President’s Letter – Summer 2024

Judi and Barry

Dear RCHS Friends and Family,

As the long, hot days of summer begin to fade (hopefully!), here at Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) we are exuberant. Our new campus renovation is nearing completion, and our first-ever Dink for Dogs Pickleball tournament was a tremendous success! Yet, we also are navigating unprecedented challenges.

Across the country and here at home, our animal rescue partners are facing an overwhelming surge in intake, pushing capacity well beyond limits. It’s why RCHS has increased its transport missions as part of our FOCAS program. FOCAS (Friends of County Animal Shelters) has been clearing county shelters for decades and is needed now, more than ever. Each week, our FOCAS Animal Care teams visit local shelters to transport and intake animals that otherwise might not have a second chance in an overcrowded shelter. An empty kennel at RCHS opens a kennel at county shelters, and we are filling ours with theirs. Our foster volunteers are opening their homes to new arrivals, supporting our transport missions by expanding capacity beyond our gates.

It’s also why we continue to highlight our unique, customized adoption process to make the best life-long matches every animal deserves. We have launched new programs to support adoption, including Find My Fit and a foster-to-adopt initiative that sends behavior & training specialists home to assist hopeful families to make lasting commitments. Alfie’s story, featured in this month’s Fetch, is the perfect example of matching the needs of the pet to the desires of the family.

It’s what we do every day. It’s who we are. It’s why we are building. Our new, modernized Medical and Learning Centers, Pet Food Bank and Adoption Center soon will bring an expanded level of animal care and community programs to support the human-animal bond. Thanks to YOU, a new horizon is in view!