Volunteers form Humane Society of the Central Coast in Hollister
Local animal advocates are formalizing their goal of creating a no-kill shelter for unwanted pets and being an educational resource for the public through the formation of the Humane Society of the Central Coast.
Based in Hollister and overseen by Scott Borgioli, the humane society was formed in January by approximately 30 people “who want to make a change locally with the community in respects to animal welfare,” he said.
“Our main focus is to be a significant resource to the community by providing humane education and to be a role model for youth by giving them an avenue to understand animal welfare and the humane treatment of all animals.”
Borgioli, a meteorologist who runs WeatherAg – which provides forecasts and weather alerts to agricultural clients in the Central Valley – said the humane society will be a resource for anyone having behavioral problems with their pets, particularly if those issues “may cause them to consider surrendering the pet or not give it as much attention.”
The group, funded by public and corporate donations, has a Chevrolet Tahoe that it calls its “humane investigations and animal transport vehicle.” It hopes to acquire a van or other similar vehicle so it can transfer animals it gets from local rescue groups and bring them to adoption centers.
“We’re trying to establish with local merchants and shopping centers days and times where we can have animals available to the public for adoption,” Borgioli said, noting that the society doesn’t have a facility at this point, but is scouting locations in San Benito County.
The Humane Society of the Central Coast is not affiliated with a national organization, Borgioli said.
“There is no parent, governing agency for SPCAs or humane societies,” he said. “The Humane Society of the United States is an agency that operates within the U.S., but they don’t have any oversight over societies. A lot of people think there’s a parent corporation or society, but there is not.”
Borgioli noted that the humane society is separate from Hollister Animal Control, though, “we have a positive relationship” with them.
“We’re in talks right now so we can work out the logistics of our operations,” he said. “We’d like to work hand-in-hand with them for animal-related issues,” he said. “We want to make sure we mesh in and don’t step on anybody’s toes. Our vision is to have a no-kill shelter in place here in San Benito County.”
The humane society’s website notes that it serves all of the county as well as portions of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
While stray animals and barking dogs are typically addressed by Animal Control, which operates under the auspices of the Hollister Police Department, the humane society is hoping to be a resource for the public when they suspect animals are not being cared for properly or are being mistreated.
“We’re going to operate our investigations division more as an educational outfit,” Borgioli said. “We’re operating on the premise of let’s go out and educate the owner and help them to comply with the laws and standards related to animals. We’re going to work with the owner and their animal to give them the tools they need to address and resolve any potential neglect issues with an animal.”
For example, he said the humane society’s behavioral specialists will work with an animal and its owner at no cost “to see if we can reconnect that animal-owner bond.”
Borgioli said that he has had a love for animals throughout his life.
“I’ve seen the morals of society come and go with regard for animals,” he said. “I’ve seen the success of various humane societies and SPCAs throughout California and I’ve also seen their demise.”
Creating such a group in San Benito County, he said, can make a “positive impact on animals.”
