After BEBHS: Mr. Brooms

It looks like Mr. Brooms is the perfect addition to his new family, providing much love and entertainment!  We couldn't be happier for him.



Mr. Brooms posing with his toy.

A wonderful update from his adopters:
Mr. Brooms is settling in great.  He is a very curious little man.  We have a pet mouse and he keeps trying to investigate her, but he knows his boundaries. Mr. Brooms loves his cat tree and looking out the window at birds. He is very good about using his scratching pad and his scratching post and doesn't ruin the furniture. His favorite toy is a small furry green mouse that he bats around crazily. A few times we've had to get it out from underneath the stove he was batting it around so quickly. Sometimes Mr. Brooms will just run around for no reason, tearing down the hall way back and forth and jumping up mid air on the walls. He's absolutely hilarious. Then he'll decide he's finished and will collapse and take a nap. We have a collapsible jungle gym with a tunnel that he likes to hide in. When we're playing with the ribbon dancer, he'll use that as his home base and launch a surprise attack from the tunnel on the ribbon. 

Mr. Brooms likes to take naps under the bed every once in a while, and in the sun in the afternoon. His favorite spot so far is on Kim's high school throw blanket on the back of the couch. Mr. Brooms sleeps with us at night and cuddles with us when we take naps. Above all Mr. Brooms is an extremely cuddly cat. He loves to sit in our laps and have us cradle him while he sleeps. He snores loudly, which we thought was a bit peculiar but we've spoken with other cat owners who said that was normal.

We love Mr. Brooms very much and we are so glad he is a part of our family. We look forward to many more happy years with him. Thank you BEBHS! 

A family portrait.

Naptime on the couch.

Kim on the couch with Mr. Brooms

Mr. Brooms, the dapper gentleman, wearing his tie.

After BEBHS: Rosie

It's always great when the new kitten of the house is accepted so quickly by the older resident cats!  BEBHS has some of the most socialized and friendly kittens around thanks to our amazing fosters-- this makes the adoption process seamless!

Zap is one of the most fantastic kittens I have ever met.  She is friendly, very loving, super active and playful and is an absolute joy!  My cat Coco instantly bonded with her;  my other kitty, Miranda, a Maine Coon, was a little intimidated at first (!);  Despite the fact that Miranda is probably 10 times larger, she's still a bit of a scaredy cat .  It took a few days, but they now greet each other nose to nose.  :)

We did rename Zap "Rosie" - in fact she is quite the Nosy Rosie.  She is interested in the dishwasher, etc., etc.  She's an absolute doll.  Thanks so much!

Enjoying a spot of sunshine

Little Rosie isn't intimidated by her much larger siblings!

Nosy Rosie

After BEBHS: Sara

This week's post adoption story features Sara (pooch) and Carrie (human), one of BEBHS's prized staff members. We adore it when BEBHS staffers adopt animals from our shelter. It's hard not to fall in love with the animals we meet and come to know during their time with us!

Carrie has been a dedicated and hard-working member of our accounting staff and sadly is leaving us for new adventures. We'll miss her big smiles and unwavering dedication to the mission of Berkeley Humane, but she'll always have a little piece of BEBHS love with her in Sara's companionship. And we'll always count ourselves among the most fortunate to have them as BEBHS alums. Happy tails to you both!!

The day Carrie adopted Sara.

On January 13th, 2013 I walked into the shelter here at BEBHS and I was told there was a cute little white chihuahua.  I went into the back and there she was, her name was Sara. It was love at first sight. I held her tight, and didn't want to let her go. I decided to foster her for a week or so and in that week I took her to Petco and bought her a new sweater, harness, and little jacket. I knew in my heart she was going to be mine. We became best of friends and she never wanted to leave my side. On January 20th, I failed. Foster failed that is. I signed the papers and she officially became mine.

Sara at work with her mommy.

I kept her name Sara, because it fit her so well. She was like a little princess. From then on I never looked back. She is my life. I bring her here to work with me everyday. It is such a joy to be able to bring your companion to work. I sit there and work at my desk and look down at her on her blanket and she looks at me with those little brown eyes. She gives me unconditional love. When I am not with her for a few hours and I come home, the tail is a wagging. She is so happy to see me as I am her.

We go for walks together at Lake Merritt. She is like the daughter I never had. In July of this year, Sara and I will be taking a trip to meet her grandparents and aunts in the great state of Maine. Yup, it is a long journey but I could not bear to be without her for two weeks. Ms. Sara will be in her little travel bag under the seat in front of me on the plane. I love my little Sara. I cant wait to take her on other journeys. She is my pride and joy. My life wouldn't be the same without her.



Taking a nap while mommy works.

After BEBHS: Rumble

Well, it looks like this kitty made a lifetime feline fanatic out of this first-time cat owner!  We couldn't be happier that these two found each other.

 

 

Rumble, formerly Exley, was adopted for my 22nd birthday in June 2012. When I opened the box that contained him, the first thought that ran through my mind was "oh my god I am in charge of another living being. We're both going to die." I was constantly worrying about every little danger such as rolling over him while I was sleeping or him accidentally ingesting one of my lost hair ties on the ground. However, as time went by and he grew bigger and bigger, I really found myself extremely attached to him given that he provides me with SO much happiness. When I wake up, I always find him waiting outside my door, and he always accompanies me to the bathroom for my morning routine. When I get home from work, he's there again, waiting by the door. It's very satisfying to know that I can sustain a happy life for him in return for all the joyful moments he's given me. There's never been a single day where I have regretted getting my first cat.

 

After BEBHS: Arya

It seems that Arya and her new family are the perfect match!  Thanks to our great shelter staff, amazing matches at BEBHS are made every day.  Placing cats and dogs into loving homes is essential, and making sure the animal is the right fit for their new family ensures a happy adoption experience for everyone.

Arya [formerly Maizie] is great! We potty trained her in a week and a half! She is integrating well with our kitties too. She loves to play with my aunt's golden retriever, and they have playdates often! She enjoys digging and exploring in our big yard, as well as chewing on bully sticks and antlers (plus the stuff she digs up haha)! She even sleeps under the covers with us every night. All in all she's a blessing in our home.

After BEBHS: Maisy

What's even cuter than an adorable puppy?  When the new owners can't stop gushing about their love for her! 

I just wanted to let you know that little Fraggle is doing great -- we love her to bits! She's now Maisy and has adjusted to her new name and new home without a blink...ok, well, she doesn't seem to care what her name is, but she does really love her home! Here are a few of pictures...I'm showing huge restraint in keeping it to a few.

 

After BEBHS: Sweet Charlie

Life is certainly sweet for Sweet Charlie in her new home with her loving family.  Yet another happy ending that warms our hearts.

 



Sweet Charlie is the purrfect kitty! She spends the days with my daughter lounging and they have bonded, she sleeps with her too!

She is eating well and feels at home now. She loves to be petted and paws our faces. She is a lazy kitty and we are ok with that. She roams around from room to room then back to the living room where she likes it most.

My boyfriend and my son love her and get all goo-goo when she's with either of them. She is starting to play a little more with me when I get home from work. She gets loads of love attention and she loves it!!

She is our baby and we're glad we adopted her!

 

 

 

 

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Dr. Kathy!

As any animal welfare organization knows, volunteers are a vital component to successful daily operations, and Berkeley Humane is no different. Those individuals who are willing to give their time, talent and efforts, asking for nothing in return, are our true heroes and deserve to be praised!

We launched a new program in April that highlights and recognizes a special volunteer each month in an effort to thank them for their dedication to the animals and service to BEBHS.

Dr. Kathy is a skilled veterinarian from Chile who has been an amazing volunteer in our hospital.  She is an asset on spay/neuter clinic days and a very knowledgeable helping hand during surgeries.

My name is Katherinne and I´m a Veterinarian from Chile. I arrived to Berkley some months ago following my husband who was accepted in master program in UCBerkeley. Back in Chile I was working in a private clinic for small animals and had a very pleasant living, but in order to come here I had to quit my job which was a very important part of my life.

I started to look for volunteer job in my field of work at first just to have something to fill my time with and also to learn more about the veterinary practice in the US. That is how I got to know about the work animal shelters do in the US, and this opened a new area of interest for me.

In Chile there thousand of stray dogs and cats and there are almost no municipal shelters or defined legislation about responsible ownership of pets. Most private initiatives in this matter are run by people with big hearts and love for animals but not much knowledge about the care they need and how to organize themselves into a proper institution.

I was welcomed in BEBHS, and more recently into BACS, and started helping in their Hospitals. I´ve learned about shelter medicine, the way animal shelters are run, and above all the amazing work they do placing them in new loving homes.

But it hasn´t been all just about dogs and cats, I have also met wonderful people who have shared their knowledge and their laughs with me and have made me enjoy every minute of my time there.

I plan to keep on helping and learning from this wonderful experience which has changed my perspective about what truly caring for animals means, and hope that I can change people’s perspective in this matter too when I return to my country.

Kathy has had an amaizingly positive impact on Berkeley Humane during her time here, and we are so fortunate to have her working with our team. Says Annalisa, one of our Registered Vet Techs, Kathy "is super amazing! She helps with every step from prepping the animals for surgery to helping them during recovery. Kathy helps with everything and anything we need her for." Jehn, another superstar RVT at BEBHS writes: "It's great having Kathy in the hospital. She has helped with everything including intake, anesthesia during surgery and equipment. She does it all, doctor-related tasks and vet tech tasks. She is great!" 

Yet another example of how very fortunate we are here at Berkeley Humane to have such devoted, passionate, and high-quality volunteers in our mix! If you're interested in learning more about volunteering at BEBHS, click here!

After BEBHS: Parker



We're happy to hear how well this BEBHS alum is doing in her new life!  It is obvious she is very loved, and we couldn't be happier.

 

"Sandra" has become Parker, and Parker is incredibly happy and loved. She gets to go to picnics and BBQs, meetings and events, and open houses with us all the time. She is so well behaved, rarely barks, loves to play with other dogs and kids, and is just all around happy. She loves to cuddle and loves to run.

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. 

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!

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Jeremie!

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.

Jeremie Fremaux is relatively new to the BEBHS foster family, but he has proven to be a tremendous asset--and now we can't remember how we managed before he came along! 

"Jeremie lives very close to BEBHS so he has no trouble picking up dogs on Sunday evenings and dropping them off Wednesday morning. He’s a professional photographer and takes AMAZING photos of his dogs.  He is patient and is willing to work with dogs that aren’t super trained.  He becomes bonded with the animals fairly quickly and it really shows in the behavior of the dogs."   ~Rosa Enriquez, Foster Care Coordinator

A note from Jeremie:

Before moving to Berkeley I was staying with a friend and visiting the area. She was volunteering at the BEBHS and I joined her when she went to take one of the dogs for a walk. As we walked to San Pablo Park I thought, "This is where I want to live when I move up here". Sure enough I ended up moving on the same street that we used on our dog walk. I told myself as soon as I was settled I would volunteer to foster dogs. When I began fostering I instantly filled the void of leaving my close friends and family back in LA. We're told that fostering helps reduce the stress of living in the shelter. I think it works both ways. Thanks BEBHS for putting on this program!

For a shelter dog to have the opportunity to be socialized in a loving home with an amazing foster is a special gift that can make all the difference in getting adopted.  Thank you Jeremie for opening your home and your heart to BEBHS dogs, your support of our mission is appreciated more than you know!  Cheers to you.

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Aline!

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!

Aline has been a volunteer with our organization since 2007 and has helped in a multitude of capacities. Medical Director Dr. Bela Kisamov notes that Aline is a tremendous help on spay/neuter days in our veterinary hospital, which are often very hectic and busy days, and are always made smoother and more efficient thanks to Aline's incredible help.

"Behind Aline's quiet demeanor is one of the best, most reliable volunteers we've ever had and we are all deeply appreciative of her undying commitment." -Cristina Verduzco, Volunteer Mananger

A note from Aline:

I’ve been a volunteer off and on at BEBHS for approximately 6 years.  As a volunteer, I am proud to say I have done a little bit of everything! I’ve sold beverages in a booth, to having dogs paint, fostering kittens in my home (and adopting 2 of them, yes I am a foster failure!), dog walking, bringing in dog treats and cat toys, and socializing cats/kittens that are in house (sick, ringworm, or just returned with no foster yet).

[My dog] Harley was 2010 Lead Dog in Bay to Barkers and fundraised over $3000 for BEBHS!  I continue to volunteer during the spay/neuter clinics.  This is why I love working at BEBHS, I get to do a little bit of everything and do it all for the animals!

Aline, the help you have given Berkeley Humane over the years is truly priceless.  Thank you for your unwavering support! Our hats are off to you.



After BEBHS: Beckett.

It's truly a testament to how successful our foster program is when cats like Beckett are comfortable and happy in their new home right away!  We are ecstatic that these adopters are just as thrilled by this kitty as he is by them. 

 

Beckett [formerly Barnaby] has really surprised us with how affectionate, highly intelligent, and rambunctious he is! He didn't need a lot of time to adjust and was already exploring and following us around the apartment. One of his favorite toys is a laser pointer keychain that perks him up the second he hears its chain jingle.

 Beckett is very expressive, not only with his face but also with his meows. He has already learned to ask for things with different tones. He has a meow for the laser pointer, a meow for food, a meow for affection, a meow for disapproval, even a meow for boredom!

His personality has really blossomed since his arrival. He is so curious and quirky and is always surprising us with the really adorable things he does. He has three favorite toys: an orange moose, a stuffed toy pooh, and a little toy mouse. He'll carry them in his mouth and demand we play fetch with him. One of his favorite things to do is to sleep on our heads during the night, but he'll snuggle in quietly and carefully so that we never wake. The next morning, the only evidence we have of his presence is his orange moose on our pillow. He is very adventurous and even loves to learn tricks. In fact, we've taught him to sit and shake our hands with both paws!

We love our new kitty and look forward to the many years of happiness he'll give us.

 

Already lounging around the house, within one hour of being adopted!

 

Enjoying some down time on a Sunday.

 

Beckett partaking in one of his hobbies: watching cat videos on Youtube!

Beckett with his orange moose.