Such great news. And thank you, Pleasanton Weekly, for doing so much to spread the word (and to make it easy for your readers to spread the word via link-sharing), that Valley Humane needed the help of the community in order to stay in business.

I am really glad to see the Tri-Valley community stepping up in support of our furry friends. Wow regarding the one person donating $125K, that is really amazing.

I can't say THANK YOU enough to everyone who helped out. I've been volunteering at VHS for 15 years now and consider the shelter cats my babies. I would be heart broken if I could not see and work with them. I am looking forward to spending many more years there.

Wonderful news for VHS and all of the animals.
I would still like to know why VHS hired and pays a full salary to a director whose first priority is running her retail store. An organization on the verge of backruptcy should not be paying a full time salary for a part time director. If the annual operating budget is $500K and they needed $125K just to survive through the end of August, that leaves $50K to last another one tenth of a year. How much of that is salary? It certainly does not cost $500K per year in property tax, utilities and pet food.

Sadek said. "I never thought we would get this response from the community."

Thanks for the vote of confidence Melanie!

There are sure a couple of people who don't like Melanie. At least put it aside and wish the best for the organization. Being close to this organization and without bashing the past, Melanie is a huge step up from the previous long time director, likely costs less, and would be worth more even if she were part time.

Knowing her character from direct interaction I am sure she is putting in more than full time effort to put a plan together that is executable for the long term to help this organization remain viable. No one capable would do this job for free as it requires too much effort. Anyone saying that Melanie or anyone else isn't capable of being a retail business owner and maintaining the VHS role doesn't understand prioritizing. I also own a retail business, but am a V.P. of Sales for a Technology company. I've never had my ability to do both, or had my priorities questioned by either.

This dislike of Melanie from afar feels like its personal and not related to whether or not she can really do the job. Lets please move on and congratulate Valley Humane on the short term and do everything personally possible to help this organization continue its years of valuable service to animals and our community. I encourage anyone who hasn't to either volunteer yourself, or contribute money if you can.

Wonderful news,Thanks to all who opened their hearts, check books and piggy banks and time to help. It showed me that we are also teaching our children we all need to work together to help each other. It would be nice if we could see some other business help out too. Like The Water Department, Pleasanton Garbage Service, etc. I know it would make me feel better about paying for my Water & Garbage if I knew they helped with donating service. It takes more then love and food to keep this new building open.

The goal was not just to cover the next month, but the next 6 months of expenses to get back to helping animals and better planning for the future.

There were several unexpected expenses that came up this year that drained the coffers of VHS.

It's sad that you don't believe someone can operate a retail store and dedicate time to an organization like VHS. I'm confident this isn't a 9-5 job on either front.

There are many people in this town and country that operate businesses and do other things. It's called delegation. I don't see anyone commenting on how another local person operates a downtown hotel and still does other jobs!

Thanks VHS for being a part of the community.

If all the children in the world were cared for as beautifully as the animals at Valley Humane Society, we wouldn't recognize this earth.

Melanie is totally dedicated to the animals. Thank you, Melanie, for all you've done to make The Valley Humane Society truly humane and inspiring.

We used to run the Valley Human Society with volunteers only in the good old days! Nobody got paid. Just people with a love for animals! I stopped when they started with the building fund!

Thank you Melanie, and all of those donating to, and working for, VHS!! Those of us who truly see you working in the trenches know how dedicated you are to making VHS the best it can be!!