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News From Healdsburg
NEWS FROM OUR HEALDSBURG SHELTER
We are so doggone proud of our Healdsburg Shelter team! Between COVID-related disruptions and the threat of fires, our tiny-but-mighty crew has managed to place 230 animals into loving homes so far this year (at time of printing) and do some serious skill-building. Healdsburg staffers have been focused on cross-training to increase efficiencies and help even more animals. They’ve been staying up-to-date on best shelter practices
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AUGUST’S WALBRIDGE FIRE filled us with a sense of déjà vu. It wasn’t that long ago that we were spiriting all of our Healdsburg shelter animals to safety from the Kincade Fire. Even before evacuation warnings were issued, we had a solid plan in place to safely relocate all Healdsburg animals to our Santa Rosa shelter. Our transport van had a full tank of gas and carriers for each animal were stacked at the ready so, when the time came, evacuation went smoothly. Once the evacuation order was downgraded to a warning, we returned to the shelter to clear ash and debris and thoroughly Healdsburg staffers Kelly and deep-clean so, when the Ciara moving animals to safety. warning was finally lifted, we were able to bring the animals back and fill the shelter with sweet fuzzy faces once again. Pet Food Pantry resources were depleted during the fire so we put the word out and within a week we had dozens of donations. The outpouring of love and support from the Healdsburg community was the best “welcome back” we could ask for! and participating in Fear Free certification training too. In another exciting development, our Healdsburg shelter is now taking in healthy, adoptable animals directly from HSSC rescue partners — bypassing the need to go through our Santa Rosa campus and getting them on the path to a forever home quicker! Led by manager Karrie Stewart, a Registered Veterinary Technician, the shelter is set up to treat basic medical conditions, which increases our overall capacity for care. “We can actually do a lot here,” Karrie explains. “We provide intake exams and vaccines, treat ringworm, test for FeLV/ FIV, treat upper respiratory and eye infections, and common intestinal parasites. Our in-house lab equipment enables us to do microscopic cytology for ear and skin infections and run full blood panels. This helps reduce the stress of transporting pets to our Santa Rosa campus for routine care.” Another element integral to the care of our Healdsburg animals? Our volunteers! We are so happy to welcome them back with COVID-19 Bonnie snuggled in the new kitten sling with adoption counselor Kelly. protocols in place and staggered shifts to keep everyone safe. We also are pleased to report that our public training classes have returned to the shelter, adhering to strict safety measures while providing learning opportunities for the community’s pups and their people!
HEALDSBURG CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS OCTOBER 2020
