As Board President and acting as Executive Director of the Sequoia Humane Society it is my duty to make final decisions regarding euthanasia. We value the lives of all living creatures and feel euthanasia is called for only in extreme circumstances, including a vicious animal that will be a danger to the public, and mentally or physically ill animals. "Euthanasia is not the worst thing that can happen to an animal. The worst is they can be placed in a neglectful home, hit by a car, starve to death, or die from untreated illness or disease" says Wanda Regan Kennel Supervisor. Although we would like to, it is impossible to rescue all animals, we need public help by preventing pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering.

Since we have gone to No-Kill the main purpose of SHS is to find permanent homes for all adoptable animals that come into our shelter: this includes evaluation of the animal and interview of perspective owners to find that "perfect match". Our staff goes to great lengths to screen animals that come into our shelter. The goal of our organization is to find a Lifetime Commitment from perspective animal guardians.

At this time a decision needs to be made regarding Chance a six month old male McNab X. Chance and his sister Liberty were discovered on Riverbar Road in Fortuna and placed with Dr. Anderson at the Animal Health and Surgery Center. His office staff provided shots and spayed and neutered both puppies. They then ask SHS to find suitable homes for these two beautiful puppies. Chance and Liberty came to us December 1st. Liberty found a home within a few days.

It is the goal of SHS to get animals adopted into permanent homes and out of the shelter as quickly as possible. A suitable, permanent home is needed as soon as possible. High-energy dogs do not do well in kennel environments, which is an unnatural situation for dogs anyway. Some dogs settle in and do very well, but in our experience the herding breeds become stressed out easily: including McNabs, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Heelers.

Not every person is able to care for herding breeds. They require a lot of time and energy. If the dog does not have something to occupy his mind they become bored and destructive. McNab's are high-energy dogs. They will do their best if given work to do as a means of using their energy in a constructive manner. Over breeding of working dogs leads to an excess population.

Chance needs a large space to play in and someone to give him full time attention and training. He would love a 10 year old child to play Frisbee and run around with him. At this time Chance has to be tranquilized to help calm him in the kennels. Chance has developed Demodectic Mange most likely caused by the stress of being kenneled.

February 22nd is Spay Day USA and we are running a special to spay and neuter big dogs. Call the Sequoia Humane Society for more information, 442-1782