During the year, many animals still do not have shelter, affecting their well-being and safety considerably. Whenever there isn’t enough infrastructure to protect stray animals, they are euthanized or ‘put down’ in large numbers. Around one hundred thousand shelter animals across the United States are euthanized annually, often when shelters are beyond capacity or sick animals aren’t adopted. These circumstances make adoption of shelter animals, donating, and volunteering doubly important. One example of a local shelter is Fremont’s Tri-City Animal Shelter, a nonprofit located on 1950 Stevenson Boulevard helps large numbers of animals by relocating them, taking care of strays, and giving them better homes through adoption. This is one of their many shelters across Union City, Newark, and Fremont, and they help them throughout.
Run by the Fremont Police unit, the shelter provides services including (but not limited to) neutering animals, giving them up for adoption, housing lost pets, and giving vaccinations — both to strays who need them, as well as humans affected by animal bites. One of the most important aspects that helps these animals is adoption, as the shelter relies on adoption in order to support the capacity of animals that come to this shelter. This organization mentions that they take monetary donations by check, as well as these specific items listed on their wish list. The shelter also takes donations, which funds animal treats, animal beds, blankets, etc., all of which are used to support animals as they stay in the shelter prior to adoption. If volunteering isn’t possible, donations help the Tri-City Animal Shelter considerably as well.
Although their in-shelter volunteer opportunities are limited to those 18 and older, there are still various opportunities for high school students to contribute and earn service hours from home. Examples include events like dog-toy making and coming in with parents to gain experience before adopting a pet. From Thursdays to Saturdays 12-2 PM, the Tri-City animal shelter has visiting hours for people to socialize and interact with the animals. Socializing with shelter animals is beneficial to their mental well-being, and a good way to give back to the community. For the Tri-City Shelter, volunteers are doubly important as they support the shelter in running efficiently. They are able to help animals as well as running the shelter, and volunteers are trained in care taking for these animals before they start opportunities.
In 2024, they were able to help over 300 animals find new homes through adoption at their Fremont location, ensuring animals that need homes get them. Along with adoptions, they were able to help over 1000 animals total, including other services such as helping people find their lost pets, and giving vaccinations to strays that were sent to the shelter.
For more information or to volunteer, you can contact the animal shelter through their website fremont.gov/government/departments/animal-services/tri-city/animal-shelter. or by giving them a phone call. They’re only open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10AM to 4PM, so make sure to come in during those hours to schedule visits or requests to volunteer.
