The Ramona Humane Society has been assisting animals in need and advocating for the welfare of pets for 48 years. googleoff: allgoogleon: all
The nonprofit, contracted to manage animal control in Hemet and San Jacinto, also provides a variety of services in order to work toward achieving its mission of fostering the humane treatment of animals and eliminating the problem of animal over-population. The organization shelters animals in need, promotes adoptions, works to educate the public about animal issues and offers spay and neutering services at reduced rates, plus microchipping. googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“The most important thing we achieve is a safe haven,” said its president and CEO, Jeff Sheppard. “These animals are on the street, hungry, thirsty and sometimes abused.”googleoff: allgoogleon: all
While the shelter is not a no-kill shelter, Sheppard said the organization’s goal is to find homes for all of its homeless animals. googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“No-kill is a process and we are aiming for that achievement,” Sheppard said. “We need the community to understand that this is a goal that we are working toward and we need their help.”googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Sheppard said because of pet over-population, sometimes there is not enough room at the shelter to house all of the animals in need, but inroads have been made in the past decade. The percentage of animals euthanized at the shelter has been halved.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Finding homes for animals at the shelter is one of the Ramona Humane Society’s primary tasks and the organization offers adoptions at Petsmart in Hemet. googleoff: allgoogleon: all
In addition, it’s launching a program on Tuesday, July 7 called Pets for Vets. With funding from the Soboba Foundation, adoption fees will be waived for military and their families. The program also offers microchipping, 30 days of vet care, vaccination and spay and neuter services.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
The Ramona Humane Society also works to keep animals in the homes they already have. One of the ways it does this is by lending support to low-income seniors who need help with their pets. The organization assists with veterinary care, food, transportation and if necessary, grooming and boarding.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“For some of these seniors, their pet is all they have,” Sheppard said. “It’s the reason they get up in the morning. Helping may seem to mean so little from the outside, but when you talk to them it’s their whole world.”googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Senior assistance is supported annually by the Albert & Anna Herdina Memorial Fund for Animals through The Community Foundation, but Sheppard said the program can always use more support. Every year, its funds are quickly depleted.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
The Ramona Humane Society is always looking for new volunteers and currently has about 200 individuals who have assisted this year with such tasks as walking and bathing dogs, laundry and helping at the front desk. Volunteers must be at least 18-years-old and have a love for animals. googleoff: allgoogleon: all
For more information about the Ramona Humane Society, visit RamonaHumaneSociety.org or call 951-487-6565. googleoff: allgoogleon: all
The Community Foundation’s mission is to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. The foundation does that by raising, stewarding and distributing community assets, working toward its vision of a vibrant, generous and just region – with unlimited opportunities. The foundation has a renewed focus on building its endowment. Information: 951-241-7777 or info@thecommunityfoundation.net.