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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: How many animals does the Humane Society Silicon Valley assist? A: Humane Society Silicon Valley’s shelter program and Medical Services program assisted more than 12,600 animals in 2010. Q: What programs and services does the Humane Society offer? A: Humane Society Silicon Valley offers the following programs and services.
Q. When was the Humane Society established? A: The Humane Society Silicon Valley was established in 1929. Since that time, we have found loving homes for more than 500,000 animals. Q. How is the Humane Society funded and governed? A: The Humane Society Silicon Valley is an independent, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, program fees, special events, and foundation and corporate grants. The agency is governed by a volunteer board of directors, which oversees an annual operating budget of about $7.8 million. Q: How many employees and volunteers does the Humane Society have? A: HSSV has approximately 100 employees and 700 active volunteers. Q: What cities do you provide animal sheltering services for? A: Humane Society Silicon Valley provides shelter services for the city of Sunnyvale. We receive stray, sick, injured and dead animals picked up by animal control in this city. Q: Do you accept owner-surrendered animals? A: HSSV accepts owner surrendered cats, dogs and rabbits by appointment only. All surrendered animals are assessed by our medical and behavioral experts for our adoption program. If they do not meet our requirements, then every attempt is made to find the animal a home either through a rescue group or other shelter. Q: What is the difference between the Humane Society and the S.P.C.A? A: The names generally mean the same thing, but all S.P.C.A.s and Humane Societies are separate nonprofit agencies. For example, the Humane Society of the United States does not have any authority or connection with the Humane Society Silicon Valley. We all operate independently. Q: How many animals do you adopt out monthly? A: More than 300 animals a month are adopted into new homes or placed with specific rescue organizations. Q: How much does it cost to adopt a pet? A: Adoption charges are $175 for cats and dogs, and $70 for rabbits. The fee covers spaying/neutering, initial vaccinations, de-worming for animals under four months of age, microchipping, ID tags, a professional health examination and behavior evaluation. All adopted pets are eligible for a free examination at a local VCA Hospital. Q: Why should I pay to adopt an animal at the shelter when I can get one for free? A: Our goal is to be the best place to adopt a pet. When you adopt from our shelter, you meet with an adoption counselor who knows each of our animals' history and can match you with the pet that’s best suited for your family. Your pet receives a behavior and medical evaluation, vaccinations, is spayed or neutered, microchipped and given an ID tag. Plus, you receive 10 days of free medical care from a VCA Animal Hospital. Therefore, the cost of the services you and your pet receive actually totals much more than $175. And, by adopting from our shelter, you not only save the life of that animal, you support our services so that we can continue to care for abandoned, stray, injured and sick animals. Q: Why can't you be a "no kill" shelter? A: We are an “open door” shelter, meaning we take in every animal regardless of age, health or temperament. "No kill" shelters selectively accept their animals knowing they can be placed. Because we take in sick, behaviorally unsound and very old animals, we cannot place all of them. If we cannot place, care or rehabilitate an animal, we are equally committed to providing humane and compassionate euthanasia. Q: How long do you keep the animals before you euthanize them? A: Once an animal is made available for adoption, there is no set date for euthanasia. Our goal is to ensure that every animal in our adoption program is placed in a loving home. If an animal is healthy and behaviorally sound, we care for that animal until we find it a home, which sometimes can be months. Our staff and volunteers socialize and exercise our animals to help keep them happy and well adjusted during their stay at the shelter. Q: Do you have legal holding times for animals that are brought into your shelter? A: Yes, state law governs legal holding periods for shelter animals. The legal times are as follows: Stray with owner ID - Day 1 + 10 = 11 days Q: Is your Medical Center open to the public? A: Our Medical Center specializies in affordable spay/neuter services to the public. We also offer affordable vaccinations, microchipping, testing and flea control. Q: Do you have a pet store at the shelter? What does it sell and where do the profits go? A: Yes, our Whole Pets Store specializes in nutrition and humane training products. The store features a complete line of high-quality pet foods, an extensive line of attractive collars and leashes, humane training toys and animal enrichment products as well as some novelty items. All proceeds directly support the shelter animals and help first-time adopters start off on the right paw. |