Happy Tail: Hermione

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager


When Hermione came into HSSV, her first stop was straight to our vet hospital. The stray calico kitty looked very skinny and had difficulty breathing at times. Her patchwork fur was a tapestry marred by fleas and her mouth revealed teeth in need of a serious cleaning. Having come to us in such poor condition, our first priority was to get the tiny fluff ball to gain weight and recover from the kitty cold she’d picked up while outside.

After a couple weeks and half a pound heavier, it was time to clean up that dirty mouth. Once inside we also removed two small lumps from her tongue to be sent off to a laboratory for testing. The results came back as eosinophilic granuloma, which is a cluster of white blood cells that appear because of an allergic reaction or to fight off a parasite. This was a big relief, as Hermione had no other symptoms and had made a full recovery. We knew what the lumps were and could tell her new family what to expect if they ever came back. Now we just needed to find her a home.

A six year old cat with a mysterious history may seem like a challenge for other organizations, but at HSSV we were able to find Hermione’s perfect match in just 10 days. Her adopters, Heather and Tony, tell us they “fell in love with her the first moment we saw her.” What we didn’t know was that when Hermione felt better she would use that extra energy to snuggle with her human companions. Heather tells us that she is grateful every day that they found each other. Thanks to our medical and adoption teams at HSSV, Hermione can start the New Year off healthy and happy in her new home.

Are you looking to give an animal an new start for the new year? Come by any of our three locations and adopt today!

Pet of the Week

Meet Honey

Honey, a 9-year-old Maltese mix, is a love-bug who adores being with people. She enjoys wearing festive outfits and dances when especially happy. If you are looking for a constant companion to share your daily life with, Honey is the one for you! She is the perfect cuddly lap dog.

At HSSV, Your Price is Right! Name your own adoption price on any dog, including Honey, now through the end of the year.

Learn How to Adopt Honey!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Honey's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Honey's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Honey get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Happy Tail: Ruby

Happy Tails: Ruby
By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager


Much like it takes a village to raise a child, it took a small army to keep up Ruby’s cuddle quota for the day. Naturally inclined towards people, you could hear the 3-year- old female pit bull howling for attention from every corner of our Animal Community Center. It’s no surprise she soon started to spend her days not in her adoption suite, but rather in the offices closest to her crys.
Ruby had been surrendered to HSSV because her previous family no longer felt as though they could handle the large dog. We quickly learned all about Ruby’s attention seeking quirks. No door was a match for this clever pitty before we learned how to stay just ahead of her learning curve. Providing her plenty of kongs, activity driven toys, and lots of long walks helped to calm her need to break loose in search of some affection.

A month after arrival an adopter came in looking for dog to be his constant companion. Jay, a retiree, had a lot of time to dedicate to a new dog. Our staff immediately thought of our resident love-bug and introduced Ruby to Jay. After taking a day to consider his options at the other rescues, Jay returned to finalize Ruby’s adoption! He tells us that true to pit bull form, she is a “cuddle bug and a wonderful companion”. Ruby was able to trade in her crew of HSSV employees for one special adopter.

Are you looking for a special dog to fill your life? Santa Clara County Shelters are full and our dogs need your help more than ever. Come on in to our Animal Community Center or participating shelter and find your new best friend today.

HSSV Provides Extraordinary Care for Eight Newborn Pups

By Marie Matheson, HSSV Volunteer

Most animal rescue organizations don't have the resources to provide around-the-clock care to unweaned puppies, but at HSSV, the staff and volunteers recently rallied (and are still rallying!) in time of need to save the lives of a litter of puppies abandoned on the doorstep of a local city shelter.

When Jeri Seiden, HSSV’s Manager of Special Needs, heard about the eight puppies, she offered to bring them to HSSV to save their lives. Staff and two seasoned volunteers quickly stepped forward to be "moms" to the puppies until they are old enough to be vaccinated and spayed/neutered by the vet team.

Stephanie Ladeira, HSSV’s VP of Development, is one of these “moms.” When I spoke with Stephanie I was surprised to learn of the extraordinary lengths HSSV is going through to care for these precious puppies. Thorough cleaning of their new temporary homes with special disinfectant to prevent germs and possible illness, around-the-clock bottle feedings, human stimulation in place of the mother to teach the animal when to potty, and careful monitoring of the temperatures to which they are exposed, are a few examples. “These puppies are very sensitive and without their mother they can die if they are too hot, die if they are too cold,” says Stephanie, so these steps are critical to their survival.

Pictured in the photos is Stephanie’s pup Munchie, so named because he has such a healthy appetite. He is now “4-weeks old, has doubled in size and is quite playful,” says Stephanie, “and all the pups are doing well.” At 8-weeks they will each be spayed/ neutered by the vets at HSSV and will be available for adoption at the Animal Community Center .

I’m grateful HSSV’s dedicated staff and volunteers are there for these puppies when no one else is; they are giving them the life they deserve.

Stay tuned for future updates on Munchie and his siblings!

Pet of the Week

Meet Lucky

Lucky, a 4-month-old kitten, is ready to play, play, play! This frisky boy loves to chase toys, pounce on shoelaces, and cause general chaos with his fun antics. If you are looking for an outgoing cat with tons of personality, come meet Lucky at Humane Society Silicon Valley! The vets at HSSV neutered, vaccinated and microchipped him and now all he needs is a best friend to play with!

Learn How to Adopt Lucky!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Lucky's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Lucky's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Lucky get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Happy Tail: Dottie

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager

Ever so often while picking up animals for our Satellite Adoption Centers, I come across something so cute I can’t help myself and make one of those high pitched squeals of delight. The kind of noise only heard from excited little girls, not seasoned managers. At just under 2 lbs and only 2 months old, Dottie, a double dwarf rabbit we had rescued from another shelter was squeal worthy. In short, she was adorable. Even though I had only stopped in to pick up cats that day, I decided that Dottie was coming back to our Saratoga Adoption Center with me.

In just shy of a week, Dottie met Vy, who had been considering rabbits after having a hamster. As hamsters and rabbits do not have a lot in common, our adoption counselors showed the first-time rabbit parent everything from basic rabbit care and handling to the importance of keeping Dottie in the home where she could be part of the family.

It turned out Dottie’s looks and sweet disposition made her the perfect model bunny for her new Mom, who sent us photos from Dottie’s “Welcome Home” photo shoot. The new family tells us that Dottie continues to be playful and from the looks of these photos, quite the inspiration.


Looking for more animals inspired art? Celebrate the magic of the human-animal bond at our Second Annual “Animal Arts” Craft Faire this Saturday and Sunday.

All photos courtesy of and credit to Vy Hoang

10 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe this Winter

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The folks at Humane Society Silicon Valley have 10 cold weather pet tips to share with you so that we can keep our furry family members warm and safe this winter!

1. Bring your animals indoors. Pets not only belong indoors as members of the family, but also are safer, warmer and happier inside. Outdoors, felines in particular, can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats that are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3. If you take your pooch to the snow country, never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags and is microchipped. HSSV offers affordable microchips for $40.

4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a shorthaired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Do you have a cold weather pet tip to share? Leave a comment!

Pet of the Week

Meet Jojo

Jojo, a 5-year-old Shepherd mix, is ready for a family of his own to love! For years, Jojo lived in a junkyard. Luckily, he ended up at HSSV, where staff immediately recognized his gentle nature and craving for companionship. They placed him in a foster home, where he's being lavished with attention while staff search for his new family. Jojo loves going for walks, playing with other dogs, and cuddling with people. If you are looking for a constant companion, please consider adopting Jojo!

Jojo is in our Homeward Bound program, which means his adoption fee will be waived. To schedule a meeting with Jojo or to learn more, contact Casaundra Cruz at (408) 262-2133 ext.183.

Learn How to Adopt Jojo!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Jojo's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Jojo's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Jojo get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Thanksgiving Pet Tips

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

With Thanksgiving just a day away, people often call Humane Society Silicon Valley with pet-related questions like, “Would it be okay to give Fido a turkey bone?” So, here are five tips to keep your pet safe and happy this holiday weekend.

1. Keep the feast out of reach! No one ones to find their beautifully glazed turkey on the floor… Agile and creative dogs or cats can capture a special treat from the kitchen counter or even the dining room table. If you can’t “supervise” the food, put Fido on a leash or confine Fluffy to her favorite bedroom.

2. Resist offering your leftovers. Rich and fatty foods like dressing, pie, and gravy can lead to serious and painful pancreatitis. That said… if your dog is known to “dumpster dive,” keep the trashcan well secured.

3. No turkey bones! Turkey bones can cause very serious and sometimes fatal consequences for your pet. It might be a good idea to refresh your memory on where the closest emergency clinic is… just in case Fido sneaks a bone.

4. Make a special treat. So, no turkey bones or leftovers? Where’s the fun in that? Well, consider making a pet-friendly treat for your furry best friend. Just Google “homemade pet treat recipes.” (Wouldn’t this be a great kids project?) Or, if you’re like me, you’ll just swing by the pet store and pick up a few choice nibbles ahead of time.

5. Plan ahead for pets. Sure, pets like excitement, but they are also creatures of habit. Set aside time for a morning walk with Fido, or a lap petting session with Fluffy. It is Thanksgiving after all, and what better way to thank our pets for their unconditional love than with some one-on-one time?

Do you have a Thanksgiving pet tip that we’ve missed? Post a comment!

Pet of the Week

Meet Grey

Grey, a 3-year-old kitty, is a handsome boy who loves to be petted. A Good Samaritan found him roaming the streets and brought him to HSSV, where we neutered and vaccinated him. Grey loves to have his cheeks rubbed and will be happy to purr his way into your heart this holiday season. If you are looking for your prince to lavish with love, look no further!

Grey tested positive for FIV, which means he needs to live indoors as your only cat or with other FIV+ kitties. With the right care, he will live a long, healthy life as your new best friend. Just ask our adoption staff about it!

Learn How to Adopt Grey!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Grey's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Grey's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Grey get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Foster Care and Boogie Woogie

By Marie Matheson, HSSV Volunteer

I know from personal experience that Humane Society Silicon Valley is a great place to find a companion animal. There are many reasons I feel this way, but in particular, it is the additional care and attention they provide to animals to ensure they are ready for adoption. In many cases, this additional care is provided through HSSV’s Foster Program.

Animals may be placed in foster care to give them time to heal from an injury, gain some weight or simply because they would benefit from concentrated training and socialization before being adopted. Such was the case with Boogie Woogie, a 10-month-old American Bulldog.

Boogie Woogie was only 7-months-old when he came to HSSV in early August as a stray. By October, Boogie had become a very playful, large puppy that now had been at HSSV’s Animal Community Center for nearly three months. Under careful consideration, Jeri Seiden, Manager of Special Needs, determined Boogie Woogie was a perfect candidate for the Foster Program. Under the care of Foster Alicia Nachman, Boogie Woogie is thriving.

“Increasing the foster care program [by deciding to be a foster parent] is a major way to save a life. By fostering, we are opening up a spot in the shelter for additional animals while providing loving care to the fosters at the same time,” says Seiden.

Animals in foster care who are ready for adoption are posted on the adoption page of the website along with the animals at the Animal Community Center. For more information on Boogie Woogie, click here. He will also be at HSSV this Saturday, November 20, from 12PM -2PM.

If you are interested in meeting any other animal currently in foster care, you can call 408-262-2133 ext. 183. For more information about HSSV’s Foster Program, click here. You could help save a life!

HSSV Sunnyvale Grand Opening

by Sherry Hung, HSSV Volunteer


Last Saturday was the grand opening of Humane Society Silicon Valley's Sunnyvale Satellite Center, located in Sunnyvale's PETCO store. I dropped by to see the festivities and visit the animals in their new adoption suites, and I was so impressed by the enthusiasm of HSSV's staff and the public.



Similar to the first satellite center (located in Saratoga PETCO), the newly-opened Sunnyvale location is a great place for the public to meet animals available for adoption. Cats, kittens, rabbits, and other small animals are housed in adoption suites at the satellite centers. These include a kitten play room where, on Saturday, guests got to enter and visit with several rambunctious kittens as they explored their new surroundings and toys.



In addition, dogs regularly visit satellite centers on Dog Adoption Days, and on Saturday the dogs and puppies vied with the kittens and cats for attention and coos of excitement.

Jamie Emming, HSSV’s satellite adoption manager, told me that Charlotte, a 7-year-old Pomeranian mix, was the first dog to be adopted. After that, “it seemed like an endless kitty parade of adopters leaving with carriers.” By the end of the day, 17 cats, 2 rabbits and Charlotte, the dog, were adopted.


I'm so glad that HSSV makes itself so accessible to the public through its satellite centers and other programs. It seems like serendipity that the new location has opened in November, when HSSV is offering $10 adoption fees for cats and kittens. With the new Sunnyvale location so close to where I live, I'll definitely be dropping by again to visit the animals.

The Scoop on the Whole Pets Store

By Valerie K. Kane, HSSV Volunteer


I’m sure most readers know that Humane Society Silicon Valley is a great place to find the perfect companion animal for you and your family. But do you know that even after you’ve taken your new pet home, there are still many reasons to return to the HSSV Animal Community Center?

One reason I continue to visit the center is to shop at Whole Pets, the HSSV pet supply store. My dog Tosha seems to need more dog treats and toys every few weeks, so we are regular customers.

Whole Pets has a wide selection of supplies you will need for your dog, cat, rabbit, or pocket pet, including food, toys, collars, bedding, and more. There are even some items for us humans, including the amazing “Our Very Own Island” t-shirt, the winner of the HSSV Man’s Best Friend Design contest.

And best of all, all proceeds from the store go to support the animals and programs at HSSV.

I have to admit though, there’s another reason why I like to shop at Whole Pets. If I’m lucky I’ll be in the store when an adoption has just completed and the adopters (and their new pet) are in the store stocking up on essentials. It’s a lot of fun to see who has found a home (perhaps it’s one of my favorite dogs I’ve been socializing) and be part of the excitement of shopping for the perfect collar and having a new name tag made. That’s the best!

For more information about Whole Pets, including operating hours, see the Whole Pets homepage, click here.

And if you and your pet are in a hurry, the Whole Pets Fetch! program will do the shopping for you.

Pet of the Week

Meet Calvin

Calvin, a 3-year-old Cairn Terrier mix, is ready to bring the party to you! He loves playing with other dogs, going on walks, and chasing balls! Even though he loves to play, he's never too busy to curl in your lap for a snuggle. If you're looking for an all around great companion, come meet Calvin!

Learn How to Adopt Calvin!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Calvin's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Calvin's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Calvin get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

New Adoption Center in PETCO Opens Saturday at 10:00 AM

By Carol Novello, HSSV President

I hope you will join me this Saturday, Nov. 13, at 10:00 am to celebrate the grand opening of Humane Society Silicon Valley's (HSSV's) second satellite adoption center in PETCO, at 160 E. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale (near Sunnyvale Saratoga Road).

Our partnership with PETCO is pioneering a new adoption model. PETCO has only five in-store adoption centers in the nation. The opening of HSSV’s Sunnyvale PETCO location means two of these five ground-breaking stores are in collaboration with HSSV!

Why is this so exciting? Because PETCO is committed to working with animal shelters and rescue organizations to promote the adoption of homeless animals. The alternative? Selling animals from puppy mills or breeders with questionable practices.

These adoption centers help us reach out to members of the public who might not visit HSSV's Animal Community Center in Milpitas. The convenience of adopting “close to home” is very appealing for many people, and our neighborhood satellite adoption centers help us spread the word to our community to “think adoption first.”

Our adoption centers are managed by HSSV staff and volunteers who care for the animals while they actively work to find them loving homes. They provide great customer service and educate potential adopters on how to successfully bond with their new family member. They also provide a great volunteer experience for people who want to help animals in their own neighborhoods.

So come and celebrate HSSV’s national leadership in this collaborative PETCO partnership to save lives. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 10:00 am inside PETCO. I hope to see you there!

‘No More Homeless Pets’ Conference Reignites My Passion for Animals

By Laura Fulda, VP of Marketing

I recently returned from the Best Friends ‘No More Homeless Pets’ Conference in Las Vegas where I was one of 1,150 guests from 50 states and nine countries. The conference was a hit and a big energy boost to everyone who helps animals.

Everyone had his/her own reason for attending. I wanted to learn how to creatively find more homes for cats and kittens since our community always has an oversupply of them. Not an easy task, but I came back full of ideas I am eager to try and implement.

HSSV is currently offering a reduced adoption fee of $10 to qualified adopters who adopt a cat or kitten in November. We’re hoping the reduced adoption fee will get people who have been thinking about adopting a feline friend off the couch and into our shelter. Other shelters have found this approach to be successful so I’m hoping this will work for us, too.

A fun highlight at the conference occurred when was a woman who helps feral cats through her shelter’s trap-neuter-return (TNR) program sang an acapella version of the song “Fever” but changed the words to relate to feral cats. I will never forget this woman belting out: “I fixed my feral…feral! Ferals every morning and night!” Hilarious, but her message was clear. TNR saves lives and feral cats deserve our compassion and help. I am thankful that HSSV has a robust TNR program that helped save more than 800 feral cats in 2009.

All in all, it was truly inspiring to share stories with other animal lovers and learn new ways to help our furry friends. One woman asked me: What’s your organization’s mission? I replied: “HSSV’s mission is to save and enhance lives, both four-legged and two-legged.” “It doesn’t get much better than that,” she said. I couldn’t agree more.

A Creative Solution to Kitten Season

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

Have you heard of “kitten season?” Every summer, we hear in the news about the local animal shelters being overrun with kittens. When the weather is warmer, the biological clock of unspayed female cats starts ticking! In the end, the shelters are left with dozens of litters of kittens who need vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and homes of their own. Fortunately, the kittens are quickly scooped up by loving families, because who doesn’t love a playful, cuddly kitten? Unfortunately, the presence of adoptable kittens usually means adult cats are overlooked and spend longer in the shelters, waiting for families to notice them.

Well, guess what? We live in California. And that means we have warmer weather most of the year! In Silicon Valley, female cats begin getting pregnant in late December and have litters until late into the fall. Right now, the local shelters are filled to the brim with kittens and adult cats. In an effort to help find homes for all these furry felines, Humane Society Silicon Valley is partnering with three other rescue agencies to offer a super low adoption fee for all cats. Throughout the month of November, if you adopt a kitten or cat from Humane Society Silicon Valley, Peninsula Humane Society, San Jose Animal Care Center, or Town Cats, you pay only $10. And did I mention that every cat goes home vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped? A spay/neuter surgery alone can cost up to $300, so not only are you saving a life by adopting from a shelter, but you are saving money, too.

Save a life this holiday season. Adopt a cat from your local shelter.


Want to Take the Next Step? Click here to see HSSV’s adoptable cats. Click here to learn more about HSSV’s adoption procedure.

Pet of the Week

Meet Clive

Bring some love into your life with Clive, the Wonder Kitten! He loves meeting new people and will purr the instant you look his way. Adopt Clive or any other furry feline this November for just $10. Clive will go home neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Start the holidays off right by opening up your heart and home to this adorable kitten!

Learn How to Adopt Clive!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Clive's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Clive's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Clive get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Pet of the Week

Meet Tobi

Looking for a distinguished gentleman with a zest for life? Tobi is your man! Heads will turn when you take this little guy for a strut around the neighborhood. Tobi loves other dogs, playing with toys and being pampered at the doggy spa. If you're ready to be his #1 fan, come down and ask for a pawtagraph today!

Learn How to Adopt Tobi!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Tobi's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Tobi's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Tobi get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Happy Tail: Florence

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager


Florence is a dainty kitty with a giant personality. At only a year old, she found her way to HSSV after her previous owners’ job transferred them out of the country. Florence isn’t a common name we see in an organization filled with cats named Tiger, Squeaky, or Coco. In fact she’s the only cat named Florence in our database!

When I first met Florence she was sitting in the back of her kennel relaxing. She was up very high and out of my reach to show her to potential suitors. I tried my entire cat-coaxing repertoire by making bird noises, offering toys, treats, and affection, but she didn’t budge. Before going for a footstool, I attempted the unthinkable for a cat and softly said “Florence”. To my surprise, the little muted tortoiseshell stood up, took a long stretch, and walked out to me. She not only knew her name, but also came when called.

A small family with a 2-year-old son adopted Florence soon after my experience with her. They tell us Florence is exceedingly patient with their little boy, and if he gets too loud she will simply leave the room. The gentle cat who learned her name is now teaching their son the joy of having a kitty.

Are you looking for a cat with a giant personality? Take advantage of our $10 Cat and Kitten Adoption Fees all November long.

Beginning Rally with A DOG'S LIFE

By Sherry Hung, HSSV Volunteer

This past Sunday, I stood in the agility yard at HSSV and watched as three happy dogs trotted, turned, and heeled on command. It was the second session of the weekly Beginning Rally Obedience course offered at Humane Society Silicon Valley through A DOG'S LIFE, and I observed as the dogs and their owners learned to do 90, 180, 270, and 360 degree turns on command.

At the end of the class, these turns were strung together with commands from the previous lesson, and the dogs took turns running a mini-course with their owners.




This is the essence of rally obedience, an AKC event in which dogs complete a course consisting of numbered signs; at each sign the handler must guide the dog with verbal commands and hand signals to complete an action before moving on.

The bond between each owner and dog was apparent as they both learned to communicate and successfully complete each sign. Of course, lots and lots of treats and praise were used to motivate the pups, and these dogs looked so happy running the course with their owners!



I'm hoping to come back again to see how the class progresses, and to check out more of the great classes offered at Humane Society Silicon Valley.

Pet of the Week

Meet the Baby Bunch

It's puppy time! Marvin, Milton, Miles, Marmaduke, Milo, Molly, Mabel, Maximus and Maggie have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated at HSSV and now they are ready for homes of their very own. All of these babies are gentle, sweet, affectionate, intellegent and eager to please but each has his or her own unique personality.

This special bunch of puppies came in to HSSV through our P.U.P. (Preventing Unwanted Pregnancies) program that takes in unwanted puppies and kittens and spays the mother for free to prevent further unwanted pregnancies.

Are you ready for some puppy love? Come meet the Baby Bunch!

Learn How to Adopt a Puppy!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see the Baby Bunch's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Baby Bunch's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like these get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

Beginning Rally Course This Sunday

By Sherry Hung, HSSV Volunteer


This Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at HSSV marks the start of a series of classes on Beginning Rally Obedience. I've been invited to blog about Sunday’s class and I’m so excited! Rally is an AKC event where owners work with their dogs to navigate a course of ten to twenty signs; at each sign, the handler asks his or her dog to perform an exercise before moving on to the next one. In rally events, owners are encouraged to communicate with their dogs throughout the event—handlers give verbal and hand cues to help their dogs complete the course.

This class is offered through A DOG'S LIFE, and I'm so glad that a portion of the registration fees will go to the Humane Society Silicon Valley to help care for orphaned pets who need homes of their own. I love the fact that HSSV not only helps find homes for orphaned animals, but also offers great activities like rally classes, that encourage owners to work with and further the bond with their pups.

There are still a few spots available for owners interested in exploring this unique opportunity to work with their dogs—check out this link for more information and to register. I can't wait to learn more on Sunday, and to blog about the rally class!

Happy Tail: Patches

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Center

Patches, is an adorable 12 year-old black and white ball of fluff who came to HSSV through our Regional Rescue Program. The program routinely rescues animals in danger of being euthanized due to lack of space, time or resources at other shelters. On her fifth day up for adoption, we decided that Patches would be a great dog to feature at our Dog Adoption Day at our Satellite Adoption Center in PETCO Saratoga.

The shaggy dog no sooner arrived when she met a family who had seen the street signs advertising adoptions. Our adoption counselor started introductions out with their 8-year-old daughter. After some play and cuddles, Patches was ready to meet her greatest hurdle to her new home, their three-year-old boy! The toddler let out a shrill of joy at being released from his stroller and getting to touch the “puppy”.

After an initial moment of hesitation, Patches started to lick the little boy’s feet. Next, the family took her for a walk around the shopping center so our adoption counselor could see how Patches behaved with family members walking her. The gentle poodle was easy enough for their elementary age daughter to walk on her own. Patches never made the return trip to our Animal Community Center, as the family finalized her adoption at our Satellite. Our staff member who adopted out Patches remarked, “I think coming out to PETCO was the best thing that could have happened to Patches.”

Are you a Saratoga, Campbell, or west-side San Jose resident who would like to meet dogs closer to home? Join us this Saturday for our next Dog Adoption Day at PETCO Saratoga.

Pet of the Week

Meet Casper

Hi, I am Casper the Friendly Guinea Pig!

I’d love to curl up in your lap while you watch scary movies and I am going to be a great help when it’s time to carve pumpkins by cleaning up the tasty bits you cut out!

Let’s greet trick-or-treaters together; a pair of wings would make a super cute piggy costume.

Come meet me at HSSV's satellite adoption center inside Petco Saratoga! Learn How to Adopt Casper!

How You Can Help

Every week, we ask the community to help us find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Casper's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out Casper's profile and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Casper get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let us know!

“Not So Undercover Boss” Part I: The Virtue of Cleanliness

“Not So Undercover Boss” Part I: The Virtue of Cleanliness

By Carol Novello

HSSV President

During my first 100 days as president of Humane Society Silicon Valley, I want to experience all aspects of our business first-hand. I recently learned how to clean our dog apartments. It’s hard, hard work. And it’s really, really important work, too.

Cleanliness in our kennels helps keep our four-legged guests healthy. It also means less risk of illness and infection.

Taking cleanliness for granted is easy to do. Especially when it’s “not your job.” That’s why I wanted to experience it first-hand. Personally, I learn by doing. I also appreciate by doing.

To all of our hard-working Animal Care Techs (ACTs), I say THANK YOU. You make it look easy. I know it’s not. My ‘Going to the Dogs’ video is the proof.

MP4 format | WMV format

Animal 911: Aggie’s Story

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

One of the things I like most about Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is the extraordinary lengths the staff goes through for every single animal in their care. Just last week, I learned about a kitty named Aggie who is a shining example of the great work HSSV is doing.

Aggie, a 7-year-old kitty, was surrendered to HSSV when her family was no longer able to give her the attention she deserved. Aggie was a healthy cat who absolutely adored being petted. She’d stand up on her hind legs when offered a treat, and enjoyed napping in laps. Like all of the kitties at HSSV, Aggie lived in a luxurious cat condo, complete with a private bed and lots of attention from volunteers.

Despite staff’s best efforts to make Aggie feel at home, Aggie became depressed without a family of her own. The days went by and Aggie’s depression began to take its toll. She stopped eating. No amount of cajoling or coaxing convinced Aggie to eat. The veterinary team was called in for close monitoring. She was hand-fed and showered with love and attention. Most shelters might not have gone to such lengths, but, thanks to the perseverance of HSSV staff, Aggie recovered. And then they found her the perfect home.

Aggie, who now goes by Abbie, was adopted by a man named Scott. The two have settled into a routine that includes a lot of cuddling and playing with furry toy mice. “Every morning when I wake up, she’s right there,” Scott happily told me. While he’s at work she lays on the back of the sofa, looking out of their third floor apartment at the gardens below and “chirping at the birds.” When he returns, she tells him about her day. “I hear about it for about half an hour,” Scott laughingly noted. Abbie provides a positive energy to the house that Scott said was missing before. And now Abbie has her own special person to spend the rest of her days with.