By Robin GOLDSWORTHY
Community members didn’t have to travel far on Sunday to support the Glendale Humane Society’s annual fall fundraiser Bow Wows and Bites. The parking lot of Andersen’s Pet Shop on Honolulu Avenue, a longtime supporter of the no-kill shelter, was where ticketholders gathered to enjoy wine, music and local cuisine.
Alyce Russell, who with her husband Tom owns Andersen’s Pet Shop, is the executive director of GHS.
“It is so important to educate people who are interested in bringing a pet into their home,” said Alyce. “GHS works hard to match people with the proper pets so they’re not brought back to the society.”
The adoption process employed by GHS is detailed. The process begins with the submission of an application to adopt. Once the app is approved, then the prospective pet parent is brought to the shelter to meet the dogs. Attendance at a canine parenting class is also mandatory to ease the transition from shelter to home. After taking the new member of the family home, a one-hour training lesson is given to answer any additional questions. Follow-up visits by GHS are not uncommon.
“How wonderful it is to have the Glendale Humane Society to fill the needs of our animals,” said Glendale City Councilwoman Paula Devine, who attended Sunday’s fundraiser. “They’re fabulous to do this and it’s fun to acknowledge what they’re doing by attending Bow Wows and Bites.”
The shelter is privately funded; no city money makes its way to GHS. Though it means that finances are lean, it gives GHS the freedom to make decisions that best benefit its residents – the dogs and cats that live there.
“When we made the decision to be a no-kill facility, it gave us the ability to take in only what we can handle,” said Alyce. “It’s about doing the right thing.”
Dogs are not the only beneficiaries of the GHS. Recently a local Girl Scout troop, headed by Elizabeth Landswick, raised a litter of puppies at the shelter. The six girls helped to socialize the puppies by providing various sensory stimuli.
“We even made each puppy a baby book,” said Landswick. “When they were each adopted, the new owners learned all about their puppy’s journey.”
The project helped move the troop forward in attaining its Silver Award.
The love of pets was found throughout Sunday’s fundraiser, from the items in the auction to artwork for sale.
Micheline Abounassar is an accomplished artist who brought some of her merchandise to sell at Bow Wows and Bites.
“I love animals,” she said. “They love you unconditionally and are always around to make you smile without asking for anything. They’re my inspiration.”
The money raised from Sunday’s event will go toward providing veterinarian care for the GHS residents, hiring professional dog trainers to ready the dogs for their new home, staffing off-campus excursions for enrichment, grooming for healthy coats and supporting a human-grade diet for stamina and health.
Glendale Humane Society is located at 717 W. Ivy St. in Glendale. Anyone interested in learning more can contact (818) 242-1128 or info@glendalehumane.org. www.glendalehumane.org.