On November 8, 2018 our community was forever changed by the Camp Fire. Butte Humane Society is honored to be part of the ongoing recovery process for thousands of families, as people return to a sense of normalcy in their lives.  For many, that normalcy includes their beloved furry family members. Throughout 2019, Butte Humane Society provided a myriad of services to families at either no cost or reduced cost. As we enter 2020, we want to update our community on how we intend to remain a valuable resource.

In 2019 we relocated our clinic to a larger facility to meet our commitment to help families in recovery. Despite some closed time during this transition, we were able to provide the following medical services at no cost to families displaced by the fire:

2,987 Microchips & Vaccines         196 Spay and Neuters            323 Heartworm Tests

293 Health Exams                             120 Feline Viral Testing

(As well as over $9,000 in additional financial relief for Camp Fire affected pets that required higher level treatments such as dental care, surgery, and heartworm disease.)

We would like to acknowledge Chico Cat Hospital and Animal Hospital on the Ridge for joining with us to provide clinic services; their locations were more beneficial for some families and they aided with procedures that were beyond our equipment capacity. We will continue our partnerships with Chico Cat Hospital and Animal Hospital on the Ridge until their allocated funds are exhausted. We have exhausted our allocated funds for discounting our clinic services and so are returning to our standard low-cost rates for veterinary care for everyone.

In addition to the clinic services we’ve provided, BHS also established a Pet Food Pantry to aid displaced pet owners with pet care items. Since November 9^th, 2018, we have continuously provided donated items at no-cost to families in need. We have handed out more than 600 tons of donated dog/cat beds, pet food and treats, leashes and collars, food bowls, carrying cases, crates, cat litter and a host of other items that pet owners lost in the fire or needed based on new living circumstances.

While our “no cost” Camp Fire clinic services have come to an end, we still offer our high-quality, low-cost veterinary care to all community members.  BHS will also continue to operate the pantry, focusing on community members in need, regardless of how that need arose. We are very proud of the volunteer force and the staff that have continued to avail themselves to ensure that this valuable service is able to continue. We couldn’t have supported the thousands of Camp Fire families without the donations of goods from companies, organizations and families. The impact of your generosity went far beyond the value of the donated items. Thank you.

Our Journey Home campaign, to build our forever home, is now 77% funded. In addition to all the immediate services we’ve provided, we are simultaneously building for the future we will need. Our community needs a larger facility to accommodate the massive population growth we’ve experienced over the last 40 years. Our community needs a disaster hub to be able to coordinate and communicate more effectively in a crisis. Our community needs to expand the volume and scope of outreach programs to educate on: preparation for a disaster, proper care and training for pets, and how much pets add value to our lives. After 109 years, Butte Humane Society needs a place that will allow us to continue to improve how we serve our community.

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