ROGUE WANDERER: A visit with Southern Oregon Humane Society
Published 7:00 am Thursday, April 10, 2025
Peggy Dover
Samson is a 3-month-old mixed breed puppy currently staying with SoHumane and looking for his forever family. (SoHumane photo)
Volunteers Ellen, Brynn, and Belen cuddle kittens at SoHumane. (Peggy Dover photo)
Finnegan takes a nap in a cubby at SoHumane. (Peggy Dover photo)
Dog Communication Board at SoHumane. (Peggy Dover photo)
It’s hard to fathom that our beloved Southern Oregon Humane Society has been rescuing animals since 1928 — that’s 97 years of improving furry lives. SoHumane has been a chosen nonprofit of mine for several years.
Today, I was able to see firsthand their high level of organization, practical use of funds, and most importantly, how their “guests” come first with every need being met with kindness and compassion.
Recently, my friend and coworker at the Visitor Center in Jacksonville, Ellen Martin, won an award for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners’ Volunteer of the Month.
Ellen has been a consistently faithful caregiver at SoHumane two days a week for 10 years. Karen Evans, their executive director said, “We have a lot of people who volunteer here, but we don’t have a lot of people that are consistent like Ellen. The level of dedication she gives here is above and beyond.”
About 300 volunteers serve in different capacities. According to Karen, the number of hours is somewhere close to 25-30,000 a year, the equivalent of 15 full-time employees, which is not in the budget. They welcome more helpers with open arms.
“The camaraderie that they have together is something that is really special,” Karen added.
I spoke with Rebecca, who’s been giving her time for seven years.
“I’m needed,” she said. “Everybody says ‘you do so much for them,’ but they do so much for us. Whatever mood you’re in, you come in here and get all this extra love.”
I met Miranda, SoHumane’s intake coordinator, who oversees the foster program and the acceptance of animals into the facility.
“We take in 500 cats every year; at least 50% of those are kittens,” she said. “There are times during our peak moments in the summer when we take in 100 kittens a month.”
Miranda explained how flexible the fostering program is and how the staff facilitates the necessary information, working closely with the foster family.
Fostering is always a huge need, especially with kittens and cats.
“We provide everything,” Ellen said. “We give you kennels, food, medical care, litter boxes.”
She gave me the grand tour. I saw their ever-busy laundry department, three large outdoor play areas, and sheds made for destressing new dogs in a living room type atmosphere.
I met eyes with several fine dogs. I lingered in a room-full of cozy cats, resisted (barely) a family of adorable kittens, and met some super people who care very much about them all.
Samson is a 3-month-old mixed breed puppy currently staying with SoHumane and looking for his forever family. (SoHumane photo)
Then I saw Samson.
“He’s a puppy that’s been here way too long and we don’t know why,” Ellen said.
I didn’t, either. He is handsome, sweet, and he licked my fingers while fairly stealing my heart. Then I remembered my boys back home and what chaos would ensue if I were to bring them a new “playmate.”
“The indoor portion of the kennels gives them that sense of home,” said Stephanie, the animal care manager. “They have their beds, their blankets, their water. And they all have the outdoor run. This [indoor kennel] is the comfy bed part of it where they get fed.”
Every dog, of which there were about 90, gets an outdoor walk and playtime every day. Dog walking is a fun part of the volunteer opportunity.
Recently, SoHumane celebrated another Saving Train event where 35 dogs were rescued from possible euthanasia. In under a week, 30 of those pups have found good homes. But I spoke with Evans about a most particular need.
“These were all small dogs. We’re struggling right now quite honestly with adopting out large dogs. We have a number who have been here at the facility for too long,” she said. “My big dog is probably the most laid back, well-behaved, easy-going dog I’ve ever had. I think people assume that big dogs are hard and that’s not always the case.”
To see all the pets available for adoption, see sohumane.org/adopt. Adoption fees range from $225-$350 for dogs, $100 for kittens six months and under, or $75 for cats over six months.
I saw a highly coordinated effort by a large family of individuals dedicated to keeping tails wagging and kitties purring. Additionally, their education program reaches children in the classroom with programs that foster compassion for all living things.
We can be proud of the representation we have here knowing that every dollar is put to good use.
Peggy Dover is a freelance writer/author. Reach her at peggydover@gmail.com.
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