Last month Southern California suffered great loss as a result of the Woolsey fire in Ventura County. Three people were killed and over 1500 structures were destroyed, including the houses of Miley Cyrus, Gerard Butler, Robyn Thicke, Camille Grammar and Neil Young. Countless animals also lost their home, but a community and several organizations like Shelter Hope Pet Shop came together to rescue as many as possible.
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
Shelter Hope Pet Shop, a local Los Angeles nonprofit is used to rescuing animals. It’s what they do. However, the volunteer-run organization wasn’t prepared for the amount of animals they received during the Woolsey fire. But, thanks to the local community who brought donations and essential items, they saved many lives. Shelter Hope Pet Shop inherited numerous stray dogs who were found injured, as well as pets who were relinquished because their families had to evacuate and couldn’t take them along. The nonprofit took in 200 animals in a matter of hours.
“We did not have enough kennels or supplies,” states Kim Sill, founder of Shelter Hope Pet Shop. “I called mall security and they opened up a vacant store for me right away. Later that afternoon many of us realized we would be sleeping at the mall, so we posted a plea on Facebook for supplies and volunteers, and within minutes people showed up with pet food, kennels and bedding. It was a miracle that we managed to make an evacuation center out of nothing.”
In addition, there were many animals in foster homes that were located in the fire areas that had to be rescued. Therefore, they all had to evacuate and stay at the Shelter Hope Pet Shop in the mall. Also some of the Shelter Hope Pet Shop dogs were at a luxury boarding facility, so Kim went to get them. There were other dogs there (who belonged to families who were out of town) so she took those dogs as well since they were stranded there.
Janss Marketplace, in Thousand Oaks where Shelter Hope Pet Shop is located, donated two vacant stores during the evacuations to accommodate the growing number of animals and volunteers who needed a safe place to stay. “We are very thankful to people like Kim, at Shelter Hope Pet Shop, and many of our other tenants who stepped up and provided support to our most vulnerable during this difficult time,” states Sanford Sigal, president and CEO of NewMark Merrill Companies, Inc. “From now through the New Year, we will continue to try and provide happy memories to all our visitors, mixed in with funds and other ways to address the needs of our shoppers.”
Sill and volunteers are back on their two feet, but their four-legged Woolsey victims are still waiting for a new place to call home, including Angel who was found burned during the fires.
“I’m proud to be a part of a community that stayed strong through tragedy and pulled together to help animals and people in need,” states Sill. “We are a community that won’t be defined by tragedy.”
Shelter Hope Pet Shop would like to offer their donated supplies to those in the surrounding areas who are still in need assistance. “The community has come together like never before,” continues Sill. “And we want to give back to others who are still in need.”
The public can visit Shelter Hope Pet Shop at Janss Marketplace, 275 N. Moorpark Rd. East, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, to adopt a companion, or call 805-379-3538 for more details on the Shop’s supplies being donated.
Shelter Hope Pet Shop is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, showcasing rescue and shelter animals up for adoption at their pet store in Thousand Oaks. The space, donated by NewMark Merrill which manages Janns Marketplace shopping center, is run entirely by volunteers. Adoption includes spay/neuter, microchip, shots, and a certificate for a free vet exam at participating vet clinics.
In addition, the organization offers a complementary grooming and training session, as well as a certificate at a premier doggy daycare facility. Shelter Hope Pet Shop strives to make a difference in the community, and through their business model, they are working with pet stores around the nation to adopt shelter animals instead of selling dogs from puppy mills. For more information, visit http://www.shelterhopepetshop.org/.