Shelter on the Hill: A Humane Society

If there was someone you hadn’t seen in a while, you probably ran into them at last Saturday’s 21st Annual Shelter On The Hill Festival of Wine & Cheese.

More than 250 people attended the extravaganza held at the Tejon Ranch Equestrian Center in Lebec.

Beyond the delicious wines and cheeses, there were gourmet sandwiches, sweets, pastries and beer.

Entertainment was provided by Cary Park, a singer-songwriter who performed rousing renditions of everyone’s favorite songs.

Each attendee’s ticket was entered in a drawing to win selected items donated by local businesses and residents.

Chamber of Commerce President B.J. Saidi called the live auction for hot-ticket items that drew more support for the shelter.

Just some of the auction items that brought in funds for the shelter to continue operating included: a dog & cat quilt that was donated by shelter volunteer Susan Baunsgard sold for $725; a horse painting donated by the late Patty Smith’s daughters sold for $525; a Wulff Vineyards Caves Tour sold for $500; three days and two nights at Don Laughlin’s Resort & Casino sold for $450 and a foldable bike donated by Pam McCain fetched $400.

A silent auction also brought in much-needed funds.

Shelter On The Hill formed as a non-profit corporation 30 years ago to begin the long process of raising funds to eventually build and open a local animal shelter. That goal was met in 2014 when the shelter finally opened on Lebec Road.

Since its opening, as of the close of 2022, according to the shelter’s statistics, Shelter On The Hill has found adoptive homes for 576 dogs and 633 cats, and has returned 330 animals to their original homes.

Always in need of operating funds, the shelter has received support for more than two decades in the form of this annual fundraiser as well as other donations throughout each year.

If you would like to help out by donating funds or volunteering your time, please contact Candace Huskey at the shelter, 661-248-5018.