Pet of the Week

Meet Cactus

Cactus, a 10-month-old Domestic Short Hair mix, is ready to pounce his way into your family's heart! Don't let his initial shyness fool you. This adorable kitty loves to flirt, roll over for belly rubs and have his ears scratched for hours. If you are looking for an energetic, lovable kitten, come meet Cactus at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas.

Learn How to Adopt Cactus!

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 Cactus' video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.


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


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


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

Learn Your Dog’s Breed through HSSV’s DNA Testing Service!

By Marie Matheson, HSSV Volunteer

Nearly every time I am out and about with my two rescue dogs, I get asked, "What kind of dogs are those?” The HSSV staff was asking the same question when they rescued Munchie and his littermates. (Remember Munchie, the puppy in foster?) Well, Dr. Julia Lewis, director of medical services at HSSV, decided to DNA test Munchie because with just one test, she could get information on all seven of Munchie’s littermates, too!

HSSV’s DNA testing is easy on the animal and is done by taking a blood sample. DNA testing is useful because “adopters and owners can provide training and socialization appropriate to the breed makeup,” says Dr. Julia. “It can also reveal information about the possibility of diseases that may be related to particular breeds,” she adds. And of course, in the case of my own two dogs, it would certainly satisfy my curiosity regarding their breed makeup.

The most common guesses on Munchie’s breed included Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland and Chow-Chow, but the DNA testing determined Munchie and his litter mates are Rottweiler, German Shepherd and Miniature Long Haired Dachshund. And shortly after the mystery of Munchie’s genes was solved, the adoption staff at HSSV found a loving family to adopt him!

Now that I know more about DNA testing, I decided to have the tests done on my own dogs (see photos). Feel free to post your guess on their breeds in the comments section of the blog. Stay tuned for their results!

If you would like to do a DNA test on your dog, click here.

Pet of the Week

Meet Blueberry

Blueberry, an 8-week-old puppy, is ready to greet you with tail wags at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas! Blueberry is part Aussie and Lab, so we are looking for an active family who loves hiking or other outdoor activities. Blueberry is a very sweet puppy who likes to play and cuddle. If you are ready to commit to raising a puppy, come meet Blueberry and his nine brothers and sisters!

Learn How to Adopt Blueberry!

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 Blueberry's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.


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


3. Donate online to help animals like Blueberry 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 Cameron

Cameron, a 1-year-old Lion Head dwarf mix bunny, is ready for his next big adventure! This adorable daredevil loves to explore and can jump small boxes in a single leap! If you are looking for an entertaining companion who will keep the whole family laughing, come meet Cameron at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas.

Learn How to Adopt Cameron!

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 Cameron's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

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

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

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

Happy Tails: Kozmo

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager

Whenever I am feeling in a bit of a funk, I schedule myself a haircut. It’s the same sense of renewal our animals get when they go in for a long awaited clip and blow out. When we first met Kozmo he was overdue for some attention to his long locks. The poodle’s first helping hands were from an HSSV adopter who found the dog loose in the street. Since their dog had come from HSSV, they knew exactly where to take the Sunnyvale stray they rescued.

We had immediate interest in the shaggy teenager, who met several families before being put on hold for Patti who grew up with poodles and was prepared for their grooming commitment. Most dogs have a double coat with a top layer and an undercoat. The undercoat is what most dogs shed when the weather gets warmer. Poodles lack an undercoat, but their dense curly fur grows just like our hair and requires regular trips to a grooming salon. This doesn’t mean they don’t shed. If you’ve ever lived with someone with long hair you know how even people can leave hair cast offs.

To Kozmo’s delight, Patti returned the next day with her husband. They met with one of our Adoptions counselors to make a plan that would allow Kozmo to spend most of the day with a human companion, as he loves being with people. We also got his new family on the right track with his training, and he’s now attending private classes with a professional canine educator. When Patti sent us photos of Kozmo’s new haircut and she wrote, “I may be biased, but he is one of the cutest dogs I have ever seen!” I could practically see her beaming with pride. I think that’s how all of us animal parents feel about our furry children.

Do you have a furry family member in need of a makeover? Make your grooming appointment at our Animal Community Center’s doggie salon today, where all sales go to the tales.

January is National Train Your Dog Month

Jennifer Bush, HSSV Volunteer

When I brought home my new puppy, my first thought was “now what?” I wanted to be responsible, and I had dreams of being one of those people you see, sitting at an outdoor café, with their quiet pup by their side. So I enrolled in a puppy training class, and began the process of developing my 8-week-old into the best friend I knew she would turn out to be.

If you’ve recently added a new puppy to your household, it is important to make sure you get your relationship off to the right start, and HSSV’s behavior and training classes can help. The Beginning Puppy classes teach basic manners and obedience, and the drop-in Puppy Socials help give new pups the social skills they need to get along with other dogs. You and your dog might even make a new friend to visit at the dog park.

If you’ve mastered the basics, but wish your dog were more comfortable out in the community, HSSV offers the Canine Good Citizen prep class. Or if, like my pup, it turns out your dog thrives on physical and mental challenges rather than hanging out at a café, consider trying a dog sport, like Flyball or Agility. My dog is never happier, more focused, or more exhausted, after a challenging agility class! And I’ve never felt closer to her than when she’s watching me, waiting for her cue to get off the starting line.



HSSV offers many specialty classes and seminars, in addition to the ones listed above. HSSV also has classes for cat and rabbit owners! See the Behavior & Training page for a calendar of classes and registration information. Discounts are available to Santa Clara County adopters.

Pet of the Week

Meet Icicle

Icicle, a 10-month-old kitten, is ready to purr his way into your heart! Icicle loves to cuddle, give kisses and roll over for belly rubs. He spends his time playing with toys and running around and over boxes and furniture as if it is an agility course. Adopt Icicle and he will follow you from room to room, content to be your best friend. And did we mention that Icicle loves other cats?

Learn How to Adopt Icicle!

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 Icicle's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

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

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

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

The Café is Open!

by Valerie K. Kane, HSSV Volunteer

In my last blog post I talked about HSSV's pet supply store, Whole Pets, conveniently located at the HSSV Animal Community Center. Whole Pets is a great place not only to stock up on supplies, but also to get a quick treat or snack - if you are a dog or cat that is.

But what if you are a human visiting the community center and have a hankering for a coffee or a quick bite to eat?

Well, that problem is now solved with the opening of HSSV's Café! The Café offers a variety of hot and cold beverages, snacks and light meals.

It's the perfect place to pick up a hot beverage to fortify yourself for a session at the HSSV dog park or have something to eat while you wait for your adoption appointment. And for us volunteer dog socializers, what could be better than coming back from walking a dog and warming up with a hot drink before venturing out with another dog?


There are tables and chairs set up in various parts of the community center and in the front courtyard, where you can relax while you enjoy your Café goodies. One tip: my favorite spot to sip my coffee is at one of the tables in the alcove down the walkway from the Rabbit Habitat. It's a nice spot to relax and enjoy a view of the front courtyard of the community center. Maybe I'll see you next time I'm there.


The Café is located just to the left of the Animal Community Center lobby. Café hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Pet of the Week

Meet Ryan

Ryan, a super cuddly Basset Hound, is just over a year old. He loves to play fetch and go jogging. Ryan's affectionate nature is sure to steal your heart, especially when he rolls over for a belly rub. If you are looking for someone to share life's adventures with, Ryan is your man!

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

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 Ryan's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

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

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

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