Pleasanton's only no-kill animal shelter raised more than double what it needed to avoid closing its doors, an official announced Tuesday night.
Melanie Sadek, executive director of the , appeared at Tuesday night's City Council meeting to announce that the shelter had raised $280,000 in three weeks — $155,000 more than the $125,000 it needed to stay open, she said.
Most of that — $125,000 — came from an anonymous donor.
She said the will have enough money to operate through November, and it is up to Sadek and her staff to figure out how to remain open after that.
The sour economy drastically reduced donations to the shelter over the years, which, combined with escalating operating costs, is what led to the financial peril. Sadek said the shelter cannot continue to rely on donations alone and will have to figure out other ways to make money, like charging for classes and other services.
In late July, the shelter pleaded with residents for help. Iit was the first time in the shelter's 25-year existence that officials had to ask the public for a bailout.
The shelter hosts about 80 animals at any given time and every year saves hundreds of dogs and cats from euthanasia.
Because of the money raised, 250 volunteers will remain and the six people on staff will keep their jobs for now, Sadek said. Also saved: a popular literacy program in which 2,000 children countywide read to therapy dogs, and a program where dogs go to senior centers and battered womens' shelters to offer furry companionship.
It costs $500,000 a year to operate the shelter, and 98 percent of that has come from donations. In the future, the goal is for donations to pay for just half of the operating expenses, Sadek said.
To learn more, go to the shelter's website.
To donate, click here or write a check to Valley Humane Society and send it to 3670 Nevada St., Pleasanton, CA 94566.
