Santa Maria Sun / News

Hobnobbing With Helen

BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

Celebrating a great day Rick Sweet (left), Santa Maria Mayor Larry Lavagnino (center), and George Cudd (right) joined up at the July 22 groundbreaking ceremony for a new Humane Society facility. Sweet is director of utilities for Santa Maria. Cudd is co-chair of the Humane Society's capital campaign. PHOTO BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

The long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society’s new, $3 million animal care facility occurred on Thursday morning, July 22, on Stowell Road.

Humane Society board president Bo Cudd shouted “Yes!” and gave an emphatic thumb’s up to the onlooking crowd after she, Pam Goble (Humane Society board secretary), and Rick Sweet (Santa Maria’s director of utilities) signed a document authorizing the Humane Society to build a new facility on city property.

Dan Blough, whose construction company will build the facility, stood and waved his arm to signal “go.” Two tractors faced off and scooped up giant chunks of compacted earth.

Cheers went up from the 140 who gathered at a huge, flat parcel of land between Blosser and Black Roads.

City Manager Tim Ness, Mayor Larry Lavagnino, and City Councilpersons Mike Cordero and Alice Patino watched, as did County Supervisor Joe Centeno and Supervisor-elect Steve Lavagnino.

Executive director Jill Tucker gave the assemblage good reasons to get cracking on the project: “If you have any doubt that we need a new facility, visit the old one. We are now booked weeks in advance for spay and neuter services.”

Before the big event City Manager Tim Ness (left), City Councilman Mike Cordero (center), and Bo Cudd (right), president of the Humane Society board, shared a moment before the groundbreaking ceremony program on July 22. PHOTO BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

Santa Barbara County’s burgeoning animal population is an escalating problem that the new facility will help address. The facility will double the capacity of the Humane Society to provide spay and neuter and adoption services and hopefully reduce the number of animals euthanized (by other agencies) in North County.

Bo Cudd praised Tucker, who moved from Vermont to take the helm of the Humane Society during this critical period of expansion.

“We now balance our budget,” she said. “We are in the black.”

Allan Hancock’s Dean Paul Murphy spoke about a proposed new curriculum with interesting potential: a program that will train and certify veterinary technicians. This was the brainchild of Bo Cudd, who worked in the vet tech field for years.

There is “an absolute need for trained professionals,” said veterinarian Dr. Brenda Forsythe. City councilperson Hilda Zacarias complimented the Humane Society on “a job well done.”

Celebrating Altrusa's gift Pictured are (left to right) Altrusa's Diane Aleman-Stevens, Edith Gray, Pauline Skiba, and Monya Davison with Bunny Maxim. PHOTO BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

Phylene Wiggins of the Santa Barbara Foundation, which has provided support for the new facility, attended the ceremony.  Ethel Landers (a volunteer grant writer for the organization) rejoiced over the morning program, as did board members Gerry Murphy and Claire Sheehy.

Volunteers from the animal shelter showcased three super-cute dogs available for adoption: a young black-and-white cocker spaniel; a jolly, round Chihuahua/rat terrier mix; and another terrier.

One of the founders of the local Humane Society, Nancy Pusser, was able to attend the momentous occasion.

The Humane Society has two-thirds of the funds necessary to complete the new facility. Out of a projected $3.1 million, they have $2 million. Anyone wishing to commemorate a beloved pet (or relative) with a donation of any size, call
349-3435. Many animals’ lives depend on it!

If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom32@yahoo.com.