President’s Letter – February 2022

Dear RCHS Friends and Family,

“Ready, Set, Go!”  It seems like someone used a megaphone and shouted these words to everyone within a five-mile radius of Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS).  Like the RCHS puppies that are playing in the Fox 5 Puppy Bowl on Friday morning, we are racing to the end zone!  Good thing we have a strong team of staff and volunteers to help us reach the goal line! 

In January, RCHS received donations from more than 425 NEW donors – most donating to RCHS during the #BettyWhiteChallenge.  Gifts from $5 to $5,000 arrived in her memory and in celebration of her 100th birthday.  A wonderful troop of RCHS volunteers helped stuff new donor thank you letters to all the Betty White fans, complete with a replica One Million Dollars Betty White bill!  

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, RCHS proposed a Virtual Bingo event, hosted by social media star and animal advocate Rocky Kanaka. The response was great. Boxes filled with BINGO sheets and Valentine goodies have been delivered – some as far away as snowy Connecticut! Our first-ever virtual BINGO happens this Saturday.

Rocky Kanaka’s team was on site last week, filming a new video promoting shelter adoptions.  Our Catio became a “Green Room,” and some of our adoptable dogs made their film debut. Rocky’s last video filmed at RCHS (Woman SHAMED for Adopting a Pit Bull!) was seen by 112,000 fans. RCHS is abuzz with anticipation for the new video release.     

Betty, sweethearts, social media and puppies!  Our intrepid team arranged once again to host the Fox 5 Puppy Bowl in our Education Center. Puppies started arriving for training camp on January 30th. Shelter staff and foster volunteers have been putting them through their paces preparing for Friday morning’s game.

The field donated by Artificial Turf Supply is almost ready, and the refs are looking good in their black-and-white stripes. Be sure to watch Fox 5 starting at 8am for full coverage of the field, the players and the final score!

February may be the shortest month, but we are long on good things happening at RCHS!  Thanks to each of you, happier days are here! 

Happy Valentine’s Day!