Humane Society Silicon Valley
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
January 2, 2013
HSSV is a wonderful place with unmatched service. As soon as you walk in to their amazing facility, you will instantaneously sense the care and passion the workers/volunteers have for these animals. As I toured the building, I was impressed to see clean rooms with food and water for all of the animals. More importantly, the animals looked well cared for and they were generally excited to see guests peeking in to the rooms.
Having the opportunity to speak with some of the volunteers and leadership at HSSV, I am happy that HSSV is part of my community. Every animal they save and every adoption they make, HSSV is coming one step closer to their goal. I encourage you to go check it out for yourself (you will be impressed, and you might walk away with a furry friend).
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 26, 2012
HSSV goes out of its way to make sure that baby cats and dogs get even more care and attention to help them along until they get loving adoptive homes. For example, HSSV has created a kitten nursery especially for underage kittens and nursing mama and babies to provide a safe environment for these babies to grow up before they’re big enough for adoption (we will be fostering babies this kitten season). They also have the P.U.P. Program, which I wasn’t aware of until I learned about it a year or so ago. In this program, if your cat or dog has a litter of babies, you can receive help finding homes for the babies through HSSV’s adoption program. HSSV will vaccinate, spay/neuter the babies and find them great homes, and not only that, HSSV will also spay mom for free! If that’s not a caring organization, I don’t know what is! It was through this program that I have come to know HSSV best, and through which my family and I had the most wonderful and special experience.
About a year ago during the holidays, our 15-year-old Australian cattle dog (the best dog in the world, I might add) was diagnosed with kidney failure and wasn’t expected to survive past the end of the year. With his daily treatments and frequent visits to the vet hospital, it was a really stressful time. It was also during this time that we brought home to “foster” a 12-week-old Chihuahua mix that was brought to HSSV through the P.U.P. program. Though we were apprehensive about bringing home a rambunctious little pup to a sick old dog, we were thrilled that this pup was destined to be adopted by a family member, and it was only supposed to be for a few days. So, we took the chance and brought home the pup. It was the best decision we could have ever made. Our old dog perked right up, appointed himself as chief puppy-raiser, and found a renewed sense of purpose. He had a reason to live, and it was his job to take care of this puppy. And, that he did. He took his new role as puppy boss very seriously. He also proved his veterinarians wrong and lived well past his expected life span. It was this puppy that came to us from an unwanted litter that kept our old sick dog alive for so long. Though our old dog has since passed, this little Chihuahua mix is still with us (we have adopted her) and continues to bring joy and happiness to our home on a daily basis. If it wasn’t for HSSV’s commitment to the community and if it wasn’t for the P.U.P. program, all this would never have happened. Our family will be forever grateful for such a wonderful experience and because of it we will always support the efforts of HSSV to continue providing much needed support to the community. Thank you, HSSV!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 21, 2012
In my experiences with HSSV, the leadership has always been OUTSTANDING, and the current CEO, Carol, continues to handle her leadership and management role in the same outstanding manner as her predecessors. It is indeed unfortunate that some slanderous individual has attempted to belittle her performance by making totally untrue remarks on this web site. Such individuals only serve to denigrate the entire non-profit community, HHSV in particular, and serve no useful purpose at all. Keep us the good work Carol and make sure HSSV remains a world leader in the care and maintenance of stray and unwanted animals in the bay area.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 21, 2012
We have been donating to this organization for a couple of years now because we are impressed with their whole approach to the treatment and placement of animals.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Likely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 21, 2012
I first became familiar with Humane Society Silicon Valley when I decided I needed to do something about the 25 scrawny and suffering feral cats living in my apartment complex and the many kittens they were producing every year. The Humane Society helped me with everything including a class on the TNR program, loaning me the traps, giving me trapping advice, doing the spay/neuter surgeries, microchips, vaccines and treatments - not to mention finding homes for all the kittens. Now the colony has stabilized at 5 healthy and robust adult cats which I care for and the program is working better than I ever imagined. I couldn't be happier with the help I received from HSSV. They really know what they are doing.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 20, 2012
I have been nothing short of impressed by the caliber of the staff, programs, events and stewardship I have received through my association with HSSV. This is an organization that cares DEEPLY for the well-being of animals and to a person I can tell that the staff are part of this organization to make a difference. There are many animal welfare organizations that exist, and I support them to a lesser degree, but I have chosen to focus my giving specifically on HSSV because of the caliber of excellence that it represents. I encourage my friends, colleagues and even people I meet briefly to get to know HSSV and the staff and programs. Once you know them you will love them and you will want to support them in the vital work that they are doing to help save animal lives. During this holiday season I would STRONGLY encourage you to make a donation and support their important mission!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
August 29, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I have supported the Humane Society of Silicon Valley for the past many years and hope to continue my support. My concern is that less than 80% of expenses go to actual program activities and fundraising is over 14%. In addition, for a charity of this size, the CEO compensation is on the high side: 2.4 cents of every dollar go to the CEO. I hope future fundraising costs can be reduced and the CEO compensation be more in line with similar charities.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Likely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review from CharityNavigator
1 previous review
February 5, 2010
As a donor of HSSV, I care a lot about how my contributions are used. The communication I get from the staff of HSSV is exemplary - they show their appreciation in many ways. Most importantly, they ... more
August 9, 2012
The allegation in the most recent post could not be farther from the truth. I have served on the HSSV board since 2008, when Chris was President, and I recently became board chair. I can attest to the fact that under Carol's leadership, HSSV is continuing the excellent lifesaving work that Chris began and is saving the lives of a great percentage of all animals than ever before. Sue Diekman
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 5, 2010
As a donor of HSSV, I care a lot about how my contributions are used. The communication I get from the staff of HSSV is exemplary - they show their appreciation in many ways. Most importantly, they give me feedback on the impact my contributions make, often very specifically, depending on the purpose for which I made the gift. This matters a lot to me because my whole motivation for making gifts to HSSV is because I believe in their mission to save and enhance lives - both animal and human.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the way they use and account for my contributions
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the professionalism of the staff coupled with their incredible love for the animals in their care
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful!!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
complete the capital campaign and begin to build an endowment
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 20, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
HSSV euthanizes [kills] young, healthy animals in order to make room for animals that are more easily adopted. This new policy began under the current CEO, Carol Novello. This is nothing but bean counting at the expense of helpless animals. Under the previous CEO, Chris Benninger, animals were kept util adopted [except under extremely unusual circumstances, such as a dog that bites everyone who gets near]. Young, healthy animals were never killed for convenience, until Novello came on board. Now HSSV kills healthy young animals -- for Novello's bragging rights for having adopted out "X" number of animals.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 23, 2012
I have served on HSSV's Youth Advisory Board (YAB) for the entirety of my high school career, with my service culminating in my role as board co-chair in my senior year. Before joining YAB, I had already held HSSV in high esteem, as it was the most notable animal shelter in my area, and I would frequently beg my parents to stop by and let me visit each of the cages. HSSV's move to the new Milpitas facility was certainly a dream come true not only for me, but for all involved with helping animals in the area...and of course, the animals who were, are, and will continue to experience the care of HSSV. Through my experience here, I wish to particularly highlight two aspects of this organization. Firstly, HSSV is a model for animal shelters everywhere in its resources and the genuine love HSSV staff and volunteers have for animals. From simply taking a tour around the facility, you can experience this for yourself. The dedication of the people here truly makes all the difference in the lives of the animals--from ensuring that every shelter guest gets individual attention and playtime, to ever keeping a watchful eye on the animals' health, and most of all, to never giving up on the search for the perfect home. Animals at HSSV stay as long as it takes to find new families right for them, and the foster care system provides important support as well. At HSSV, each happy ending is celebrated. Staff and volunteers are always rooting for each adoption. Secondly, I believe that one of HSSV's greatest treasures lies in its well-managed, thoughtfully conceived education programs. The education department was my guide in my years of involvement here, and I speak for every young person who has been in an education program at HSSV when I say that this humane society helps the community to grow in its stewardship, knowledge of, and love for animals. I have been involved in every educational program available for the teenage age group, including YAB, Compassion In Action (CIA), Amazing Animals summer camp junior volunteer counseling, and volunteering at other sessions for children and special events. YAB has given me a chance to lead other high school students and exercise our voice for animals at HSSV. CIA was community service for the HSSV animals, while making friends and hosting our own educational event. Summer camp counseling allowed me to take responsibility in helping animal-loving children learn and have fun, and re-live my own animal-centric childhood (that was a bonus). Volunteering in other events simply enabled me to offer my time to many worthwhile causes to sustain the organization, and be surrounded by animals too! Behind every activity in every session of every program lies meticulous planning, consideration, and care on behalf of the education department. Many people my age seek to help animals, and all of these programs provides opportunities to directly help the animals (such as making needed supplies), forge new friendship with peers with the same passion and drive, become empowered to educate others about the plight of homeless animals, and of course, playing with the animals! I have never seen a sad face in these programs, except when it comes time to leave. I will be forever grateful for the role HSSV has played in my life, as without it, I wholeheartedly believe that my senses of leadership and responsibility would not be as they are today. So is HSSV a "Great Nonprofit?" My answer is yes, and everything more. When it comes down to everything this organization does to impact both human and animal lives, the word "great" simply doesn't do it justice.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews