Step Back in Time: PAHS History
Earth-friendly is Animal-friendly. Read more about PAHS' understanding of the interdependent relationship of people, place and animals and how this inherently supports a natural humane ethos.
With Gratitude
We thank the many community partners who generously contributed to our new Earth-friendly PAHS center and Animal Art Gallery. We simply could not have done it without you. Thank You
About PAHS
100 Years of Compassion
The Palo Alto Humane Society is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, charitable, volunteer-supported organization. PAHS is one of the few humane societies nationwide with no animal shelter. Instead of managing animals inside a shelter, we work to keep animals out of the shelter through humane programs in intervention, advocacy, and education. For a century, our mission has been to alleviate the suffering of animals, increase public sensitivity to animal issues, and elevate the status of animals in our society.
Animal Companions
Looking to adopt an animal companion? That is wonderful news, and important, as many animals of all ages are needing good homes, especially in today’s economic climate. As PAHS is not a shelter organization, please visit Palo Alto Animal Services which serves as the local shelter and low cost clinic:
Palo Alto Animal Services
3281 East Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Main line: (650) 496-5971
Clinic line: (650) 496-5933
Open: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Being an animal caregiver is an immense responsibility so we at PAHS urge you to thoroughly consider the time, energy, consideration, and money it takes to care for all kinds of pets – cats, dogs, hamsters, mice, rats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish, etc. – during their entire lifetime. Click here for important information about parenting an animal.
ADVISORY BOARD
Joe Camp is a celebrated Hollywood director and producer of the Benji film series and author of Soul of a Horse. Joe is passionately devoted to the welfare of animals and has generously supported PAHS’ work in advocating for their humane treatment.
Peter Drekmeier, Mayor of Palo Alto in 2009, is a passionate advocate for the preservation of natural spaces. Peter is a conservationist and environmental educator and serves as Bay Area Program Director of the Tuolumne River Trust.
Philip Giffin is an Emmy-nominated composer and is the producer/director of “If Animals Could Speak For Themselves,” a still-life movie about the work and history of the Palo Alto Humane Society.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Al Platt has served as a board member for PAHS since 2005 and is currently acting as president. Al was formerly director of the Centre for Living with Dying and, having served many philanthropies, brings a depth and breadth of experience and wisdom to the organization. Al and his wife Barbara are the proud parents of Cheerio, their cockatiel.
Amy Cornell was elected to the PAHS Board in 2010. She has worked at the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office as a Public Information Officer, and now works for the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health. Recently, she created and launched a multi-agency anti-animal abuse project to help raise awareness in the community about the seriousness of animal abuse cases, and the link between animal cruelty and violence against humans. Amy has worked with animals since she was very young, including volunteering at a wild animal museum, where she led tours and educational programs. Amy is the proud parent of two rescue chihuahua mixes, Busta and Eddie.
Carole Hyde serves as the organization's Executive Director and an ex-officio board member. Carole has been an integral part of PAHS since 1991, giving a constant, compassionate voice to animals in our community. She is a founding member of the Stanford Cat Network and creator of Mow Wow Animals, an innovative humane educational program for California schools.
David Rutan recently elected to serve on the PAHS Board. He is a co-founder of the technology company Wizdom On Wheels, and was one of the original Mac Geniuses at various bay area Apple Stores. His passion for technology is as strong as his compassion for people and animals. With over 12 years experience in the technology industry, David wants to bring about creative ways of using technology to connect people with PAHS and it's various missions.
Dolores Arnold has shown a lifelong dedication to the welfare of animals. She is a founding member of the Stanford Cat Network and has been involved in PAHS' programs for many years. Dolores also has a passion for animal photography; her photographs can be found throughout our website, in our magazine Compassion, and in our Animal Art Gallery.
Jennifer Knapp was elected to the PAHS board in December 2008. Jennifer has been an attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati for over 7 years, where she focuses on corporate and securities law and provides pro bono legal counsel to a number of organizations, including PAHS. She volunteers her time on a number of animal-related issues, and is dedicated to promoting veganism and compassion towards all animals, including humans.
Wendy Eilers was elected to the PAHS Board in 2012. She found her way to PAHS several years ago when she became involved in caring for feral cats in the community. Wendy holds a BA in English from UC-Berkeley and has worked at Stanford for over 14 years as an administrative assistant. Growing up, Wendy enjoyed the company of her family’s two Samoyeds, multiple cats, a horse, turtles, rabbits, rats and a beloved parrot. Past volunteer work includes writing animal advocacy letters for the Humane Education Network. These days, she fosters kittens for local rescue groups whenever she can and takes great pleasure when her foster kitties find their “furever” homes.
STAFF
Carole Hyde serves as the organization's Executive Director. Carole has been an integral part of PAHS since 1991, giving a constant, compassionate voice to animals in our community. She is a founding member of the Stanford Cat Network and creator of Mow Wow Animals, an innovative humane educational program for California schools. contact
Susan Stienstra is the Director of Operations for PAHS. She has more than 20 years of experience working for several nonprofit organizations. She is also a licensed humane educator with House Rabbit Society, and in that capacity, has taught children and adults about rabbits and how to care for them. Her special passions are horses, rabbits, and wildlife. contact
Leonor Delgado, Education/Translation, turns PAHS documentation written in English to Spanish—she has contributed to Mow Wow Animals, the new Web-based teaching curriculum, creating bilingual curriculum and activities. She gives presentations of PAHS educational materials at schools and after-school centers, works with volunteers, and organizes PAHS events. She interfaces with cat rescuers and TNR (trap-neuter-return) volunteers and, as a
volunteer herself, manages several feral cat colonies. contact
CATWORKS AND SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM
Ann Nussbaum is a long-time homeless cat rescuer, a former PAHS board member, and our current volunteer CatWorks program manager. Ann is dedicated to the welfare of homeless animals and provides countless hours of communication and rescue to address the increasing needs of the community. contact
PARTNERS
Dolores Arnold: Events committee member
Evelyn Castaneda: English-Spanish translation of disaster preparedness documents
Marilyn Kanes: Accounting services and centennial year event chair
Patty Winter: Grant writer and events committee member
Sharan Daniel: Writing, editing and marketing
Stephen Hollingsworth: Creative and technical contributor
Susan Stienstra Vance: Events Committee member