As we enter the new year, what better time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together in 2024? This past year has been filled with meaningful moments, hard work, and the steadfast support of our community at every turn.

In 2024:

• We took in 171 pets and found permanent, loving homes for 154 of them, with the remaining animals still under our care and awaiting their forever families.
• We celebrated the adoptions of some of our long-stay residents, including pups Sassy and Baby Girl, who finally found their people in 2024. We were also elated to find homes for a group of kittens who arrived as tiny babies and stayed with us until they were nearly six months old.
• We distributed 301 spay and neuter vouchers to community members, ensuring affordable access to essential veterinary care and contributing to a healthier pet population in our community.
• We held multiple fundraisers, including the return of our beloved annual wine-tasting event. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we raised thousands of dollars to sustain and expand our work.
• We received countless donations of food, treats, and supplies, ensuring our four-legged residents were cared for and loved every step of the way.

This new year promises plenty to be excited about--expect more events and more opportunities to get involved. We’ll be rolling out some new fundraisers (including our Not-So-Purrfect Pet Portraits fundraiser scheduled for next month--read on to learn more!). There’s lots to look forward to, so make sure you’re following along (Facebook and Instagram are great places to get regular up-to-date info on shelter events and happenings). 

As we reflect on this past year and look eagerly into the next, we just want to say that we are infinitely grateful for our community and supporters, and we're looking forward to helping more dogs, more cats, and more of their people as we advocate for a better world for companion animals in our community and beyond.

The majority of the pets we brought into our care—76%, to be exact—were transferred from Tuolumne County Animal Control (TCAC). Like many municipal animal control agencies across the state and country, TCAC faced the challenge of unprecedented numbers of homeless, surrendered, and stray pets this past year. One of our key roles as a limited-intake, no-kill shelter is to support our local municipal animal services. Every animal we are able to take in from Animal Control opens up valuable kennel space in their facility, thereby helping to prevent the heartbreaking reality of euthanasia due to overcrowding—an outcome that no one wants to see.

And what about the other 24% of our intakes in 2024? These included dogs and cats surrendered by local pet owners needing rehoming assistance and others we pulled from the Oakdale Animal Shelter--more local support to ensure that our efforts are concentrated as close to home as is possible.

These numbers together tell the story of our commitment to pets in need right here in our own neighborhood. By focusing our efforts locally, we’re able to make a direct and visible impact where it’s needed most. Because local focus doesn’t mean small impact—it means creating meaningful, lasting change where it matters the most.



Sometimes, we find ourselves with a dog or cat who just can’t seem to catch a break in finding their forever home. It can be frustrating and emotional for everyone involved–but an important part of our work is to keep giving these pets a chance, even when much time has passed and the odds seem stacked against them.

Baby Girl was one of those stories. She came to us in 2021 as a tender-hearted, anxious one-year-old. Her nervousness in the kennel made her bark defensively at strangers—a not-so-great first impression for someone trying to find a new home! But with us, she had the gift of time, patience and care, and a team that believed in her all the way.

After over a year in our care and adoption returns, Baby Girl finally found her perfect match in October. Today, she’s thriving—making dog friends, enjoying car rides (once scary for her!), and living a life full of love and care.

Thank you to everyone who shared her story and spread the word, to our staff and volunteers for keeping her spirits high, and most of all, to the Reed family for believing in Baby Girl and giving her the chance that was much needed and very deserved.

Coco’s story embodies the heart of our work. Surrendered to animal control by her owner at a moment when they were already at maximum capacity, her future looked bleak—until we stepped in just in time.

From the moment she entered our care, Coco’s exceptionally sweet nature charmed everyone she met. It was gut-wrenching to imagine such a wonderfully sweet dog could have met a very different ending.

Despite how much we all loved her, Coco couldn't seem to catch the eye of an adopter. For several months, she waited--her spirits bolstered by the loving care of our staff and volunteers who took her on field trips and to their homes for short breaks from the shelter. She waited patiently (albeit eagerly), until one day, at an adoption event at Wilco, Coco finally found her family. We were elated to be able to send her off to her new life--a second chance that she almost didn't get to have.

Clint got his name after being found outside Clint’s Trophy Shop on Washington Street. Likely from a feral cat colony, he was too sick to survive on his own. Anemic from severe flea infestation and battling a respiratory infection, Clint needed urgent care.

With treatment and lots of love, Clint bounced back and became a staff and volunteer favorite. Though shy with strangers, he was a total lovebug with those he trusted. After nearly five months with us, Clint finally found his forever home, and we couldn’t have been happier for him.

Clint’s journey—from illness and hardship to a cherished family member—captures the heart of our mission at the HSOTC. Thank you for your continued support in helping to change the ending for pets like Clint.

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 only open for this week, 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 during the first week of February to participate. You can submit using our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) or by email (dso@hsotc.org). Portraits will be posted on the website/social media on February 21st, 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!

It's the beginning of a new year, and you might be thinking of

ways to start fresh.

That old car in your driveway that you want to get rid of but just don't know what to do with? We have a great idea for you!

Give yourself the gift of a clean slate (and driveway) this January, by providing us with the gift of a donation towards continuing our important work. All vehicles in any condition are accepted (including trailers, boats, and non-running cars), and the proceeds from your donation will go directly towards helping us in our efforts to house, care for, and find loving homes for dogs and cats in our community.

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

Fetch the latest shelter news!

Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date,

and enjoy your daily dose of cute dog and cat photos, while you're there.