FOCAS History
The History of FOCAS
By Peggy Howell, Co-Founder
On that day in 1977, the fate of stray dogs was not a priority with me as I walked my Fox Terrier in the park. Then I saw him -- a terrified red dog, obviously lost or abandoned, frantically searching for someone who cared. It struck me how helpless animals are in today's busy world! Later, at the county pound, I realized this was where the "red dogs" ended up--most never to come out. I learned from a caring employee, Gloria Blevins (who reunited the dog with his owner), that the Department of Animal Services had little time or money for an adoption program, but would welcome help.
Many of us made preliminary, individual efforts during the next few years; and finally, in 1982, at the suggestion of Mrs. Sue Geller, we decided to join together to form an organization to provide volunteers and donations toward a strong adoption program at the shelters as a viable alternative to euthanasia. We arranged bake sales, fairs, Easter and Christmas events, and soon were joined by others who recognized the need. We helped fund an adoption counselor and an adoption van, paid for answering machines and newspaper ads, and provided help for needy owners to retrieve impounded pets or to take their injured or sick animals to the veterinarian.
Now, many years later, Friends of County Animal Shelters is functioning with financial and veterinary aid, volunteers in all three county shelters, a foster-home program, adoption counselors, and on-going structural improvements in all the shelters.
We feel that FOCAS, a private group addressing a public problem, has helped the citizens and the county of San Diego implement the idea of humane services for animals--an idea whose time has come--and we urge others to join us to help make life better for all beings in San Diego.