Three small dogs sit within a few feet of Patricia, each in their own bed. Waifer, a six-year-old rescue from Southern California. Molly, two years old and certain she is the center of the world. And Ellie — formerly Thea — who, just months ago, was trembling at the back of a shelter and wouldn’t let anyone touch her. Today, … Read More
Chiquis sleeps beside Theresa most nights with her nose pointed toward the window. Beyond the glass, a bird feeder. Beyond that, a backyard that Theresa’s family spent years turning into something wild: native plants, butterfly gardens, corridors for owls and bats and foxes. In the mornings, Chiquis watches the birds from one of her three beds. On walks, she finds … Read More
On a Thursday morning in late February, a litter of bottle babies – orphaned kittens too young to eat on their own – arrived at Humane Society Silicon Valley. They were days old, eyes still sealed shut, small enough to fit in your palm. By the time our logistics team had them settled, the planning for their care was already … Read More
On a recent Wednesday at the Community Pet Clinic, everything seemed calm until it wasn’t. Suddenly, multiple patients needed x-rays. Sedation units were in demand. The treatment floor filled with movement and coordination. For Rhiannon, that rhythm feels familiar. “I think that’s very much how it goes,” she says with a smile. For more than a decade, veterinary medicine has … Read More
If you’ve ever hesitated about spaying or neutering your pet, you’re not alone. And that hesitation usually comes from a good place – wanting what’s best for your pet. “That feeling comes from love,” says Dr. Witting, a veterinarian at HSSV. “You’re imagining how you would feel if someone made that decision for you. That’s empathy – and it’s a … Read More
Every week, a white vehicle with Humane Society Silicon Valley’s (HSSV) logo pulls into the parking lot of a crowded municipal shelter. For the animals inside—dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens—the ride marks the start of a new chapter. This is HSSV’s Regional Rescue Program in action: a lifeline for overwhelmed shelters and a second chance for animals to find a … Read More
When Ken Peterson and his wife Pat adopted Winnie, a timid Lhasa Apso/Maltese mix with a shaky past and soulful eyes, they weren’t just welcoming a senior dog into their home. They were opening their hearts to a new way of loving—deeply, patiently, and without condition. Winnie was found wandering the streets of Stockton, matted and scared. She was around … Read More
Top Hat’s life almost ended before it had truly begun. When he was found, the tiny kitten carried more injuries than most could survive — a raw wound stretched across his head, an abscess on his neck, and a limp that made each step unsteady. And yet, through the pain, he purred. That resilience, and the community that rallied around … Read More
