In the world of pet ownership, unexpected health issues can be both emotionally and financially draining. A recent community member found herself facing such a crisis when her beloved cat, 3D, experienced a life-threatening situation. With financial constraints and a dire need for immediate medical attention, Nikki turned to our Vet Help program, which would eventually become the lifeline for 3D’s recovery. The family faced a recent loss of work, leaving the family in a tight financial situation. When 3D showed signs of distress, including difficulty urinating and overall illness and recognizi ..read more

A heartwarming story unfolds in the heart of Palo Alto, where compassion for animals knows no bounds. A sweet and abandoned cat, Daphne found herself in the caring hands of a rescuer who feeds a colony of feral cats. Struggling with an inflamed eye, Daphne’s fate seemed uncertain until the Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS) stepped in with their Vet Help program. Let us take you on a journey through Daphne’s remarkable story, where love, support, and expert veterinary care brought light back into her life. A Cry for Help: When the rescuer noticed Daphne’s inflamed eye, he knew he had to act swift ..read more

We are thrilled to share the incredible achievements of the young writers who participated in the 2022 Ambassadors of Compassion Story Writing Competition, hosted by the Palo Alto Humane Society. This inspiring event celebrated the power of storytelling and the beautiful bond between humans and animals. With a focus on middle-school students, this competition aimed to nurture compassion and raise awareness about animal welfare among the future generation. Join us in recognizing the winners and honorable mentions whose stories left a lasting impact. First Place: Sympathy, by Claire Wu In Claire ..read more

In a world where stress and pressure are constants, the presence of therapy animals has become a beacon of solace and comfort. Therapy Paws continues to make a profound impact on emotional well-being as they bring joy and comfort to various settings. Their recent visits to VMware, Rivian, and Stanford University’s Women in Computer Science Club have left lasting impressions, creating moments of respite and connection for employees and students alike. VMware Experience: At VMware, Therapy Paws arrived with their lovable furry friends, ready to provide emotional support to the hardworking employ ..read more

In a world where compassion knows no bounds, there are incredible stories that remind us of the transformative power of community and support. Today, we are thrilled to share one such heartwarming tale that unfolded at PAHS, leaving a lasting impact on the life of Loki, a cherished emotional support cat. A Cry for Help Loki’s companion, facing financial constraints and a heart full of concern, reached out to PAHS seeking assistance for their beloved feline friend. Loki, an 11-year-old cat, was battling chronic health issues, including weight loss, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and noticeable den ..read more

Happy Tails! Soot is a 1 1/2 yr old cat who is loved and cared for by an unhoused member of our community. Soot was sprayed by a skunk which left him with badly irritated eyes and one even swollen shut. His person reached out to PAHS for support with treatment expenses and he was sent to our partner vet Silicon Valley Pet Clinic. During his eye treatment, our team also ensured he was up to date on vaccinations, dewormer, and flea treatment. ⁠ From the owner: “I wanted to say Thank You again….this truly was a blessing. Soot and I are extremely grateful. You truly saved my baby… there are not en ..read more

By Isabelle Cnudde, founder of Clorofil, an all-volunteer animal advocacy nonprofit and micro-sanctuary in the San Francisco Bay Area. Baby animals are extremely cute, and I find baby chicks are the cutest of them all. We want to dote on, cuddle, smooch, and snuggle with them. And right now, they are everywhere! Every feed and hardware store has bins of these fuzzy peeping balls, and it’s very tempting to bring a few home. Resist! A chick is a 10-year commitment, as the average lifespan of a chicken is about a decade. She will grow from a fuzzy ball to a beautiful hen who will eventually age ..read more

By Leigh Glerum, DVM, and PAHS Board Member There are a large number of dogs and cats in the world without a full complement of limbs. The lack of a fourth limb could be due to severe trauma, significant infection, or a cancer diagnosis. The good news is that, with few exceptions, dogs and cats adapt to their three-legged status rapidly and go on to have a very good quality of life. We humans tend to anthropomorphize the situation, so we often feel sorry for three-legged creatures and assume that they are suffering. An amputation can, and largely does, greatly improve dogs’ or cats’ quality of ..read more

Rabbits & RHDV: What You Need to Know Now May 28, 2020 Susan Stienstra, Licensed Humane Educator, House Rabbit Society and PAHS You may have already heard about RHDV – Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus. RHDV is a highly contagious disease that kills as many as three out of four rabbits after exposure. The first case in California was reported by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on May 13. It is not contagious to people or other animals aside from rabbits, hares, and pikas. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, bleeding, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, jaundice, seizure ..read more

By Leonor Delgado, PAHS Education Manager In this difficult time of social distancing for the good of all, when we’re not available in person at our office, PAHS has not pressed Pause. Far from it! We’re continuing our work in advocating for animal welfare, underwriting veterinary care for homeless/rescued animals and the pets of low-income local residents as well as those now affected by Covid-19. We’re also expanding our education outreach to provide home-based lessons and videos for our audience of students of all ages and teachers, and now parents tasked with home schooling. And we’re ke ..read more