S2 Ep1571: PET TIPS Rescue Pets Rejoice! The Humane Society of Tampa Bay + Humane Society of Pinellas Merger

Eckerd College correspondent Maddie Merrick reports on the Jan. 2 merger of two great pet rescue non-profit organizations - The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Humane Society of Pinellas County that was announced Dec. 17, 2025. 👉The two longstanding organizations are merging, formally uniting their missions, teams, and resources to create a more compassionate and sustainable future for animals and families throughout Tampa Bay; becoming The Humane Society of Tampa Bay: Hillsborough Campus and Pinellas Campus effective January 2nd, 2026.  The merger comes after years of collaboration, shared values, and a joint commitment to building a more humane community. By bringing their strengths together, the organizations will significantly expand lifesaving services, veterinary support, community outreach, and humane education across the region.  “This merger allows us to save more lives and serve more families than ever before,” said Sherry Silk, CEO. “Together, we can respond faster to animals in crisis, provide greater access to affordable pet care, and deliver a deeper impact in the communities we serve.” Key Benefits of the Merger Saving More Lives By combining medical teams, shelter operations, and resources, the unified organization will expand access to veterinary care, improve crisis response, and increase the number of animals who find homes. A more coordinated system means more lives saved and a stronger approach to ending animal homelessness. Helping More Families Stay Together Through expanded affordable veterinary services and pet food support, the organization will help families keep their pets—reducing unnecessary surrenders and strengthening the human–animal bond across Tampa Bay. Strengthening Community Programs A unified volunteer and staff network will increase the reach of high-impact community programs, including TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) for feral cats, and humane education efforts for children in schools and neighborhoods. These programs are essential to reducing community cat populations and inspiring the next generation of compassionate citizens. Building a Sustainable Future The merger will reduce duplication, streamline operations, and allow donor dollars to go farther. Shared costs mean more funding directly supports lifesaving programs and animal welfare initiatives. For more information about the merger and how to get involved, visit HumaneSocietyTampa.org/better-together. #pettips #maddiemerrick #rescuepets #nonprofits #humanesocietyoftampabay#stpete #stpetefl  #tampabay #radio #radiostpete #cityofstpete  #dtsp #downtownstpete #tampabay