This season's shift brings not only back-to-school vibes, but also a chance to settle back into steady rhythms with your furry friends. This month, we're excited to collaborate with Pet Food Express for their Virtual Pet Fair, making it easier than ever to bring home a cuddly companion to keep warm with during the brisk autumn days ahead. As folks return to school, so do Valley Humane Society's Pet Therapy teams, and the demand for these visits—bringing comfort and support to students of all ages—is at an all-time high. Would you and your dog like to add Pet Therapy at local elementary schools to your fall schedule? It's time to pour a cup of your favorite fall beverage, find a cozy spot, and read on for September's updates, filled with pet love, community, and the soothing comfort of a return to routine after a busy summer.
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September is Pet Food Express Virtual Pet Fair Month |
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Join Valley Humane Society for Pet Food Express' annual Virtual Pet Fair! From September 1 to 30, we're teaming up with Pet Food Express to provide special adoption promos. Every dog or cat goes home with a $25 bonus gift from Pet Food Express on top of the 20% off coupon our adopters usually receive! In addition, each adoption earns our organization a $25 donation from Pet Food Express.
Lots of adorable adoptable cats and dogs are looking for a new home, so be sure to share the news with friends and family who may be looking for furry new friends!
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Back to School with Pet Therapy |
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Valley Humane Society's Canine Comfort Pet Therapy teams provide stress relief to students, as well as improve reading skills through Paws to Read sessions. To ensure we can continue to regularly provide this much-needed free service to local students, Valley Humane is looking for more people to become program volunteers. If you have your own friendly dog and would like to team up to support Tri-Valley students, please consider volunteering as part of our Canine Comfort Pet Therapy program. Learn more about the program and how you can sign up to help!
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Around here, we’re used to saying goodbye. After all, one of our main jobs is to send as many cats and dogs into new homes as we can. But sending pets off with a smile and a wave in the arms of a loving family is so much easier, though no less permanent, than other kinds of goodbyes we sometimes have to make. Not long ago, we experienced the other kind—with a kind-hearted, gentle giant named Junior, who was lucky enough to spend his final days lavished in comfort and affection.
Junior was more than 10 years old when he arrived at Valley Humane Society, and he had certainly seen better days. After receiving a vet checkup, dental cleaning, and a much-needed grooming, Junior was ready for a new family to fall in love with him. Because of his large size, however, we eventually sent him to live in a foster home for his own comfort when he didn’t get adopted right away. Over time, however, as age and health concerns prevailed, it became clear that Junior’s foster caregiver would become his hospice caregiver.
Ultimately, it was Junior’s deterioration from colon cancer that led us to make the most difficult decision anyone can make on behalf of their pets. By that time, Valley Humane foster volunteer Juliet Beacham, along with both her human and canine family, had cared for him for more than a year. Along the way, they were helped by the Linke family who fostered Junior when the Beachams were on vacation. Even Juliet’s father had spent time with Junior, taking him for slow senior walks, visiting the Livermore airfield with him and bringing him special jerky snacks.
In addition to the Beacham and Linke families, many people were involved in Junior’s care along the way. Valley Humane is deeply grateful to each one for their generosity of spirit and compassionate caretaking that made Junior’s life safe and happy right up to the end. We also thank Dr. Vanessa Wensing for her assistance in helping Junior pass peacefully from this world in the final home he would ever know. Thank you all for loving Junior and for sharing his incredible journey with us. And goodbye, Junior…if home is where the heart is, you’ve got a place with us forever.
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Support Animals in Need
Give back this fall by bolstering Valley Humane's Medical Assistance Fund. It supports vital treatments for select clients of Valley Humane's Phil Scholz Veterinary Surgery Center, as well as shelter animals whose medical needs require off-site services. Your kindness ensures their needs are met and keeps pets out of shelters! Thank you for your support to save lives in our community.
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Processing Pet Loss
The death of a companion animal can be utterly devastating, and grieving is a natural human process and a vital part of healing. The Tri-Valley Community Pet Loss Support Group creates a safe place to share memories, learn the grieving process, and find ideas to memorialize a pet. Find support as you honor your grief and eventually move forward with your life. You can learn more by visiting their website.
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Workplace Giving
Did you know? You may be able to double your donation to Valley Humane Society through your employer's corporate matching gift program! Many companies have programs to promote philanthropic giving by employees, and will match donations. Check with your human resources or accounting department to see if your company offers a gift matching program to double your charitable contribution!
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FEATURED ADOPTABLE ANIMALS |
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BREE: female dog, small , mixed
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BOB: male cat, long hair/mix
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