The Humane Society of Sonoma County lured passers-by to their pop-up booth at the Barlow in Sebastopol on Saturday with adorable therapy dogs and a pet clairvoyant.
The aim of the stand at Head West Marketplace was to educate locals about the Humane Society’s programs and services, according to Nina Caputo, community engagement manager for the nonprofit.
In addition to adoption services, the organization offers a community animal clinic, a pantry for pet food, dog training courses, and summer camps for children.
Volunteers regularly attend local events to promote the work of the non-profit organization.
“It’s just a lot of fun,” said Caputo. “And we love it when people visit us and find out about all of our services and activities.”
The volunteer Yvonne Morones brought her dogs, Elvis, a Pomeranian mix, and Bebe, a Chihuahua “smaller than a baked potato”, to be the “kissers” in the kissing room.
A pet psychic, Barbara Reed, entertained visitors to the stand by telling pet owners what their furry friends thought.
Animals put up for adoption were unable to attend because the heat and crowd would be too overwhelming, but instead volunteers brought therapy dogs who are used to greeting lots of people.
“It’s a really great opportunity for us to foster this human-animal relationship,” said Caputo.
Caputo said she hoped the booth would encourage people to adopt animals. As more people return to work and school in Sonoma County, the number of local adoptions is slowing.
“Adoptions have come to a standstill. So we have a lot of really great, amazing animals waiting to be found, ”said Caputo.
To learn more about the work of the Humane Society, visit humanesocietysoco.org or visit one of the organization’s two animal shelters. The Santa Rosa location is at 5345 Highway 12 W. and the Healdsburg shelter is at 555 Westside Road.
