Humane Society of Ventura County: Howling at the Moon

You might be wondering why a baking blog has a post up for the Humane Society. Well, as an animal advocate and a new volunteer member to the Humane Society of Ventura County, I am assisting with a benefit concert by making cookies!

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a no-kill shelter that was established in 1932 by a group of dedicated animal lovers whose mission it was to provide care, protection, and adoption service for needy animals who desperately needed a forever home. In 1986 they opened a Spay and Neuter Clinic dedicating themselves to the personal mission of Harry Valentine, a local resident and advocate who donated over 2.3 million dollars, that every animal in Ventura county should be spayed or neutered thus preventing ongoing breeding and overpopulation of homeless, suffering, and unwanted animals. Now in 2012 the Spay and Neuter clinic has expanded and is under construction and hopes to do up to 40 surgeries a day.

 

 

The Humane Society offers educational training to schools and youth organizations teaching children that they are never to young to care for and respect all life. They even offer 'Pet Therapy,' bringing animals into assisted living homes and hospitals so that people who are confined can feel the love and companionship of our wonderful furry friends.

This weekend on February 18 from 7 - 9PM, Soul Centered in Ojai, CA, will be hosting a special presentation by 'The Ojai Songwriters Anonymous' who are credited with having provided a safe haven for local songwriters to create, perform, and record original music for audiences for ten years. Who better to sing for our beloved animals ? All songs performed will honor animals and the proceeds will benefit the animals. Along with some door prizes, there will be desserts (yea- cookies).

The cookies I am preparing for this event are Martha Stewart cookies. Now whether you like her or not, her cookies are good and I for one make a lot of her cookie recipes. The recipes for the cookies I am providing are linked here:

• Mexican Hot Chocolate
• Pecan Sandies
• Hawaiian Snowballs

The Humane Society is always in need of donations and support of any kind. Please visit their site and learn more about the wide range of services they have to offer and if you can, swing by their donation page and drop a couple bucks if you are able to spare it.  If you are local, they can always use blankets, rugs, and various other items that you can drop off.

Thank you so much for your support! I thank you and the animals thank you. We have to stick together and help our fur babies and save animals in general from a life of suffering and loneliness. 

  

 A big shout out to the staff and volunteers of the HSVC! Thank YOU for all that you do. Working in a non-profit sector is a labor of love - for real! Most people realize that if you are working in a non-profit, chances are you are not motivated by money but by a compelling need to service from the heart and soul. The world is a better place because of you.

A very special Thanks to my best friend and roommate, Andy, for all his help this past week in prepping everything and in cleaning up my mess that I left behind today. I love you- you are a rock star.

If you live in California, check out the new license plates in support of animals. The California Pet Lover's License Plate will provide a large scale, permanent funding source for spay & neuter programs. These free and low-cost programs are desperately needed to help address the unnecessary killing of so many dogs and cats in California.

And because this blog is primarily about animals (a little about cookies), no way will I sign off without posting pictures of my rescued kids!

My first cat - Beast ( how I miss him)

Michael - Mommy's Handsome King

Hailey- Mommy's Princess

and my crush...

Morgan- cutest little dude in the world

Thank you again. Be well, be safe, be happy and most of all, love your pets!