Marin Humane Holding Events Today
Marin Humane is hosting community and animal welfare events today, March 2nd. The organization is offering opportunities for local residents to get involved and support its mission.
Founded in 1907, Marin Humane is one of the county's oldest nonprofit organizations, initially created to prevent cruelty to horses and livestock. Its founder, Ethel H. Tompkins, once famously blocked roads to force livestock haulers to provide care to animals being transported. Today, the organization cares for nearly 8,000 animals annually and helps more than 10,000 domestic animals and wildlife through a wide range of services. Beyond its main campus in Novato, Marin Humane operates a thrift shop in San Anselmo that opened in 1961 to help support its clinic. One of the events scheduled for today is a free virtual Pet Loss Support Group, facilitated by a professional grief counselor from By the Bay Health. This is part of a broader set of community services that also includes animal-assisted therapy, dog training classes, and humane education programs. Marin Humane also functions as the county's official animal services agency, a role it has held since 1946. Its officers are responsible for enforcing animal services ordinances, responding to calls about abuse or neglect, and rescuing injured wildlife 24/7. In a move to broaden its impact, Marin Humane legally acquired Hopalong Animal Rescue in 2022. This integration expanded its foster and mobile adoption programs across Marin and the East Bay. The organization runs a "Pet Safety Net" program to help residents facing financial hardship keep their pets. This initiative provides assistance with veterinary care, pet food, and even pet rental security deposits to prevent animals from being surrendered. Looking forward, Marin Humane has set a strategic goal of ending pet homelessness in the Bay Area by 2030. The organization's plans include enhancing partnerships with human health organizations and advocating for more pet-inclusive housing policies.
