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A Legacy of Compassion and Commitment

As a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of North Napa, Bill has championed numerous initiatives aimed at supporting Napa Humane’s mission. In 2011, Bill conducted an energy audit and lighting work for the Spay and Neuter Clinic. This initiative was a significant step in reducing operational costs and enhancing the clinic’s efficiency. This project was just the beginning of a series of contributions that would significantly impact Napa Humane.

Sally Seymour, a long-time volunteer with Napa Humane, suggested that Bill and the Rotary Club of North Napa consider helping with the Walk for Animals event, which was then held downtown. This involvement was a natural fit for the Rotary, which had regularly monitored courses for the Cycle for Sight event. The Rotary supported the Walk for Animals throughout the years helping with course layout, and staffing, as it moved from Downtown and Veterans Park to Oxbow, and then to Yountville. The Rotary was there every step of the way to support the event, no matter the location.

Hands-On Support and Community Engagement

Beyond event support, the Rotary Club of North Napa has provided hands-on assistance in various capacities. In 2014, following a significant earthquake, Bill helped Napa Humane address post-earthquake issues, demonstrating their commitment to community resilience.

In 2022, the Rotary stepped up to assist with high electrical bills and air conditioning needs at Napa Humane. They facilitated upgrading the lighting at the Spay and Neuter Clinic that year sourcing the retrofits and paying the post rebate costs, further improving the facility’s energy efficiency. Bill’s efforts extended to assisting with the lease search and obtaining a conditional use permit for new administrative offices in 2022.

Environmental Contributions and Recognition

In 2023, the Rotary Club of North Napa undertook a project to re-lamp Napa Humane’s new administrative offices, resulting in significant electrical cost savings of $1,000 per year. This project not only showcased the Rotary’s commitment to sustainability but also earned them recognition for their environmental contributions. When this work resulted in receiving a rebate and grant, the Rotary generously passed that money on to Napa Humane.

Community Unity

The partnership between the Rotary Club of North Napa and Napa Humane exemplifies what can be achieved when a community comes together in support of a common cause. Bill Bennett’s leadership has been a driving force behind this collaboration, but the collective effort of all the Rotarians is something Napa Humane is incredibly grateful for.

Looking Ahead

In recognizing the extraordinary efforts of the Rotary Club of North Napa and Bill Bennett, we are reminded of the profound impact that dedicated individuals and organizations can have on their communities. Napa Humane is grateful for all Rotary Club of North Napa and Bill Bennett have done to support us over the years.

If you would like to learn more about the Rotary Club of North Napa, click here.  If your business or organization is interested in partnering with Napa Humane, learn more here.

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In 1973, the year Napa Humane was founded, Richard Nixon was the President and a gallon of gas cost $0.39. How times have changed! Back then, dogs were rarely purchased or adopted – usually people just knew someone whose dog had puppies. Dogs often spent most of their lives in the backyard or garage, tied to a tree with only a doghouse for shelter. Not so long ago, obedience training relied on choke chains and punishments to shape behavior. Dogs were expected to be practical, contributing members of the household – a far cry from today’s “fur babies!”

Our relationship with pets has evolved a lot over the years, thanks to a variety of social, cultural, economic, political and even technological changes that have shaped our outlook and values. Modern research has shown us that pets are good for our emotional and physical health. (It’s sure hard to beat their unconditional love and companionship!) The need to walk and entertain a dog often pushes owners to get out of the house, stretch their legs, and connect with nature and other people face to face.

People are much more reluctant to leave their pets home alone now, so our dogs tag along with us – which makes manners and socially appropriate behaviors even more important. More people than ever before are enrolling their puppies in pre-school, where fear-free methods and positive reinforcement have replaced choke chains and physical discipline.

These days, folks are much more willing to spend money on their pets, whether that’s on training, pet outfits, or other animal-themed bling. We also have many more services available to support (and pamper) our pets, like pet health insurance, government-funded dog parks, doggy day care, and pet-friendly travel accommodation. At the same time, veterinary medicine has taken mighty leaps forward, allowing us to raise the standard of care for our pets tremendously.

Napa Humane has been there every step of the way to ensure that all pets have access to wellness, training, and education regardless of one’s income, and we are continuing to strive for purrfection as we head into our next 50 years!

Of course, we aren’t doing this alone. Because you love animals and want the best for them, YOU and people like you have ensured that spay/neuter is accessible and affordable in Napa County – so that puppies and kittens are not born to an uncertain future.

YOU made it possible for Napa Humane to bring affordable dog training classes and puppy socialization to our community, so that pets and their people have the tools they need for success when we take them to parks, work, vacations, and even restaurants with us.

YOU understand that every pet should be able to see a veterinarian for regular check-ups – and certainly during times of illness or injury. As we navigate the current critical veterinary shortage, you might want to support Napa Humane as we fund Veterinary and Registered Veterinary Scholarships that bring more qualified pet caregivers into practice.

Since you know shelter animals and community cats are most vulnerable, you may choose to support Napa Humane so we can continue to provide veterinary rounds at the Napa County Animal Shelter, and spay/neuter services for unowned cats.

For 50 years, Napa Humane has received no government funding. We rely 100% on private grants and YOU to keep Napa a humane place for our beloved pets.

With your help, we can rise to meet the changing needs of Napa Valley’s animals in the next 50 years – and stay one step ahead through smart, preventative programs that make the most of every dollar you entrust to us!

Your donation of $50 ensures 5 pets can get microchipped, making it far easier to reunite them with their family if they are lost.

Your donation of $500 ensures that 4 community cats are spayed/neutered – or that 4 dogs and their people can participate in humane, effective dog training.

Your donation of $5,000 helps pay for veterinary school, so that we have more skilled veterinarians and RVTs available to care for our pets when they need it.

Can you help with a gift today? Every dollar you invest in preventative programs today saves thousands of future dollars dealing with animal suffering that could have been avoided.

You have the power to make a difference!

Together, we make Napa humane.

Wendi Piscia, Executive Director

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With all the challenges of restoring an in-person Walk in 2022, we were a little nervous to move our 2023 event to a brand-new location. Would participants embrace the new venue? How smoothly could everyone transition to a new route through a new town? Would there be enough parking? Would the new vendors and community partners for our booth setup enjoy participating? Would attendees appreciate them? We hoped to get 250 pet lovers signed up, and to raise $80,000 for our programs and services. Could we pull it all off??

We were probably the only ones worrying. Nearly 300 pet lovers joined in on the fun at Yountville Community Park, despite a sizzling forecast! Fortunately, plenty of grass and big shady trees kept things nice and cool for the festivities, and everyone had a great time.

Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company was onsite to pour complimentary cups of Napa Humane’s “Best Furiends Blend” for Walkers, which is also available for sale on their website here and in both Napa Valley locations. Southside Café, Sweetie Pie’s, and Clif Family provided complimentary snacks to go alongside fruit for Walkers and volunteers. Tails were wagging, both figuratively and literally!

None of this could have happened without the nearly 100 volunteers who came out to set up, guide Walkers, clean up and more. Many thanks to Debbie Kmiec and the Rainbow Girls, and Bill Bennett and the Rotary Club of North Napa, who helped guide Walkers along the new route along the Vine Trail and helped with dog waste cleanup. Thank you to Gordon Smith who led logistics, to UBS Compass Point Financial Group who stuffed Walker goodie bags and helped set up the new venue, and to everyone else who dedicated their time before, during, and after the event. We can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate your hard work on behalf of Napa Valley’s companion animals!

Special thanks go also to the Town of Yountville, its residents, and Yountville Parks & Rec for welcoming Napa Humane and Walk for Animals to their charming community. And of course, a grateful shout-out to Napa Valley’s favorite radio personality, Bob St. Laurent, for emceeing this year’s event!

In total, more than $67k was raised by our 12 teams of fundraisers, the silent auction, raffle, and day-of donations, and Napa Humane’s generous annual sponsors.

Dr. Mary Whitehill returned for her 12^th Walk and maintained her crown as the reigning individual fundraising champ. Her Team Kimba also kept their title as the top fundraising team. Annalee Sanborn and her group Team Pineapple achieved amazing results for Napa Humane’s programs, and claimed new bragging rights as top fundraisers.

Other contests included best costume and best trick, and we were incredibly lucky to have amazing local photographers donating their talent to capture all of the fun. Check out the fabulous Walk for Animals photo albums created by Seymour & McIntosh, Caitlin O’Reilly Photography, CJ Creative, Robert Jaeger Photography, R. Photography & Imagery, and PhotosByMarissa.com: bit.ly/WFA2023photos

We are already looking forward to next year’s Walk for Animals! Save the date for Sunday, August 4, 2024.

For more stories and photos, take a peek at the local newspaper articles recapping the 2023 Walk:

Press Democrat
Good things happening: Napa Humane event sees rise in donations

Napa Register
Napa County pet owners show their bonds with furry friends at Walk for Animals in Yountville

The post Joy Unleashed at Walk for Animals 2023 appeared first on Napa Humane.

As we reconvened at Oxbow Commons for our first in-person Walk for Animals event in two years, I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces.  We may have had to take a break from “normal life” for a while, but that definitely didn’t break the connection between Napa Humane and our community.  Today I’m giving thanks for that, for our team, for our community partners, and for every single one of you! Here’s why.

Our Awesome Staff

Our Napa Humane team truly believes in the work that we do. They show their dedication in every spay/neuter surgery, every vaccination and microchip, every piece of pet advice, and every child they teach pet safety to in school.

I am particularly in awe of Dr. Amanda Vance, who in her almost 15 years with us has performed more than 40,000 spay/neuter surgeries! Think a second about the impact that’s made on our community. . . it’s mind-blowing! Her dedication and skills are phenomenal, and I am so grateful she’s part of our small-but-mighty team. Thank you, Dr. Amanda!!

Our Fantastic Board of Directors and Amazing Volunteers

Every volunteer helps advance our mission, whether in a leadership Board position, or showing up at a single-day event – but the ones who keep coming back become family.

Bill Bennet, for example, has been in our corner for as many years back as I can recall. After the 2014 earthquake, it was Bill who showed up at our Clinic to assess the damage.  Fast forward to just this past week, and Bill was there again, performing an energy usage audit to determine why our PG&E bill has had a mysterious spike. At each Walk for Animals event, he gathers up his fellow Rotary Club members to volunteer along the route and keeps all the paws moving smoothly for the cause.  Bill has been managing the Walk route since 2013. We are so lucky to have you, Bill!

Our Loyal Local Businesses

Napa’s generous local businesses support an incredible number of deserving nonprofit organizations in our community. Donation requests come fast and furious all year round, and I’m sure it often feels overwhelming to the hard-working men and women in charge.

We are beyond grateful to every restaurant, winery, and business who’s ever held an event in support of Napa Humane, contributed an item for our silent auction, provided discounted services, or written a donation check to Napa Humane. Thank you for choosing us! Your generosity makes such a difference to the pets and pet owners in our community.

I know I sound like a broken record, but I really can’t say thank you enough. Thank you for helping ensure puppies and kittens are not born to an uncertain future. Thank you for making it possible to provide life-saving services to pet owners at less than cost, and keep the skyrocketing cost of veterinary care affordable for those who need it. Thank you for caring about innocent animals who rely on humans to ensure that they are well cared for. Thank you for putting your trust in Napa Humane!

I look forward to many more great years with Napa Humane, and with you all.

Sincerely,
Wendi Piscia, Executive Director

The post Feeling Grateful! appeared first on Napa Humane.

It turns out that after all our worrying, everyone had a blast! Attendees were thrilled to return to an in-person WFA, and we saw more than 350 pet lovers joining in on the fun. Awards were handed out for best costume (individual), best costume (group), and best trick. Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company was on site to pour complimentary cups of Napa Humane’s “Best Furiends Blend” for Walkers, which is also available for sale on their website and in both Napa Valley locations. Southside Café, Sweetie Pie’s, and Clif Family provided complimentary snacks to accompany fruit for Walkers and volunteers.

At the end of the day, more than 90 fundraisers on 15 teams brought in over $74 thousand for Napa Humane through the silent auction, raffle, and day-of donations!

Dr. Mary Whitehill returned for her 11th Walk, and once again claimed the crown as the reigning individual fundraising champ. Her Team Kimba also kept their title of top team fundraiser. The Board Walkers (an alliance of Napa Humane board members) and Team Pineapple rounded out the top 3 teams for total dollars raised.

We are so lucky (and grateful!) to have amazing local photographers donate their talent each year to capture all of the fun. You can check out our amazing Walk for Animals photo albums by Seymour & McIntosh, and Caitlin O’Reilly Photography here, and (re)live some of the most heart-warming and hilarious moments.

We could not have pulled off this event without the nearly 100 volunteers that came out to set up, guide Walkers, clean up and generally make things happen. Thank you so much to Debbie Kmiec and the Rainbow Girls, Bill Bennett and the Rotary Club of North Napa who guided Walkers along the route and helped with dog waste clean up, our logistics lead Gordon Smith, the UBS Compass Point Financial Group who stuffed Walker goodie bags, Napa CERT for helping on the route, and everyone else who dedicated their time before, during, and after the event.

We can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate your hard work on behalf of Napa Valley’s companion animals! Truly, you all help make Napa Humane.

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Nope. The real problem is, we don’t have nearly enough vets for our pets. This was the case even before the pandemic inspired 23 million households to welcome a new furry family member – so the problem has only gotten worse since then.

Industry groups predict that we’ll need around 23,000 more companion animal vets by 2030 to take care of our dogs and cats – plus another 18,000 to replace the vets practicing now who will have retired by then. That’s a grand total of nearly 41,000 new companion animal veterinarians by 2030. At the rate we’ve been adding new vets, though, it will take us almost 16 years to get there – and we only have 8 years to do it!

That doesn’t look good for our pets. People are already going to emergency vets and waiting 10 hours to get their animals examined. Others can’t afford the time and money to do that. Already, Napa Humane has seen a huge increase in demand for our spay/neuter and other preventative care, since many private vet practices are cutting back services so they can see more sick and injured animals. This situation will only get worse with time, since our country gets far more pets than we get new vets each year. 

So, what can we do to solve this vet shortage? The first thing most people suggest is that we need to encourage more students to go to veterinary school. (I had the same thought myself.) But it turns out that despite the huge student loans and underpaid jobs, people wanting to go to vet school is not the problem! It’s that there aren’t enough admission slots in vet schools.

Did you know there are only 32 accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the whole country? And, most of them are quite small. UC Davis had 979 applicants for their 2023 class, but they could only accept 191 people; just 149 of those applicants actually enrolled. Since only about 60% of new vets wind up working with companion animals (the others go into specialty fields, large animals, research, academia, and a variety of other career paths), that means Davis only graduates around 90 new companion animal vets every year. The other 31 accredited schools are a similar story.

Clearly, we have got to step up the pace! We need more accredited vet schools, we need bigger classes at the schools we have, and we also need more vet techs and assistants to help carry the workload – the way physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners do with our own medical doctors. We need bold, sweeping changes to veterinary medicine education if we want to make sure our pets can get the care they’ll need in 2030. 

Just as importantly, though: We need to be really, really patient, supportive, and kind to the overworked veterinarians and clinic staff we have now! The reasons for the current vet shortage are systemic, and it’s not your vet’s fault that pets outnumber pet doctors so dramatically. They are doing their best in a terrible situation, and burnout is real. Let’s do what we can to help our veterinary teams keep doing the critical work that they do. Please be patient, and don’t make them question why they got into this career. Send cards, buy the team lunch, or do something else to express your appreciation that they are taking care of our pets. Let them know how important they are.

We also encourage you to talk to your community, and spread the word about what’s going on with veterinary care. We need to raise awareness of this problem to set changes in motion. Vets should not have to work around the clock seven days a week on a regular basis – though we are grateful some do, volunteering with us for wellness clinics or extra spay/neuter surgery days.

If you can, please support Napa Humane as we do our best to fill the need gap. Our spay/neuter surgeries are currently booking four months out, because people have so few other options in the North Bay area – none of which are low-cost. For thousands of local pets, our spay/neuter services and wellness clinics are the only vet care available to them. Please help us help them with a donation today.

Give Now

The post Why Is It So Hard to See a Vet These Days? appeared first on Napa Humane.

It’s easy to participate! Submit a favorite photo of your beautiful bunny, cute canine, or fabulous feline into our pet photo contest here. Then, encourage your family and friends to support local companion animals by voting for your pet’s photo. Each dollar equals a vote and much-needed funds for Napa Humane’s lifesaving programs and services.

Top vote-getters receive more than just bragging rights, they will be featured on the cover or as one of the pets of the month throughout the year, plus be eligible for some great prizes. All entrants will receive a free 2023 calendar. Entrants who don’t make the cover or Pet of the Month spots will still be included on the collage pages.

The pet photo contest runs from October 1 through October 14, 2022. Each entry (and each vote) helps the companion animals in our community!

Check out the details here including pet photo submission, rules, Reserve A Day options, and calendar purchasing.

Not interested in pursuing calendar fame for your pet? Then please consider purchasing a 2023 calendar, voting for the pets in our contest, or making a donation to support our programs and services!

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What a wild ride this year – or rather, the last two years have been! Our team has zigged and zagged staying on top of current safety protocols, stared down increases in medical supply costs and supply shortages, and simultaneously juggled a significant increase in calls for help from new pet owners.  All I can think about is how blessed Napa Humane is for the dedicated employees, volunteers and supporters who have stepped up to meet the many challenges before us.

Napa Humane’s small but mighty team of talented individuals comes to work every day to live and breathe the mission of Napa Humane: To promote the welfare of companion animals through protection, advocacy, education, and by example. 

You might wonder what that really means, though. In a nutshell, it means our Spay/Neuter Clinic team provides compassionate, affordable, preventative, lifesaving care to more than 5,000 animals every single year.

The more complete version of the story is this.  Our highly specialized and experienced team – two veterinarians, two registered veterinary technicians, one veterinary technician assistant, a client services coordinator and a clinic manager – performs more than 4,200 spay/neuter surgeries annually for the public, area animal shelters and rescue groups.  Spay/neuter not only protects a pet from developing certain cancers and eliminates many hormone-related behavioral problems (like “marking,” escaping, and aggression), it also prevents thousands of puppies, kittens and bunnies from entering animal shelters or living a life on the streets.  By administering vaccinations and microchips to more than 2,000 pets each year, our team also helps our furry loved ones avoid life-threatening diseases, and find their way home when lost.

Our Clinic is the only one of its kind in Napa, Lake and Solano Counties. Not a single other clinic in the area provides ongoing, low-cost services year-round!  Without Napa Humane, many pet owners would be forced to decide between paying a household bill or paying a vet bill.  Thousands of pets would suffer, and our area shelters and rescue groups would not be able to keep up with the number of animals in need of a loving home.

If you’re reading this message, it means that you’re already a supporter of Napa Humane and our work. Whether you are an advocate, volunteer, financial supporter, or just a lover of animals, I thank you for that support from the bottom of my heart.  Without you, none of this work would be possible.

As 2021 draws to a close and I look back on all Napa Humane has managed to accomplish, I realize – yet again – how blessed we are with the dedicated team of employees, volunteers, and financial supporters that truly make it happen, every day.  Together, we make Napa Humane!

Sincerely grateful,

Wendi Piscia ~ Executive Director

Photography by: Seymour & McIntosh

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Napa Valley locals know and love RoCo for their delicious coffee and treats from local bakeries. Did you know that they also have a whole selection of coffee beans for causes? Just like their other house blends, Ben Sange roasts these special blends to perfection in small batches. The Napa Humane Best Furiends blend is available at both the Napa and Saint Helena locations, or order online for delivery here. 20% of sales of each 12 oz bag goes right back to benefitting Napa Humane!

Watch Napa Humane Executive Director Wendi Piscia’s interview with Ben here to find out more about this local legend’s beginnings and see what goes into making your favorite cup of joe.

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