Answer: If you have heard of Waddles, it brings to mind Martha Boden, President and CEO of the SPCA Tampa Bay

It brings attention to the hoax that is being played by self-serving and so-called “animal welfare” organization administrators.

It demands sunshine to the hijacking of the million-dollar animal welfare platform for self-enrichment and reveals the appetite for attention, power, and control. Power over life and death, control over money (donations from the pubic and corporate donor pool). Not to forget…control over immunity from prosecution in the case of the SPCA Tampa Bay that pled guilty to an animal cruelty citation.

It commands a challenge to the absence of accountability.

Not “just a pig”

Waddles (he is “not just” a pig) was allowed to roast in the sun for 14 days without shade or medical care during a blistering heat wave at the SPCA Tampa Bay in July 2025. He was pastured at the SPCA in full view of the CEO’s office window during this period developing 3^rd degree burns.

The SPCA Tampa Bay has over 100 staff members, yet no one raised a finger to protect Waddles.

Pork Butt Pastures Inc. provided to Waddles the sanctuary and care he was  denied at the SPCATB.

Connie Pavelich, a Pork Butt Pastures volunteer, has been lobbying for justice on Waddles’ behalf.

Reflections by Connie Pavelich 02/18/2026

I got up early this morning and I couldn’t stop thinking… why is Waddles making me push this hard? Why is this pig so important to me?

And then it clicked.

Someone messaged me about how exhausting it is that we’re now rescuing the rescues. About arrests. About dead dogs and cats found in refrigerators. About animals sitting with untreated diseases while people call it “rescue.”

And I thought… that’s it. That’s why this won’t leave me alone.

This isn’t just about one pig.

It’s about accountability.
It’s about leadership.
It’s about responsibility.

If you are making that kind of salary and running an animal welfare organization, you should know better. You should act faster. You should protect the animals in your care — not explain away their suffering.

It’s about the burns all over his body.
It’s about the risk of skin cancer.
It’s about partial blindness.
It’s about hearing, “we didn’t have the ointment.”

There are stores everywhere. We went and got it. Kelly had his (Waddles”)  skin improving within days with simple shelter, food, and care.

So no — this isn’t just about Waddles.

It’s about what happens when the people entrusted to protect animals fail them.

And when that happens, someone has to stand up.

So I will.

Not because I enjoy the fight.
Not because I want attention.
But because animals don’t get to choose who speaks for them.

And if we don’t demand better from the organizations that carry their names, then nothing will ever change.

This fight isn’t ending.

Because Waddles was never just a pig. He was the moment the curtain got pulled back.

And once you see it — you can’t unsee it.