FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Katrina Woodcox

Telephone: 530-343-7917 x135

Email: katrinawoodcox@buttehumane.org

Butte Humane Society announces a $250,000 Match Challenge for The Journey Home

Butte Humane Society (BHS) is excited to share two important announcements regarding The Journey Home capital campaign. Since it was established in 1911, the organization has never had a permanent location to call “home.” Leased spaces, cramped quarters and antiquated buildings have hindered the organization’s ability to fully meet the animal welfare needs of Chico and Butte County. However, the organization has been working diligently for the past two years to change that and is quickly closing in on a very exciting finish line.

• BHS is now 75% of the way to it’s forever home, far ahead of schedule for this 11 million dollar campaign: 8 million dollars for the facility and 3 million dollars for the property. 
• BHS now has a tremendous opportunity to finish The Journey Home thanks to a recent $250,000 anonymous “Matching Gift” to the campaign that will begin on March 1st.

“It’s happening!” says Katrina Woodcox, Executive Director of BHS.  “This generous donation gives everyone the opportunity to double their dollar – which will help us close our fundraising gap in anticipation of breaking ground this summer!” 

Since the 1980s, the population in Chico has grown from roughly 30,000 to more than 100,000 in 2020. Animal ownership has also increased by approximately 20% in that time frame. The outdated facilities of BHS are not sufficient to meet the extraordinary population growth the community has experienced. Their new facility will help the organization continue that work and expand services and programs as the “animal welfare hub” of Butte County and beyond. 

“Over the next few months, we invite the community to join us on the final leg of the journey to our forever home,” says Woodcox. “This is more than building a shelter for homeless animals. It’s an investment in providing animal welfare services, programs, educational opportunities and affordable veterinary care for the people in our region.  From open space for families and their pets to ample facility space to support local and regional disaster response, this project will benefit generations to come.” 

For over a century, BHS has been dedicated to animal welfare in Butte County. The new facility will allow the organization to advance animal welfare and do more for animals for the next 100 years. BHS is asking community members to help them reach their match challenge with whatever amount they can afford, so that Chico, Butte County and beyond can have the facility that honestly demonstrates it’s collective love for animals. To be a part of The Journey Home, visit bhsjourneyhome.com  

For more information, please contact Katrina Woodcox at 530-343-7917 x 135.

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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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BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SUPPER CLUB
Local Restaurants Support Animals by Hosting Supper Club the First Wednesday of Every Month

(Chico, CA) – Butte Humane Society (BHS) is calling all foodies and animal lovers!  The Butte Humane Society Supper Club is held the first Wednesday of every month at local restaurants.  Each restaurant has generously pledged to donate 15% of dinner sales made during Supper Club to Butte Humane Society.  Attend Supper Club each month and enjoy a delicious dinner with likeminded individuals, all while supporting local businesses and the homeless animals in the community.

Supper Club in August will be held on August 5, 2015 at Sierra Nevada Brewery & Restaurant, located at 855 East Avenue Unit 270 during the hours of 4:00-8:00 pm. To see the full Supper Club calendar and view participating restaurants, please visit buttehumane.org/supperclub.   Also, to stay in the know about all Butte Humane Society happenings, please like us on Facebook at facebook.com/buttehumane.

If you are a local restaurant that would like to be involved in the BHS Supper Club, we are taking reservations for 2016. Please contact Kathryn Raley at 530.343.7917 x133 for more information about how to get involved.

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WAKE UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED WITH BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY

BHS Announces 1^st Annual Mattress Sale Fundraiser

Chico, Calif. – Butte Humane Society (BHS) and Chico Furniture Direct will be hosting their 1^st Annual Mattress Event.  The fundraiser will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 11^th and July 12^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Butte Humane Society Education Center, 2156 Pillsbury Road.  BHS has partnered with Chico Furniture Direct to allow community members to support BHS by purchasing brand new mattress sets at a discounted price. BHS will receive a portion of the purchases made.

A wide variety of mattresses from national brand name sources will be available for customers to try out. Trained personnel will be present to help in the selection process and to answer questions. Customers who live in the Chico area will have their purchases delivered to them at no additional cost. Cash, local checks, and major credit cards will be accepted.

Proceeds from the event will benefit all programs at Butte Humane Society.

To stay in the know about all Butte Humane Society events, please like us on Facebook at facebook.com/buttehumanesociety.

If your organization is interested in hosting a fundraising event with Chico Furniture Direct, please contact Jon Markham at (530)965-3935 or via email at jon.markham5@gmail.com for more information on how to do so.

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BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SUPPER CLUB
Local Restaurants Support Animals by Hosting Supper Club the First Wednesday of Every Month

Chico, Calif. – Butte Humane Society (BHS) is calling all foodies and animal lovers! July BHS Supper Club will be held on July 1^st at Red Tavern, located at 1250 Esplanade during the hours of 5:00-9:00 pm.

The Butte Humane Society Supper Club is held the first Wednesday of every month at local restaurants.  Each restaurant has generously pledged to donate 15% of dinner sales to support Butte Humane Society’s Second Chance Fund.  Attend Supper Club each month and enjoy a delicious dinner with like-minded individuals, all while supporting local businesses and the homeless animals in the community.

To see the full Supper Club calendar and view participating restaurants, please visit the BHS website at buttehumane.org. Also, to stay in the know about all Butte Humane Society happenings, please like us on Facebook at facebook.com/buttehumanesociety.

If you are a local restaurant that would like to be involved in the BHS Supper Club the month of December is still available. Please contact Kathryn Raley at 530.343.7917×133 for more information about how to get involved.

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