SoHumane rescues 9 dogs from euthanasia list in northern California
MEDFORD, Ore. — As animal shelters across the country continue to battle overcrowded kennels, one local shelter in Medford is working tirelessly to give dogs on euthanasia lists a second chance at life.
Yesterday, SoHumane, a Southern Oregon-based animal rescue organization, saved 9 dogs from an overcrowded shelter in Shasta, California. The dogs, who were at risk of being euthanized, are now safe in Medford and are expected to find forever homes in the coming weeks.
“We took today nine dogs off of their euthanasia lists. That opened up five kennels for them down at Shasta. So that was extremely helpful, being that they only have 10 kennels in general, so we were able to definitely help them a ton today,” said Miranda Ahrens, Community Support Coordinator at SoHumane.
As the shelter continues to face the challenge of limited space and an increasing number of animals in need, the organization is committed to rescuing as many dogs as possible, often going out of state to help. This rescue mission in Shasta was just one example of how SoHumane is making a difference beyond its local area.
SoHumane is no stranger to rescuing dogs from out-of-state shelters. “This is a community problem and we have to work together. It's why we pull from, not just from local shelters, but across state lines,” said Estrella Cervantes, Operations Manager at SoHumane. “Just because animals aren’t dying here doesn’t mean they’re not dying somewhere else.”
Despite the constant flow of animals needing help, SoHumane continues to fill its kennels with animals in danger, even though space is tight. “We are incredibly full. We have no dog kennel space. We’ve taken a stray almost every day. With whatever space we do have, we make sure to try and fill with a dog that needs help just like we did today,” Ahrens shared.
At the Shasta shelter, volunteers like Cheri Steffan are working tirelessly to manage the overwhelming number of animals coming in. "It’s a nationwide issue where it’s constant dogs coming in. We have one out, two come in, two out, four come in, and it’s every day. It’s just out of control,” Steffan said.
The reality of the animal shelter crisis is clear—irresponsible pet ownership, lack of spaying and neutering, and the overwhelming number of unwanted animals are contributing to a nationwide issue. "If kennels are empty, it feels wrong. I know there’s a dog or cat somewhere that needs help,” said Cervantes. “Our job is to fill it up because then we know they’re safe here.”
While the rescue efforts continue, SoHumane’s work is far from over. The organization is committed to not only rescuing animals in danger but also educating the public about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for spaying and neutering.
“People don’t realize that having a puppy is a lot like having an infant. It’s a lifelong commitment,” said Karen Evans, Executive Director of SoHumane. "If people don’t spay or neuter their pets, we will never see an end to this crisis."
For the 9 dogs rescued from Shasta, the journey to a forever home is just beginning. These dogs will be available for adoption by the end of next week, giving them a second chance at life.
If you are interested in adopting one of these dogs, visit SoHumane's website or stop by the shelter to meet these lovable animals.
