My Nonprofit Reviews

Contra Costa Humane Society has made an impact on my life!

I was able to find a place to be, a spot to love kitties, and care for others while volunteering at CCHS.
I was healing from the trauma of being laid off from my 10 year job during the crash of 2008. It was a awful time in my life. But I was so lucky I found a volunteer opportunity at
Contra Costa Humane Society in Pleasant Hill!
I had a place to go, structure to my week and in conjunction with a gig at a soup kitchen gave me 24 hours a week. I was so lucky to stumble into the CCHS kitty corner.

When I started here we had a cat named Bunny. She was a dilute, honey grey torte.
Scaredy Cat!!!!!! She spent most of her time under a cart or couch. She was a safe place for other frightened cats who were not quite, ready to deal with humans. She was nurturing to the kittens, and her sweet nature won her friends among the cats and people here at CCHS. She took nearly a year to finally start coming out of her shell. And eventually she met someone who was worthy of her special love, and I was moved to tears when she was adopted.
At one point we had a set of brothers Grey Siamese mixes found living surviving on the fringes of a business. Hank and Rocky. Rocky got adopted first. He was the big guy on the block, and his bother Hank was less hearty and not outgoing. My Sweetie Hank was one of those cats that pretty much hung out alone. Resisted being touched, was not bonding.
But in a few weeks, Hank would allow a pet here, and sit on a lap if you were on the couch reading. Hank eventually was adopted by the same couple who had Rocky, and a family was born. I was so excited, it was a huge relief. Hank was the sort of personality that was going to blossom in the right place.
The people were devoted to the “boys” and Hank began to bloom as a personality. They sent us photos of the cats, and one of the best things is to know that the time with us was a short, safe respite. Hank got a Happy Ending!
On a sadder note, but just as touching is Marmalade. When I started she was skinny and we were closely monitoring her weight. Eventually we began to monitor most everyone’s weight.
Marmalade was fragile, she seemed very old. She barley ate, and required quite a few medical visits. This sanctuary was the last place for her. She had a whole team of people watching out for her, keeping her company, and her quality of life was very good. But even with all that she never really thrived.
It was a devastating loss, but she was pampered, and cared for during her time here. Not really the ending I wanted for her. But she was supported and cared for.
They try hard to place the right personalities together, and find permanent loving homes.
I am one of those people now who as soon as someone says they are thinking of adopting a dog or cat I tell them to check out CCHS, ASAP!!! They can hook you up!!! Good people doing good work.


Jacquelyn Ross