Happy Tails: Monkey

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adopiton Manager

At HSSV we all know cats are individuals, some will curl up on any vacant lap while others could play for hours. Our adoption counselor David had to smile when he looked through Lisa and Jeff’s adoption survey and saw “from quiet to gregarious” any personality of cat is “fine with us”. A whole range of possibilities for potential matches came to mind and he knew they would be leaving that day with one of our adoptable cats.

The couple already had a HSSV alumnus at home. Razzleberry, a 13-year-old ginger tabby had recently lost his cat companion of eight years, Indy. Indy had helped Razzleberry adjust to his new home and turned the scared little orange cat into a confident kitty. Lisa and Jeff wanted to bring another cat into their home for Razzleberry to continue Indy’s legacy of feline friendship.

David remembered a group of shy cats who had recently been surrendered to HSSV that needed some extra TLC. One of them would be a perfect match for a gentle cat like Razzleberry to coax out of their shell. Monkey, a one year old black cat, who had been described as affectionate and playful by his last home had become a little withdrawn. All the unfamiliar sights and sounds made him shy with new people. Lisa and Jeff slowly met Monkey, talking softly to him and letting him sniff their hands. Just this little bit of kindness allowed him to let down his guard enough to warm his way into their hearts. They took him home that day.

It’s been about a month since their adoption and the couple tell us they it’s “hard to imagine life without him”. While Razzleberry has been underwhelmed by their new addition, every once and awhile they catch the two boys rubbing up against each other. They know they will be friends very soon.

Are you looking for a feline friend? Join us this Saturday for PurrFest and take advantage of “PawFurred” pricing all April for cats and dogs (6 months or older).

Happy Tails: Fenrir and Quark

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager

It was the week of Christmas when I received an early morning phone call from one of our staff members, Linda. Her foster guinea pig, Zelda, who we had all suspected was pregnant when she arrived at HSSV, proved us right with three little babies appearing overnight. The little ones were up and running around right after being born, as guinea pigs, otherwise known as cavies, come out with their eyes open and fully covered in fur. Relieved the birth had gone well, we knew had 4 weeks to wait until they could be placed up for adoption. A month may seem like a short time with Mom, but guinea pigs develop very fast and females can get pregnant at just four weeks of age!

The first few times Irene and Kevin stopped by our Saratoga satellite adoption center in PETCO looking for cavies we didn’t have any available. We knew Zelda’s babies were coming up for adoption soon and set up an appointment for Irene and Kevin to meet the piglets and Mom. The first-time owners purchased a large 2X4 chloroplast enclosure for their new arrivals and began the task of choosing which two would come home with them. They decided on two little girls, which they named Fenrir (Kevin’s choice) and Quark (Irene’s pick). Since their foster Mom happened to be their adoption counselor, Kevin and Irene learned not just about guinea pig care but a full overview of the girls’ upbringing.
A few weeks after the adoption, we received an email from the new pig parents. They are enjoying watching the girls grow up and develop their own personalities. Quark is more friendly but a little slower than her clever sister. Fenrir may be more picky about who she makes friends with but both guineas have begun to bond with their people. And don’t worry about their Mom. Soon after Fenrir and Quark were adopted, Zelda and her last baby Tokyo were placed separately in wonderful homes looking to add a second pig.


Are you are looking to adopt a guinea pig? Get started by submitting an online adoption survey for pocket pets and our Satellite staff will get you started down the right path for pig parenting. For more information on how guinea pigs make great companion animals check out this PDF on guinea pig care.

(Photos provided and taken by Kevin Lee)

Passion for Guinea Pigs

By Linda Ngo, Satellite Adoption Staff


My love for guinea pigs grew after adopting my first group from HSSV shortly after I was hired. My first pigs were three siblings and while I adored them, they didn’t love me. In fact, they were downright frightened of me! They had not had a lot of attention in their last home and needed to rebuild trust with people. When they saw me they would freeze, only moving their tiny chests in and out breathing fast. I knew they just needed some time and someone to show them love to earn their trust. I started by sitting quietly with them reading a book to get them use to me and show them I wasn’t the big scary monster they thought I was. By going slowly and offering yummy treats they only got when they were with me, we made steady progress. A few months later when they were brave enough to eat out of my hands, I felt like such a good piggy Mom!

My latest foster was Zelda, a black and white female who was turned in as a stray at the Hayward shelter with her litter of pups and “boyfriend”. Since guineas are very good at making more guineas, we knew she was probably pregnant again. This hunch was confirmed 62 days later when she gave birth to three little ones right before Christmas. They were the size of a kiwi fruit at birth, and tripled in size 6 weeks later when we they were ready for adoption.

Fostering has been an enriching experience and has taught me so much about guinea pigs that I now can pass on to adopters. No two guinea pigs are alike, and each of my fosters hold a special place in my heart. From the shy ones −to the outgoing Mama’s − they are all special. Sometimes I think my Pomeranian, Puma, believes he’s just one of the pigs. After all, they outnumber him at home!


Join us in two weeks as our Happy Tail features Zelda’s three babies and an update from their new home.

Happy Tails: JIMI

by Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager

When animals leave HSSV their story is just beginning. I love going through our inbox searching for tales to share. It was one such email from an adopter named Robert that has sparked an on-going search for an elusive green toy mouse.

Robert adopted JIMI in December. Known to us as Dallas, the 8-month-old teenager was one of 18 cats we brought in from the South County animal shelter. Our cat volunteer Bea was on hand to introduce the pair while our staff member Amy finalized the adoption paperwork and set up the pair for success. Amy placed JIMI in his new carrier with a few of his favorite toys to make the car ride home a little more enjoyable.
A few weeks later Robert sent us an update, and like most adopters included photos of JIMI in his new home. What peaked my interest were a couple close-ups of a well-loved mouse toy that was sent home with the black kitty and a request asking where to find more of them.

Most pet parents have been through a similar quest to several pet stores and online vendors looking for a duplicate of a beloved toy or that special treat. Last year I drove to three stores to find my border collie a particular Tuff Toy because she had to have the sheep one before having it specially ordered through HSSV’s Whole Pets store.

As for Robert’s search, our adoptions staff has looked far and wide to locate another green mouse, but we do not know where this donated toy came from. Since we are out of leads, I am putting this out to our blog readers and asking have you seen this mouse? Leave a comment if you can help JIMI and Robert’s search come to a successful end!

HSSV’s Valentine Adopt-a-Thon – a Matchmaking Success!

By Natasha Dolginsky, HSSV Volunteer

The Valentine Adopt-a-thon this past Saturday was a blast!  Over 930 guests made it to the event, some looking for their “love connection” and others just hanging out with the adorable animals of HSSV and enjoying the sunshine.

Love was definitely in the air in the cat adoption room!  There were dozens of cats who had traveled from Itty Bitty Orphan Kitty Rescue, Unconditional Love, and Nike Animal Rescue Foundation and were waiting to meet their perfect match.  There was Anne, the gray tabby who generously went from one lap onto the next, Larry, a gorgeous tuxedo cat with a very distinctive purr, Spike, an adorable black 7-month-old kitten rightly nicknamed Cuddles who was getting his share of belly rubs, and many, many more!   Thirty cats found their love matches that day at the Humane Society location and at the San Jose and Sunnyvale PETCO locations.  All are now enjoying their new homes!

As folks were happily making their way home with their new furry family members, I had a chance to catch up with two of the families:

Terri had driven two hours to adopt Timmy, a 4-year-old adorable Chihuahua, whom she first saw and fell in love with two weeks ago.  She made the long trek this Saturday and was full of smiles as she headed back home to introduce Timmy to his new family.

For Fred, Paulette and daughter Madison it was love at first sight when they met Sid, a 1 1/2-year-old Chihuahua.   Sid stole their hearts with his contagious energy, playful personality and sparkly eyes.  It was hard to tell who was more excited, Sid or Madison, as both of them were nearly jumping up in place!  What a wonderful match and a great family portrait!

Didn’t have a chance to make it on Saturday?  There are plenty of cats, dogs and bunnies looking for someone to love. 

Also, check out the HSSV event calendar, to learn about upcoming events, classes and much more!