After BEBHS: Cleo

It sounds like this kitty is living the charmed life, and she looks fantastic doing it!  We're so happy at how comfortable Cleo is in her forever home.

 
Cleo loves living in her new San Francisco apartment.  She loves to play hide and seek in pillow forts and to relax on her back (especially if there is some paper to lay on) while daintily crossing her paws to show us how refined/adorable she is. 

Extreme Meow-overs at Berkeley Humane!

From time to time here at Berkeley Humane we take in animals that are in need of some extra medical attention. Our medical staff, shelter staff, and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that all animals receive the care they need to set them up for a healthy and happy life when they find love and go home with a new individual or family. Today we highlight a few current and recent shelter residents who received extreme meow-overs during their stay at Berkeley Humane. Enjoy!

McEwan

Poor McEwan came to our shelter in rough shape. Living life as a young unfixed male on the streets, he got into a fight which left him with open wounds that were susceptible to a rare form of yeast infection. He has since been neutered and treated with antifungal medications and topical ointments that are clearing up his skin lesions, making him more handsome than ever!  

McEwan is almost completely healed and is available for adoption thanks to our top notch hospital and shelter staff and his wonderful foster family. He's nothing but calm and affectionate, and he loves to get pets and cuddles. He'll let you pet him all over--tummy, paws, tail, you name it--and meanwhile he'll purr! He's fond of being cradled like a baby, giving kitty kisses, and making muffins all over. When McEwan isn't gazing into your eyes, you can find him tossing his toy mice in the air or chasing his crazy circle around. This special kitty has easily won over the hearts of the Berkeley Humane staff, becoming an instant staff favorite. We can't wait for him to find a loving home!

Tingo

When Tingo arrived at Berkeley Humane, it was immediately apparent to our skilled hospital staff that something was very wrong with one of his eyes. Due to a condition of unknown origin, Tingo’s left eye was predisposed to constant infections which would eventually lead to loss of sight due to scarring. With Tingo’s comfort and future quality of life in mind, our medical team made the difficult decision to to remove his left eye. He has recovered well from his surgery and it’s obvious that having one eye has only improved his outlook on life! Not at all bothered by a missing eye, an adopter scooped up Tingo, took him home, and hasn’t let him go since!

Queen Latifah

Twelve-year-old Queen Latifah came to our shelter in less than regal condition. Her long coat was greasy and matted, her skin was irritated, and her fur was littered with brown debris. In addition, her teeth were in poor condition from dental disease. After a thorough bath and grooming, a dental cleaning, and one tooth extraction, Queen Latifah was ready to reclaim her throne! And she did just that--an adopter fell in love with this mature beauty, and took our Queen home to a palace of her very own.


For a list of our currently available adoptable animals, be sure to check out our Facebook page, and our Petfinder Profile!

All after photos taken by the unbelievably talented Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography.

After BEBHS: Ohki

While just recently adopted, this puppy is already a valued member of the family!  It goes to show how much love and happiness a pet can bring into a home.  Also, our shelter staff deserves major kudos for all they do to help make the adoption process as stress-free and informative as possible.

Everyone we came in contact with was friendly and professional. We didn't feel rushed or pressured to make a decision and was given time and space to visit with Hildie [now named Ohki.]

It was very helpful to have someone sit down with us and provide us with "going home" instructions. We took what was given to us and went straight to the pet store where we gladly told everyone we just came from BEBHS where we chose our new puppy. We received many comments on how healthy and well she looked which of course is a testament to the care you provided for her.

Thank you so much for having her available when we came looking. It is indescribable what we are feeling towards "Ohki" and feel we've just added a valuable member to our family.


 

After BEBHS: Khaylee

It sounds like this match is a mutually beneficial relationship!  We're thrilled to hear that this BEBHS adopter is studying so hard to become a veterinarian so that many animals can benefit from her compassion throughout her career.

 

 

 

Khaylee (known as 'Beulah' at Berkeley Humane) and I celebrated the completion of our first year together, and what a time it's been! I adopted Khaylee when she was a little 10 week old pup. We went through potty training, puppy school, learning how to swim and adventure together, and then she went off with me to veterinary school. Khaylee has been the best companion I could have ever asked for. She gets to come to campus with me daily and provides love and constant comfort through the ups and downs of vet school. I love her immensely and want to thank you folks for helping pair us up together.

 

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Beate!

To kick-off our new Volunteer Appreciation Series, we continue our week of appreciation for those who serve so tirelessly for BEBHS. Check back on our blog each day during National Volunteer Week to read about different volunteers and their experiences at Berkeley Humane.

We are so grateful for our volunteer fosters who regularly open their homes and their hearts to animals in need of special love and attention. Beate provides a unique kind of love and care that words just can't describe.

"Beate took home her first litter of mom and babies [almost exactly one year ago.] Beate and her children have been AMAZING foster parents that always are ready to take home a kitty. And I mean seriously, they have almost constantly been fostering every week since they started in April 2012! They are the most dependable foster family. If I’m ever in a tight squeeze they are there to help. They have taken on medical cases and behavioral cases and done amazingly. They are a very special family to me." ~Rosa Enriquez, Foster Care Coordinator

A note from Beate:

I started to volunteer as a cat foster parent about a year ago after our 18 year old cat died. I wanted to wait a while before adopting another cat, and I planned on getting an adult cat but my children begged for kittens. Now they can enjoy and socialize lots of kittens and adult cats, in the beginning they wanted to keep every single one. It is very rewarding when our fosters find their forever homes especially the ones we fostered that had special needs.

Beate, we can't thank you enough for your help, especially in taking care of cats with special needs.  From the bottom of our hearts, a million times--thank you!

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Karen!

To kick-off our new Volunteer Appreciation Series, we continue our week of appreciation for those who serve so tirelessly for BEBHS. Check back on our blog each day during National Volunteer Week to read about different volunteers and their experiences at Berkeley Humane.

Karen has helped BEBHS in so many ways, including the un-glamorous but important grunt work of filing and organizing papers in the development office, to assisting with aspects of event planning and being a priceless shelter volunteer.

"Karen has been brightening up the Development Office with her always cheery disposition, great attitude (and she dresses great, too ;) since the Fall of 2012. She has helped us with so many things: from the most mundane filing and organizing, to working with the boys in the City of Berkeley to get permits for us to hold a block party. She's fabulous!" ~Stephanie Brown, Development Director 

"Karen is a true rockstar volunteer! She reliably shows up early on Sunday mornings to help scoop poop, fill food and water bowls, and give the whole cat area a once over to help prepare for adoptions. Karen always seems happy and eager to help out doing one of the most unglamourous jobs there is. She always has a smile and a kind word, and she's a one-woman cleaning machine! I'm so very grateful for her help; my Sundays always go smoothly because of her."   ~Cathy Marden, Cat Coordinator

A note from Karen:
I have been so grateful for the years of joy from our kitties we have adopted from BEBHS. Each day helping at the shelter is one way I say thank you to all those who work 24/7 to save the lives of so many special creatures who in turn say thank you every day to their humans when they find their forever homes. The unconditional love of your pet when you look in their eyes is the greatest gift.

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Dede!

To kick-off our new Volunteer Appreciation Series, we continue our week of appreciation for those who serve so tirelessly for BEBHS. Check back on our blog each day during National Volunteer Week to read about different volunteers and their experiences at Berkeley Humane.

Dede walks dogs for our shelter and is always happy to help whenever someone needs it, even if it means mopping the training room floor!  Canine Coordinator Kris Swanson sings Dede's praises, obviously grateful for a volunteer who is so helpful and willing to do anything.

"I first saw Dede when she was mopping the floor of the training room! Her talents go so far beyond mopping--there is no job too big or too small for Dede, who has joined the Development Committee of BEBHS. She says "I just want to help in whatever way I can." Dede is just one of those volunteers who do not have the word "no" in their vocabulary. We love her!" -Stephanie Brown, Development Director

"We are in constant amazement at the endless well of energy that Dede has offered BEBHS since she started volunteering.  Her 'can-do' attitude is contagious and it shows in everything she does." -Christina Verduzco, Volunteer Manager

A note from Dede:
Choosing to volunteer at BEBHS has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life. As a "dog companion," I am blessed to meet amazing souls and gratified to know that they will eventually find homes thanks to the incredible and wonderfully dedicated staff at BEBHS. I feel so fortunate to be interacting with an amazing team of staff and volunteers whose entire focus is the welfare of our animal friends. I walk away from my volunteer activities feeling the glow of such a special place.

Dede, the shelter dogs' lives are definitely better off because of your compassion and dedication to them.  Thank you for all of your help!