August 23, 2025 / Important update to this posting
Since exposing the SPCA Tampa Bay’s deceptive reporting of its animal data, the agency has changed its reporting format. Consequently (and as if by magic) many of the hyperlinks in our posts referencing the SPCATB data have disappeared and now go to their new page entitled: “Transparency with Purpose: Our Community Impact.”
However, when we analyzed the SPCATB reporting we copied and retained their original reports and have those available for law enforcement upon request.
**
There are recent changes to the SPCA Tampa Bay website. They come at a time when a citation has been issued to the SPCA Tamp Bay for animal cruelty regarding Waddles the pig.
Changes most evident to the reworked website:
The administrative executives’ images and bios have disappeared from the “About” page where previously they were prominently displayed.
There is also a new formatting of animal data on the page “Organization Reports” along with a “Transparency with Purpose: Our Community Impact” statement.
On this page is “Community Impact Statistics” that replaces the previous format: “Animal Statistics – State Report” It displays the 2025 YTD Animal Statistics as of August 1, 2025.
Of special interest below this report is the following proclamation:
Misrepresentation or selective use of our data—regardless of disclaimers—can cause real and measurable harm. SPCA Tampa Bay does not permit the unauthorized alteration or misuse of our statistics. We welcome questions from anyone who is seeking clarity or context, and we remain committed to honest dialogue and shared accountability.
Is this the same authorization that is needed from CEO Martha Boden to share space in a public park?
Is this proclamation a reaction to the examination and exposure of the agency’s own selective use of numbers as has been detailed here here and here ?
Is this proclamation a warning to others that the agency’s posted information is not to be questioned?
What kind of organization posts such a statement?
Nothing to see here, just move along.
We are fortunate that the SPCATB “welcomes questions from anyone seeking clarity and context.”
In the spirit of the SPCATB ‘s commitment to “honest dialogue and shared accountability,” the following questions seek “clarity and context.” Accompanying these questions are some observations.
Question: What are the benefits to visitors and potential donors who visit and view the agency’s new formatting of the animal flow data vs the older formatting?
Observation: The previous category “Shelter Starting Count” has been replaced with ANIMALS ENTERING SHELTER.
Omitted from the ANIMALS ENTERING SHELTER are the “Animals brought in by owner for euthanasia.” This (manufactured by design) category of animals is now reassigned into the new category of LOWCOST ANIMAL SERVICES. Regardless of category listing, these animals remain unaccounted from the intake count by being inserted into a new category.
Observation: This (manufactured by design) category “animals brought in by owner for euthanasia” is liberally translated from the STATEMENT OF OWNER GUARDIAN SURRENDER form
- In the event the animal is determined not to be adoptable, then the Owner may authorize SPCA Tampa Bay to proceed with humane euthanasia. Owner hereby stipulates that telephone notification, including voicemail, shall be deemed sufficient notice and specifically waives written confirmation of such telephonic notice.
Question: What is the purpose of excluding this category of animals “brought in by owner for euthanasia” category from the category ANIMALS ENTERING SHELTER?
Fact: These animals did come into the shelter, alive. Consistent with the agency’s previous animal statistics postings this manufactured category of animals disappears from the equation when displaying outcomes that is presented to viewers (and potential donors) of the website.
Misrepresentation or vanishing act?
Fact: Every informed person know that many adoptable animals are surrendered LIVE to animal facilities.
Fact: The animal welfare community knows the answer and sees through this.
Question: Does the SPCATB categorize/label surrendered, adoptable animals “unadoptable” to justify their being recorded into the category “animals brought in by owner for euthanasia”?