was ‘dying slowly in their bathroom,’ the teacher contacted SPCA Tampa Bay Humane Officers for help.

Jill Purl, SPCA lead investigator, visited the home on Monday, December 12^th, and was able to examine the puppy when the children’s mother showed her the dog.  He was covered in feces and fleas and had a stinking wound on his muzzle.  Buried under filthy hair was a rubber band that encircled his muzzle, cutting into the skin and jaw bone.  When Jill pointed it out to the mother, she seemed unconcerned but stated that she would take the dog to a veterinarian. When Jill followed up the next day, the animal had not received any medical care. At this point Jill asked the owner to relinquish ownership and surrender Sox to SPCA Tampa Bay. An animal cruelty charge is pending with the Clearwater Police Department.

Sox is receiving medical care at SPCA Tampa Bay. According to Dr. Rizal Lopez, SPCA Tampa Bay veterinarian, the damage on the dog’s muzzle can occur quite quickly and is called pressure necrosis. The infection created a hole at the top of the dog’s muzzle. Consequently he is breathing through this hole as well as through his nostrils. 

A week after being rescued the infection is clearing up, the fleas are gone and Sox has been trimmed to remove the smell and the snarls.  The puppy will need some more time and care before going up for adoption.

“It’s not clear how well the wound will close up or what nerves have been damaged around Sox’s nose,” commented Martha Boden, SPCA CEO. “He will likely need extra care for chronic sinus issues but he’s eating well, and in many ways acts like a typical puppy.”

Report suspected animal cruelty, contact SPCA Tampa Bay at 727-586-3591, ext. 135.

SPCA Tampa Bay is located at 9099 130^th Avenue North in Largo. Open Tuesday thru Friday from 1pm to 7pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

(Source: spcatampabay.org)

SPCA Tampa Bay now taking requests to adopt this Pit Mix Pup that was found in Gulfport with her ears slashed. 

Largo, FL – Snookie, the 6-month old pup that was the focal point of an early December cruelty investigation, is ready for adoption.

 SPCA Humane Officers responded to a call for help when office workers at a Gulfport business found Snookie at their doorstep. Both of the dog’s ears had been hacked off and were encrusted with blood.

 Snookie qualifies as one of the ‘ambassador’ special needs adoptees at the Largo-based shelter. People interested in adopting her are asked to complete an information/adoption request form and submit it along with a $10 non-refundable fee. SPCA staffers anticipate an adoption decision shortly after Christmas.

“Because Snookie has no ear flaps to protect her, she will be more susceptible to infections and parasites,” commented Martha Boden, SPCA CEO. “We want to ensure that her new owners are prepared to give her the special attention required to keep her healthy.”

 Snookie’s adoption fee is $160 and includes spaying, microchip, vaccinations, 30-day free pet insurance and training classes designed to celebrate the joy of pet ownership.

 The investigation is ongoing and there is a $600 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who committed this act of cruelty. $500 of the reward money was made possible thanks to the ASPCA. An anonymous donor contributed the additional $100. Snookie was found near the intersection of Gulfport Boulevard and 53rd Street in Gulfport. If you can help, contact SPCA Tampa Bay at 727-586-3591, ext. 135.

 SPCA Tampa Bay is located at 9099 130^th Avenue North in Largo. Open Tuesday thru Friday from 1pm to 7pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

(Source: spcatampabay.org)

 
  Losing a pet can be devastating to any family, and many animals wander away from home for different reasons. An unattended pet can be stolen, thunderstorms or fireworks cause pets to panic and flee, or perhaps wander off while exploring unfamiliar territory.

  SPCA Tampa Bay is dedicated to reuniting lost & found animals with their families. Visit our website at www.SPCATampaBay.org to see missing animals in the Tampa Bay area as well as the Lost Pet - Owner’s Checklist. 



IF YOU FIND A LOST PET

If you have found an animal, you have several options to choose from. The first thing to decide is whether to hold the animal until the owner is located or to have the local shelter hold the pet.   

• If the pet appears to be in need of medical attention you can contact SPCA Tampa Bay at 727-586-3591 or bring the animal to the SPCA Tampa Bay shelter located at 9099 130^th Ave N Largo, FL 33773.
• If you have found an animal in Pinellas county  that appears to be uninjured and would like to turn it into a shelter, please contact Pinellas County Animal Services at 727-582-2600 to have the pet picked up, or you may bring the animal to the Pinellas  County Animal Services shelter located at 12450 Ulmerton Road  Largo, FL 33774.
• If you find the pet after hours and are unsure what to do, you may take the animal to the Animal Emergency Clinic located at 3165 22^ND Ave N St. Petersburg, FL ~ 727-323-1311, or Emergency Care Center located at 1505 A Belcher Rd S Largo, Fl ~ 727-535-3500.