Greetings Volunteers,
At the beginning of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place, Marin Humane was able to obtain a Payroll Protection Program loan that’s helped cover staff salaries for the past few months. That loan will continue to take us through July 19th. Please read this important message from Anne Oliver:
“As mentioned by Nancy McKenney last week, the budget for FY 20-21 was a tricky one given all the uncertainties presented during the pandemic. The Volunteer Services department will experience an overall reduction in hours for a few months, since the volunteer program and need for volunteers has been drastically reduced. Candace will continue to keep you informed through the Volunteer Blog, and we look forward to a time when volunteers can be more active. If you have any questions about the organization or volunteering, please contact me at aboliver@marinhumane.org. Thanks so much for your patience and support!”
Shelter Update: We currently have 117 animals in our care: 76 animals in foster and 41 in the shelter. The shelter population consists of 1 rabbit, 19 cats, 15 kittens, 5 dogs and 1 puppy.
Adoptions Update: Since March 16th, there have been 558 adoptions. This is a 3% increase in shelter adoptions (Novato campus) compared to last year. Factoring in Kitty Corner adoptions, our overall adoptions are down by 13%. For this week’s adoption slideshow, click here.
Meet our fabulous foster: Molly Foley is Marin Humane’s Philanthropy Events Manager, and a passionate foster family! Molly tells us more about her recent fostering experience: “I began fostering for Marin Humane as an overnight foster last December. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March and the shelter was cleared out my overnight foster, Ollie, became my full-time foster. And since he wasn’t enough we even took in another foster! Fostering is a very rewarding experience as you really get to see a dog flourish outside of the shelter.
One of our first COVID fosters, Benson, came from a hoarding situation in the Central Valley. He was shy, shutdown, didn’t know how to walk on a leash and wasn’t house-trained. After a few weeks of living with us (family with two kids and two dogs) he was a completely different dog – he came out of his shell, walked well on a leash and best of all was house-trained. After Benson and Ollie were adopted we continued taking in fosters and since May we have fostered 7 more dogs, some for a few days and some for a few weeks, some shy ones and some outgoing ones, each with their own personalities.
The question I get the most about fostering is, “How can you let them leave, don’t you get attached to them?” and the answer is yes, we do get attached, but it’s also exciting seeing them go off to their new homes. With the way the Adoptions team is matching adopters to dogs, we actually get to “meet” the new adopters via phone and Face Time. That way we know that they are going to a good home. And if they didn’t leave, we wouldn’t have space in our house for the next foster that needs a place to crash.
Fostering for Marin Humane is easy as they provide everything you need – a crate, bed, food and water bowls, food, harness, leash, etc. I highly encourage anyone interested in fostering to try it out!”
Fosters Needed! As Molly said above, fostering is very rewarding. If you’re looking for a rewarding experience and a way to get your “shelter animal fix” while we’re still closed, we could really use your help fostering. Most in need are fosters for adult cats (especially in homes without cats and/or dogs), adult dogs and ringworm kittens*!! If interested in helping, please contact Suzanne Gollin, Foster Care Coordinator, sgollin@marinhumane.org. Thank you!
*Ringworm, despite its misleading name, is actually not a worm at all–it is a fungal infection of the skin and hair. This fungus preys on the young and immuno-compromised, putting kittens at a high risk of infection when exposed. Fortunately, it is totally treatable and kittens can make a full recovery with care.
“How to keep you dog safe from foxtails” Summer in Marin is prime time for hiking and otherwise enjoying the great outdoors, especially as a break from SIP. You’re probably on high alert for ticks after venturing outside with your dog, but what about foxtails? In this week’s Tails of Marin article in the Marin IJ, you’ll learn some tips on how to keep you dog safe from pesky foxtails. (Photo of Candace’s dog Boomer sporting a foxtail mask 🙂
Be well,
Anne and Candace
