Woods Humane Society strengthens veterinary care systems
– Woods Humane Society announced a partnership with the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program to support animal care efforts in SLO County.
According to a May 14 news release, the partnership will address challenges affecting shelters across California, including veterinary staffing shortages, longer wait times for spay and neuter services, and increased demand for animal care services.
The Koret Shelter Medicine Program provides consultation services to shelters across the state through California for All Animals.
“This collaboration will help us strengthen our systems—from medical protocols to daily planning—so we can provide timely, compassionate care to animals who need it most,” Emily L’Heureux said in the release.
Through the partnership, Woods Humane Society and program veterinarians will work to direct medical and surgical resources where they are most needed, create shelter environments designed to reduce stress and disease risk, identify bottlenecks that keep animals in shelters longer, and monitor staffing and resources to maintain quality care standards.
The partnership will also focus on identifying opportunities for collaborations that could expand the county’s ability to support animals before they reach crisis situations.
“Shelters across California are facing veterinary staffing shortages that affect how quickly animals, especially large dogs, can get care and go home,” said Dr. Chumkee Aziz. “Partnerships like this show what sheltering does best—adapting and problem-solving to protect animal health.”
“This partnership supports our commitment to finding loving homes for animals as quickly as possible while also building our spay/neuter capacity at our two veterinary clinics in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero,” said Amanda Hefner.
Hefner highlighted the case of Hippo, a kitten that arrived at the shelter with panleukopenia, a contagious viral disease. According to the release, Woods Humane Society staff identified the illness, isolated the kitten to protect other animals, and placed the animal in a foster home during recovery.
“Thanks to our prepared and equipped medical team, foster coordinator, and our dedicated fosters, Hippo has since recovered from this life-threatening illness, received her spay surgery yesterday, and is available for adoption today,” Hefner said. “The UC Davis KSMP partnership will help us build the conditions to make survival stories like Hippo’s possible for more animals.”
Woods Humane Society encouraged community members to support local animal care efforts through fostering, adopting, volunteering, and helping reunite lost pets with owners.
More information is available at www.WoodsHumane.org.
