NOBLESVILLE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 25, 2026--
More than 120 adoptable shelter dogs at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will receive preventive dental care and professional adoption photography as part of a new partnership designed to improve both immediate comfort and adoption outcomes.
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Announced in recognition of National Pet Dental Health Awareness Month, the “Second Smile” initiative underscores the importance of consistent, year-round preventive dental care. The program will provide preventive dental care products and sponsor professional adoption headshots for surrendered dogs seeking new homes.
Families who adopt a sponsored dog will also receive exclusive lifetime post-adoption dental care support from Tartar Shield, helping establish consistent oral health routines from day one.
The initiative reflects a growing consensus within veterinary medicine: preventive dentistry is most effective when introduced early and maintained consistently. By integrating oral care at the point of adoption, the program aims to improve immediate comfort while supporting healthier long-term outcomes for dogs entering new homes.
Why This Matters: Oral Disease Is Common and Often Overlooked
Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed clinical condition in adult dogs, with most showing signs by age three. Without preventive care, plaque and tartar accumulation can progress to gingivitis, tooth loss, chronic oral pain, persistent halitosis, and in advanced cases, systemic complications affecting major organs.
For shelter and surrendered dogs, preventive dental care is often limited as resources focus on urgent medical needs. Yet oral health significantly impacts comfort, adoptability, and long-term veterinary costs.
“Preventive dentistry should not begin after disease is established,” said Lisa Hoover, President at Tartar Shield. “Adoption represents a critical intervention point. When families start daily oral care from day one, the long-term impact on health, comfort, and veterinary outcomes can be substantial.”
Science-Driven Prevention Made Accessible
Founded in 2005 and built on decades of dental research, Tartar Shield develops clinically evaluated, at-home oral care solutions designed to help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation while supporting healthier gums and fresher breath. The company has long advocated for earlier intervention in companion animal oral health, emphasizing prevention over reactive treatment.
The company’s comprehensive product lineup includes patented Soft Rawhide Chews, dental treats, advanced toothpaste formulations, tartar control food toppers, and water additives. Several products have undergone clinical testing conducted under established Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) protocols, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to measurable, prevention-focused care.
By offering multiple convenient formats, Tartar Shield directly addresses one of the most persistent challenges in companion animal dentistry: achieving consistent daily compliance with oral hygiene routines.
Through the “Second Smile” initiative, participating dogs will receive preventive dental support during their time at the shelter and as they transition into adoptive homes. The lifetime post-adoption benefits provided to families are designed to reinforce continuity of care and establish sustainable preventive habits.
Visibility Drives Adoption Outcomes
In addition to health support, Tartar Shield is sponsoring professional adoption photography through Second Shot. High-quality photography has been shown to increase online engagement and adoption inquiries, helping reduce length of stay in shelters.
“A powerful photo can completely change a dog’s trajectory,” said Adam Goldberg, Founder at Second Shot. “When a dog looks healthy, confident, and seen, families respond. Pairing visibility with proactive health support strengthens adoption success.”
By ensuring that dogs both feel better and present at their best, the initiative connects wellness and visibility to support sustainable placement outcomes.
A Community Partnership with Measurable Impact
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay serves thousands of animals each year through adoption, veterinary care, and community outreach programs.
“Preventive health plays an important role in successful adoptions,” said Regan Blessinger, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. “Support that helps us address oral health while increasing visibility for our dogs creates meaningful and lasting impact.”
A Model for Healthier Second Chances
The “Second Smile” initiative underscores a simple but powerful principle: preventive care and adoption success are interconnected. By combining clinically evaluated oral care solutions with professional visibility and long-term adopter support, Tartar Shield and its partners are advancing a scalable model that integrates preventive health into the adoption process itself, supporting both immediate welfare and sustained health.
As National Pet Dental Health Awareness Month draws attention to the importance of oral hygiene, the program highlights how early intervention and consistent daily routines can help ensure a healthier, more successful second chance.
For more information about Tartar Shield and the “Second Smile” initiative, visit https://tartarshield.com.
About Tartar Shield
Founded in 2005, Tartar Shield develops clinically evaluated, easy-to-use preventive oral care solutions for dogs. Its science-driven product lineup is designed to help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation while supporting healthier gums and fresher breath through convenient daily routines.
About Second Shot
Second Shot increases adoption outcomes through professional photography, storytelling, and community engagement initiatives. Learn more at https://secondshotpet.com.
About the Humane Society of Tampa Bay
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is a nonprofit animal welfare organization providing shelter, adoption services, veterinary care, and community programs to support animals and families throughout the Tampa Bay region.
Abby enjoys a preventive dental chew as part of the “Second Smile” initiative, which integrates oral health support at the point of adoption to promote healthier, long-term outcomes.
A second chance starts with a smile. Tartar Shield® partners with Second Shot Adoption Photos to support shelter dogs through professional adoption photography and oral health advocacy.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — When right-hander Michael King dramatically emerged from the bullpen in a darkened Petco Park to pitch in the eighth inning of Game 3 just two days after he made a five-inning start in Game 2, the San Diego Padres' desperate determination to extend their season was clear.
The relentless Milwaukee Brewers are making that job awfully difficult — but after three scintillating, one-run playoff games packed with pressure moments, extraordinary plays and hero turns in this NL Division Series, the Padres are still fighting for at least another day.
Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking homer, King pitched the final two innings on one day of rest and the Padres avoided playoff elimination with a 4-3 victory Tuesday night, trimming Milwaukee's lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1.
“It feels like we've played three straight games against the Brewers like that,” San Diego manager Craig Stammen said. “We finally were able to come out on the right end of things in this one. A lot of big effort from a lot of guys during the game to get us to the final score.”
Xander Bogaerts scored San Diego's fourth run on a hustle play in the sixth and then capped his team's stellar defensive performance with a game-ending double play at shortstop for the Padres, who hung on in a nail-biter over the MLB-best Brewers. This is the first playoff series since the 2021 National League Championship Series to begin with three straight one-run decisions.
“Can’t do much about the first two games, but all three games have been really good baseball,” Bogaerts said. “Once tomorrow comes, let’s go for it, but right now let’s enjoy this one, because this was a really good one.”
Game 4 is Wednesday night at Petco Park. If necessary, Game 5 will be back in Milwaukee on Friday.
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado drove in early runs for the Padres, but their bullpen didn’t have star closer Mason Miller, who went on the paternity list about 45 minutes before the first pitch. San Diego also didn't have top setup man Adrian Morejon, who has shoulder “stickiness,” according to Stammen.
So despite pitching 12 innings in two starts over the previous seven days, King stepped up and finished it off — but only after a thrilling ninth.
The right-hander retired four of his first five batters before walking William Contreras and Brice Turang. Christian Yelich then cracked a 107 mph line drive up the middle, where Bogaerts went down to his knees to field it on a short hop and scampered to touch second base before throwing out Yelich at first to end it.
“I know that I have bullets in my arm that I don’t want to save,” King said. “If you’re in an elimination game, you want everybody to be all in on it, and ... we have a bunch of dogs down there that are all in.”
King — who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of the Wild Card Series opener against the Chicago Cubs a week ago — earned his first save since 2023, his first in the postseason and his first for the Padres.
The Padres had won 19 of 22 and swept the Cubs before losing two straight heartbreakers in Milwaukee last weekend.
Contreras homered and had three hits for the Brewers, who lost their 12th consecutive postseason road game dating to the 2018 NLCS.
Yelich even got his first playoff RBI since 2018 with a seventh-inning single, but Milwaukee fell behind early and never led, leaving 11 runners on base.
“That’s part of baseball,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. “When you’re facing a good team with a good pitching staff, that’s part of it. We didn’t get the big hit at the big time, but do you fault Yelly for hitting one 107 there and Bogaerts making a great play? They've got a great team, and they played great defense tonight.”
Neither starter excelled on a tense, uncommonly hot October night in downtown San Diego. Nick Pivetta yielded two runs and five hits while pitching into the fifth for the Padres, and Dustin May got pulled abruptly with a 1-0 count on Bogaerts and a runner aboard in the fourth.
Cooper Pratt tied it for Milwaukee right after Pivetta’s exit when Dustin Harris couldn’t throw him out on Jackson Chourio’s 242-foot sacrifice fly. It was the fifth RBI of the series for the 22-year-old Chourio and his 16th in 15 career postseason games, already tying Ryan Braun for the franchise record.
Cronenworth lined JoJo Romero’s first pitch of the fifth over the wall in right for only his second hit of the postseason.
Bogaerts likely saved at least one run in the fifth when he dived to keep Contreras' single in the infield with two runners on.
Bogaerts then singled in the sixth, advanced on a wild pitch and scored when Pratt bounced his throw from shortstop for an error after Miguel Andujar’s broken bat came flying toward him along with the grounder.
Yelich singled home Contreras for his first playoff RBI since he homered in Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS against the Dodgers — a span of 87 plate appearances over 19 games.
Walker Buehler will start Game 4 for the Padres after making 32 starts in a resurgent season for the former Dodgers star. The Brewers hadn't announced a starting pitcher, but Robert Gasser, Shane Drohan and Chad Patrick are all available after starting a combined 45 games this season.
A previous version of this story corrected that King started Game 2, not Game 1.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
San Diego Padres pitcher Bradgley Rodriguez celebrates after striking out Milwaukee Brewers' Garrett Mitchell to end the top of the seventh inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after striking out during the seventh inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King throws during the eighth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' Samad Taylor, right, celebrates as teammate Xander Bogaerts (2) scores during the sixth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres pitcher Yuki Matsui celebrates after getting Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang to ground out with the bases loaded to end the top of the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt, right, scores past San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt scores during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, right, is congratulated by teammate Jackson Merrill (3) after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
