There are no donations too small to aid us in our endeavors at this shelter. All amounts are tax deductible, and very much appreciated.

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You may also bring any donations to our office, or mail a check or money order to:
ROGUE VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 951
Grants Pass, OR 97528

RVHS THRIFT STORE
1169 REDWOOD AVE.
GRANTS PASS, OR 97527
541 955-3367
NEW HOURS:
Tues - Sat 10 - 4

Where is Naomi Now?

I have never known what Naomi's past was or what actually brought her to RVHS, but I am very grateful that she was there to save me when I went looking for a new cat. About eight years ago, I took in a feral cat and eventually managed to tame her and she became a great companion. Unfortunately, I lost her to an illness in the winter: when she didn't return home one day, I was sure that she went off somewhere to die. I had never realized how close I'd become to that little furry creature until she was gone. She was also a black cat, and so much like Naomi in personality, that there are times when I wonder if they are the same cat!
I had never been to the shelter, but had heard great things about them, and so I headed up there one day.

After looking around and trying to see “my cat,” I stepped into a second room, where I reached down and began petting a cat on a table, then turned to look further around the room. Suddenly, I realized that the cat I just took my hand off of was now perched on my shoulder, and had begun to lick my ear. The people guiding me around commented that "it looks like someone's adopted you." She actually did right there. And so began my life with Naomi.

Initially, I kept her in the garage to acclimate her to her new home, and after two weeks let her free in the yard. She was fine, yet on the third day, I came home from work and found her gone, and a big red Tomcat was in her bed. She was nowhere to be found and I was heartbroken. I made up flyers and began knocking on doors, and calling NAY-OH, NAY-OH, as I walked about an 8 block area from my home. I was certain she was gone and I thought I can't take a second cat gone within a month's time, and I was pretty wiped out.

Then, suddenly I thought I heard familiar call from a backyard. I called again. NAY-OH, and there, about 1/2 mile from my house I found her in the back yard of a neighborhood home. I couldn't believe my luck!

I don't know where Naomi came from but she is one smart cat. She has acclimated to life around my house so completely, that there are times when I'm in the back yard, and I hear her meowing, and she's up on the roof. She does this often. She climbs the trees, jumps on the roof, and informs me that she "needs to be rescued". But when I get a ladder to get her down, she does her now familiar move. She lies down on her back, and puts her paws up in the air, as if to say, "no, don't get me down, just scratch my belly." She's a kicker.

Also, this summer I've squirted her with the hose occasionally to cool her off, and now; from time to time I'll catch her actually running through the sprinkler, like a kid on a hot summer day. And, did I mention that she's smart? I also have 2 parakeets, and after some initial training, she's learned that they are "off limits." So much so that I can leave their cage hanging outdoors, when she's outside, and I know they're safe.

For me, Naomi's been a great cat and certainly a Godsend. She still perches on my shoulder from time to time which leaves me wondering if perhaps she is not part parrot. I couldn't have wished for a better feline friend, and I am absolutely grateful that she was there, kept safe at the shelter until she claimed me that day. I heartily commend the efforts of RVHS. I'm sure I'm just one of many happy stories that have resulted from their care and concern for not just animals, but people too. Keep up the good work folks. There are others out there who also need to meet their match!

Sincerely, Dennis Ruga, Grants Pass

 

 

I am so excited to be able to send an email to all my friends at RVHS. I miss you all, but I am making many new friends here at my new home.

The drive home was interesting...so much to see out the window...cars, trucks, trees, grass, cows and sheep! After a few minutes in the carrier, Cookie and her friend Nancy allowed me to come out, as I was very stressed. You all know I love to see what is outside. I was comfortable with the AC on and after about 3 hours I was tired, so I took a nap. We dropped Nancy off at her house, then we went home. Cookie showed me my potty box first, and like the good girl I am, I used it. Then she showed me my food and water, and my bed. I ate some food and laid on the bed and went to sleep. The next morning I got up and looked out the big window and saw trees and grass, birds and horses. I have been exploring my new surroundings, but I don't hide. Tonight I get to meet the other cats in the house, Ziggy and Gypsy, and spend a little time with them. I had to wait to meet them until I had my wellness check at my new vet's. Dr. Chris and all the gals in the clinic love me and I love them! Everyone had to pet me and visit with me! I even got to visit with some of the other people who had brought their dogs and cats in to see one of the vets.

It is so much cooler here (Lincoln City)...temperatures are in the 60's and low 70's, not 80 or 90. I am so happy here...I am purring so much!

Miss you all, Frosty

Hi Frosty, We are so happy to hear you are so loved and doing great. Nina actually cried when you left and when she read your letter. It was very much a happy cry for you. Please send some pictures to us so we can put them on the bulletin board, you know you are very special to us.

All our love, RVHS staff.

 

Tanner

Aslan, who was an RVHS Specal Case Files dog who now has a loving home.

We all share Tanner's story... we understand humans.

Hello! I just wanted to share a quick story. A little over a year ago my fiance and I adopted Tonka. He was a clumsy 6 month old Pit Bull mix puppy when we got him and we fell in love immediately. At first when we got him he wasn't the best listener but he has gotten so much better! His coordination has improved tremendously. He is quite the character and became a part of our family almost seamlessly. He's made some friends within our family pets. If Marilyn still volunteers for you guys let her know that Tonka is doing great! Thank you Humane Society for giving us such a great addition to our family!

-Heather Lowther and Eric Rardon

 

We lost our 16 year old kitty to kidney failure in January. Shortly after, we began looking for a companion for our other cat, but soon came to realize that we all needed a new friend in the house to help us heal. My husband visited Rogue Valley Humane Society and fell in love with a kitty named Val. We were told that she was found in Riverside park in Grants Pass with her 2 sisters at about 2 weeks old, and bottle fed. I came to visit her and fell in love also. We brought her home and it only took her a couple of days to get used to us all. We have 2 girls who love her so much and another kitty who is having a great time with her. We re-named her "Willow". We are full of happiness and love for our new baby girl.

Sincerely,
The Heywood family and Willow (Val)

P.S. (please make sure to share this story with Josh who works there. He really loved her and took good care of her!)

Hi Everybody - sorry that it has taken me so long to write to share MY story but it has been a busy year for me. You probably all know me as ACE. If you have not seen my big, handsome photo a RVHS events, you may have read about me under the story of Truman's Fund. I arrived unceremoniously over the fence at RVHS with a broken paw - thus the name Ace for the bandage that was on my cast after I was under the care of my friends at RVHS and Valley Animal Hospital. I also got to attend the wedding and you can see me in those photos too, sitting on Margaret's lap or in Tanya's arms.

So my story turns into a happy one as I adopted my new Mom and she brought to my forever home in the Applegate Valley. I joined a little blind dog pal named Rikochet and the kitty crew, Squiggy, Chris and Nick. When my foot had healed, I needed a big pal to play with, so one day I went back to the RVHS and met Odin. Mom said that I could only pick one new pal, so Odin came home with us and now he has a forever home too. Odin is kind of a trouble maker - holes all over the yard, chair cushions chewed up, paw prints on the counters. . . funny how he keeps telling Mom that I am the one doing all those things. Odin is a great guy though, we sleep in a big dog pile layered on top of each other.

I know that my medical bills cost a lot while at the RVHS, so this Christmas I have been allowed to "beg". Instead of gifts, Mom has asked a few of her friends, on my behalf, to make donations to the Truman Fund. Several can also get matching funds from their companies. Good Deal!!!! We also "vote" everyday on the animal rescue site.

Odin and I (my new name is Reilly) send lots of wags and woofs to our wonderful friends at RVHS. Thanks for taking care of us until we found our forever person.

Reilly (Ace) and Odin Kellogg

 

 

Just wanted to share an update about Turner for Tanya as promised. He is doing great. He loves to play in the backyard with our little girl they both run around until they each are ready for a nap everyday lol. He sleeps inside at night and lets us know if he needs to be let out for a potty break. He gets so excited when its time for a walk and tries to get us to run with him. Here's a picture, it's off my phone though because our regular camera is out of service right now, so the quality may not be that good. We wanted to say thanks for Turner he is a member of our family and we all love him!

~Krystal Linkert

Jo Co's human residents and companioin animals are lucky to have a compassionate and responsibly operated humane society. Thanks to the hard work of the new boards and the generosity of volunteers, tremendous improvements in the conditions for the animals and in the operation of the Rogue Valley Humane Society have been achieved. It is a pleasure to see the positive changes and feel the good energy there among the animals and people, and to know that the animals are no longer suffering from overcrowding and inferior living conditions. The community now has a humane society with progressive operating procedures, the most important of which is their neuter before adoption policy, which sets a fine example and ensures that none of their animals will contribute to the tragedy of animal overpopulation. Thank you, RVHS!

S. Mackler
for SNYP (Spay Neuter Your Pet)
spayneuter.com
box 1492
Applegate, Or 97530

 

We invite you to share your RVHS shelter experience(s) with the masses. If you have a success story (or something touching) you'd like to share - like visiting or volunteering at the shelter tell us about it. If you are one of the fortunate folks who's adopted a new "love of your life" and would like others to know how special your new pet is - please share that.

We also welcome photos with your stories. Remember, a picture is often worth 1000 words. Just attach them to your Email.

To have your story (any length accepted) and or photos published here on our website please Email it to: Share Your Story

Or send a hard copy to the shelter PO box!

 

  Hello, my name is Lady Mead, I am a Cocker Spaniel. My mom and Dad and I just moved to Grants Pass about three months ago from Phoenix, AZ. where we all thought we were going to die of the heat. Boy oh boy do we love it here in Grants Pass. Well anyhow, I want to tell you about Mom & Dad and how they started spending time at the Rogue Valley Humane Society. I still haven't figured out what a Humane Society is, but from what Mom & Dad say it is a pretty special place. They come home and tell me about these other dogs and kitty cats that have no home and no one to love them. Some have even been abused (what ever that is).

At first when Mom & Dad started spending time at the Humane Society I was a little bit jealous, I mean I have always had all the attention and now they want me to share with other animals, but now that I see how happy it makes my Mom & Dad I am glad for them. I sure feel bad about those doggies and kitties not having anyone to love them.

Mom and Dad keep telling me how nice the people at the Humane Society are and how they help the animals and each other, and how they have made Mom and Dad feel so welcome here. I guess what I really want to say here is if you love animals, please come to Rogue Valley Humane Society and volunteer your time to help these animals, it makes you feel so good and so happy. Why not help your furry friends?

Lady Mead
Grants Pass, OR.

On March 11, 2011 Lady Mead went to doggie heaven. Her life was full and she was deeply loved but her body ultimately failed her. RIP

 

 

Hi Tanya!

We are safe and sound in Portland! I am amazed with Woodstock's behavior today. He acted like he had been in the car a hundred times and just wanted to cuddle. After I dropped my friend off in Eugene, Woodstock rode quietly in the back seat showing no signs of anxiety. Before we left town we went to the local pet store to get his harness and leash and the staff was totally enamored with him. He is a blessing. We were listening to The Beatles' Abby Road on the way home tonight and one lyric rings true, "One sweet dream came true, today."
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been searching for this dog all my life. I will keep you posted!

Sara

RVHS Membership Application (pdf file)

Rogue Valley Humane Society 429 NW Scenic Drive Grants Pass, OR 97528 Phone: (541) 479-5154 Email: rvhs@budget.net Directions