Operation Goldie eases congestion
of mercy expedited 20 dogs to transitional housing in anticipation of adoption by loving homes during these last two Saturdays, and lightened the load for the Humane Society of Imperial County.
Amission
Born out of memory of an elderly Labrador who expired evidently from excessive heat at the Downey Animal Care Center shelter several years ago, Operation Goldie became the mission of dog lover Sal Valdepena. He is a dog rescue volunteer based in Los Angeles County who started the Balooja’s Foundation to unite shelters and the public to cooperate.
“The death of this sweet dog left me feeling so broken, something had to be done. So, Operation Goldie started and the Downey shelter received fans to cool down the kennels,” said Valdepena. “This year we teamed up with Ventamatic, Ltd. and they donated industrialized fans to this wonderful cause. We brought 17 fans here last week and three fans, treats and love, [Saturday].”
The dogs will stay at foster homes until adopted, but their initial stop will be a veterinary clinic in Beaumont for vaccines. August can be a busy month for the Humane Society as some pet owners use this time to abandon pets, remarked Devon Apodaca, executive director. The problem has increased recently, but 2017 has proved to be the worst and Saturdays are particularly prone for dumping unwanted pets outside the shelter.
“People think we’re a government agency, but we’re not, we’re a nonprofit,” Apodaca said. “We ask for $50 to turn an animal in and we make zero money. That covers: vaccinations, de-wormers, tick preventatives and pays staff. That’s why we’re struggling.”
Apodaca explained that he does not want to be negative, but many are aware of how crowded the shelter is and turn away from contributing, yet go on Facebook and say hurtful things about the nonprofit rather than get involved.
Prospective adopters must be acclimated to the idea of spaying and neutering pets. It is the law. Assembly Bill 1634, passed in 2007, requires all domestic cats and dogs by age of six months be spayed or neutered, or owners must pay a fine.
More than anything, Humane Society of Imperial County needs committed volunteers. Those who are interested should phone: 760-352-1911 or visit the Facebook page.
“People are more open to adoption, but there’s not a lot who adopt,” said Apodaca. “When an adoption falls through, it’s usually because the owner didn’t want to spay or neuter. But we are not going to euthanize an animal because of a lack of space. We have a lot of no-kill rescue partners we collaborate with.”
The shelter initiated a no-kill policy three years ago. Their building, designed to accommodate 100 animals comfortably, often has 350 animals and sometimes 500. Yet, Apodaca is thankful for donors for funding and pet supplies, without which the shelter would be unable to operate properly. But he reminds pet owners that animals in their care should never be a fleeting whim. They are sentient beings requiring daily care and love.
“People get upset when a pet they left with us months earlier fly out of here on a Wings of Rescue flight to another state,” said Apodaca. “We’re not a pet day care center. Part of being a good pet owner is making sure your pet is at home, safe with you.”