Humane Society Silicon Valley

Wordless Wednesday

2012-03-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Caturday - Squeaky Clean

2012-03-17T09:00:00.003-07:00

Every kiss has a story.

Brought in as a stray Squeaky was not readily trusting. While accepting of our petting, she didn't seem to enjoy hands on her. She would look out her window with dilated wide-eyes not sure what was going on.

To make her comfortable, we built her blanket forts out of bedding and boxes so she felt safe and invisible. She wanted to watch us without being seen. You could see her thinking "what ARE these strange pink creatures who bring me food and take away my poop". She studied us closely, curiosity slowly taking over from fear.

Then the day came when she leaned in to our hands, participating in the petting. Her whole world clicked, people are awesome! Or at least the ones she sees everyday who bring her nummies. Squeaky is currently looking for her forever person to continue to show her cats with people have it the best. Stop by our Sunnyvale Satellite and see if she'll share her kisses with you.

I am Cherry - and I found a home

2012-03-16T13:24:00.003-07:00

Do you remember me? I was lost, and then the Humane Society got me, and now I found a new home.

My new Mommy gave me a name that is so wonderful... “Bashful”. I was starting to get worried that I wasn’t going to join a new family because I was here at the Humane Society for three months…which seems like forever! The people here are very nice though, especially the lady that was fostering me in the Homeward Bound Program. If it wasn’t for my Foster Mommy, Jaime Allen, and Humane Society Silicon Valley, I don’t know where I’d be right now. And to my new Mommy…thanks for picking ME!

My bed, or “throne” is black & white tiger stripes with pink.

My new Mommy is great! She made several visits here so that I could get used to her before she took me home. She even brought me treats (I ate them out of her hands & off of her lap). All of her peeps say that I’m spoiled, but I think it’s just cause she loves me so much. We make a great fit (she’s “High Maintenance” too, just like me). She says that since I’m a big girl now & listening really good that I can be just like her…a rocker “Fashionista.” I think that’s why her peeps think I’m spoiled…my Mommy likes to shop for me since I’m her first dog (and girlie dog, at that!).

Boy does she have a lot of clothes. At first, when I was with my foster mom, I didn’t really like wearing clothes. But now, Mommy brings home all these cute, sparkly outfits & lots of things with skulls on them. Oh…and lots & lots of pink, see?

As you may know, when I came here I was very shy & afraid of everything…I’m getting so much better & my shyness is starting to turn into spunkiness. I let Mommy touch me whenever she wants & I’m always wagging my tail. I run around the house, jump onto the sofa & also jump onto Mommy’s bed.

Mom is a shopaholic, and now I'm a DIVA!

There’s also an old guy (her Grandpa) who lives there & helps take care of me when Mommy is at work. I’m getting more & more comfortable with him too…I even let him scratch my chin when he calls me. He tells Mommy what a good girl I am when she gets home since I never ever bark. Well…there was this one time…but it was cause I had to go potty!

There’s also two cats & a girl dog named Abbie. She kinda looks like me except she’s about five times bigger. She says she’s going to join Doggy Weight Watchers…but I don’t think that’s going to happen cause she likes treats too much (just like me).

I was all decked out in my pink and green camo

Oh my gosh! I almost forgot to tell you about my first outing with Mommy & Papa. We went to Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. I love riding in cars…even though I always fall asleep. We sure did a lot of walking that day. Papa & I were pooped. There were a lot of people there & they kept looking at me & admiring my snazzy outfit.

Anyway, I just wanted to update you all on my great news & great progress that I have made so far! I know Jaime will be so proud of me. Mommy still keeps in touch with her & sends her cute pictures of me all dolled up or just being my cute little self. Thanks again to my Foster Mommy & my other buddy Casaundra Cruz, for making my dreams come true.

Love,

Bashful and my new mommy, Chantel

Wordless Wednesday

2012-03-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Caturday - Jazmin

2012-03-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Looking to add to your cattery? Jazmin has no trouble making new feline friends. She's currently sharing a room with three bouncy youngsters since her more mature roommates were adopted this week. Jazmin's laid back attitude also allows hands of all sizes to pet her all over. Meet her at our Satellite Adoption Center inside PETCO Sunnyvale.

Caturday - Bill

2012-03-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Every cat owner knows that look. Those are crazy eyes. About to zoom through the house after invisible monsters eyes. Those eyes say I have fun things to do! Bill is looking for long hallways to run down, stairs to climb, and bookshelves to scale.

He's the kind of kitty that wants you to hear all about his adventures. With plenty to say and lots of energy to burn Bill is an overgrown kitten. And he's not ready to grow up!

You can meet Bill at our Animal Community Center in Milpitas. Bring him some fuzzy mice or crinkly balls to watch him in action.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-29T09:00:00.002-08:00

Feline Foster Parent classes start Sunday!

Caturday - Eleanor

2012-02-25T09:00:00.005-08:00

Can you see the cat in this photo? Here's a hint, both little girls have their hands on her.

Eleanor is a laid-back love bug who will seeek out anyone who wants to give her pets. She's currently stealing hearts at our Saratoga Satellite, and invites humans big and small to give her cuddles.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-22T09:00:00.002-08:00

Caturday - Jingles, Shadow, Cabbage

2012-02-18T09:00:00.007-08:00

It's Caturday, let's celebrate by taking a look at a few of our cats who our medical staff have helped.

Meet Jingles, she's looking for a very special home where she can feel safe and secure as she's unable to see. She can get around just fine once she figures out where everything is. To help her out, you'd want to keep things in the same place - her stuff and yours! Jingles is at our Animal Community Center in Milpitas.

This is Shadow and he's wants cuddles. His hair is growing back beautifully as he recovers from a flea allergy. We've found a monthly treatment of advantage was all it took to clear up his itchy skin. He loves to play, pounce, and jump now that he's feeling better. He also enjoys backrubs and will chat with you as you give him scratches. Shadow is at our Sunnyvale Satellite.

Cabbage is the queen of our Saratoga Satellite. And special cats sometimes need special food. For Cabbage, she is on a diet that helps regulate her kidneys to keep her healthy. She has started to grace our volunt

eers by sitting on their laps and receiving pets. Her favoriate toys are little plastic rings, you may not even know you had some in the house - but she'll be sure to find them all.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Bunnies Back at Sunnyvale

2012-02-08T17:00:00.001-08:00

Come down to our Sunnyvale Satellite and see who's hopping!

Charlotte and Marlita were moved into newly set up rabbit pens this week and are awaiting their forever homes. With rabbits at all three of our locations now, it's the perfect time find some-bunny to love.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

1 Chihuahua, 2 Chihuahua, Red Chihuahua, Long-over due Chihuahua

2012-01-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

Chihuahua's come in all shapes and sizes. At HSSV, you have your choice!

Some chis are small,

Some chis can carry quite the haul,

Some chis have long hair,

All chis are looking for loving and lasting care!

We see them come.
We love to see them go.
Not one of them is like another.
Take one in and you'll be a chi lover!

All Grown Up

2012-01-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

One look into Shelley's eyes and you just want to grab her up and home. Lucky for you, she and her sister are both available at our Satellite Center in Saratoga, they've just grown into their good looks.

At full size, she's just as cute, with even more to cuddle. Brought to us in May weighing just over a pound, Shelley was fostered until adopted in July. Now at 8 months old her living situation changed placing her back in our care. But we still have her baby photos!

As the months get colder we will see less and less kittens up for adoption until the season starts back up next May. If you are looking now, consider one of last year's babies still waiting for their forever home. It's the perfect age balancing the energy of a kitten with the stability of a mature feline. Besides, teenage cats never ask for the keys to the car or rack up your phone bill like human ones.

Rats Seeking Retirement

2011-12-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

HSSV has 8 rats seeking comfortable retirement homes to spend their golden years. These little ones were part of the large rat rescue from Fall 2010 and have spent the last year in the care of rat rescue and us. Open your heart to an older rat and you'll find a constant companion. Senior rats are often more cuddly, without the extra energy of youth they are content to curl up in your lap. You can meet our golden girls at both Satellite Adoption locations. Take them home for gossip and cheesecake, they will thank you for being a friend!

I am Cherry - The Next Big Thing

2011-12-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

I am getting so much practice at the foster lady’s house. Sometimes it makes me very tired and I have to say “lady pretty please can I have a break?” But for most of the time, it makes me feel tingly inside, like I’m doing very good things.

The lady says I made great “pro-gress” this week because I jumped up on the couch for the first time just so I could say hello. Most of the time, I get very nervous around the big scary couch and the lady being so tall. But this time I said, “you’re not that scary, you big couch. I am going to jump on you.” So I did.

I decided the Next Big Thing I was going to learn was to cuddle with Big Bouncer and Old Emily on the floor. The lady lives with both of them.

Big Bouncer wants to play with me all the time but I say, "No Big Bouncer. You are too big and noisy. Go away." So instead of playing, the lady brings out treaties, which I love. I am saying, "Put those treats in my belly, lady!"

My next Next Big Thing to learn is how to get into the cabinet so I could have treaties whenever I wanted.

I am Cherry

2011-12-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

And I'm 4. That makes me a Big Girl now.

The foster lady asks me what I've been doing with my life before I was 4 years old, but I can't tell her. It was like one day I was in The Before Time and then I was Here.

Now that I'm Here, there are many things I have to learn about, like toys that make horr-en-dous squeaky noises and outside potty places that take forever to get to. I have to walk a very long way to get anywhere around Here, and my legs are very short.

But the lady says that I don't have to be good at everything right away. We're going to take our time. She says that Big Girls like me get to go at their own speed, and their foster moms are like training wheels for their new home. I like this idea because it will give me good practice.

The lady says the first thing I need practice in is hands. When I first came Here, I thought the lady's hands were grabby and fast and maybe they would do secret things when I wasn't looking. But now I know they are not for grabbing or doing secret things but for rubbing my sweet chin and my ears and chest. Now I like it when the lady shows me her hands because she goes at my favorite speed, see?

I'll write more next time when I learn a new thing.

Marley and Me

2011-11-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

Are you young at heart? Marley loves to make new kitten friends, he goes from a dignified three year old to having the bounce of a three month old. While his little tabby buddy in the video has been adopted, Marley is still waiting for someone to take him home. If you are looking for the grace of an older cat with the energy of a youngster come meet Marley today!

Marley is currently available for adoption at our Sunnyvale Satellite location.

Special thanks to our volunteer who was able to capture the kitty fun on film!

Volunteer Spotlight: Bella

2011-11-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a walking buddy to start off the new year? Our volunteers just had to share why Bella is their favorite on and off leash.

She's a loose leash champ, the only time she'll pull is when you aren't moving fast enough to start her walk.
While sidewalks are full of fun things to sniff, she's really in her element on the trail. Ears up and tail wagging looking for a good spot to roll around.
She's a 60 lb lap dog. Sometimes she gets nervous and needs a good cuddle. One time Bella feel asleep during our session with her head in my lap!

Bella has lots of friends at our Animal Community Center, join them for a walk today and maybe she'll harness your heart too.

For more information on any of our animals, call us at 408-262-2133 x 150 or email at adoptions@hssv.org.

Volunteer Spotlight: Sesame

2011-11-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

Our volunteers just had to share why Sesame adds spice to their lives....

Because she’s a great listener. If you put down a blanket to curl up on, she'll come over to hear about your day or enjoy a chapter or two of light reading.

Because she’s self-assured. She will always let you know what she wants. No matter if your legs are asleep, if she’s not done cuddling neither are you.

Because she’s a foodie. Sticking her nose up at our natural food selections, she’ll be sure to let you know when her bowl of Friskies needs a refill.

Stop by our Animal Community Center and fall in love with the darling of Apartment 152.

For more information on any of our animals, call us at 408-262-2133 or email at adoptions@hssv.org.

Ode to Foster Care!

2011-11-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

Why is this dog being fostered, you ask?
Is she naughty, sick, did she have a rough past?
No, my friend, foster is no scarlet letter!
She came here just fine but she’ll leave foster better
In foster she’ll learn to live in a home
To go potty outside, to enjoy a nice bone
She’ll learn, if she was scared, she should not be afraid
For her foster family has been specially trained
To show her that people can be patient and caring
That with love and affection, they needn’t be sparing
Perhaps she’s learned to live well with cats...
Or children, or bicyclists, or people in hats!
Perhaps she’s learned to be good for the groomer
To sit, stay and down, and maintain her good humor
While sporting pom-poms or a nice lion cut
After all, you’ll recall, she’s no ordinary mutt
She’ll soon be an alum of our great foster program
And we’ll fondly recall how we knew her “back then”
So, when you next spy a doggie in foster care
Don’t shake your head, don’t sigh in despair
Rejoice! For that pup is well on her way
To a permanent home, forever to stay!

Foster Care - Frequently Asked Questions (and answers!)

Question: Why do animals enter the foster program?

Answer: For a variety of reasons. The most common of which are…

They are too young to be adopted

The Animal Care Center (ACC) is full and we need to use all available resources to house animals They are shy and would benefit from round-the-clock socialization

They became stressed at the ACC and would benefit from the routine of a home environment They are recovering from a medical procedure

Question: How long do animals stay in foster care?

Answer: In many cases, the animal is adopted from foster care. In that case, the answer is – as long as it takes! In the event that the animal returns to the ACC to be adopted, there is no set duration of stay in foster care; it depends on a variety of factors, such as…

The age and size of the animal when it entered the foster program

The capacity at the ACC at a given time to receive incoming foster animals

The rate of progress of socialization, if fostered for a behavioral reason

The rate of progress of recovery, if fostered for a medical reason

Question: Can I become a foster parent so that I can do a trial adoption?

Answer: At present, we do not offer trial adoptions. The idea behind our foster program is to use foster families, who have received special training from HSSV staff, to help as many animals as possible! This means that foster families sign up for duty with the understanding that their goal is to help us find an adopter for the animal; not necessarily to adopt the animal themselves. For our veteran foster families (with their agreement, of course), we often have their next animal “on-deck” the moment their previous foster is adopted! Of course, if a foster parent falls head over heels in love and wants to adopt their foster animal, we are happy for them and will not intervene!

If a client is nervous about making a hasty adoption decision or not being properly prepared, the best remedy is to meet with an HSSV Adoption Counselor to learn more about the adoption process and the support mechanisms available to them, should they choose to adopt. You can contact an Adoption Counselor at 408.262.2133, ext. 150 or adoptions@hssv.org

Question: How do I become a foster parent?

Answer: The fastest way to become a foster parent is to fill out the foster application on our web site. You can also contact a member of our Special Needs team. For cats and kittens, please contact Christina Traughber @ (408) 262-2133 ext. 186; for dogs, please contact Casaundra Cruz @ ext. 183.

Question: How do I adopt a foster animal?

Answer: Great question! Typically, only dogs are available for adoption from foster homes. Cats usually return to the ACC to be adopted; in which case you would follow normal walk-in procedures, listed here. For dogs that are adoptable through our foster program, please follow the steps below:

Complete our foster dog adoption questionnaire, using the following link. Call our Canine Foster Coordinator, Casaundra Cruz, at 408.262.2133 ext. 183 to learn more about the dogs in foster care. If Casaundra is not available, you may also speak to Kristin Hoffman @ ext. 184 or Jeri Seiden @ ext. 185.

Arrange, with a Foster Coordinator, to introduce all two and four-legged family members to the dog to ensure that everyone gets along. From that point on, normal adoption protocol (see previous link) will apply.

We have a weekly adoption showcase featuring our foster dogs every Saturday at the ACC from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM. Please feel free to stop by!

Buddy (Part One of Three)

2011-10-25T14:08:00.001-07:00

By Jamie Morgan, Satellite Adoption Manager

Everyone has a way of dealing with stress. It took me years to stop biting my nails and while manicures are easy now, you will be hard pressed to find a pen that I haven’t chewed at the end. There are thumb suckers, hair twirlers, and teeth grinders among us, all trying to self-sooth. Cats are no different and when the world is not right they also develop habits to deal.

When you first meet Buddy you can’t see evidence of his rituals until he darts past. His sleek black fur is missing in places. Perfect circles of pink skin spot his back legs and belly. Buddy is what we’d call an over-groomer, part allergies and part anxiety; he has taken a normal kitty habit a little too far in order to cope.

How does anyone deal with stress? Routine. The more consistent and planned our days become the less we worry about what’s next. At HSSV, Buddy’s day is scheduled for him - breakfast, petting, lunch, clicker training, nap, play, dinner, sleep, repeat. A steady stream of positive associations with people = food = good and distractions through learning new tricks and play keep his focus away from his bad habits.

If you think about it, most of us are on a routine because of our animals. I wake up and let the dog out before getting my coffee. Buddy needs someone who likes routine but it doesn’t have to be boring. Surprise cuddles are always available, which we will talk about next week as our Buddy series continues towards finding his forever home. So if you are a creature of habit or know someone who’s daily grind could benefit from a furry companion, take a trip down to our Animal Community Center and meet Buddy.

Buddy is a complex kitty; you can get to know better by talking to his friends on our Adoptions team. Call 262-2133 x 150 for more information or email adoptions@hssv.org.

500th Adoption at Sunnyvale!

2011-10-18T17:16:00.001-07:00

Macey and her new family celebrating the 500th adoption at our Sunnyvale Satellite Center since it's opening in November 2010. Will you make 501?