HSSC-Summer-2023-North-Bay-Pets - Flipbook - Page 8
JOINING TOGETHER TO FEED THE NEED!
In recent months, shelters across the country have been seeing an uptick
in pet surrenders due to financial hardships. Here at HSSC, we’ve also seen
a dramatic increase in the number of surrender requests we are receiving
each day. That’s why we’re working hard to expand access to affordable
veterinary services, pet food and supplies, pet behavior support and other
resources to help curb this trend.
Our new Community Action Team (CAT) is focused on meeting the need
where it exists – starting with making sure no pets go hungry. For years,
we’ve been distributing thousands of pounds of pet food annually through
our pet food pantries at our Santa Rosa and Healdsburg shelters. To
better support those in need, our CAT program has been delivering bulk
quantities of donated food and supplies to human service organizations in
the community as well. We’re going to Redwood Gospel Mission’s weekly
mobile shower sites for unhoused individuals and the monthly Guerneville
food pantry, which is a program of the Salvation Army. We’re also working
with Reach for Home and The Living Room for distribution to their clients
with pets and partnering with Compassion Without Borders to bring a
mobile pet food pantry to their monthly wellness clinics.
Currently, we’re distributing about 800 pounds of food and other necessary pet supplies such as collars, leashes, bowls, beds,
etc., every month through our mobile services. That’s roughly the equivalent of 2,400 meals for dogs and 3,200 meals for cats
each month - and our efforts are just getting started!
This service is almost exclusively supported by financial and in-kind donations and is proving essential, now more than ever,
due to rising costs and economic uncertainty. Along with our safety net of medical programs, our Pet Pantry and CAT program
ensure pet parents will be able to provide for their pets even through difficult times. Together, we can ensure that more animals
will stay out of our shelters and in the arms of their loving companions!
Find out how you can help by visiting humanesocietysoco.org/owner-support/pet-food-pantry/
UPDATES FROM
HEALDSBURG
Cats of all stripes have known for years that Kitty City
is a posh place to land on the journey to adoption.
Until recently though, we hadn’t been able to officially
dedicate this cat-astic communal living space. (Covid,
we’re looking at you!) In March, we were thrilled to
celebrate with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. This
fun event was attended by dear friends, volunteers
and donors Clay Nesbitt and Dan and Debbie Mason,
who were instrumental in the creation of Kitty City.
We commemorated long time beloved donor and
extraordinary cat lover, Dean Gross, whose support and care have been essential and sustaining over many years. Joining in
the festivities were friends from the Healdsburg Chamber and community. Guests enjoyed delicious wines from Rodney Strong
Vineyards, tasty vegan nibbles from Taco Sagrado/Epicurean Escape, and smooches from the Kissing Booth pups!
Our animal loving Healdsburg community even brought donations of pet food and supplies for our Pet Food Pantry and
Community Action Team. Our heartfelt thanks to all who came and helped make this evening a delightful success!
Get the scoop on our Healdsburg shelter here: humanesocietysoco.org/healdsburg-campus
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