Community Corner

A New Chapter for the Petaluma Animal Shelter

With donations pouring in, the training center reopened and new volunteers signing up, the future looks bright for the shelter, says new group.

It’s been just a week since Petaluma Animal Services Foundation took over the day-to-day operations of the animal shelter and the mood here is nothing short of festive.

The training center, for dogs that need obedience training, has reopened and volunteers are scattered through the facility, playing with cats, walking dogs or showing animals to residents who come in.

A larger play area, adorned with donated potted plants and patio furniture, welcomes visitors who want to get acquainted with the animals.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Animals are finally getting the one-on-one attention they need,” says shelter director Jeff Charter. “And it’s making a big difference.”

Just three months ago, the shelter’s future was in limbo as the foundation anticipated the council’s vote on whether to transfer operations from the city to the nonprofit group. Employees were split too, between those who wanted to join the foundation and those who preferred to keep working for the city, largely because of a slightly higher salary and government pensions.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With the city’s nod of approval behind it, the group says it can now focus on its primary mission: caring for stray and abandoned animals and increasing the number of adoptions.

“When you’re a government entity, you’re on the bottom of the totem pole and are being run by people who have other priorities besides the animals,” Charter said.

“Now we can focus on delivering that care…and we want to be really open to the community and accommodate people as much as possible.”

Although it has nonprofit status, the foundation will receive $478,000 a year from the city, funding five staff positions and the day-to-day operations. But it will also aggressively pursue grants in order to expand its services, said Sue Davy, a longtime volunteer and board member.

Since the group took over August 1, donations have been pouring in, as have new volunteers, with 25 people showing to last Saturday’s orientation, an all-time high.

A new, web-based system for keeping track of animals, has also been implemented that allows animal control officers to identify a dog while out in the field and return it to its owner without having to come back to the shelter.

The free software was donated by Pet Point in exchange for the foundation purchasing microchips from the company.

Other plans include developing a trap, neuter and release program for “community” cats (“We think feral has a negative connotation,” says Charter) and training residents how to take care of street cats in their community.

But despite all the changes, the biggest one may be the one that’s not easily quantifiable.

Says Davy: “There's just this uplifting feeling among staff and volunteers and the possibility of everything to come. It's wonderful.”

The shelter is holding a benefit this Friday at the Rooster Run Event Center from 7-10pm featuring appetizers, wine and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 or free if you adopt an animal. For more information, call the shelter at 707-778-7387.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here