Haven Humane Society marks 60-year milestone

Photo by George L. Winship, Editor

HAVEN TURNS 60 -- Top staff members attending the Anderson Chamber of Commerce Greeters session at Haven Humane Society's 60th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Jan, 25, 2012, included, from left, Krista Korenko, Public Relations and Education Manager; Chief of Operations/Animal Control Capt. Lee Anne Smith; Chief Executive Officer Ray John; Marketing/Fundraising Manager Pat Wellman and Media/Fundraising Manager Virginia Reeter.

January 2012 brings more history in the making for Haven Humane Society and today’s celebration at the shelter on Eastside Road takes a look back at it all, including the people who were instrumental in this heartwarming, success story that started in 1952 as the Shasta County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals.

“This organization is pretty amazing, because it has come so far addressing a need that continues to grow,” said Dr. Ray John, Haven CEO, who came on board in 2008.

He said it was six decades ago that a group of concerned citizens came together with a plan to help children and the unwanted pet population and bring education and awareness to the community. This was a time when there weren’t any local agencies addressing the need to provide for stray, injured, abused and neglected pets.

Kennel technician Hollis Worley, has been with Haven since 1982, and remembers the modest beginning. Caring for animals started with fostering pets at families’ homes before a shelter could be built on Placer Road housing a limited number of animals.

Thanks to an anonymous benefactor who purchased the Placer Road property in 1969 and many fundraisers and donations, a basic, no-frills animal shelter was constructed. It soon became apparent Haven would outgrow the shelter, even after more kennel space was added in 1978. Haven also negotiated the first Animal Regulation Services Agreement with the City of Redding in 1982.

In 1985 the city and Haven agreed to jointly build a shelter on city-owned property. Haven moved to the larger facility and paid off the 8.5 acres of land and structure it currently operates from on Eastside Road. The old shelter on Placer Road became the Centerville Feed Store.

Even the pets buried at the old Placer Road memorial park were relocated. About 100 pets were taken to Sleepy Hollow Memorial Pet Park.

Because state law requires that adoptable pets are spayed or neutered before they are adopted, the surgeries were contracted through a local veterinary clinic.

As the volumes of surgeries increased, Haven started a capital campaign in 2001 and built its own spay and neuter clinic next to the shelter. Former Executive Director the late Tom Little’s dream clinic opened in 2003. It is dedicated to his memory. The new clinic allows Haven to sterilize shelter pets on site, readying them for adoption and offer low-cost surgeries to seniors and families with limited incomes.

“More recently, we’ve added better livestock facilities for barnyard animals and many programs that serve pet owners and pets,” Dr. John said, adding that through the years, grants and bequests have helped fund many important animal needs.

Looking back, Capt. Lee Anne Smith, Redding Animal Regulation Captain and State Humane Officer, recalled some of the early days when Haven started out with a different name.

“In the beginning the organization was known as the Shasta County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals,” said Capt. Smith.

In 1974, animals became the focus when awareness prompted agencies to initiate laws that addressed the needs of children, she said, adding, “That’s when we became Haven Humane Society.”

She said that the organization has always been non-profit and privately funded and adheres to humane ethics.

The mission of the organization has never changed but the tools that help implement it have modernized with technology, Dr. John said.

Wild animals are even helped by Haven Humane Society, which partners with rescue programs for fawns and other wild creatures that become orphaned or injured.

Returning an otter to the Sacramento River is just one of the adventures Animal Regulation officers have experienced during their hours on duty. Crawling under a house to rescue a litter of stranded puppies is another fete they perform when called on, said Capt. Smith.

Haven’s website showcases all that Haven Humane Society does for the community. A pet photo gallery gives the public a preview of animals available for adoption and training and events are posted on the Events Calendar.

To reach the younger generation, a new youth program, Jr. Haven Humane Society was started a couple of years ago to educate and recruit young volunteers, Dr. John said. Jr. Haven members hold fundraisers to help pay for shelter projects. They have raised more than $2,500 for various needs.

“Haven has really always been more than just an animal shelter,” said Dr. John. “Our adoption rate is at the national average for cats and above average for dogs.”

Through the years the support from individuals and groups in the community has kept Haven moving forward to operate efficiently and effectively.

“Without the monetary and physical volunteer support it just couldn’t have happened,” Dr. John said. “We are here because there are a lot of caring people out in the community. We also have the Misty Lee Fund, Pal’s Fund, Rewards Fund and a spay and neuter fund and they all help the animals.”

He said the names of those early “devoted supporters” are still revered.