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1 week ago | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
Next week is an exciting one for Marin Humane — it’s National Volunteer Week. This special week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing communities. Volunteers are the lifeblood of many nonprofit organizations, including Marin Humane.
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2 weeks ago | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
Most people in Marin don’t realize that when they call for help from “animal control,” that help comes in the form of one (or more) of the highly skilled and dedicated animal services officers at Marin Humane. Next week is National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, so we think it’s the perfect time to honor these amazing, hardworking heroes. The county doesn’t have its own animal control department.
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3 weeks ago | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
Recently, two Novato residents were surprised to find two great horned owlets on the ground by a large tree in their backyard. The babies had been sitting in the same spot alone for more than a day; and sadly, the day before, they had found the remains of an adult owl on their driveway. They feared these babies had fallen from a nest with no parents to go back to. Fortunately, they called WildCare, and the Marin wildlife nonprofit in turn asked Marin Humane to help bring these owlets to safety.
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1 month ago | 
mercurynews.com | Lisa Bloch
“Though never a substitute for veterinary treatment, properly applied first aid can minimize a pet’s trauma and even save their life until you are able to transport them to a veterinarian,” says Marin Humane Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Belinda Evans. Proceed with cautionJust like in the safety demonstration on an airplane when they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping your kids, it’s critical you ensure your safety first when trying to help an injured or sick animal.
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1 month ago | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
Our pets rely on us to take care of them when they’re sick or injured. But if we’re not prepared, panic and confusion can hinder our ability to act effectively when they need us most. The best way to increase your chances of responding quickly and calmly to a pet emergency is to familiarize yourself with basic pet first aid techniques.
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2 months ago | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
When I lived in San Francisco, our house wasn’t too far from Golden Gate Park. As a result, we’d occasionally receive visits from wildlife, mostly wily raccoons. One night, I went into the backyard, turned on the outdoor lights and was seriously startled to see a strange creature I’d never encountered before. Perched on top of our fence was a large animal with a white face and gray body. It was rodent-like but way too big to be a rat — unless it was a R.O.U.S., for you “Princess Bride” fans.
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2 months ago | 
mercurynews.com | Lisa Bloch
It’s not hard to figure out who’s an animal lover and who in particular has pets. We talk about them a lot, take endless photos of them, spoil them, worry about them and simply delight in being with them. For years, cat videos have dominated YouTube and both dog and cat photos, videos and stories are hugely popular on other social media sites like Instagram and TikTok. There’s even a CatGPT!• The unconditional love.
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2 months ago | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
It’s not hard to figure out who’s an animal lover and who in particular has pets. We talk about them a lot, take endless photos of them, spoil them, worry about them and simply delight in being with them. For years, cat videos have dominated YouTube and both dog and cat photos, videos and stories are hugely popular on other social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.
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Jan 20, 2025 | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
They’re beautiful, social and smart. And some even talk! It’s little wonder that pet birds are growing in popularity. According to the American Pet Products Association, bird guardianship has been on the rise since 2010. Birds can now be found in more than 5% of homes, making them the nation’s fourth most popular pet after cats, dogs and fish. Carina DeVera, who adopted her bird, says, “My parrotlet, June, is endlessly curious and fearless, always exploring her world with so much confidence.
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Jan 13, 2025 | 
marinij.com | Lisa Bloch
As I write this, the fires in Los Angeles are still raging and Marin Humane transport volunteers are making the long drive back from a Los Angeles animal shelter with some precious cargo to bring back — adoption animals. During disasters, transferring animals that were already awaiting adoption out of the area frees up critical space to house the pets of those who’ve lost their homes or were evacuated.
