The High Plateau Humane Society will pause its dog rescue program this summer. The decision comes after budget shortfalls, fewer volunteers, and a lack of rescue partners made continuing the program unsustainable.
Fundraising has not met the rising costs of running the program. Corporate grants have become harder to obtain. Dog Program Manager Jennifer Andersen, who has led the effort since 2018 and helped rescue over 1,000 dogs, also needs a break from fostering. So far this year, the society has rescued 54 dogs.
The program has relied on outside rescue groups to help rehome dogs. Many of those groups now face high demand in their own areas and cannot take dogs from Modoc County. The only consistent partner is a Washington state group that will stop transfers this summer due to construction at its facility.
Volunteers described the situation as a “perfect storm” of challenges. The society hopes to restart the program on September 1 if it raises at least $10,000 this summer.
Supporters can donate by noting “dog program” on checks, PayPal, or Venmo. Donations can be mailed to HPHS, P.O. Box 1383, Alturas, CA 96101, made online at HighPlateauHumanesociety.org, or dropped off at the Second Chance Thrift Store in Alturas.
During the pause, residents needing to rehome dogs are encouraged to use the “Modoc Dogs — Lost, Found and Available” Facebook page. Andersen will continue to offer advice but will stop fostering. The society also asks local shelters to post photos of found and surrendered dogs on the same page to help find homes faster. Shelters cannot keep dogs indefinitely and may face euthanasia if no options arise.
The society points out that Modoc County needs a dedicated dog facility with trained staff and reliable funding, separate from local government budgets. They stress that caring for the community’s dogs should not depend on one person.
Even with the dog rescue on hold, the society will continue cat adoptions and low-cost spay and neuter services through the thrift store. They welcome more volunteers and community support to sustain these efforts.
How can your community step up to support animal welfare when local resources run thin? What role can you play in helping shelters and rescue groups during tough times?
Source: Modoc Record
