Hello Volunteers,
We hosted our first free community clinic of 2026 on Saturday, and it was a huge success. In just over three hours, we provided brief exams, rabies/DA2PP/FVRCP, microchips, and other supplies to 109 guardians and their 180 pets! We couldn’t have provided this valuable service without the following veterinarians who donated their time at Saturday’s clinic: Dr. Erin Bennett and Dr. Monica Ortiz (San Marin Animal Hospital), Dr. Kally Watson (San Anselmo Vet Hospital), Dr. Chal Hathaidharm (Marin City Animal Hospital), and Dr. Bethann Palermo (semi-retired relief vet). Huge kudos also go to the dozens of staff and volunteers who dedicated part of their Saturday to serve our community!
Shelter update: We currently have 199 animals in our collective care. 105 are at our Novato campus, including 19 dogs, 7 puppies, 59 cats, 3 kittens, 5 rabbits, 6 guinea pigs, 3 reptiles, 1 bird, and 2 fowl. Five animals are in our Oakland office; 13 are at Kitty Corner and the Woodlands stores; and 76 are in foster homes.
Adoption update: It’s Wednesday and you know what that means! Here are last week’s lucky adopters and adoptees, celebrating on the first day of the rest of their lives! Congratulations to all! 🥰 Enjoy, too, the Adoption Report!
Hopalong happenings! Congratulations to Toffee for finding her furever home! Four-year-old Toffee came to us as a stray and was very shut down. She was over-grooming and most of the time you couldn’t even see her in her condo because she was tucked so deeply into her bed. However, one of our weekend cat care volunteers, Alona, started to bond with her and wondered what she might be like in a home. She fostered her and was happy to report that Toffee had stopped over-grooming and was opening up a bit. She made the adoption official and we received this update last week: “Toffee is doing great and hardly hides anymore. She sleeps in the bed at night and enjoys short bursts of playing between naps and grooming during the day. I think she’s happy here and I’m so happy having her around.” We’re so glad that Toffee is feeling better and in such a great home!
Volunteer High Five to Animal Ambassador Teams! “We want to send a BIG Volunteer High Five to the Animal Ambassador Teams who visit the residents at the Marin County Juvenile Hall every week. We’re very fortunate to have many human-dog teams who share themselves with your community in schools, hospitals, libraries, and unusual visits like Juvenile Hall. Monica, our contact at the Marin County Juvenile Hall, wrote us this note: ‘I just wanted to send you a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful team of volunteers and their amazing dogs that are coming here every week. Your constant presence at Juvenile Hall is something everyone looks forward to every Friday. Our youth are extremely challenged in many aspects of their life, and this activity brings a happy moment of relief into their journey while in custody. The Dog Ambassador Program has been a success, and I hope to continue seeing you here regularly. With much appreciation.’ A huge shout out to Lisa Gerick & Ela, Jon Wilks, Dawn & Ivory, Katie Rogers & Lark, and Erik Flatt & Bodhi for sharing their time and hearts with this special group of kids. And for making a difference in their lives.” ~ Paige Hartquist, Community Engagement Coordinator
Columbia Sportswear perk through Sunday! Looking for some great deals on winter gear? Good timing! The Columbia Sportswear employee store perk has arrived and valid for all Marin Humane + Hopalong volunteers through this Sunday, March 8th! All items are 40% off full retail pricing. For store access, show this Columbia Sportswear Store Winter Invitation: (printed or shown on your mobile device) + proof of affiliation (your volunteer badge should suffice). Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit. This offer is for store access only (not valid online). Happy shopping!
Tails of Marin: With so many cute dogs out and about in Marin, it’s tempting to want to say hi to all of them. Here’s the right way to go about it: How to approach pets — and their guardians — the right way.
Summer camp t-shirt contest: Calling Marin County students in Grades 1–8! We invite you to use your creativity to design our Summer Camp T-Shirt. For details on contest rules, click here. Entries are due 3/31/26.
Summer camp job opportunity: Our Humane Summer Camp Internship is open to teens ages 15–18 who love working with kids and animals. Interns support week-long camp sessions, help with lessons and activities, and build real leadership skills along the way. A two-week commitment is required, with training and coaching included. Community service hours or optional stipend available. Click here to apply!
Pet sitter/dog walker list: We are in process of updating the Home Care/Pet Sitter List as we’re receiving calls for recommendations as people start making vacation plans. The list is for staff and current volunteers (who’ve been active at least three months) to market their independent services to the public. If you would like to be added to the pet care service providers list please provide the following info to ohbehave@marinhumane.org by March 6th: 1) your name; 2) service(s) provided: for example, pet boarding, pet sitting, pet visits, dog walking, etc.; 3) locations covered: for example, Marin, Sonoma, Novato only, etc.; 4) contact info: phone &/or email address.
Scenting Program Events Assistant: Fascinating fact: Dogs have a sense of smell that’s between 10,000 and 100,000 times more acute than ours! The sport of Scent Work celebrates the joy of sniffing, and asks a dog to sniff to their heart’s content; turning your dog’s favorite activity into a rewarding game and competitive sport. In fact, i is a terrific sport for all kinds of dogs, big and small, shy or reactive, young and old. Come experience the fastest growing dog sport in the world by joining Marin Humane’s Scenting Program! We’re looking for a volunteer Scenting Program Events Assistant to aid in the coordination of Marin Humane’s highly successful scenting and Nose Work events which include NACSW trials, Sniff and Go’s, seminars, workshops, and other events. Here’s your opportunity to experience the fastest growing dog sport in the world and become part of a winning team! Interested in learning more? Here’s the Scenting Program Events Assistant Job Description. Or, contact Scenting Program Manager Kathleen Call at kcall@marinhumane.org.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy a few more photos from Saturday’s community clinic!
Candace
