Countdown to Day of Giving

Clear the Shelters is Here!

Adoption fees for all felines are waived August 1–2, at Milpitas ACC & West San Jose Petco NAC. There's never been a better time to meet your match!

MEET THEM ALL

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Spay/Neuter My Pet

We provide spay/neuter care for owned dogs and cats at HSSV and the Community Pet Clinic.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

Vaccinate My Pet

We offer low cost vaccinations, microchipping, dewormer, and more at multiple locations.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

Train My Pet

We have offer positive training that brings out the best in dogs and their people. Enroll today!

EXPLORE ALL CLASSES

Join a Foster Event

From Kitten Care 101 to Yappy Hour we have monthly classes to help you prepare for your first foster.

SEE ALL FOSTER CLASSES

See How Our Mission Comes to Life

How a Blind Puppy Became a Joring Dog

July 24, 2026

Adopted from HSSV as a mostly blind puppy, Ingrid – now Toph – was trained slowly into a joring dog, guided by the sound of a bicycle bell.

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Meet the Matchmakers

July 24, 2026

The shelter’s South Wing used to have a room set up like a living room – a sofa, the furnishings of an ordinary home – so that shelter dogs could get used to the idea of one. One rainy day, volunteer Rod brought a German shepherd named Callie inside and sat down on the sofa. Callie shocked Rod by jumping up and snuggling against him.

To understand why that was a breakthrough, you have to know how they met: she avoided him, barked out of fear, and needed space.

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Summer Enrichment Guide

July 10, 2026

When summer heat makes midday walks unsafe, enrichment keeps dogs and cats engaged without overheating. The best activities tap natural instincts – sniffing, foraging, licking, chasing, problem-solving. For dogs, this means snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, frozen lick mats, and short training games. For cats: food puzzles, wand play, and climbing or hiding spots. A few ten-minute sessions of mental work can keep a pet settled through a day that’s too hot to walk.

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Shelter Favorite Update: Boot Strap Bill (“Booty”)

June 26, 2026

Boot Strap Bill came to HSSV still healing after what was likely a run-in with a car. A young girl spotted him online and never looked back. Today he lives in Hawaii and rules the house with the confidence of a cat who has never once doubted he belongs there. We asked his family how he’s doing. Here he is, in their own words.

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The Last Dog Goldie Helped: A Story of Grief, Trust, and Finding Home

June 4, 2026

Ellie was too anxious to leave her bed. Trembling at the back of the shelter, she wouldn't let anyone near her. Then a blind dog named Goldie walked into the room — and the moment she did, Ellie managed something she hadn't done since the day she arrived.

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