Category Archive

Cannon Subaru, 5212 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, will hold a rally Sept. 11-18 to benefit Alliance for Independence, Achievement Academy, Noah’s Ark of Central Florida and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The free event is open to anyone 18 or older, with a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. The first 416 participants to complete the rally/poker run will qualify for a $25 donation to be made to their selected participating charity and will also be eligible to compete for best-poker-hand prize of a $500 donation to their selected charity and $500 in prizes from sponsors. Pick up copies of the rules from Cannon Subaru or sponsor locations: Beef O’Brady’s, 4810 S. Florida Ave; Fitniche, 7421 Town Center Drive; Natalie’s Sports Bar & Grill, 3120 S. Florida Ave.; Off The Wall Adventures, 2055 Shepherd Road, all in Lakeland. Call 646-5051.

Check out this week’s Pick of the Litter:

http://bit.ly/acNc1l

Professional dog trainer Cesar Millan, widely known for his television series The Dog Whisperer, has created the SHelter Animal Physical Enrichment Program (SHAPE) to assist shelters and rescue organizations in rehoming abused and abandoned dogs. The SPCA has been chosen as 1 of 6 locations nationwide to implement this pilot program which will be launched next year.

Using Cesar’s calm-assertive leadership approach, SHAPE aims to create a balanced and peaceful shelter environment. Training guides, DVDs and mentoring for staff, volunteers and adopting families will be provided to alleviate fear and anxiety for displaced animals, enabling them to be matched to forever homes.

Later this year, SPCA Operations Director Patt Glenn will fly to Burbank, California for a round table discussion with Cesar. Cesar will then schedule a visit to the SPCA’s Campus of Kindness so he can meet our staff and determine the needs of the shelter regarding the SHAPE Program.

The SPCA is also proud to be a Shelter Star, an animal shelter affiliation program created by the Millan Foundation. Shelter Stars promote positive, healthy relationships between families and the dogs they adopt. The SPCA is one of 400 Shelter Stars currently distributing copies of the most popular volume in Cesar Millan’s Mastering Leadership DVD series, People Training for Dogs, free of charge to families that adopt shelter dogs.

For more information about the SPCA and its programs, visit www.lovemyspca.com or call 863/646-7722.

The SPCA is celebrating the American Humane Association’s national Adopt-a-Cat Month this June. It’s an ideal time to adopt a feline, since the spring and summer months typically bring a surge of kittens and cats to the nation’s shelters. Every cat adoption is only $50 this month.

“Whether you’re looking for a fun, frisky kitten or a mellow, mature cat, you’ll find the perfect feline at our Adoption Center,” says Warren Cox, Executive Director. “We have cats of all breeds, ages and personalities, and they’re all looking for loving, permanent homes.”

For more information about the SPCA and to see photos of all of the adoptable animals, visit www.lovemyspca.com or call 863/646-7722.

            Beginning August 1, the SPCA will be a participant in Save More Lives – ASPCA $100K Challenge, competing for a $100,000 grant from the ASPCA.

            “We are so excited to be 1 of 50 shelters in the United States to participate in this challenge,” said Warren Cox, Executive Director. “In three months, we hope to save at least 300 more lives than we did in the same period as last year and hoping to win that $100,000 grant.”

The shelter that goes the farthest above the number of adoptions that were performed last year during the same three month period (August – September) will receive the $100,000 grant.

The SPCA is asking people to adopt a pet from a shelter and spread the word about the SPCA’s involvement in the Challenge. When members of the community get involved, they will not only be helping the animals, but they will also be increasing the SPCA’s chances of winning the other ASPCA prize: $25,000 for the shelter that enlists the most community support in this life saving effort.

For more information about the SPCA and its programs, visit www.lovemyspca.com or call 863/646-7722.

Lakeland, Fla. – The SPCA is partnering with the Lakeland Flying Tigers for the Third Annual Bark in the Park on Friday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in Joker Merchant Stadium. The Lakeland Flying Tigers will take on the St. Lucie Mets. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Human tickets are $5 and pooch passes are $1. Half of the proceeds will benefit the SPCA. Human tickets must be purchased in advance to guarantee donation to SPCA. Pooch passes can be purchased in advance or on the night of the event.

To order your tickets and pooch passes, call 863/646-7722 ext. 117, e-mail mchuch@lovemyspca.com or use the calendar at www.lovemyspca.com to purchase tickets today.

Dennis sporting his 70's attire at our 30th Birthday Bash this Sept.

If you have visited our Adoption Center on a Tuesday or Saturday afternoon in the past eight months, then you have probably been greeted with a warm smile and kind words by this month’s featured volunteer, Dennis Price. 

Dennis transferred to Lakeland from Denver in 2001. As an IT manager, he opened up a call center for what used to be MCI/ Worlcom and is now Verizon. He had been with the company for 15 years when he “got caught in a Management Reduction in Force in December 2008…. that ended that,” Dennis states.  He’s currently still looking for work but there’s not much out there he’s finding, as I’m sure many individuals can relate.

After spending some time at home getting tired with the job hunt, Dennis decided that he needed to do something meaningful with his free time. Since attending our volunteer orientation in August of 2009, Dennis has donated over 200 hours to our organization.  In his life outside of the SPCA, Dennis keeps busy by slowly restoring a red 1974 Corvette Convertible and caring for his own pets. He has two dogs (a Golden Retriever and a Mini Schnauzer), one bird (a mini Macaw) and a saltwater reef tank.

Dennis has been an amazing asset to our organization since he started. He excels at customer service.  He has our staff singing praises about him for his positive attitude and sense of humor. Our staff describes Dennis as nothing short of “phenomenal”. He is “happy-go-lucky and always has a great attitude,” staff member Kim Grassano stated. They all concur that Dennis repeatedly “makes the customers SO happy.” He never points which way to go, he actually takes the time to make them feel welcome, and more importantly, leads the way and escorts them into the catteries, puppy room or kennel.

Dennis also has a wonderful sense of humor, and makes us laugh. Who doesn’t want to be around someone who makes them smile and feel GREAT?!?  He knows just what to say as a greeter and tour guide.

On our busy Saturdays, he finds the time to make each guest’s visit very special; including the dozens of Girl Scout Troops he has provided tours for the last several months. In these instances, he is a humane educator and shares with them what we do and how they can help homeless pets. 

Our greeters, including fellow volunteer Stephanie Principato, are the first impression of our facility when they are here. They both know how to spread that great feeling and make each individual that walks into our doors feel extremely welcome, and for that we are very grateful.

Dennis says he loves being around our staff and, of course, the animals. He is honored that he was chosen as this month’s recipient and says “volunteering at the SPCA is probably the best idea I’ve had in a long time.” 

I asked Dennis to share some of his most memorable experiences while volunteering with us during these past eight months. He fondly remembers the couple with the 19 year-old blind dog. They brought him in to find him a friend and moments like these “really touch my heart,” he says.

Meeting such a diverse group of people that walk through our doors, and hearing their stories about their pets have all had a profound effect on Dennis. “I think I’m a better person having met all of them.” He also adds, “I love it when the dogs or cats that I’ve become attached to finally get good homes. Now that’s rewarding. When that happens, if I could…. I would do a happy dance.”

Dennis stated that it is nice to work with such dedicated people. “I can’t say enough good about the staff; they are a true joy to be around”.  He says that we do more good for him than he does for us.

Well, Dennis, this last comment alone shows us even further why you so deserve this recognition. You are such a generous, inspirational and kind-hearted individual. We are so appreciative that you keep coming back to us each week! 

 THANK YOU Dennis, and all of our amazing volunteers, for what you give to this organization.  We couldn’t possibly find all of the happy homes we do without you being here.

 To spread good cheer like Dennis and our other volunteer team members, please apply online at www.lovemyspca.com or call Alane at 863.646.7722 x 112.