Andre conceicao

Redefining A Safe Haven Written and Designed by Andre Conceicao

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Dedication This book is dedicated to my dog, Sammie. Sammie was found on the streets and the Humane Society helped her overcome her issues and found her a great home.

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Peninsula Humane Society

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Table of Contents Foreword................................................................................................7 Introduction.........................................................................................9 Chapter I.............................................................................................10 Chapter II...........................................................................................14 Chapter III..........................................................................................18 Conclusion..........................................................................................21 Works Cited........................................................................................23

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Foreword

first heard about the Humane Society when I adopted my dog Sammie from the organization.

During the adoption process I noticed the passion and care that the workers had for each animal.

From intense paperwork to acquainting her with my other dog, the Humane Society shows that they really care about the families that their animals live with. Throughout the process of physically going to the facility and maintaining contact with the staff at the Peninsula Humane Society, I knew that if I kept my eyes open, I could really find some interesting features that the shelter offers. I soon found out that they go above and beyond in every area possible. This inspired me to dig deeper and look for areas where they might improve, but I couldn’t find anything that they don’t do flawlessly.

I decided to start my book with a history of the facility and how they came to be the animal shelter powerhouse that they are. After digging deeper, I finished the book in the order of things that I learned from the PHS. I wanted my readers to experience my process by unraveling the information in the same way that I did. The researching was definitely the hardest part of my process because it was hard to gather information from so many sources because the PHS has such detailed information on their site and in their facility.

I ran into a few problems during the interview process as well. First off, my first interview had terrible audio and I really had to work with it in order to get a decent sounding interview for the film I am making. Then, on my third interview, the audio didn’t get recorded at all. This meant I had to re-schedule my interview for the following week, delaying the process of writing the book and making the movie. Although I was met with a few challenges during the interviewing process, I learned many interesting facts and stats from my three interviews.

The most important aspect I took away from the PHS was the dedication the workers have towards the animals and the community. By taking care of the injured and sick wildlife population in San Mateo County, the PHS opens their facility as a home for any animal to come and get well again.

This kind of commitment to the community is something that I have yet to see anywhere else.

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Introduction

aving a place to call home is something we don’t appreciate enough. No matter how rough our days may be, we know there is a warm bed waiting at home for us to climb into at night. The reality is that many animals in our community don’t have this luxury. Take Sammie, for example. A three year old norwich terrier, Sammie wound up without a home, living on the streets of Burlingame. Somebody found her and called the Peninsula Humane Society who picked her up and took her in. Sammie was brought to the Peninsula facility where she was given medical treatment, food, shelter, and attention. Within days Sammie had a long list of potential owners. Adoption experts from the facility matched her up with a caring family that took her

in and gave her a place to call home. Sammie’s story is just one of many that the Peninsula Humane Society has created.

The Peninsula Humane Society in Burlingame is dedicated to helping animals in any way it can. Whether it be a stray dog who needs a home or an injured hawk with a broken wing, the Peninsula Humane Society is always there to help. When most people think of animal shelters they think of a place to adopt cats and dogs, but the Peninsula facility has a huge variation of animals such as dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, farm animals, rodents, and even wild animals.

The Peninsula Humane Society offers more than the typical animal shelter many picture. Not only does the facility provide necessities like food, water, and shelter but it also provides great

medical attention. It is one of only four shelters in the nation that have six full time veterinarians working to help animals in the facility. This kind of dedication to the wellbeing of each animal is what sets the Peninsula Humane Society apart from the rest of the pack.

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I: Helping Hand With Experience

he Peninsula Humane Society has been around for sixty two years, with many more to come. Scott Delucchi, Vice President of Community Relations at the facility, described the inspiration for the shelter as coming from “a small group of individuals who saw how the animals were getting cared for at the local municipal shelter and felt like they could do better by the animals”. Although founded in 1952, the facility only started recording data in 1970. Sadly, in 1970 they euthanized (intentionally ended the life of) 37,680 dogs and cats, a number they are not proud of. Since then, however, this number has decreased by more than 95%, which is a remarkable rate (Donate). The state of California breaks down sheltered animals into three categories: Healthy, adoptable; treatable;

and non-treatable. The Peninsula Humane Society announced in 2001, their “commitment to never again euthanize a healthy, adoptable dog or cat, a promise which has been and will continue to be kept” (PHS/SPCA).

The state of California defines healthy, adoptable animals as “those who need nothing more than vaccination, sterilization, and a loving home” (PHS/SPCA).

The second category of “treatable” animals is for all animals who aren’t considered healthy and adoptable, but will not require lots of care. Treatable animals are far more common than healthy, adoptable animals. The Peninsula Society has a very good track record of caring and finding homes

for animals that fall into the treatable category because they have access to enough equipment and can afford minor procedures. The third and final category is “nontreatable” animals that for whom euthanasia is the only humane solution. The harsh reality is that these types of animals come through the doors of The

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Peninsula facility in significant numbers (PHS/SPCA). The workers at the facility accept each and every animal that comes through the doors and each individual tries their hardest at their respective jobs to make the experience for animals as relaxed and welcoming as possible.

One of the ways they have improved themselves over the years is by building a beautiful new facility in Burlingame. The 56,700-square-foot Center, which sits on 1.2 acres of land on Rollins Road in Burlingame, has enough space to give up to 200 domestic and 218 native wild animals room to run around and play (Kohn).

The new center was named for late Congressman Tom Lantos through a major gift from Larry Ellison. The beautiful facility has three stories, one for each type of animal they receive, along with a grass area where dogs can run freely. The modern and unique design makes the adoption center stand out from all of the other buildings on the block, similar to the way that the PHS stands out among animal shelters.

The Peninsula Society has a very good track record of caring and finding homes for animals...

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II: Unique and Dedicated

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hen asked to think of a only the future adopter but to the ones for us are the ones who need typical animal shelter, animals as well. care. The easy ones are the ones many think of a pound The Humane Society stands that come to us perfectly healthy” where dogs and cats are kept in out as more than just a place to (Delucchi). The Humane Society cages. While many pounds may adopt animals. Vice President as a whole has always been all advertise as “no kill” shelters, Scott Delucchi says “we are one about giving each and every anithese places are usually exclusive of 3 or 4 shelters in the world that mal an opportunity to live with a and only accept the animals that takes care of wild and domestic loving family that suits them. The are sure to be adopted quickPeninsula facility is able ly. What we don’t think of is to expand on this with the a modern, open facility that The Humane Society stands veterinarians who keep keeps each animal in a large all the animals physically room with caring volunteers, out as more than just a place healthy enough to eventudedicated to making sure the ally be adopted. to adopt animals. animals enjoy their stay. The

The PHS has a firm Peninsula Humane society is goal: to help the commuthis exactly; with their open nity by taking care of the door policy, it is amazing that animals.” The Peninsula facil- animal population by any means they have enough space to shel- ity takes care of all of the injured necessary. Through the dediter any animal that walks through wildlife in the San Mateo County cation of their vets who “work the front door. Somehow, wheth- and “successfully rehabilitates around the clock” (Delucchi), the er it’s their incredible reputation 1,200 to 1,400 animals each year” PHS is successful in their quest to or their passionate staff, they (PHS/SPCA) . They have 6 in- provide shelter and necessary livmanage to do exactly that. From credible veterinarians who per- ing tools to the stray and injured their animal behavior classes to form medical evaluations and, animals of the community. It is a their gift shop, you can tell that when needed, operations to help testament to those involved that they really make an effort to be the animals get healthy. The Vice the PHS is able to achieve this presentable and attractive, to not President noted that “the hard goal year after year.

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III: Services Offered

ith a brand new facility and services ranging from simple adoptions to owner education and animal cruelty investigations, it’s almost hard to believe that the PHS is a non-profit shelter. According to Lucas, the money “all comes as donations from the county but is received in different ways” (Brown). The PHS has an entire department based on fundraising. The money either comes from groups or from individuals who choose to donate on a regular basis. Lots of high profile individuals such as Larry Ellison, are remembered for their donations by receiving their own plaques on the walls of the facility.

These donations, such as the major gift from Mr. Ellison and his wife Melanie, are what

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make it possible for the Peninsula Humane Society to have the wide range of programs and services for the animals and their future owners. One of these programs, called the “Hope Program,” is probably the service which sets them apart from ordinary shelters the most. The Hope Program “helps the neediest animals and gives them a second chance at life” (Hahn). While the Peninsula Humane Society helps many animals who need nothing more than a home, the Hope Program helps fund the nurturing and success of those who need extra medical care or behavioral training.

During our interview, Doctor Hahn told me about one of the Hope Program’s success stories. Recently the facility took in a dog who came in

with her eyes matted over, making it impossible for her to see.

Additionally, her cornea was cut deeply and she had foxtails embedded in her skin and ears. Ophthalmology specialists assessed the dog’s eyes and determined that one of them could not be saved. Hahn and her crew had to remove the eye but were able to preserve her other. “When she first came in she couldn’t really walk and now she’s going to be in someone’s home forever”, Hahn explained, clearly touched by the dog’s perseverance (Hahn). Stories like this are what Doctor Hahn and the other 5 vets on site work for.

The Hope Program saves about 200 animals per month and it is all because of the incredible amount of work that these vets put in (Hope Program).

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Conclusion

to this kind of idea. Also, I am out the area’s animal populaeing able to get insight tion. It will be really interesting sure that the Hope Program into the Peninsula Huwill continue to work miracles to see where the organization mane Society was an and help seriously unfortunate is ten years from now because eye opening experience. From animals find loving homes. I they already provide such top the stories I learned about to am really glad that I picked the level care and have long been the quality and cleanliness of PHS for my project because I recognized as one of the prethe facilities, the PHS showed got the chance to truly apprecimier animal shelters in Calithemselves to be nothing else ate their services by seeing how fornia. I know that they offer than incredible, generous and happy and safe all of the aniprofessional. All three The Peninsula Humane Society has mals in the center are. The people I interviewed had an unexpectedly been and will continue to be one of Peninsula Humane Society vast knowledge of the the most impressive organizations I has been and will continue to be one of the most iminner workings of the have come across. pressive organizations that I organization. It is imhave come across. Hopefully possible to picture the animal shelters like the PHS plenty of innovative programs PHS going anywhere but up; will continue to appear in other such as one specific program their brand new facility is just places in the world. There are that allows inmates at low sestarting to gain recognition in millions of areas out there that the area as one of Burlingame’s curity prisons to interact with dogs. This kind of unique idea could use the kind of support many unique and interesting and attention that the Peninis what excites me about the attractions and the donations sula Humane Society offers. future of the organization. I they receive will assure that they continue to grow and pro- would love to see them add vide even more services to help some more programs similar 21

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Works Cited “AnimalLaw.com - Home.” AnimalLaw.com - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 20

Mar. 2014.

“The Bay Citizen.” The Bay Citizen. N.p., 8 Sept. 2011. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.

Brown, Lucas. Personal Interview. 11 Feb. 2014.

Delucchi, Scott. Personal Interview. 26 Feb. 2014.

“The Hope Program.” PHS/SPCA. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.

Kohn, Barbara. “Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Opens New Center

for Compassion in Burlingame.” Examiner.com. N.p., 12 Sept. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.

“MDARD.” MDARD. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.

“PHS/SCPA” Welcome to Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.

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Redefining A Safe Haven

Andre Conceicao is a 17 year old student at Los Altos High School in California. He is an avid sports fan and follows the Oakland Raiders, New York Yankees, and the soccer team Chelsea religiously. A firm believer in livingW in the present, Andre has not yet decided where he wants to take his life, but he knows that wherever life takes him, it will be the right situation as long as he remains happy. He enjoys traveling and prides himself in being a cultured citizen. His favorite place to travel to is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as he has many friends and family members down there. After a long day there is nothing Andre appreciates more than a relaxing afternoon at the beach.

Redefining A Safe Haven Written and Designed by Andre Conceicao

Andre Conceicao