Find quick answers to the most common questions about our programs and services.
The best way to find your new best friend is to check our website regularly. It’s updated multiple times a day as animals are adopted and new pets become available, so you’ll always see the most current list of adoptable animals. Click here to learn more.
When you find a pet you’d like to meet, we recommend arriving early. Adoptions are first-come, first-served, and demand can be high. In some cases, guests have begun lining up several hours before we open.
When an animal is on our lost and found page they are placed on a stray hold to give their original owner an opportunity to reclaim them. If they are not reclaimed, then they will be placed for adoption and will be listed on our adoptions page. We do not have a waitlist nor do we have pre-adoptions, however, you can visit our shelter as we have a first-come, first-served adoption process – our best advice is to come to our shelter early as we tend to have lines form early every day. Our website is updated daily so be sure to check often!
If you have any other questions about a particular pet, please call our adoptions department at 813.876.7138.
Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we are unable to maintain notification lists for specific breeds or individual animals. The best way to stay up to date is to check our website regularly. It is updated multiple times throughout the day as animals become available for adoption and as pets find their new homes, so you’ll always see the most current list of adoptable animals.
We aren’t able to predict exactly when puppies will be available for adoption, as it depends on when they arrive at our shelter through owner surrenders, transfers from partner shelters, or other rescue efforts.
Before any puppy is ready for adoption, our veterinary team completes a thorough health exam, provides age-appropriate vaccinations, inserts a microchip, and performs a spay or neuter surgery when medically appropriate. Puppies who are too young, underweight, or need additional medical care are placed in foster homes until they’re ready for adoption. Because every puppy’s needs are different, the timeline can vary.
The best way to stay up to date is to check our website regularly. It is updated multiple times throughout the day as puppies and other pets become available for adoption and as animals find their new homes. Click here to browse available pets.
All adoptions are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Puppies are especially popular, and it’s common for guests to begin lining up before we open.
If you are no longer able to care for your pet or if you have found a stray animal that you cannot keep, we accept owner surrenders and stray intakes between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, seven days a week.
Tampa Campus: Please visit our Intake Department, located on the lower level of the shelter.
Pinellas Campus: Please visit the Intake Department located in the Medical Building at the back of the campus.
Due to limited space and resources, we cannot guarantee that every walk-in surrender or stray intake can be accepted. We encourage you to call or email before bringing your pet so our team can discuss your situation and the options available. You can reach us at 813.876.7138 or intake@hstb.org. Surrender fees may apply.
If you need to rehome your pet and we are unable to accept them due to limited space, we encourage you to use Rehome by Adopt a Pet and the Petco Foundation, a service that helps pets find new homes while remaining with their current families until adoption. Click Here to learn more.
You can check our website daily to see the lost and found animals we have in custody. Click here to view animals.
Please be sure to also post your information at Lost and Found Pets of Hillsborough County Facebook page, and notify Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center.
Other Resources for Lost Pets
Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center
Lost, Found, & Helping Pets of Pinellas County
We offer humane euthanasia, starting at $60 per animal, and several other options to best fit your needs. Click here to learn more. Services offered:
Euthanasia and Communal Cremation
Communal Cremation Only
Euthanasia and Private Cremation
Private Cremation Only
Please click here to review our volunteering options.
Please email our Volunteer Manager, at volunteer@hstb.org to sign up or if you have any questions.
HSTB Tampa & Pinellas campuses offer many volunteer opportunities in an array of departments. Click here to review volunteer options.
Sign up by contacting our Volunteer Manager, at volunteer@hstb.org.
Children under the age of 16 may volunteer, but must be accompanied by an adult who is also a volunteer. This can be done through our ongoing program; each individual should establish their own account.
Children under 12 do not need to create their own accounts, but they may, if they would like to accumulate hours and points.
Sign up by contacting our Volunteer Manager, at volunteer@hstb.org.
Corporate groups, high school and college student groups, and other organizations are welcome to schedule a group volunteer activity. To learn more, please visit our Group Volunteer page. Once you are ready to schedule a volunteer date, please email groupvolunteers@hstb.org.
Yes, we do offer court ordered volunteer shifts. For more details, please refer to our Court Program. These hours MUST be done through the court program. You will not receive credit for the hours through any other volunteer program.
For program enrollment, follow the link on the volunteer information page to create an account, then come meet us at the shelter between 12 and 3pm, Tuesday-Saturday, to speak with our Animal Care Manager. A photo ID, and court paperwork listing all charges and the number of hours to be completed are required for enrollment.
Please visit our Fostering section of our website for more information and to complete a foster application.
In addition to monetary donations, we also accept in-kind donations of food, treats & pet supplies.
All donated goods can be shipped directly to us, dropped off to our intake department during normal business hours or placed in the bins located outside our intake garage after hours.
You can create a special fundraiser utilizing our “create a fundraiser” feature on our website. This will allow you to create your very own fundraising website that you customize and can share with friends and family.
You can click here to make a tribute donation. Yes, we can send an acknowledgment card and/or email. Be sure to indicate your preference in the online donation form.
Our EIN is 59-0799907
Our mailing addresses:
Tampa: 3607 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607
Pinellas: 3040 FL 590, Clearwater, FL 33759
Yes, our Animal Hospital at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay was opened in 2012 to provide our community with affordable options in the care of their pets. Our full-service, high-quality hospital can accommodate medical care ranging from routine vaccinations and health checks, to diagnostics and special surgeries.
In 2014, we became Florida’s first non-profit Animal Hospital awarded accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), considered the gold standard in the industry.
By bringing their pets to our hospital for care, clients support the plight of homeless pets as any proceeds from the Animal Hospital will benefit the mission and programs at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
Please be aware, we are not an emergency hospital. We only accept vaccination appointments online.
To make an appointment please call: 813.870.3304
Click here to get started and carefully review all information about our Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) program. It explains the process, what to expect, and the information that our TNVR team needs to develop the best plan for the community cats in your area.
We are not able to fill prescriptions from other animal hospitals or veterinarians. To purchase heartworm and flea prevention, you must have a current exam on file with our Animal Hospital, and proof of a negative heartworm test within the year.
To schedule an appointment, please call us at 813.870.3304 or book an appointment online.
Please email our Communications Department at communications@hstb.org with your name and project details.
Please send photos and a short write up about your HSTB alumni to communications@hstb.org
Thank you for caring about the animal(s). Animal abuse and neglect is handled by Hillsborough County Animal Control.
Contact them at: 813.744.5660.
Humane World for Animals promotes eating with a conscience and embracing the Three R’s:
- Reducing the consumption of meat and other animal-based foods,
- Refining the diet by choosing products from sources that adhere to higher animal welfare standards
- Replacing meat and other animal-based foods in the diet with plant-based foods.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay respects the guidelines of HSUS and will support and uphold, as is possible, HSUS’s eating with a conscience philosophy. Additionally, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is respectful of the dietary ideals and needs of our donor community. Therefore, the following food policy has been established:
It is the policy of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay that all food items served, or catering services provided, at any public event or activity sponsored by or on behalf of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will include a vegetarian option and where available, a vegan option. In addition, we will make every attempt to serve meat, poultry and dairy dishes that are Certified Humane®.
At all Humane Society functions held at private residences, we will encourage the above stated policy but understand that ultimately it is the prerogative of the host/hostess to determine the food choices offered to their guests.
Saving More Lives
By combining medical teams, shelter operations, and resources, the unified organization expands access to veterinary care, improves crisis response, and increases 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 helps 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 increases 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 reduces duplication, streamlines operations, and allows donor dollars to go farther. Shared costs mean more funding directly supports lifesaving programs and animal welfare initiatives.