North Bay Pets Summer 2017

Summer 2017 | Vol. 29 | No. 1

North Bay Pets a publication of the sonoma

humane society

The Butterfly Effect in remembrance

p. 10

DON MALONE

Q&A: MEET LINDSAY MCCALL p. 20

2016

Annual Report

p. 15

www.sonomahumane.org

North Bay Pets

Another case of a Subaru going places others don’t.

Legacy. It’s not just a sedan. It’s a Subaru. Well-equipped at $21,995** Subaru, Legacy, and EyeSight are registered trademarks. *EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5i models.

Actual mileage may vary. †Vehicle’s projected resale value is specific to the 2016 model year. For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. **MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Retailer sets actual price. Certain equipment may be required in specific states, which can modify your MSRP. See your retailer for details. 2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited pictured has an MSRP of $30,835.

2987 Corby Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-709-8353 • HanselSubaru.com

2

North Bay Pets

North Bay Pets INSIDE

Letter

from the Executive Director

There’s No Place Like Home

S

ummer is here! As you read this letter, the Sonoma Humane Society is shifting into high gear as we enter the months of greatest need for homeless animals. In addition to the many stray dogs, cats and bunnies who are found in our neighborhoods, an abundance of ‘unplanned for’ kittens are now being born. Throughout the summer and into fall, they will be delivered to our door seeking shelter.

When they arrive, we will offer them the healing support they need to enter our adoption program and quickly find loving homes. Perhaps more than ever, the Sonoma Humane team is focused on making each animal’s shelter experience the best and shortest it can be—because we know there really is no place like home.

Dogs, cats, rabbits and our other small animal friends are companion animals. And although our wonderful shelter is an excellent temporary place for them to find love and care, we know they will not be truly happy until they are enveloped into the warmth of a loving and stable home.

Cindy & Penny, photo © The Labs & Co.

It takes more than a wish and a pair of ruby slippers to get animals home, so we’re using our hearts, our brains and our nerve to try new things. Over the last year, the Sonoma Humane Society has placed increased emphasis on providing responsive animal care and improving our pathways to adoption—including our customer experience. The best news is—it’s working! In the first quarter of 2017 we have seen a 20% increase in adoptions.

For companion animals, there is no place like home—and there is no better feeling than bringing animals and people together. Join us and be part of that journey! Consider adopting, volunteering or supporting our work with a donation. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll never go looking for your heart’s desire again!

With sincere gratitude,

Cindy Roach, Executive Director

Sponsor Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Going the Extra Mile. . . . . . . . . . . . .

How Not to Greet A Dog. . . . . . . . .

Leaving a Legacy of Love. . . . . . .

Volunteer Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spay/Neuter Support. . . . . . . . . . .

Don Malone Remembrance. . . . .

Butterfly Effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Happy Tails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2016 Annual Report. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Q&A: Lindsay McCall. . . . . . . . . . . .

Healdsburg Center News . . . . . . .

Wags, Whiskers & Wine. . . . . . . . .

Prairie Rose Tribute. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Workday at the Farm. . . . . . . . . . . .

Bequests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SHS Vet Hospital Offerings. . . . . .

A Decade of Leadership. . . . . . . . .

Humane Education Camps. . . . . .

p. 4 p. 5 p. 6 p. 7 p. 8 p. 8 p. 9 p. 10 p. 12 p. 15 p. 20 p. 22 p. 24 p. 26 p. 27 p. 28 p. 28 p. 29 p. 31

The Sonoma Humane Society—ensuring every animal receives protection, compassion, love and care.

We are a locally founded, locally funded nonprofit organization supported through donations from our community.

Tax ID# 94-6001315 North Bay Pets is a publication of the Sonoma Humane Society.

Content Writer/Editor Signe Ross-Villemaire Contributors Odessa Gunn Wendy Welling Senior Designer Melissa Ehret Contributing Designers Eva Engler Erin Rose Opperman Contributing Photographers The Labs & Co. Kevin Baksa Paul Bozzo Melissa Ehret Sumner Fowler Emmaline Jones Iona Simpson Wendy Welling On the Cover Butterfly has certainly had an effect on us here at SHS! The beautiful American Staffie mix came to our Healdsburg Center as a stray in need of much support and managed to touch each of our hearts in the process. Read about her journey on page 10. Cover photograph © 2017 The Labs & Co., www.thelabsand.co

3

North Bay Pets S PO NSO R SPOTL I GHT

As

founder of The Lucero Group Real Estate, Grace Lucero is passionate about helping people find the homes of their dreams. She’s also a general contractor/engineer and property developer. As a lifelong animal lover, she is passionate about helping animals in need as well—a calling that is woven into every aspect of her life.

Grace’s work puts her in a unique position to help animals who have been abandoned on foreclosed properties or neglected when elderly homeowners move into assisted living and family members can’t care for the pets in their absence.

contributor, she also created “Cause for Paws” in 2015—a popular annual event to benefit our Healdsburg Center for Animals.

Grace is also helping us manage our dog yard and landscape project at the Healdsburg Center.

Melissa Dobar, SHS Director of Development, says “Grace is someone we can always count on to help with advocacy, events, lost and abandoned animals in the community, and helping find great homes for our adoptable animals. She is truly a champion for the animals!”

Grace gives back to the community in so many ways, and Sonoma Humane Society is grateful for all the ways she supports us. Not only is she a generous Grace (right) with her partner Bonnie and their terrier-mix Fly (adopted from the former Healdsburg Animal Shelter), and “foster failure” Papillion-mix Charli.

Are you a local business owner interested in helping the animals? Please call Melissa Dobar at (707) 577-1911 to find out how to become an SHS Corporate Sponsor!

P LEA S E JO IN U S F O R OUR

HELPING PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE FIND GREAT HOMES IN SONOMA COUNTY AND BEYOND

3 RD A N N U A L

CAUSE PA W S FOR

HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER FRIDAY, JUNE 23 RD | 4-7 PM

421 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg CA Enjoy food, drinks, and awesome raffle prizes throughout the evening! All proceeds go to support Sonoma Humane Society.

T H E LU C E RO G ROU P Grace Lucero | 707.888.2649 grace@vanguardsonoma.com

BRE #01233007 General Contractor Lic. #724473

4

Going the extra mile to help dogs with behavior needs

“

PAUL STARTED HIS VOLUNTEER CAREER WITH SONOMA HUMANE SOCIETY AS A DOG WALKER. Soon, he discovered he enjoyed the challenge of working with dogs with less-thanperfect behavior. By working one-on-one with dogs who need advanced behavior support, he helps us give them a second chance to become well-adjusted family members. We recently caught up with Paul for a chat. Learn more about his work...

WHY IS THIS AREA OF VOLUNTEERING SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Most people come to SHS looking for a dog they can take out in public, on walks, to friends’ houses and to the dog park. Few people want a dog who is severely reactive to other dogs or to strangers, or with erratic and unpredictable behavior. I’m passionate about working with the more challenging dogs because I believe that 99.99% of dogs are good at heart and capable of providing loving companionship to their families.

WHAT SPECIAL TRAINING DOES THIS JOB REQUIRE?

SHS provides training and workshops on the science of canine behavior, and various training and handling techniques. I’ve benefitted greatly from mentoring and advice from more experienced handlers. Often we’re working with a dog who has just been brought in as a stray or surrendered by an owner.

The dog is in shock and has found himself in a totally unfamiliar environment. We have no idea what stressful experiences he might have endured. Once you know how dogs as a species operate and process information, you then learn about that particular dog and what techniques will work best.

WHAT TYPES OF INTERACTIONS DO YOU EMPHASIZE?

We work to address a dog’s individual needs. For example, if a dog is afraid of strangers, we implement a plan to slowly and steadily desensitize them when meeting new people. We help them view greeting new people as a positive experience instead of something to be fearful of. We exclusively utilize positive and rewards-based training methods. The number one goal is to ensure that dogs are safe to adopt and will be positive companions and members of society.

“

Paul Bozzo

DESCRIBE A RECENT SUCCESS STORY.

Samuel was a young but rapidly growing pit bull mix puppy.

He was returned from two different foster homes for barking and biting behaviors. Add to that, he was healing from a broken leg and needed to be on cage rest—meaning very little activity for several weeks. At one point, he bit a staff member severely enough to be put on quarantine. He was bored and frustrated, but I could see that there was a good dog under the negative behavior. I teamed up with our Foster Coordinator and our Training staff to form a team of experienced handlers and worked with him each day. Once he started getting the positive attention and training he needed, he quickly blossomed into a smart, affectionate and very trainable dog.

Before we knew it, he was adopted by a wonderful family.

He now lives on 2 acres with dog buddies and a family who adores him!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK?

There is an amazing community at SHS. Each and every staff member and volunteer cares deeply about doing their very best for each animal in their care. And I love the reaction I get from a dog as I come in to take them out for a walk or training session—it’s pure joy and excitement! I love to hike, so most weekends I’ll pick up one of the larger, more active dogs and take them for a long urban walk, hike or trail run. It’s great for the dogs and a lot of fun for me! I also realize that while we’re helping dogs live their best life possible while they’re at SHS, we’re only taking care of them until they meet their forever families. When you see the joy of a person who longs for the companionship of a pet finally meet the right dog, and you see the dog you’ve been working with for weeks or months leave the building, you realize that you’ve not only helped the dog, but the human as well.

TELL US ABOUT OUR OWN PET.

Oddly enough, I don’t have a dog of my own! My calico cat, Cali, was adopted from Sonoma Humane Society over 3 years ago!

5

North Bay Pets

6

North Bay Pets

Your Pet Supply Super Store * Over 50 Brands Of Pet Foods * Toys & Treats * Poultry Supplies * Animal Feed * Hay & Bedding * Gardening Supplies * Beekeeper Equipment * And So Much More!

photo © Sumner Fowler

* Beds & Houses

Leaving a Legacy of Love

Locally Owned Since 1967

Leaving a legacy that ensures protection and care for homeless animals doesn’t require vast wealth, only compassion and a little forethought. Every gift—large or small— gives hope to the animals who will rely on us for lifesaving medical attention, safe shelter and second chances in the years to come. Please consider the many ways you can include Sonoma Humane Society in your estate planning:

BEQUEST: A designated gift in your will or living trust is simple and the most common form of planned giving.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNT: Designate Sonoma Humane Society as a beneficiary to use an asset that otherwise might be heavily taxed.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST: A gift of assets establishes a trust and names Sonoma Humane Society as ultimate beneficiary. You receive tax benefits during your lifetime and retain the income generated from assets given to the trust.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST: The income from this trust is donated to SHS during your lifetime. After your lifetime, the trust assets pass without further tax to your heirs.

Life Insurance: Donating a fully paid, existing life insurance policy or a policy that is not fully paid, provides you with a current charitable income tax deduction.

Life Estate Gift: You may irrevocably transfer ownership of a home or farm to Sonoma Humane and retain the right to occupy the premises for the rest of your life, and receive an immediate charitable tax deduction.

Pet Guardianship: Provides care for your pet when you no longer can.

For more information, please call SHS Director of Development, Melissa Dobar, at (707) 577-1911.

7

North Bay Pets

hidden talents

Volunteer extraordinaire Tara Lane is camera shy, but her incredible skill set and devotion to helping animals do not go unnoticed!

After successfully divergent careers in design and all things equine back east, Tara’s path led her to the west coast.

First, for veterinary studies at UC Davis and then to pursue an MFA in Fashion/Textile Design at Berkeley. Lucky for us, Tara settled in Sonoma County and began volunteering with SHS! Even with a busy work schedule at PetCare and coursework in the SRJC Veterinary Technician program, she volunteers her spare time selflessly. She fosters, assists in our spay/ neuter clinic, and her design background even comes into play. When our Humane Education program needed a special sewing project—“altering” stuffed animals to demonstrate spay surgery—Tara stepped up to create the prototype. Using felt, rickrack, parachute cord and balloons, she fashioned anatomically correct components so our young students could better understand the process.

Tara also lent her expertise to the creation of reusable hospital gowns and surgical drapes for our shelter hospital.

She drafted a pattern and tweaked construction until it was perfect, then sewed the gowns (from fabric she donated!) so our crew could have custom coverage that can be sanitized in an autoclave, instead of being thrown away, after use.

Next up? Retrofitting stuffed animals to show how fractures are repaired for this year’s campers. Tara is up for the challenge and we are so grateful for her many talents!

Wondering how your own unique blend of life skills could help homeless animals? Check out our Volunteer Program at sonomahumane.org/help/volunteer.

Tara's sewing projects VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

A hug for our community’s pets If you’re lucky enough to share your life with a rescued pet, you’ve probably wondered at some point what her life was like before you came along. You shudder to think that there was ever a moment of risk or uncertainty in her life. Then you hug her just a little bit closer.

Supporting Sonoma Humane Society’s Spay and Neuter Program is like giving a hug to pets in our community. Your donation provides affordable spay/neuter clinics for our low-income community members— people who also love their pets and want to prevent future generations of animals left vulnerable to homelessness in Sonoma County.

Please join the Community Foundation Sonoma County and The Ted and Joyce Picco Endowment Fund in making sure these critical services stay accessible to local pet lovers most in need of assistance. Together we are all making Sonoma County a safe place for animals!

Support the greater good by visiting sonomahumane.org. Click the DONATE button and select ‘Spay/Neuter Fund’ from the menu.

xo xo x o 8

OUR BELOVED FRIEND, MENTOR AND VP OF OPERATIONS DON MALONE

passed away in January and we are still feeling the incredible loss. In his personal life, Don loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed visiting microbreweries and following the A’s and the Raiders. In his professional life, he was appreciated for his nononsense work ethic and dry sense of humor and admired for his high level of integrity and expertise.

DON MALONE

photo © Crista Jeremiason for The Press Democrat

in remembrance

North Bay Pets

ready and willing to help—no matter what crazy question I had. There was one moment in particular when Don completely endeared himself to me. It was 2008, during my first year as Development Director, and we were having a difficult fundraising year. We launched a “phone-a-thon” to reach out to our donors and ask if they could consider making a donation. Knowing that Don was a very quiet and unassuming man, I realized that making phone calls to solicit donations was completely out of his comfort zone. I didn’t think he would want to join us. Much to my surprise, Don was the first staff member to volunteer! On top of that, he recruited his wife, Cindy, to join the team. That’s who he was—the kind of person who would do anything that was needed to help the organization and the animals—no matter how hard it might be. It was one of many traits we loved about Don.”

"HE WAS ALWAYS READY AND WILLING TO HELP – NO MATTER WHAT CRAZY QUESTION I HAD."

Don began his career with SHS as an Animal Control Officer in the early 1980’s when we were providing animal control services for Santa Rosa and Petaluma and housing strays for the County, which did not yet have its own shelter. Soon, he became a supervisor of animal control personnel and earned accreditation as a State Humane Officer, serving as the head of our Humane Investigations Department for a dozen years.

Over the years, Don saw many positive changes in the field of animal welfare. People became more sensitive to the needs of their pets and shifted from keeping them outside to allowing them to live indoors as family members.

He was also a leader for positive changes in our own protocols, playing an integral role in managing the building, completion and set up of our current Santa Rosa facility.

SHS Executive Director Cindy Roach describes Don’s depth of character, which is greatly missed. “During his 31 years at Sonoma Humane, Don witnessed an incredible evolution of sheltering standards and was very proud of what Sonoma Humane has become. His knowledge, both historical and technical, made him an invaluable and highly respected member of the sheltering community.

“I guess that’s why Don became my “go to” guy when I started working here nine years ago. I wore a pathway down the hall from my office to his and he was always

Don Malone (left) at his retirement party last year, with daughter Kristen, son Tyler and wife Cindy. That day, the SHS courtyard was dedicated as “The Don Malone Tail Waggin’ Zone” honoring his 31 years of service. Today, Don’s commitment to the animals continues to inspire.

9

North Bay Pets

The Butterfly Effect

are taking her for a hike or to the beach, that’s even better! She’s also keen to chase tennis balls and roll over for belly rubs. Once indoors she’s happy to settle in with a chew toy— and since you offered, yes, she would like to have her copper-colored coat brushed. She’ll even try to curl her powerful 75 lb. frame right into your lap, a move that melts your heart and brings a smile.

If you’re sensing that this athletic, smart and sensitive American Staffordshire mix has had quite an effect on us, you’re absolutely right! Butterfly was brought to our Healdsburg Center as a stray by a good Samaritan the week before Thanksgiving last year. It appeared she was a mama dog, but her puppies were nowhere in sight. Since that day, the two-year-old beauty has endeared herself to us as we helped her get back to the activities she was clearly born to enjoy.

10

While we were treating her for other medical issues at our Santa Rosa shelter hospital, Butterfly showed signs of joint trouble in one of her hind legs. She developed a limp that didn’t improve even after plenty of rest. Our veterinarian thought it could be due to a previous injury that never healed. After consulting with a local veterinary orthopedic specialist, it was determined that Butterfly had a torn ligament. In order to have the active life she thrived on, she would need to have a procedure known as TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) to

"Butters" has a touching moment with her advocate and foster mom, Linda

repair the ligament. To help Butterfly and SHS, the compassionate specialist offered to perform the surgery at a discounted rate.

Butterfly seems to inspire kindness like this in everyone she meets. Two people especially—our Foster Coordinator Linda Meehan and SHS volunteer dog walker Paul Bozzo—became her staunch advocates. The dedicated duo tag-teamed her foster care preand post-surgery, and Paul even ran a successful crowd-funding campaign to cover the cost of her surgery!

On the day of her procedure Paul paced the halls like a nervous dad, but Butterfly came through like a champ.

Linda said that the hardest part for Butterfly was her lengthy rehabilitation period. “To prevent re-injury, activity restriction was a crucial component of her recovery. For a large and active dog like Butterfly, limiting her activity proved challenging.” »

photos © The Labs & Co.

BUTTERFLY WANTS TO BE WHERE HER PEOPLE ARE. And if her people

North Bay Pets During her initial recovery she could be spotted in a comfy dog bed in Linda’s office, with a bandage on her leg and an e-collar around her big, beautiful head. On weekends, she took breaks from the shelter and went home with Paul where she was spoiled with homemade waffles and lots of love. She also benefitted from a lot of extra TLC from many of our other dog walkers and canine enrichment volunteers.

Radiographs indicate that Butterfly’s leg is healing nicely.

Little by little, her rehabilitation team has been able to increase her activity. At this writing, she is walking up to 30 minutes a day and will soon be up for more. She’s enjoyed outings to the Laguna, Bodega Bay and to Western Farm Center to pick out treats. For mental stimulation at the shelter, her friends have kept her engaged with quiet activities. She aces dog puzzles and egg carton “treasure hunts”, and can find any hidden treat! She has also made great strides in training: she knows “touch”, “sit”, “leave it” and how to wait at doorways on cue.

In the months that we’ve helped Butterfly heal, we’ve witnessed so many wonderful facets of her personality. What Linda has grown to love most “is the contrast between her powerful physical presence and her incredible tenderness, especially towards children. Watching the gentle way this beautiful dog interacts with children is truly awe-inspiring.” Paul echoes an admiration for her strong/soft dichotomy, “Oftentimes people see a big,

Butterfly goes nose-to-nose with her hiking buddy and foster dad, Paul.

"OFTENTIMES PEOPLE SEE A BIG, POWERFUL DOG LIKE BUTTERFLY AND TURN AWAY. BUT IF THEY JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO MEET AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH HER, THEY DISCOVER HOW MAGICAL SHE IS.” powerful dog like Butterfly and turn away. But if they just take a few minutes to meet and spend some time with her, they discover how magical she is.”

Thanks to our community’s support, we can be here for every animal who needs us. Some have a short stay at our shelter, the “fast trackers” who arrive in good health, requiring minimal medical attention or behavior support.

We love them with every fiber of our beings and find homes for them quickly. Others, like Butterfly are with us a little longer. Their beautifully complex personalities are revealed to us over time, much in the way it would happen with a family… only we know that a real home and a real family are what every animal truly deserves.

We are so honored to have helped Butterfly through this stage in her life and are excited that any day now she’ll find a family who will love her forever!

11

HAPPY TAILS

North Bay Pets

HOW BEATRICE BLOSSOMED For Beatrice, Halloween signaled the end of a scary situation and the beginning of a comfortable life ahead. The beautiful young cat was taken into protective custody as part of a hoarding and neglect case. In addition to being extremely frightened, she was in bad shape. She was underweight and had a severe flea infestation that was causing infected skin and hair loss. The process of healing her body and mind would take some time, but we hoped that with gentle care she would become healthy and learn to trust.

At first, our veterinarian and hospital care staff could not get close enough to Beatrice to examine her—she was too stressed out. She was hungry though, so they were able to give her antibiotics and anti-inflammatories through her food.

We felt Beatrice would benefit from being fostered onsite at SHS, so we set her up in our Development Director Melissa Dobar’s office. Melissa observed that “Beatrice would fit herself into the tiniest places to hide. All I could see was her little orange nose and big blue eyes… It took a little time and a lot of sweet talk, but slowly she started to come out—and eventually, she bloomed!”

With weeks of nurturing, Melissa began to see many facets of Beatrice’s personality emerge—silly, affectionate, playful, curious and brave. SHS Board Member Jim Barnes had mentioned to her that his beloved cat Punkin (adopted from SHS in 2008) had recently passed away. Melissa invited Jim and his wife to come meet Beatrice. “It was meant to be,” she said “there was an immediate connection between them!”

Beatrice’s “after” photos show a gloriously fluffy, healthy cat who is truly at ease in her new home, and Jim’s post-adoption report illustrates just how much this once neglected cat is now loved and appreciated. After two months of rehabilitation in Melissa’s office, Jim said “it only took Beatrice two days to rule the roost at our home. She is very vocal and loves to play, but still has a shy side. She hides when anyone

12

comes over, but comes right back out to be with us after they leave.” Proving just how comfortable she is in her new life, she’s even established a morning ritual with Jim—she jumps into his lap, tries to sneak a sip of his coffee, and then proceeds to “help” him read the newspaper.

LYRIC: LIVING IN HARMONY! Sometimes it almost seems like the universe conspires to bring certain people and pets together. This could explain how handsome Lyric, a 2-year-old Seal Point mix cat, and his wonderful adopter Kathy found each other…

Lyric came to us from a local emergency veterinary hospital where he’d been surrendered due to litterbox problems.

After running tests to rule out infection or blockage, our

North Bay Pets veterinarian determined that Lyric’s cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract, was probably due to stress—he was an anxious guy. So part of Lyric’s wellness plan included a rest stop in the quiet office of our Medical Practice Manager—and eventually finding a nice peaceful home to thrive in. Enter Kathy, who came to SHS looking for a small dog. During her search, she crossed paths with our aforementioned Practice Manager who quickly surmised that Kathy was just the type of calm, caring soul who needed to meet her furry office mate.

Wrong species notwithstanding, Lyric managed to put a song in Kathy’s heart with his sensitive yet chatty personality. “But what really compelled me to adopt Lyric was his behavior when I was leaving,” Kathy tells us, “he started meowing like he wanted me to stay! I put my name down to adopt him and found out that another family had wanted him as well. I was the back-up. I didn’t think I would get him. I told your staff member ‘if it’s supposed to be, then it will be!’“. Apparently the universe decided that it was meant to be—the other family changed their minds, Kathy brought Lyric home!

photo © Emmaline Jones

This love song continues as Lyric and Kathy find an easy-going rhythm.

Still chatty, Lyric becomes especially talkative when he wants to play—a laser light and a plush caterpillar-on-a-string are his favorite toys. And if Kathy hits the snooze button in the morning, he jumps up on her bed, stares at her and starts meowing. On the weekend, he’ll skip the vocals and let her sleep in. Sounds like a very harmonic convergence indeed!

KENNY: TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS With his huge brown eyes and beautiful Cattle Dog markings, Ken (now Kenny) attracted a lot of attention while he was at Sonoma Humane Society. But attention was the last thing this timid young dog wanted— something in his past made him very fearful of the world around him.

Over time, we learned how to make him feel more comfortable and he learned to put his trust in us. He was still frightened around new people and situations though, so we knew his future adopter would need to take the slow and gentle approach. When a couple we knew from a previous adoption came to meet him, we were hopeful. Turns out, their patience and experience were just what Kenny needed to feel safe and begin to enjoy stability and happiness for once in his young life. Their story, shared here, demonstrates that even for our animals who struggle to overcome challenging behaviors, with a little tenderness anything is possible!

“I first saw Kenny’s picture in the paper. We had just lost our beloved dog Tiva, and he reminded me of her. He had a sweet face and was covered with freckles and patches. We came to SHS to meet him. We took him for a walk and it was love at first sight for us. I’m not so sure it was love at first sight for Kenny! In fact, it was going to take a lot of work.

“For two weeks, I came to SHS to see him almost every afternoon. I took him for walks and sat with him. My husband joined me when he could.

13

The staff told us Kenny’s story. He had been picked up by the side of the road when he was about nine months old.

He had all the traits of an abused dog. He cowered and was afraid to get near people. He would just hide in the corner and shake. The more we got to know him, the more we knew he needed a home full of love and patience, and the more we wanted to be the ones to give it to him.

“Instead of special training, we decided from the start to let Kenny 'tell' us what he needed. We continue to let him set the pace and we encourage him. The first two days at home, he wouldn’t eat. I called SHS for help and found out that he loves hot dogs. I made him a special hot dog dinner and put it in another room so he could enjoy it alone. It was such a relief to hear him gobble it up! This step helped him go from not eating, to eating in a 'safe place' with no one around, to finally eating in the kitchen with us there.

“Creating safe places around the house has helped Kenny build confidence and trust. His favorite spot is our bed. The first night he was with us, we showed him his bed—replete with snacks and toys. He took one look and hopped up on our bed, where he has slept ever since. At bedtime, he makes sure that he gets there first then my husband and I have to work ourselves around him!

“Our yard is another safe place, but at first he was terrified.

It’s almost an acre and quite woodsy, so we initially took him outside on a leash. He would run back through the door, shaking and scared. Little by little he became more comfortable exploring the yard with my husband, and eventually was able to be off leash. Now he loves exploring as long as one of us is around, and goes out on his own for quick potty breaks.

HOPPY TRAILS BORIS! Most of us would agree: adopting a pet changes your life.

Pets bring out our kindest, most admirable qualities. They make us smile when we’re down, and offer us comfort and unconditional love. And in Mollie’s case, they might even help you land a new job!

Mollie and her daughter came to Sonoma Humane Society just to “look at” rabbits. Their previous bunny had recently passed away and they were just starting to think about bringing another one home. One bun in particular was determined to make an impression. “When entering the bunny room at SHS, this GIANT fluff ball came running up to the edge of his x-pen to say hello. He reminded me of a puppy wanting to play” Mollie recalls. An adoption counselor told

14

her that Boris was not quite ready to go home yet. The extra fluffy Angora had just arrived at the shelter and was scheduled for a grooming session to remove some severe matting in his fur. Mollie knew he was the one though, “he came flying out for rubs and love, even licking my rambunctious two year old daughter— he won my heart in that moment. He was bold, active and happy, even with the uncomfortable mats.

All he wanted was to be around people and to be loved.”

When Mollie came in to adopt Boris a week later, she asked about volunteering with SHS. She had been actively involved in rescue and fostering bottle baby pets, and working with dogs with behavior challenges at another organization. This conversation led to learning that we had a position open in our public training department, “so basically, Boris got me the job!”

While Mollie thought that welcoming Boris into their busy household (with two kids, two dogs, two cats!) might require a bit of a transition period, he instantly fit right in. That first day, as she was setting him up in his room, one of her cats jumped right in and bonded instantly, giving the bunny a “welcome home” bath. “Moving forward, he met the dogs and the other cat and they all get along great! He follows the dogs around sometimes even chasing them and engaging in play with them. When you call the dogs, Boris is always hot on their heels.” He also loves running around with the kids, or just hanging out on the couch with them.

While Mollie has been getting up to speed at her new job at SHS, Boris seems to have found a new vocation of his own—as Mollie’s foster assistant. “We recently had a fospice cat who was having a hard time staying warm. Surprisingly, Boris became really attached to him while he was in our home. He actually started sleeping with him which helped keep his temperature up.”

For this family, adopting a pet opened the door to some unexpected yet positive changes. “Boris by far has been the best and easiest addition to our family! We love every ounce of him!”

photo © Emmaline Jones

North Bay Pets

North Bay Pets

Snuggling at home

After a few weeks of TLC at SHS

COOKIE'S HAPPILY EVER AFTER Cookie is having a moment. Her adopter Kathleen has brought her to the shelter for a visit and her fan club emerges to exclaim how pretty she looks and to sink our fingers into her plush coat. Cookie loves seeing her old friends at Sonoma Humane Society and basks in all the fawning. It makes us feel special, but apparently the beautiful Siberian Husky loves everyone. Kathleen tells us “she’s gracious and charming in stores and other public places. Young, old, men, women… she knows kids will fuss over her too and she works it, sitting down with her nose tilted up, tail wagging. I call her a diva.”

Cookie

when

she ar

rived a t SHS

We set about giving her the medical attention she was in desperate need of. In the months that she was with us, Cookie grew healthy. She gained weight—and admirers—along the way, including Kathleen. Upon meeting Cookie, she felt an instant connection. She did some soul-searching and consulted with our veterinarian to make sure she was ready to take over the middle-aged dog’s long term health and behavior needs. Happily, it turned out to be just the right fit and Cookie now has all the love and stability she needs to thrive.

Kathleen tells us that she loves Cookie for her calm, civiIt took months to get Cookie to this moment of well-being lized demeanor, her cozy morning laziness and for being and contentment. The beautiful Si“smarter than the average bear”. Cookie enjoys berian Husky arrived at SHS undernaps, backyard gopher patrol and going for car She is warm and solid weight with multiple other health rides. And she loves her stuffed hedgehog toys. and reminds me of what problems. In an unstable living situIn return she is “a natural comfort dog”, her very is right with the world. ation, she was something of an espresence is reassuring to her human companion.

And she smells good. cape artist. She was surrendered to “She is warm and solid and reminds me of what is us by her previous owner who, having struggles of her own, right with the world. And she smells good.” We believe every wanted to give her beloved dog a chance to have a better animal should be treasured and appreciated like this. life. It was a courageous step and she took comfort knowing In our 2016 Annual Report you’ll see the numbers that tell Cookie would be well cared for. our story, each one representing a moment in an animal’s Cookie’s harsh reality had manifested itself in the dull, matted life. Like Cookie’s time with us, these moments have left evfur and foxtails that covered her body, in fractured teeth, and ery animal forever changed—and have given way to a lifein digestive problems that kept her system from absorbing time of security, health, friendship and love. adequate nutrition. In spite of her condition, she had lovely We are grateful for your support. Together we are making manners and a gentle personality—clearly, this highly intelthese moments possible! ligent dog knew how to love and trust.

“

“

» Annual

2016 Report

15

North Bay Pets

2016 Shelter Capacity: 240

Annual Report

Live Release Rate: 96%

TOTAL ANIMALS RESCUED:

292

DERS

FERS

N

882

RES C

NS

SURRE

OM OT ER

A

1,103

FR

OWNER

R AY S

H

ST

UE

E

N

2,277

HOM

330

ED

IMALS

TUR

N

RE

S TRA

1,506 Foster Pets & 219 Fospice Pets EDUcation programs

1,416 People Served

219

summer + winter camps

125

youth tours + outreach

91

mentoring + community service

176 School Site Visits • 150 Adult Site Visits • 655 Library Visits 16

Animal Assisted Activity Program:

North Bay Pets

MEDICAL CARE

2,202

$23,594

2,554

shelter animals with medical needs

animals served at public hospital

Charity medical services rendered

volunteers 70,522 volunteer hours

726 volunteers

34 Equivalent FT Employees $1,945,700 Equivalent Compensation*

FORGET ME NOT FARM

380

CHILDREN SERVED

BEHAVIOR + TRAINING

899

14

SHELTER DOGS TRAINED

AGENCIES SERVED

987

public DOGS TRAINED

SPAY AND NEUTER

*Based on the estimated value of volunteer time for 2016, per Independent Sector

-

Low

610

Co

st C l

2,106

ic

shel

hos

in

t

er

ta l

130

p

al

pub

hos

pi

ic

it

l

Total Spay and Neuter Surgeries: 2,846

17

North Bay Pets

Annual Reportcontinued INCOME Donations, Events, Bequests, Endowments + GrantS

$2,038,634

46%

Hospital, Adoption, Training & Service Fees

$2,022,616

46%

City Contracts $242,770 6%

2016 board of directors

Pet Supply Shop Sales $88,011 2%

Evelyn Mitchell, President

Investments and Rental Income/Loss

Shannon Tracey, Vice President

$2,240

<1%

Total: $4,394,271 100%

Kathy Yerger, Secretary John Prouty, Treasurer

EXPENSES*

Kati Aho

Adoptions and Animal Care

$4,277,730

78%

Education, Outreach + Abuse PreventioN

$364,308

7%

Jim Barnes Darlene Brazil

Management and General $448,976 8%

Brent Cassell

Donor Development and Fundraising

Johnny Drake

$370,854

7%

Total: $5,461,868 100%

Chris Kittredge Maren McCloud

85¢ of every dollar donated goes directly to help homeless animals get the medical attention, behavior support and adoption services they need to go on to live full, happy lives with loving families. It also supports our efforts to prevent animal abuse and neglect through humane education.

Grants Received: (2016) Community Foundation Sonoma County, The Glide Foundation, Petco Foundation, The Sebastopol Sunrise Rotary Club, The Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals Join us today—your support makes second chances possible!

Contact Melissa Dobar, Director of Development, at (707) 577-1911 or mdobar@sonomahumane.org.

Donate online by visiting sonomahumane.org and clicking donate.

income goals established in the Society’s 2015/2016 budget were not * The achieved. Our revenue performance was affected by the following factors:

• Projected revenue growth from an expansion of Public Hospital services was less than budgeted.

• Bequest distributions expected in the 15/16 year were delayed into 16/17.

• The Society chose to invest in shelter and adoption services for the City of

Healdsburg, which utilized cash reserve funds to complete construction of the Healdsburg Center for Animals.

18

Marty Olhiser Robert Quail

Santa Rosa 5345 Hwy 12 W Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 542-0882 Healdsburg 555 Westside Road Healdsburg, CA 95448 (707) 431-3386 sonomahumane.org Tax-ID# 94-6001315

North Bay Pets

19

North Bay Pets

Q&A: MEET LINDSAY MCCALL

At Sonoma Humane Society we work hard to provide best sheltering practices for the animals in our care. Simultaneously, we work hard to place them into loving and well-matched homes. Recognizing that shorter lengths of shelter stay are better for the wellbeing of our animals (and enable us to save more animals!), we continually seek ways to shorten the distance between “homeless” and “home”.

Enter Lindsay McCall. As our new Director of Animal Care, Lindsay brings a broad scope of experience to SHS. In addition to overseeing our Canine and Feline Behavior Programs, and our Foster Care and Animal Care Programs, she’s helping us streamline our processes and open more pathways to adoption. We’re thrilled to have her on board and to introduce her to you here!

Q: What led you to a career working with animals?

A: About 12 years ago I was seeking a career change that would help me feel a sense of passionate fulfillment because, while working in the coffee industry was satisfying my joy of caffeine and delicious beverages, it didn’t have much of an impact on my heart. I was considering going back to school for a degree in biology or working towards becoming a veterinarian.

In high school I volunteered at a small private animal shelter.

This had always resonated with me as a field that needed more advocates and change, so I applied at every shelter, vet clinic and boarding facility within a 50 mile radius of my home in Oakland. I was lucky enough to find a private practice in Berkeley that welcomed me on as a team member for their after-hours emergency veterinary services. Seeing the dedication and hard work that went into caring for animals in critical situations was an awe-inspiring introduction to the field of Animal Care. I never looked back.

Q: Tell us about your background in Shelter Population Management. What aspects of sheltering does your expertise encompass?

A: Working as a veterinary technician, I had animal health and preventative care knowledge in my (symbolic) toolbox

20

when I began work at a very large private animal shelter in Southern California. Here I quickly learned about herd health management and the behavioral needs of companion animals in a shelter environment—the two routinely have a symbiotic relationship. Combining these aspects of animal care came easily to me because I was surrounded by enthusiastic and knowledgeable mentors.

Through boots-on-the-ground learning plus trial and error, shelter population management was the next lucky step for me. My background includes oversite and practice in neonatal kitten care, foster home management, behavior modification, training and enrichment, trap/neuter/release and barn cat placement for feral or community cats, and working side by side with animal control officers and veterinarians on neglect cases. I’ve even had training in safe handling practices of indigenous wildlife. I’ve assisted in large scale rescues and saving pets from inhumane conditions.

And responding to and continuing education in providing emergency response for pets in need during natural disasters is an ongoing process.

While most of my daily work is focused on placing animals in homes best suited for their needs, there are many aspects to sheltering—like being there for a pet owner when they must relinquish their beloved pet. I’ve also been fortunate to have been involved in community safety net programs

North Bay Pets to keep pets with their families such as low/no cost vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, free vet services and pet food pantries. I am here not only to serve pets in need, but to advocate for owners as well. I want to help facilitate a long lasting bond for animals and the people who care for them.

Q: What brought you to Sonoma County and Sonoma Humane Society?

A: Having an opportunity to help a growing shelter that is moving in such a progressive direction called to me personally. And the scenery up here? Not too shabby if you ask me!

Seriously though, joining the impactful efforts of Sonoma Humane Society is why my three pets and I made the move up to Sonoma County.

Q: What is your role in helping SHS function as a no-kill shelter? How are you helping us expand our reach to save even more lives?

A: Being with a group of people who think about an animal’s needs first is such an asset in providing the best care. As Director of Animal Care, I’m focusing on creating alternatives to placement, intake and creative ways of facilitating more adoptions. Fast tracking animals through our system, breaking barriers to adoption, providing support for owned and stray animals through multiple resources and relationships—these practices all help expand our reach by bringing in and adopting out animals with a shorter length of stay.

This allows us to help the many more animals who need us.

Q: Describe what a typical work week looks like for you.

A: I’ve been so busy learning all the systems used by SHS and how I can shed new light on some of the processes.

I’ve been helping create and implement new policies and procedures, and have been working with everyone to determine what’s best for each individual pet in our care. I’m working with staff to revamp our intake systems and with our Behavior and Training team to look at the way we track and report behaviors about the pets in our care. And coordinating animal transfers and intake is my favorite part of my week!

are the moments that make me forget about the struggles and backaches. How lucky are we to advocate for these pets and their families, and be surrounded by people who do the same!

Q: Tell us about your pets!

A: I have a 12-year-old brindle Pit/Staffie cross named Franki who keeps a smile on my face. She’s small but she is a handful! I adopted her from Oakland Animal Services when she was about one or two. She has some special needs that require extra attention. She travels with me most everywhere, and naps in my office while I work away throughout the day. She’ll greet you at my office door to perform the “Franki Variety Show” which includes high fives, rolling over, and pretty much any dance move she comes up with, assuming it will get her a treat. She loves every pet she meets, and I feel very lucky to have been with her for over 10 years.

Franki and I also live with a cat named GoGo, who is as feisty as she is unique! A big gorgeous smoke tabby, she’s very vocal and has all the attributes of every lively kitty I’ve ever had all rolled into one soft, sassy lady! I also have a Bearded Dragon Named Rojo, whose age is unknown due to the circumstances of how he was found (running around on a Southern Californian golf course). I’ve had him for 7 years, and he has even spent a few summers helping kids learn about pets at humane education camps!

Franki gives Lindsay a reassuring smooch.

photos © The Labs & Co.

Q: You bring such a positive attitude to your work. What is your personal strategy to meet the demands of our field with a smile on your face?

A: When I was new to this field I used to internalize my feelings about the devastation I saw, and what was happening in the world of animal neglect. But then I realized that the more we are able to achieve, and the harder we work, the bigger the impact we can make. We are all here to help and work toward saving animals. No one can do this by being upset at all the injustice, so I try instead to focus on the positive impact we are able to create. Sometimes our victories are small, but every single one is worth celebrating.

Advocating for animals makes the small, day-to-day struggles disappear. I vividly remember the first time I saw a dog play with a toy after years of living in confinement—these

21

from the

News

North Bay Pets

HEALDSBURG CENTER

CRICKET: LOST AND FOUND! Healdsburg Center Manager Alison Lane shares this wonderful story of how our volunteers came together to bring a newly adopted lost dog home!

“Sweet Cricket was adopted from the Healdsburg Center on a Wednesday. On Thursday, she and her adopter went to enjoy some outdoor time on their raised deck. Her adopter had a broken foot at the time and was maneuvering with crutches which got caught on something and he took a fall. It startled both of them—he lost hold of Cricket’s leash and she bolted off the deck. He tried to call her back but by the time he was back on his feet, she had decided to go exploring and he couldn’t catch her.

“Friday, three of our volunteers went out in the pouring rain to look for her. A neighbor reported seeing Cricket briefly that day, but that was the only sighting. They agreed to meet on Saturday morning to look again. The adopter lives on Dry Creek where there are a lot of wineries, so they wanted to canvas the area to make sure she didn’t get caught on anything. We emailed our volunteers to seek more help and three more signed up to join the search efforts. They brought one of the shelter dogs, Elfin with them. He and Cricket had been good friends at the Healdsburg Center, so we thought it might help if she could catch a glimpse or a whiff of him. The adopter was so grateful for all the help,

especially since he was unable to go very far because of his foot, that he gave the Healdsburg Center a $50 donation.

“They talked to all the neighbors and put up flyers. They walked through the vineyards behind the houses along Dry Creek. One volunteer, Eric, decided to walk up along the road. He caught sight of Cricket on the porch of one of the houses and was able to pick her up and bring her back to the group! When he was walking back towards them, they could tell he had something in his arms but were afraid to jump to any conclusions, but when he got closer, they could tell he had Cricket! She was a little cold and a little wet, but unharmed. The adopter was thrilled to be reunited with her! It was such a relief to have found her and gotten her back home safe. Everyone was ecstatic!”

How amazing are our volunteers? We are so grateful for the way they rallied to find Cricket and bring her to safety! Would you like to join our dedicated Healdsburg heroes? Find out how at sonomahumane.org/help/volunteer.

READ TO A DOG PROGRAM! Do you have a young reader at home? Join us on the 4th Saturday of each month at the Healdsburg Center for Animals for our Read to a Dog program. Bring a book (or borrow one from our library) and settle in with a certified

22

Animal Assisted Activity dog.

Dogs are non-judgmental and great listeners. They can help students gain confidence, self-esteem and develop a reading habit. Children of all ages are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions? Call our Humane Education Coordinator, Beth Karzes, at (707) 577-1902.

North Bay Pets

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HEALDSBURG CENTER FOR ANIMALS!

TRAINING CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE!

ZEUS: COMPASSION COMES FULL CIRCLE

We are one! June 18th marks one year since officially opening the doors of our Healdsburg Center! We are so honored and grateful to be a part of this compassionate community!

Looking for ways to help us sustain our lifesaving work? Please contact Development Director, Melissa Dobar, at mdobar@ sonomahumane.org for more information.

We’re so excited to be expanding our program offerings at the Healdsburg Center for Animals. Be sure to check out our calendar of events at http://sonomahumane. org/about-us/event-calendar for upcoming training classes and workshops, including our popular Companion Dog Series and Pet First Aid Workshop!

Zeus was brought to the Healdsburg Center after being found alone under a bridge. We later discovered that his previous owner was a homeless man who’d recently passed away. The senior boxer was in a lot of pain due to arthritis and many other medical issues. He came to our Santa Rosa Center for the veterinary care he needed to heal and be happy. We are thrilled to report that Zeus was adopted into a loving home that includes a canine sister to pal around with!

top photos from left to right: © MKM & Associates, © Iona Simpson, © Sumner Fowler

23

North Bay Pets

F THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU AT OUR WAGS, WHISKERS AND WINE GALA!

rom the moment you turn down the gravel drive and enter the lush vineyards at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville you sense something special is about to happen. Approaching the Italianate grounds, you notice the twinkling lights, music and laughter floating on the warm August air. Just when you think you’ve made a wrong turn and ended up in Tuscany, you’re welcomed with big smiles, a glass of champagne and the purr of a tiny kitten. It’s here that you realize you’re right at home, surrounded by friends at Sonoma Humane Society’s Wags, Whiskers and Wine Gala!

You mix and mingle with guests on two legs and four. You can’t resist sampling delicious appetizers, or getting smooches from the festively attired Chihuahuas at the Kissing Booth! Make your way into the pavilion for more fun and to check out the intriguing array of silent auction items. Soon, you’ll sit down to a delectable wine country dinner

by Elaine Bell, and hear inspiring words from SHS directors about the lifesaving work that

24

North Bay Pets YOU are a part of. Save room for dessert as the lively, fast-paced auction kicks off—you’ll need the energy to keep up! Your heart is full to share such a beautiful evening with your compassionate community, coming together to make sure all animals get the love, care and brighter future they deserve.

photos © Kevin Baksa

There’s a place for you at our Wags, Whiskers and Wine Gala on August 4th! For details, please visit sonomahumane.org/gala.

25

North Bay Pets

Prairie Rose A loving tribute offers hope and healing for homeless pets

P

rairie Rose was up for anything. Whether the adventure involved a road trip or something more routine like chasing a tennis ball, she was always ready for fun. More than anything though, she loved being in the company of her family—a couple who loved her for her social, funny, loving and loyal nature. They took their rescued Cattle Dog with them everywhere and, in the dozen years they shared together, only spent one night away from her. Her special, familiar presence made an indelible imprint on their hearts.

One poignant reality we face as humans lies in outliving our pets. In the time they’re with us we form strong bonds and indescribable soul filling connections. And when it’s time for them to go, our pain is deep. Gradually, as our hearts heal we move to replace raw grief with good memories—a process that is different for each of us.

Prairie Rose’s family was looking to honor their beloved dog’s memory in a meaningful way. As compassionate animal lovers and supporters of Sonoma Humane Society, the idea of making a donation in her name really resonated for them.

During a tour of SHS, they were drawn to the work being done in our shelter hospital. Prairie Rose had always received quality veterinary care and they recognized the important role it played in her quality of life. They learned that 80% of the animals who come into our care require medical attention. We discussed how we regularly outsource certain diagnostic testing and were looking to improve our intake and veterinarian space to help more animals. They knew this was where they wanted to make a difference.

They chose to provide a gift that would allow us to purchase lifesaving diagnostic equipment and create a new Shelter Medical Intake Suite. This suite will be the first point of care for homeless animals entering our shelter—a comforting space for animals which will help them feel safe and begin their path to good health and new beginnings. In honor of this special gift, we are dedicating it to their dearest Prairie Rose.

Prairie Rose meant the world to her family. Her loving spirit will reside forever in their hearts. And now, through their kindness, her spirit will reside here at Sonoma Humane Society as well—helping countless animals find hope, healing—and ultimately—families of their own in the years to come.

26

North Bay Pets

Workday at Forget Me Not Farm

By Odessa Gunn Farm resident Raymond took a moo-ment to survey the crewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress.

Forget Me Not Farm was honored to have employees from the cloud-based software giant, Salesforce, volunteer for a day of service this past April. We were in awe of the Salesforce team and how they worked together to overhaul the production gardens at the Farm. Odessa Gunn, Vice President of FMNFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Directors, shares her observations of this impressive company and their equally impressive team members.

T

he Salesforce workday at the Forget Me Not Farm was an eyeopening experience for me. This amazing company has an incredible philanthropic model. They believe that giving back is actually beneficial to their bottom line. This excerpt from salesforce.org sums it up: "Salesforce.org is based on a simple idea: Leverage Salesforce's technology, people, and resources to help improve communities around the world. We call this integrated philanthropic approach the 1-1-1 model."

I learned that the company pays each of their employees to volunteer seven days per year. When you add that up for a growing company of 25,000 employees, it has a massive impact. The employees can decide to do a team event like the one at our farm or they can volunteer individually for a nonprofit of their choice. They also give generously through their grant program. It's pretty incredible in a world where most huge companies don't seem to have such an evolved vision.

On a smaller scale, I was really impressed

by their enthusiasm and work ethic. They were working at top speed the entire time, moving heavy hay bales and shoveling piles of soil with a constant stream of wheel barrels buzzing back and forth from the production gardens to the soil. It was a flurry of activity. I could feel they were happy to be here and more importantly, they knew they were making a difference.

It taught me that there is a much better way to do business and that some companies really truly care. It's something I will never forget.

Keysight Technologies is proud to have supported the Sonoma Humane Society and its Healdsburg Center in recent years through donations of office equipment and sponsorship of a retired industry professional, who helped strengthen Society programs.

27

BEQUESTS

North Bay Pets

October 2016–May 2017 Margaret L. Adams Family Trust

Everett H. Gregory Trust

The Roy Bibby and Perri Bibby Trust

The Marilyn and Roger Koehn Trust

The Harry J.B. Cook Trust

Estate of Katherine McMahon

Ronald and Catherine Fitzgerald Trust

Susan P. Melvin Family Trust

Gandola Family Trust

Estate of Robert Watson

Estate of Clay M. Greene

The J. Russell Wherritt Trust

sonoma humane society’s

veterinary hospital HERE FOR your pet every step of the way • Vaccinations • Microchipping • Parasite prevention and control photo © Sumner Fowler

• Nutrition counseling • Dental Care • Diagnostic Services: x-rays, bloodwork, ultrasounds • Pain Management • Wellness visits and preventative care

W

hether your pet is a new kitten or puppy, a sweet senior, or at any stage in between, Sonoma Humane Society’s Veterinary Hospital is here for them every step of the way! Partner with our professional staff to give your furry family member the most comprehensive care possible!

Our public veterinary hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association for meeting the highest standards of excellence! (Only 12% of animal hospitals in the US and Canada are accredited.) Not only can you feel good about giving your pet the highest quality care, you can feel good knowing that proceeds from your visits directly support the medical care of animals in our shelter hospital!

Ready to take the first step in giving your pet the very best care for a long and happy life? Call Sonoma Humane Society’s Veterinary Hospital today! (707) 284-1198, or visit sonomahumanevet.org for more information.

28

+

North Bay Pets

photo © Chris Kittredge

Evelyn and husband Tom, with their dogs Eli and Buddy.

E V E LY N M I T C H E L L : A DECADE OF COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP

Little did Evelyn Mitchell know when she attended a Sonoma Humane Society fundraiser years ago that it would lead to a decade of volunteering and, in fact, becoming our “chief volunteer”! In a serendipitous moment during the event, she ran into a friend and former MBA classmate who was serving on our board of directors. With a deep compassion for animals and having previously served on two nonprofit boards herself, Evelyn was excited to learn that we were not only looking for a board member, but someone to fill the role of treasurer. With her professional background in CFO/Controller services, she was the perfect fit!

After five years as our treasurer, she took her commitment to the next level. As board president, Evelyn has spent the past five years making sure that our mission has stayed on course, philosophically as well as fiscally. She’s proud of the work we have achieved together: “SHS is a premier organization doing great work. The dedication of the staff and volunteers

impresses me every day. The fact that we are a no-kill shelter is a source of pride. We leave no stone unturned to help an animal and we work hard to develop every resource. This is an amazing organization to be part of.”

This summer, Evelyn will be stepping down from her role as board president. We are truly grateful for her tenure of service. SHS Executive Director Cindy Roach expresses what we are all feeling: “Evelyn is an incredibly hard working board member and fully engaged board president. She has been instrumental through many different periods of the Sonoma Humane Society’s history; helping us to overcome financial challenges, supporting the growth of our no-kill programs, and leading the expansion of our services into the Healdsburg community. She feels a deep responsibility and commitment to the organization and she contributes on every level: physically, emotionally and financially. To show that level of dedication for 10 years is exceptional!”

THANK YOU EVELYN! 29

North Bay Pets

30

North Bay Pets

ur camps are designed to foster respect, compassion, and kindness towards all living beings. Campers participate in behind-the-scenes activities at the shelter, attend field trips to local animal care organizations and learn from guest speakers. Our goal is to share the world of animal care and welfare to future generations in a safe, fun, and hands-on learning environment! Learn more at sonomahumane.org/camps

Insuring futures since

1965

& Brown & Brown/SML Insurance Agency

is proud to support

the Sonoma Humane Society 3554 Round Barn Blvd., Suite 309 | Santa Rosa, CA 95403 www.bbnca.com

31

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Sonoma Humane Society 5345 Hwy 12 West Santa Rosa, CA 95407

PAID Sonoma Humane Society

Return Service Requested

5345 Hwy 12 West | Santa Rosa, CA 95407 | 707-542-0882 | www.sonomahumane.org 555 Westside Road | Healdsburg, CA 95448 | 707-431-3386 | www.sonomahumane.org/hbg The Sonoma Humane Society does not receive funding from national organizations such as HSUS or ASPCA. We depend on donations from our local community. North Bay Pets is a publication of the Sonoma Humane Society. © Copyright 2017 | All rights reserved.

THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU AT OUR WAGS, WHISKERS AND WINE GALA!

TICKETS sonomahumane.org/gala