Hello Volunteers,
Animal Rights Awareness Week champions animal welfare every third week of June, from Monday, June 15 to Sunday, June 21, 2026. The week focuses on advocating for the humane treatment and protection of pets, farm animals, and wildlife. In fact, Marin Humane’s advocacy and courageous compassion for all animals is rooted in the work of our founder, Ethel H. Tompkins (pictured here), from as early as 1907! Click here to read more of our history on how Marin Humane has always worked to create a humane world for every animal!
Shelter update: We currently have 373 animals in our collective care. 139 are at our Novato campus, including 19 dogs, 1 puppy, 52 cats, 49 kittens, 8 rabbits, 7 guinea pigs, 1 rodent, and 3 reptiles. 27 animals are in our Oakland office; 27 are at Kitty Corner and the Woodlands stores; and 180 are in foster homes.
Adoption update: Summer warning: This adoption reel may exceed your daily recommended dose of cuteness! Watch some of our recently adopted animals head home with their new families to start new adventures, and settle into the happily-ever-afters they deserve. 🐾💛 Here’s the Adoption Report, too!
Hopalong happenings: This week, Hopalong wants to give a huge shout out to Carol. Every time we send an animal in the car, we put a covering over their carrier. Carol cleverly takes old pillowcases and sheets and sews these covers for us. More recently, the Woodlands Pet Stores requested some sort of covering to help give cats privacy in their condos while up for adoption. We knew Carol would be the right person to ask. She not only sewed new curtains for the condos in the stores, but she upgraded our dog pens on site too! She realized that some of the dogs on site might want more privacy and constructed beautiful curtains for their pens. If we do the math, Carol has created hundreds of curtains and covers for us over the years. This in turn helps keep our animals safe, healthy, and happy. I haven’t even mentioned all the pet transportation she helps with, plus countless foster dogs… In short, Carol is a rock star volunteer. Thank you so much, Carol!
Happy ending! Not long after we began our temporary contract at the Petaluma animal shelter, a very special dog came through our doors. Lexa was brought to the Petaluma shelter in early April after police officers found her alone inside her home, alongside her deceased guardian. The Petaluma PD called our Animal Services department for support, and our officer arrived to find a very large and very nervous dog. But with a soft voice and a gentle approach, our officer was able to get Lexa to safety at the shelter. Rocked by the changes in her life, Lexa was very shy and afraid of strangers. Sudden movements startled her, new spaces made her anxious, and she would avoid new people, tucking her tail between her legs. So off to a foster home she went, where she could feel safe, start to open up, and show us her full personality. Also in the home was a Marin Humane alum named Leo, a “foster fail” from last summer! While it was touch-and-go at first, it didn’t take long for Lexa to settle in and let Leo show her the ropes. These two enjoyed walks, naps, and play sessions together, and slowly but surely, Lexa emerged from her shell. Some space in a home with an understanding foster and a canine companion was exactly what she needed. After a month in foster, Lexa was was thriving and ready for prime time! It didn’t take long for her to find an amazing forever home! Thanks to fabulous foster Laurie Bernstein, Lexa was able to emerge from a tragic experience and find her second chance. We’re extremely grateful to all our fosters who make such a difference for our animals.
Train your cat workshop! We’ve all heard the phrase that “dogs have owners… cats have staff.” 😆 But believe it or not, you don’t have to live at the mercy of your kitty’s every whim! If you want to train them not to wake you up in the morning, not to jump on the dining room table, or address any other common cat naughtiness, we can help. Our “How to Train Your Cat” workshop is a FREE, 1.5-hour virtual session with our cat behaviorists and it’s a total game changer! Join us THIS Thursday, June 18, at 7pm on Zoom if you’re ready to use a little positive reinforcement to get your cat on track. Sign up here.
Tails of Marin: Over the past three weeks, emergency veterinarians in Marin County have seen a dramatic spike in dogs suffering from suspected mushroom poisonings. At the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center of Marin alone, they have treated more than 10 suspected cases during that time. As mushroom season continues throughout the county, pet owners should be aware of a hidden danger growing in parks, yards and neighborhoods across the region. Continue reading the Tails of Marin article, “Marin veterinarians urge caution as toxic mushrooms appear.”
Save the date! Tails by Twilight returns on Saturday, September 19, 2026, and we hope you’ll join us for our signature fundraising gala. Get ready for: 🌟A live auction with exciting, one-of-a-kind experiences and packages 🌟A gourmet dinner and signature cocktails 🌟Inspiring stories of lives changed through your support 🌟Live music by the Dick Bright Trio 🌟Everyone’s favorite auctioneer, John Curley, emcee Carolyn McArdle, co-host of The Morning Breeze on 98.1 🌟And of course, well-behaved pooches are welcome to join the festivities! 🐾. Tickets go on sale July 15 so mark your calendar!
Subaru Loves Pets: Here’s a pro tip – when you take your Subaru into Subaru Marin for an oil change service, bring in a 16 oz. bag (or greater) or two 12 oz. cans of pet food and you’ll get $55 off your service! All the pet food is then donated to Marin Humane’s Pet Safety Net pet pantry! It’s a win-win! You’re welcome :).
Going on vacation! I’ll be on vacation from June 21-June 28 volunteering at a spay/neuter clinic in Guatemala! The Volunteer Blog will be on vacation, too! Stay tuned for the next post in July!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Candace
