The halls of HSSC are a little sadder since volunteer Carl passed away last fall. He was a regular presence on campus, always smiling and telling jokes. Carl gave over 700 hours to HSSC and never shied away from any task—from picking up donation banks to passing out treats to walking dogs to matchmaking. He would do anything for anyone, especially any dog. Dog care packages would arrive periodically, always anonymous, but we suspected Carl. He craved neither praise nor recognition. He just wanted to make sure every dog received a little love. Hundreds of active HSSC volunteers make up the tapestry of our organization. We love learning about their lives (Carl was a professional photographer and had worked for the FBI!) and getting to know them. Not only are we truly grateful for their time and energy, we are grateful for their friendship. Will you Be The One to support volunteer opportunities for people who love animals?

Before Lance was a therapy dog, he was a severely neglected animal that had to be carried off the transport van into HSSC. He got the care and love he needed and was adopted into a loving home with Nan. The two of them became one of the cornerstones of HSSC’s Pet Therapy Program, which now has over 80 certified teams. With his signature sprawl and laidback demeanor, Lance has charmed and comforted people from all walks of life. After meeting Lance at the VA Outpatient Clinic, one Veteran decided he was tired of hiding at home. He adopted a service dog and has regained the confidence to venture into public—with the dog—and experience life. Will you Be The One to support joyful programs like Pet Therapy?

Every Wednesday morning, Joe rides his bicycle to HSSC to collect a small amount of donated cat food from our Pet Pantry. He knows the staff by name and never misses a chance to share a kind word or to comment on the beautiful day we’re having. Joe’s positivity reminds us to take life’s challenges in stride and be grateful for everything. What he lacks in material goods, he makes up for in kindness. He extends that kindness to the abandoned cats he cares for and feeds. Will you Be The One to supply nutritious food for the pets of people struggling to make ends meet?

Sweet black-and-white kitten Nick Fury (named for the Avengers movies) had not had an easy start in life. Picked up as a stray by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services (SCAS), he had a severely infected eye and an upper respiratory infection. Thanks to a medical fund established by an HSSC donor, SCAS animals with extenuating medical needs are treated free-of-charge at the Animal Clinic of HSSC. Nick’s eye just would not heal, despite weeks of medical treatment, so HSSC’s doctors removed it. Losing an eye did not dampen his spirits, and he even met his new mom in the process—one of the Animal Clinic receptionists fell in love with him over the course of his treatment. Since opening in 2016, the Animal Clinic has provided affordable, full-service veterinary care to over 15,000 owned cats and dogs. The Animal Clinic is a program of HSSC, so all proceeds directly benefit the shelter animals. Will you Be The One to help local pets receive high-quality veterinary care?

If you’re not training your dog, he’s training you. That adage rings true for pet owners, which is why HSSC encourages every adopter to sign up for our affordable K-9 Obedience Training Courses. Long-time instructor Vickie has seen it all—from first-time pet parents to people worried their dog will never learn to obey. By the end of the six-week course, and with lots of patience and hard work, the pets inevitably make progress and the owners always gain confidence and a strong bond with their dog. Like Dennis, who was older and had many health issues. He adopted a sweet, shy dog named Ginger. Through obedience courses, Ginger overcame her shyness and became able to function as a service dog for Dennis, giving him a sense of freedom and mobility that likely prolonged his life. Any time he saw a dog misbehaving, he would direct them to HSSC for training. Will you Be The One to help owners and pets deepen their bond through obedience courses?

Jordyn and Raina have been spending time at HSSC since they were children. They attended our Fur Fun Summer Camps for several years, then became members of HSSC’s Teen Club. Since “graduating” Teen Club, they have become regular fosters and volunteers, and they even help as teacher’s aides at Summer Camp. When COVID-19 struck, they didn’t hesitate to foster a hard-to-adopt dog. Our shelter animals, and our future, are in good hands with teens like Jordyn and Raina. Will you Be the One to support positive outlets for animal-loving children and teens?

Expectant parents Dayna and Bingo were surrendered by their owner right before Thanksgiving. Just two days later, Dayna gave birth to eight puppies. We were fortunate to find a foster volunteer willing to take Dayna and her babies. They stayed in foster until they were weaned, becoming happy and well-adjusted little pups. Once her mom duties were completed, Dayna was treated for heartworm and spayed. Now she’s healthy and happy in her new home. Her puppies all got adopted, and so did Bingo. Will you Be The One to equip fosters with the supplies they need to provide in-home care for our most vulnerable animals?

Rescued from deplorable conditions in Louisiana, 30 dogs arrived at HSSC on Valentine’s Day. Nearly all of them had heartworm disease. Spread by a bite from an infected mosquito, heartworm disease is especially common in warm climates where mosquitoes thrive. While not immediately deadly, heartworm disease will destroy an animal’s quality of life and eventually take its life. HSSC is one of the few shelters that routinely accepts and treats dogs with treatable conditions like ringworm and heartworm disease. Treatment is costly and requires that dogs stay in the shelter longer than usual, so foster volunteers are crucial. The hoarding case animals are thriving in their foster homes, each one getting lots of attention and socialization while their treatment takes effect. HSSC believes that every dog deserves treatment and a healthy start to a new life. Will you Be The One to cover treatment for a heartworm positive dog?

HSSC’s Collars & Scholars Program is a nine-week school-based course that uses the principles of the humane-animal bond to illustrate the concepts of self-awareness, empathy, and compassion. This program is a join venture of HSSC and The Florida Center for Early Childhood, brought together and funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. A small group of 4th and 5th graders at Gocio Elementary School formed the pilot group. Over the course of the program, they interacted with shelter animals and learned about their own social and emotional health. Students who began the pilot program as shy and disengaged were, by week nine, eagerly participating, sharing their thoughts, showing respect for others, and actively engaging with the animals and presenters. Along with other humane education initiatives like Reading Fur Fun and Fur Fun Summer Camp, Collars & Scholars is part of HSSC’s efforts to create a more humane future for all. Will you Be The One to encourage children to love and respect all living beings?