February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month.

And honestly, if there was any one thing we believe could reduce euthanasia and improve the wellbeing of companion animals in our world…it would be more spays and neuters. The fact is, unwanted litters are an overwhelming problem for animal shelters and rescues. No matter how many dogs and cats we find homes for, when unwanted litters keep on coming, it can feel like we're aboard a leaky ship equipped with no more than a bucket.

Spaying and neutering offers countless benefits for pets, owners, and the communities they live in. Spay/neuter surgeries can reduce—and sometimes even eliminate—undesirable behaviors in cats and dogs. They can also reduce the incidence of many reproductive health problems, including numerous types of cancer. And of course, widespread spay and neuter prevents thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens from ending up in shelters each year.

One reality we won't deny is that this routine procedure has gotten expensive—and we know that cost can feel like a real obstacle for many pet owners. In an effort to help with this, we offer spay and neuter vouchers for low-income pet owners, designed to help offset the cost of these procedures and make them more accessible to all.

This also feels like a good moment for a shout-out to our friends at Second Chance Spay and Neuter Clinic in Jamestown, who have been providing high-quality, high-volume, reduced-cost spay and neuter services to our community since they came on the scene a couple of years ago.

Ultimately, increasing the number of spayed and neutered pets—and reducing the number of unwanted kittens and puppies—is something we can all be part of. You can help by spaying or neutering your own pets, talking with friends and family about why it matters, and supporting organizations that make these services more accessible. Donations help us continue offering spay and neuter assistance to pet owners in our community—and every surgery supported is one less litter struggling to find a safe place to land.

This Valentine’s Day, as the world fills up with heart-shaped candies and oversized bouquets, we’re inviting you to think outside the chocolate box. Nothing against candlelight dinners—but have you ever noticed that some of the greatest love stories don’t start at a restaurant? They start at an animal shelter.

Now, we realize a pet may not be what comes immediately to mind when you think about Valentine's Day, but let’s be honest: what love is more authentic or enduring than the love between a pet and their person? To us, it only seems fitting that dogs and cats get a (big) shout-out on the holiday that’s all about love.



And not to brag, but we do know a little something about matchmaking—after all, we do it all year ’round. Wondering who we think you should meet? We’d suggest taking an extra look at the ones who’ve been waiting here the longest. Because sometimes, the most meaningful connections are the ones you didn’t see coming—and it just might turn out they’ve been here so long because they were waiting for you.

Last year's favorite, silliest fundraiser is back!

Forget everything you thought you knew about art, because this fundraiser is about to redefine "masterpiece." We're not promising beauty, elegance, or even basic anatomical accuracy. For a mere $20 donation, our volunteer "artists" will attempt to capture the essence of your beloved pet in a drawing. Think less "gallery-worthy portrait" and more "abstract interpretation by someone who hasn't held a paintbrush since elementary school." The good news? All proceeds go directly to helping shelter pets, and our artistic volunteers get a much-needed chance to, well, practice.

While a small percentage of our team might possess some untapped talent, the majority are more accustomed to stick figures and doodles. So, are you prepared to receive a portrait that could rival a museum piece, or are you braced for a hilarious interpretation that only a pet parent could love? The possibilities are endless, and honestly, that's the fun of it. Entries are open through February 21st, so don't miss your chance to own a one-of-a-kind work of art, while helping animals in need!

Submit your pet photo between February 1st and 21st to participate. You can provide us your photo using our Facebook page or by email (dso@hsotc.org). Portraits will be posted on the website/social media on February 28th, and you can come by to pick up your original artwork at the shelter anytime after that day. We hope you enjoy—we know we will!

Last month, we were delighted to take part in the "Critters in Color" art reception put on by Ms. Fitzwater and her art students at Columbia Elementary.


The art show (hosted by the Sonora Chamber of Commerce) featured artwork made by students spanning kindergarten through 5th grade, who chose photos of adoptable pets from local rescues and shelters, and then transformed those shelter photos into art.

Impressive...but that's not all! These students (and their teacher!) put some of the artwork up for sale and raised over $600 for those same local rescues and shelters whose dogs and cats were featured in the project.


We are grateful to be represented in this project and are so impressed by the hard work, vision, talent, and generosity of these students.

Thank you, Ms. Fitzwater and Columbia Elementary art students!

•Every Saturday, 11am: HSOTC Volunteer Orientation—join a short orientation at the shelter to become a part of our volunteer team! No RSVP required, just show up!

•February 1-21: Our Not-So-Purrfect Pet Portrait Fundraiser is back and boy, are we excited. Submit your pet's photo with a $20 donation to the Humane Society of Tuolumne County, and let our staff and volunteer "artists" do their very best to make you proud. Portraits will be revealed on February 28.

More details at hsotc.org/notsopurrfect.

•February 22, 11-2pm: Adoption Event at PetSmart in Sonora!

•February 24: World Spay Day is a day to recognize the important role that spaying and neutering plays in the reduction of pet homelessness and euthanasia. With puppy and kitten season right around the corner (wait a minute, did it ever end??), we've got resources to help you get your pet spayed or neutered, including vouchers to offset some of the cost of the procedure—learn more here.

We ❤️ adoption updates.

There’s no better feeling than knowing the dogs and cats who’ve walked out of our doors and into their forever homes are out there, living their very best lives.

Those happy stories are the heart of everything we do, and they often inspire others who might be considering adoption (for the first, fifth, or fifteenth time!) to take the leap.

So if you’ve got a story about an adoption that changed your life for the better, we’d love to hear it! Send us a few snippets of your new life together—photos, videos, and stories are all encouraged—at happytails@hsotc.org. We can’t wait to see your updates!

Engine not purring anymore?

We've got an idea. 

It might just look like an old car—but to our shelter pets, it’s a real gift. You can donate your vehicle and turn it into support for the dogs and cats who need us most. We accept all kinds of vehicles in any condition (including trailers, boats, and non-running cars), and the proceeds go directly toward housing, caring for, and finding loving homes for animals in our community.

Go to https://www.careasy.org/home or call us at the shelter [209-984-5489] to learn more about how you can donate your unwanted vehicle in order to help pets in need.