Before we turn the page to what’s ahead, we wanted to pause and take stock of 2025—what we were able to do, who we were able to help, and how much of that work was made possible by this community.

This year, we found homes for 190 dogs and cats—a 20% increase over 2024. If you read last month’s newsletter or follow us on social media, you’ll know that many of these happy stories held a special place in our hearts (like this one, or this one). And while some adoptions may have stood out because of the time or effort involved, we can honestly say that every single one of them felt like a victory.

Those 190 adoptions also mean 190 families were made more complete with the love and companionship of a pet—families who welcomed a new routine, a new responsibility, and a new source of joy into their homes.

Seventy-five percent of the dogs and cats we helped came from local shelters facing overcrowding and limited space. Whenever we could, we stepped in to relieve pressure and help prevent euthanasia.

Throughout the year, we hosted multiple microchip clinics and provided 101 free or discounted microchips to community members, helping keep pets safe, identified, and at home.

We supported spay and neuter efforts in our community by providing 250 spay/neuter vouchers to pet owners who needed financial assistance.

Our volunteers logged 1200 hours—time spent caring for animals at the shelter and supporting events in the community. Their efforts ensured our dogs and cats received daily care, enrichment, and attention.

None of this happens in isolation. It happens because people show up—again and again—for animals who need them. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re grateful for what we’ve built together and excited to keep moving forward with you.

As we look toward 2026, we hope to keep the momentum going while building on last year’s successes.

A big part of that is continuing to grow our volunteer and foster programs—bringing more community members into this work in hands-on ways. There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer: walking dogs, socializing cats at the shelter or helping with fundraising and adoption events. Our Dog Day Out program even lets you take a dog out of the shelter for a change of scenery—whether that’s a hike, a stroll around town, or just a trip for a pup-cup.

We also want to continue expanding our foster program. More foster homes mean we can help more pets, while providing critical support for dogs and cats who need specialized care or one-on-one attention. Foster homes help set pets up for success by giving them experience in a home environment and helping us better understand what type of home they’ll thrive in—all the joy of being part of a happily-ever-after, without the long-term commitment of adoption.

Finally, we plan to keep building out our events calendar—bringing back favorites from last year, like our Not So Purrfect Pet Portrait Fundraiser for its second annual run (keep an eye out this February).



However you choose to be part of it, we’re glad you’re here—and we can’t wait to see what we’ll do together in 2026.

In last month’s newsletter and on social media, we introduced you to Margaret, who arrived at the shelter severely underweight and, shortly after, gave birth to a litter of kittens. Just one month later, Margaret’s kittens are fully weaned, entirely irresistible, and almost ready for adoption.

Margaret, too, is almost ready for adoption. She still needs to gain a little weight before she'll be ready for her spay surgery, but without needing to produce milk for four kittens, the task of putting on some pounds should be a little easier for her. Meanwhile, her personality continues to blossom and we're enjoying getting to know her. These days, she can be found roaming the shelter lobby, inspecting (and probably laying on) any new item that comes through our doors, and just generally winning the hearts of staff and volunteers.

She can't go home yet, but she'd be delighted to have a stack of applications at the ready for when that time comes (and it won't be long!).

Head to our website to fill out an adoption application for Margaret or her kittens, or to learn more about other pets who are available for adoption now.

We received a very heartfelt donation last month and wanted to say a special thank you.

Our friend Goldie handmade toys for our kittens and collected donations on our behalf, then delivered it all to the shelter. Goldie, we’re so grateful for your kindness and generosity—and we know the animals are, too.

Thank you!

•January 1: Happy New Year! Shelter closed to the public.

•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!

•January 10, 5-8pm: Critters in Color Art Show. Join us for an art reception at the Sonora Chamber of Commerce (47 N. Washington St in Sonora). Students from Columbia Elementary are showcasing their artwork—portraits of adoptable pets!

•January 19: Martin Luther King Jr Day. Shelter closed to the public.

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!