Marin Humane Society Celebrates 100 Years of Helping Animals
It's our birthday!
It is often said that animal shelters reflect their communities and that certainly seems to be true for the Marin Humane Society. When it comes to animals, the people of Marin tend to be compassionate and informed, and that has translated to a humane society that is respected around the country for its pioneering programs.
In 1969, the Marin Humane Society was the first animal shelter in the country to hire a full-time humane educuator to work with young people. We opened the first low-cost spay/neuter clinic on the West Coast in 1973. In 1988, we were the first shelter to microchip all adopted cats and dogs. In 1996, we began early spay/neuter of shelter animals.
We have been there for animals lost and injured in disasters from the Oakland Firestorm to Hurricane Katrina. We were the first California community to enact an ordinance to ban loose dogs in the back of open pick-up trucks, and we are the rare humane society that speaks out on behalf of all animals and against fur-trapping, coyote poisoning, factory farming, and the use of animals in rodeos and circuses. Since 1997, our Pet Partnership volunteers have brought thousands of lucky dogs and cats to Marin from overcrowded, outlying shelters.
Inspired by strong local support, the Marin Humane Society is proud of a record that boasts nearly 800 volunteers, 100,000 cats and dogs spayed and neutered, and 250,000 animals adopted to loving families. It's been a rewarding 100 years - and our founding mother, Ethel H. Tompkins - would be pleased, but there is still much more to do. We are your humane society. Please join us in celebrating our 100th birthday in 2007!
Links
Marin Humane Society Milestones
Book Excerpt: Making Tracks - The Marin Humane Society Celebrates 100 Years (available for purchase)
2007 Schedule of Events
Centennial Press Release
Photos
