Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) has welcomed Connie Boros as Executive Director and Rebecca Blitz as Senior Director of Advancement. The addition of these two accomplished nonprofit leaders marks a significant step forward as HSSC continues to expand its lifesaving programs and partnerships across the region and state.

"The board is extremely pleased and excited to have Connie join our organization," said Janet Boyden, Board of Directors President. "As we move forward, a pivot in company strategy is expected. Connie exhibits the skill set, experience, and confidence needed to progress in our mission. We look forward to the future of HSSC under Connie's leadership."

Boros will guide HSSC as it advances its mission to provide compassionate care for cats and dogs while expanding lifesaving programs, fostering collaboration, and educating communities to build a No-Kill Florida. She will continue strengthening HSSC's well-established TAILS Program (Together Assisting in Lifesaving Services)—an initiative to mentor and support regional county shelter partners, including DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Sarasota County Animal Services.

Joining Boros is Rebecca Blitz, who will lead advancement efforts that grow community engagement and donor support. "Rebecca's passion for animals and history with our organization are some of many reasons we brought

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a national leader in animal welfare. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in HSSC's mission to save lives and improve outcomes for animals in need.

Through this partnership, HSSC will gain access to enhanced lifesaving resources, specialized training opportunities, disaster response support, and increased visibility through the ASPCA's national reach. It provides opportunities for future grant funding and a strengthened network of support that benefits both organizations and the communities they serve.

The partnership complements HSSC's ongoing commitment to mentor and support regional county shelter partners—including DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Sarasota County Animal Services. Through the TAILS Program (Together Assisting in Lifesaving Services), HSSC promotes the collaboration of shelters to share resources, knowledge, and strategies in pursuit of greater lifesaving outcomes.

These efforts are reflected in measurable success. HSSC consistently maintains no-kill status by exceeding a 90% save rate every month. Reporting through May 31, HSSC has an average save rate of 97.3% in 2025.

"This achievement is made possible by the dedication of our compassionate staff, the

The Board of Directors and staff of the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) share that Anna Gonce has stepped down from her role as Executive Director—effective June 1, 2025.

We are grateful to Anna for her visionary leadership, tireless advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the people and animals we serve. During her tenure, Anna spearheaded transformative initiatives that expanded lifesaving programs, strengthened community partnerships, and enhanced the scope of our mission. Her passion, strategic insight, and heart for service made an impact that will continue to shape the future of HSSC.

To ensure a seamless transition, we've partnered with MBJ Group to conduct a nationwide search for our next Executive Director. Their comprehensive process will help identify a dynamic leader to elevate our lifesaving vision and guide the organization into its next era of growth.

In the interim, HSSC is in experienced and capable hands—with our senior leadership team guiding daily operations.

Dr. Ashley Gillett, Medical Director — Dr. Gillett earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State University in 2017. She brings over seven years of experience in shelter medicine and high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter surgery. After beginning her career in private practice, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector—focusing on providing

Paws 2025: Mission Pawssible was a heartwarming success. Supporters of the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) enjoyed an afternoon full of entertainment, food, fun, and philanthropy at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on April 11, 2025.

Mission Pawssible Co-Chairs, Caryn Wilbraham and Liebe Gamble spoke at the event—as well as HSSC CEO, Anna Gonce and HSSC Board President, Janet Boyden. Wilbraham and Gamble shared from the heart about why they support the organization, while Gonce and Boyden emphasized the organization's goal to save 5,000 lives in 2025.

Overall—the event raised $321,945 for homeless cats and dogs.

Read more about the event in the Observer.

Thanks to Cathy Bissell and BISSELL Pet Foundation, more than 100 adoptable cats and dogs from shelters impacted by Hurricane Milton headed North to facilities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio!

The transport out of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) with Wings of Rescue was a collaborative effort between the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), Pasco County Animal Services, Gulf Coast Humane Society, Humane Society Naples and Collier County Domestic Animal Services to create the much-needed space in our shelters to support our local communities in the wake of disaster.

The animals on the flight were all adoptable prior to the hurricane, and we're so excited for their new adoption opportunities! Thank you to all of the amazing shelters welcoming our animals: Wisconsin Humane Society, Green County Humane Society, Shiawassee Humane Society, Capital Area Humane Society, Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter, Anti-Cruelty, Sandusky County Dog Kennel and Friendship Animal Protective League!

At HSSC, we know the importance of collaboration. Collaboration extends the reach of our lifesaving mission. Saving lives is a team effort, and we are so grateful to the shelters who welcomed our animals in the aftermath of devastation.

Immediately after Hurricane Helene passed, the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) reached out to our friends at Pasco County Animal Services, knowing their area sustained a heavy impact from the storm. While we were fortunate to only have minor damage, their facility was left without power, creating a critical need to move animals out of their facility. HSSC coordinated quickly to welcome Buddy Boy and his friends.

HSSC and Pasco County Animal Services frequently partner together to save lives in Florida, and collectively, our agencies work tirelessly to improve Florida's Save Rate. It takes partnerships like these to save as many lives as possible, and we are fortunate we could offer assistance.

Just a few hours before Hurricane Helene was set to pass through Sarasota on Thursday, a local resident happened upon a wet and injured cat. She drove to the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) in hopes we could provide medical care and refuge before the storm.

The Storm Rider Team was sheltering in place to care for our shelter animals during Helene. When the cat arrived, our staff didn't hesitate. The team sprang into action to stabilize the cat and provide necessary medical care. The cat was provided a safe and dry spot to rest, recuperate and ride out the storm. He will continue to receive medical treatment from our staff until he is healthy and ready for adoption.

The night before Hurricane Helene, the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) welcomed five dogs from a shelter with outdoor-only kennels in a flood zone in the Big Bend area of Florida. Our Executive Director serves on the board of the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations (FAAWO). They requested our aid in the situation, and we jumped into action to save more lives.

We're so grateful to our friends at SPCA Florida who transported the dogs to us in Sarasota and also welcomed a few of the dogs into their own care. Together, we were able to clear the outdoor kennel space at the shelter in the Big Bend and remove the dogs from a dangerous situation before Hurricane Helene made landfall.

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), the area's premier no-kill shelter, is the recipient of a $7,500 grant from Petco Love—a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier.

The investment in HSSC's lifesaving mission is part of a larger strategy by Petco Love to power local animal welfare organizations across the country toward a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized. It's a vision HSSC is extremely passionate about—as we are already working strategically with partners across Florida to advance no-kill efforts across the state.

In 2023, the organization reached nearly 3,000 total lives saved—finishing the year at 2,929. That number includes animals like Dodge. Dodge came to HSSC from an overcrowded shelter in rural Florida without the resources or funding to care for him. His life was at risk, and HSSC was able to save him.

This grant from Petco Love will help us save even more animals like Dodge in 2024.