Shelter on the Hill: A Humane Society

Last week SOTH learned about a homeless couple that got the opportunity to be housed in a regular home. The only problem was, they had 17 dogs, and were only allowed to keep 3 in the new home. SOTH was told all the dogs were pretty friendly, and there were even 2 mama dogs with young puppies. SOTH’s dog trainer and whisperer Tami reached out to management at the shelter & asked if we could help. She said she would be willing to go out there, check everything out, see if they were healthy enough, and friendly enough to be adopted, etc. While out there, she learned this couple once lived locally in PMC and were evicted from their rental during Covid (owners wanted to sell) and had no where to go. They have been homeless for 3 years ☹️. And unfortunately, the husband has some health issues as well. For some reason this hit Tami hard because there was a possibility their paths crossed over the years.

The 17 dogs were not their own, Over the years dogs were dumped and this couple tried to take care of them best they could, but they had no money, and the dumped dogs weren’t spayed/neutered. Next thing you know, you’ve got 17 dog!

Tami decided on taking one of the older pups (5½ months) because he was soo cute, friendly, and just all around seemed like a good dog. Then she also decided on a few of the little pups because everyone loves puppies, right!!!

But they were too young to take away from mom, so she took her too – that way mom can still take care of them. Even mama dog (we named her Reeba) is pretty young herself.

So we are pleased to introduce .... Reeba (mama dog) black lab mix, w/possible husky in there as well, white chest. She has one blue eye and one brown eye, is approximately 13-15 months old. Reeba is a good mama even though young. She’s a sweet girl w/people, but will still need to be tested with other dogs. Reeba is available to place a hold for adoption.

Marshall, a 5½ month old, who is sweet all around. He is black/brown/tan w/blue eyes, has been tested with a few dogs, but he’s still settling in, so we won’t over do it. Marshall is on hold already.

We named the puppies after the Peanuts characters. Chuck and Schroeder are on hold and Peppermint Patty is available to place a hold for adoption. Patty is about 6 weeks old now. She is mostly black with a white stripe or blaze on her face.

SOTH is praying everything works out for this previously local couple and their own three dogs in their new home. In the meantime there are more dogs out there in more encampments that need homes as well ....

Shelter on the Hill organized and hosted another low cost community spay/neuter event on April 29th. Simi Valley Non-Profit Spay & Neuter “WinneSpaygo” arrived in the SOTH’s parking lot as dozens of mountain residents were arriving with their pets. Shelter manager April Hemingway filled all the available appointments for cats and dogs. The numbers for community pets are as follows: 35 surgeries (cats 20 , dogs 15), 16 free 24Petwatch microchips which were sponsored by Mountain Memories Association. We thank Simi Valley Non Profit & Kerri Anderson DVM for coming to Lebec with their mobile clinic and partnering with SOTH to provide this important service to our community.

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.