Karen S. Kim
It's been called the Ritz-Carlton of animal shelters, even the
Club Med of humane societies, but for the stray and lost animals of
Glendale, it's now simply called home.
The Pasadena Humane Society has opened its doors to the city of
Glendale, having accepted a $201,873 interim contract to provide
animal-control services for local residents. In addition to its 350
volunteers and 58 employees, the Pasadena Humane Society's 1.5-acre
facility is available for all of Glendale's animal-control needs.
The facility deserves its nicknames. Its expansive outdoor campus
includes 165 dog kennels, 60 cat cages, socialization areas for
animals that have been traumatized from living on the street, an
aviary, wildlife pens, adoption rooms, a retail store and a feral cat
facility.
The large outdoor kennels, 4 by 15 feet, are made of concrete and
wire and are heated during cold weather. Misting faucets above the
kennels cool the dogs in the summer. The campus, which includes
trees, landscaping and concrete benches, is partially covered by
wood-beam roofing.
"We designed this whole facility for the comfort of the animals,"
Pasadena Humane Society Executive Director Steve McNall said
Thursday. "A happy dog is an adoptable dog."
A 20,000-square-foot building houses the community room and
surgery area, which includes heated surgical tables, recovery rooms
and preparatory rooms.
"Some people say this is nicer than some people hospitals," McNall
said.
The Pasadena Humane Society, a nonprofit, private corporation,
will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. About two-thirds of
its $3-million budget last year came from fund-raising. Glendale
will be the seventh city for which Pasadena Humane Society provides
animal-control services. McNall said he's hoping for a lasting
relationship.
"It's 7 miles, but it's right next door," he said. "And any
citizen that wants a tour can have one. There are no closed doors
here. This is for all the old, the sick, the injured and the
vicious."
