Fellow Animal Lovers,
The Camp Fire is out but the devastation it has wrought on our community is staggering. Our hearts go out to all who lost so much and are filled with gratitude for those that stepped up to help. Butte County’s community of animal lovers has come together to help thousands of displaced animals. The immediate response of offers of support, from a simple, “How can I help?” to the generous one of financial and tangible support has been overwhelming. Truck after truck has come by the shelter each day full of donated food and supplies and a resource pantry was created to ensure people had what they need to care for their pets. We have more than 60 evacuee cats sheltering with us, some with burns that require full time care in our clinic.
The fire has pointed out the need in our community to have a centralized location from where an emergency animal rescue operation could be conducted. Our giving campaign, The Journey Home, to raise funds to build a much-needed new shelter is a project that has been in the works since 2016. Our new shelter design already has many things that would allow for a centralized animal disaster operation: ten acres with space for a barn, room on which to put temporary fencing and walk animals, and a clinic with two operating suites, and medical staff and exam rooms for triage.
The need for a new shelter already existed before the Camp Fire. The constraints of operating out of three rented dilapidated locations, with no room for growth, has limited Butte Humane Society’s ability to expand our services and increase our adoptions.
The right now needs from the Camp Fire will pass and we will be left with the long-term need. This is a unique opportunity for all to have our project, The Journey Home, already positioned to answer the increased need for animal care in our area. We have the land, plans, builder, and nearly half the funds raised. Our new shelter is an immediate solution to a pressing problem. If we can channel some of the outpouring of kindness and support for our community NOW, to our community in the FUTURE, we can provide a long-term asset to our community and become a hub for animal welfare in the north state.
At BHS, we feel privileged to work in association with other local animal welfare organizations. While the human effort has been a valiant response to the animal welfare needs during this crisis, the tragedy highlighted the incredible need for a new facility and for The Journey Home.
Please support a strong foundation for the future. Please support The Journey Home.
www.ButteHumane.org/CapitalCampaign
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