LARGO, Fla. — As shelters across Tampa Bay struggle with capacity, SPCA Tampa Bay's new partnerships have drawn the ire of some other organizations.
The non-profit recently announced it will work with Pinnacle Pet, a dog breeder, and Sunshine Puppies, a dog retailer through a pilot program partnership. "For All Dogs" is what SPCA Tampa Bay is calling its way of caring for animals in all circumstances.
"We're providing veterinary care for two of the six stores that are in operation in Pinellas County," SPCA CEO Martha Boden said. "So that means our veterinarians are on site, handling the puppies as they arrive, giving them examinations, making sure their vaccines are up to date, looking for any health problems that might not have been identified, and then watching over those animals until they get sold."
As dogs near the time to retire from breeding programs, SPCA Tampa Bay is working with Pinnacle Pet to take in those dogs and find them new homes.
"If we can provide an adoption pathway for those animals that can help both the breeder manage their operation more successfully and then make sure that the puppies that are coming into our community are healthy," Boden explained.
This partnership has not been seen positively by many local organizations. The Humane Society of Pinellas sent a statement denouncing supporting dog breeders and dog retailers: "...We at the Humane Society of Pinellas want to remind our community that we do not stand with, beside, or behind the breeding of dogs and cats for the purpose of profit," an emailed statement read, in part.
"PREVENTION of animal homelessness in our community is at the forefront of our mission, and our focus remains on saving the lives of the most vulnerable pets regardless of breed, size or condition. Here at the Humane Society of Pinellas, we proudly stand as the largest non-profit, no-kill shelter in Pinellas County maintaining a 99% live-release rate. We have saved thousands of lives of homeless pets in need, yet thousands of animals are still euthanized daily due to overcrowded shelters. The state of Florida stands as the 4th highest in our country for euthanasia of adoptable pets. We must work together to end this heartbreaking reality."
A petition demanding a change in leadership at SPCA Tampa Bay has been circulating, garnering close to 5,000 signatures. Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is another local shelter shocked by the partnership, as well.
"So we are in a situation right now where the entire state is in crisis," said Dara Eckart, the CEO of Friends of Strays animal shelter. "Many shelters are overpopulated and have to make life-and-death decisions for the animals that are in there in their care. And this program is bringing animals in from out of state who are not part of the shelter programming, basically. And they're being brought in from out of state into a state that is already overcrowded."
Eckart says she and many others in the rescue and shelter community say shelters have no place partnering with puppy mills.
"We have plenty of dogs that are in need of help in our own communities," Eckart said. "And bringing dogs from out of state from the Midwest is just not appropriate in the climate that we're in in Florida right now."
SPCA Tampa Bay has seen the outrage against their partnership announcement. Despite that, Boden said good things can come from unconventional partnerships.
When asked if she could assure people the dogs coming through the breeding and retail company would be treated humanely, Boden said: "Well, we think what an important role for us to play is to participate in supporting that opportunity to move more breeders towards canine care certified standards."
To learn more about the pilot program, click here. SPCA Tampa Bay is asking local residents to take their survey and provide feedback on the program.
Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.