Greetings Volunteers,
Wishing all of you an early Happy Valentine’s Day!! Hoping you get to spend this day with your special honey, whether that includes a human, canine, feline, bunny, guinea pig, birdie, or other critter. Sending you loads of appreciation, our 
are full of gratitude for the love you share with Marin Humane + Hopalong animals and guests.
And if you want to spread the love, you can also send a Valentine to a shelter pet in need! Make a donation of any amount to support our furry friends, and send a special valentine to a shelter pet of your choice. Your donation helps provide food, care, and love to animals waiting for their forever homes. Give your gift no later than Friday to get your valentine delivered! Donate here and be sure to note which pet you’re choosing as your valentine recipient!
Shelter update: We currently have 250 animals in our collective care. 191 are at Marin Humane: 58 animals in foster and 133 animals in the shelter/Kitty Corner, including: 41 dogs, 4 puppies, 52 cats, 5 kittens, 9 rabbits, 6 guinea pigs, 6 rodents, 1 reptile, 6 birds, and 3 fowl. 59 animals are with the Hopalong Foster Program: 8 animals are in the Oakland office and 51 are in foster or offsite adoption sites!
Adoption update: It’s another magical day because you’re in for a double dose of cuteness! If you’re feeling chilly, warm up with the adoption slideshow from last week and the adoption slideshow from this week! If you’d like more details, here’s the Adoption Report for the past two weeks!
Hopalong happenings: Are you the second chance home for a sweet, senior pup?! Toby came to Hopalong after his owner passed away and he was then left outside to fend for himself. Luckily an Animal Control Officer from Oakland got the call and Toby was eventually brought to us. While Toby has so far been overlooked because of his age (9 years young!), we know that there’s a loving home somewhere for him to call his own again. Toby has the sweetest demeanor and is just so grateful to be given a second chance. Toby loves new people, is very dog social, and enjoys nothing more than to cuddle with humans. He is enthusiastic, youthful and has lots of love to give! All he needs now is a person or family to call his own. If you think you might be that person for Toby please reach out to us or share his information with anyone who might be willing to open their heart and home to him. Here’s a bit more info on our friend Toby.
VCA Animal Hospitals Pet Perks: The 2025 VCA Animal Hospitals discount cards have arrived. The discount card provides a free first exam, plus 20% off veterinary services every visit. The discount includes: preventive care, dental discussions, vaccinations, and diagnostics. (Please see card for details, and call your VCA Animal Hospital to confirm their participation). There are VCA Pet Perks cards in an envelope in the tray outside the volunteer office in the Whittell building, and at Meagan’s desk in the Oakland office.
Tails of Marin x 2! Since the weather makes you just want to curl up on your couch and read, we’ve got some good reading material for you — two Tails of Marin articles: Why pets make great Valentine’s and Is your cat thinking outside the box?
Volunteer High Five to Emily Wolford! “I’d like to give a Volunteer High Five to one of the newest members of our awesome Animal Care Volunteer team, Emily Wolford. Emily is a dog kennel cleaner extraordinaire! She cleans the dog kennels in the adoption area, and she does it soooo thoroughly that staff regularly comment on how amazing the dog adoption area looks after she’s finished her shift. This can be a physically demanding position, and Emily dedicates the time and attention to detail that make the dog runs shine! Thanks, Emily, for your hard work … it is noticed and appreciated!!” ~ Kyle Dunlop, Animal Care Supervisor
B&T blog: Volunteer and blog contributor, Neil Lurssen, writes an entertaining, and informative piece that asks the question, “Can Dogs See Better In the Dark Than Humans?” Read the full article to get the answer to that question!
More interesting reading! You might be interested in this perspective from Cathy Bissell, founder of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness: “The ‘Kill’ Label is Killing Our Nation’s Pets.”
Leave a lasting legacy: Most bequests are made by ordinary people who want to make a positive difference after they’re gone, and no matter the size, each bequest leaves a lasting impact and legacy. Over the years, many animal-loving, compassionate people have chosen to leave a charitable bequest to Marin Humane to ensure a better life for Marin’s animals. We are grateful for these individuals who have been part of our history and have given us the opportunity to expand and serve more animals. If you’d like to explore creating your legacy by making a bequest to Marin Humane, please visit our website here or contact Nan Zimmerman at 415-506-6233 or at nzimmerman@marinhumane.org.
Employment opportunities: Looking to join the crew at Marin Humane? There are two full-time positions open right now: Director of Human Resources and Supervising Animal Services Officer. Check out these two listings on our employment page!
Stay warm and dry, and be well!
Candace
