This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

People and pooches shop to help Valley Humane Society

Garage sale proceeds will help animals.

It’s not often that a garage sale attracts Brad Pitt.

But the Brad Pitt shopping at this bargain bazaar wasn’t the two-legged movie star variety. He was an 11-year-old pit bull accompanied by his owner, Rennie Tomley.

Tomley and her canine companion were among the people and critters shopping Saturday at the Valley Humane Society’s Garage Sale for the Animals fundraiser, which continues Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3229 Curtis Circle.

Find out what's happening in Pleasantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 “I think it’s fabulous,” Tomley said. “There’s some nice furniture and lots of books.”

Tomley picked up some items for a private school she works at in the area.

Find out what's happening in Pleasantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The money goes toward continuing to care for animals at the non-profit Valley Humane Society and for acquiring needed materials for the humane society’s new building, which is a few weeks away from opening.

The society’s Animal Lover’s Boutique also had new items up for sale, with the proceeds going to help a program that assists needy pet owners with veterinarian bills.

Donations, including $1.4 million from the late Joyce Keeler, helped make the new building at 3670 Nevada Street a reality, said humane society Executive Director Melanie Sadek.

“When you are operating a nonprofit, any money that is coming in is a benefit,” Sadek said. “This is a nice event. (People) get something for their participation.”

This was the second time the humane society has put on a garage sale in the past three years, but the first time it has been both days of the weekend, said organizer and humane society volunteer, Vicki Zeigler. The goal was to at least equal the $3,000 raised by the 2009 garage sale.

Other than rounding up an assortment of furniture, books, electronics, glassware, and other items for the sale, Ziegler donated her front yard along with a neighbor near the busy Pleasanton Sports and Recreation Park.

“The location is so good that a lot of people on the spur of the moment come over,” Ziegler said Friday. “I have had people here since Monday (getting ready). It’s a lot of work because of lot of people donate things in big boxes.”

The garage sale is only one of the humane society’s many fundraisers or events to raise awareness about animal adoption. Other such events include a contest where people pay to vote on pets to appear in a calendar the humane society offers, and its upcoming Maddie’s Adopt-A-Thon June 4 and 5, where cats and dogs can be adopted for free to good homes.

 “We have to have as many fundraisers as possible,” volunteer Karen Simon said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?