Pet lovers rally to keep Santa Cruz Humane Society open

There’s some hope out there for the Santa Cruz Humane Society, which recently announced plans to shut down due to a lack of financial and community support.

News about a possible closure led to a town hall meeting at the Tubac Community Center March 29. Although attended by only about 30 people, the meeting produced some ideas and new supporters for the beleaguered pet shelter and pet adoption center located in Nogales.

“Among ideas discussed was trying to find a location somewhere between Rio Rico and Tubac, where an additional adoption center could be started,” said Stephanie Campbell, executive director of the Humane Society.

“The hope is that this location would help increase adoptions and volunteerism in the communities of Rio Rico and Tubac, ” she said.

During the March 29 meeting, several people expressed interest in helping and some just wanted to donate money to help with the current financial situation, she said.

Another meeting is planned for the near future and which people can sign up for different committees, such as fund-raising, adoption center, and volunteer recruitment.

Those interested in being notified about the next meeting should contact Sherry Hull by e-mail at sherry-hull@earthlink.net. or call Campbell at (520) 287-5654.

The Santa Cruz Humane Society hopes that other areas of Santa Cruz County will want to rally their own communities to hold meetings, Campbell said.

“For the Humane Society to stay open and provide the many services we offer, all communities need to help,” she added.

Although located in Nogales, the Humane Society helps people and animals in need from Tubac to Sonoita.

“Since the March 29 meeting in Tubac, donations have been coming in more frequently to the Humane Society, an things are starting to look up,” Campbell said.

Fundraisers planned

To keep donations coming in, several fundraisers are planned during the next few months.

The biggest is a Cinco de Mayo Benefit Concert to be held in Patagonia, May 5, at the La Mision de San Miguel, a venue for music and dancing.

Two bands, Kindred Spirits and Whole Lotta Zeps, have donated their time to play.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; the music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to the Humane Society.

In addition, bake and gift sales are planned for Mother’s Day (May 12 and 13) and Father’s Day (June 16 and 17). Both sales will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the meeting room next to the pool at the Esplendor Resort in Rio Rico.

On sale will be home-baked goods and gift items donated by local artists.

For those who really love to eat, the Best Doggone Chili Festival is an event to put on your calendars.

Sponsored by Garrett’s IGA Supermarket in Rio Rico, the festival will be held in Garrett’s parking lot Sunday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chef Art Donatelli will be creating a variety of Santa Fe-style chilies to choose from. The Humane Society will be there with pets to adopt and fun pet/gift items for sale.

For more information on these events, to plan a town meeting or to volunteer, call the Santa Cruz Humane Society at(520) 287-5654.

kengle@gvnews.com|547-9732