We Made It!

By Elena Battles, Chief Operating Officer

We moved! Humane Society Silicon Valley is officially open for business at its Animal Community Center!

The move day couldn’t have gone any better. In keeping with their reputation as the BEST volunteers out there, our volunteer move team arrived earlier than their reporting time. Everyone was ready to go by 8:30 AM…on a Sunday! Even the animals were buzzing and could clearly sense that this was not going to be a regular day. Our cats, typically snoozing at this time of the morning, were meowing away.

First up was our closing ceremony- a time to reflect on the years of lifesaving work at the Lafayette location and to honor the thousands of lives that passed through those doors. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment of connecting our organization’s past to the incredible happenings of the present and limitless potential of the future. Truly inspiring.


Next, it was time to get to work. What followed was a carefully choreographed dance...and not one toe was stepped on. Cats and bunnies were loaded into carriers and carried to their volunteer chauffeur, waiting outside. Dogs walked to the cars on lead with a handler and a helper following with treats. I swear there was a thought bubble above each dog’s head that said, “I don’t know where we’re off to, but you’re my friend and I trust you to lead me only to good things. Let’s go!” Once they safely arrived at the Animal Community Center, that same volunteer and animal spent quiet time together to make sure each cat, dog, and bunny felt relaxed in their new space. By 3 PM, all animals were settled and happily resting after their busy morning. For the staff and volunteers, our work of unpacking and organizing had just begun, but that didn’t matter. When the animals are content, we are content.





And so I sign off for today, content…