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.