Steve Wozniak Donates $10,000 to Humane Society Silicon Valley for Katrina Animal Relief

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Steve Wozniak, CTO of Wheels of Zeus (wOz) and co-founder of Apple Computer, presented a check for $10,000 to Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) today. Wozniak said he made the donation to support the shelter's efforts to help animals displaced during hurricane Katrina, as well as other animals in urgent need of food, shelter and medical attention.

"It disturbed me quite a bit when young children had to get on the evacuation buses and leave their pets behind," said Wozniak. "Pets are a part of your family, at least in my opinion. I have five dogs of my own and they're my family. I can't imagine having to leave them behind."

Wozniak urged others in the community to become involved in the Katrina animal relief efforts. "Donating money is the easy part," Wozniak said, adding that it's important for people to really "put yourself into" this cause.

HSSV is making a special appeal to the community to help animals displaced during the hurricane as well as other animals at its shelter in urgent need of food, shelter and medical attention.

At a press conference at the shelter today, Wozniak urged the Silicon Valley community to donate money, supplies or volunteer to help the shelter animals, not only those impacted by hurricane Katrina, but the other animals at Humane Society Silicon Valley. Those who wish to help at this critical time may send checks payable to:

HSSV Animal Relief Fund

2530 Lafayette Street

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Wozniak toured the shelter with Beth Ward, vice president of animal care for HSSV, viewing the first shipment of animals impacted by Katrina, which arrived by plane in the Bay Area earlier this week.

Ward says it costs the shelter, which operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, approximately $15,000 a day to operate. She says the non-profit agency will incur even more un-funded expenses by taking in animals left homeless by Katrina.

"We estimate that it will cost our shelter an additional $500 to $800 to care for each animal left homeless by Katrina. Animals in poor condition will need even more care."

HSSV is currently housing 12 dogs left homeless by Katrina and will continue to receive as many hurricane-impacted animals as possible. Ward said while most of the animals are doing well now, that wasn't the case when they first got off the plane.

"These dogs came to us dehydrated, hungry, filthy and plagued with skin conditions, but their spirits are strong and they're surprisingly resilient," Ward explained. "Our medical staff is tending to these animals, helping them become well enough physically and mentally in the coming weeks to enter our adoption program."

All of the animals rescued from the hurricane will technically be held in the care of HSSV through Dec. 31, 2005. Some animals may be placed into foster care during that time period, and then made available for adoption. The time period will allow people who lost their pets from the Katrina disaster to search for them on Petfinder.com, which has uploaded photos of the animals being sheltered throughout the country.

In addition to sheltering animals flown in through the Marin County Humane Society, HSSV has also agreed to:

--Take in and re-home animals picked up by PetSmart Charities Rescue Van in Louisiana.

--Work with San Jose City officials to make the shelter and its foster homes available to hurricane victims being moved to San Jose who have animals in need of temporary housing. "Housing a person's pet for even a few days can sometimes make all the difference in the world," Ward explained. "Our goal is to help these displaced families as much as possible."

--Serve as a drop off point for needed supplies for rescue agencies working in Louisiana. Supplies can be dropped off at HSSV, 2530 Lafayette Street in Santa Clara. The donated items will be taken to Peace Love & Animals where they will be shipped to Louisiana. Among the items desperately needed are: wire travel cages & pet carriers, collars & leashes, latex gloves, box fans, extension cords and laundry detergent. A complete list of items can be found at http://www.peacelovepets.com.

About Humane Society Silicon Valley

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is an independent, non-profit agency offering quality adoptions, medical care and education programs to enhance the human-animal bond. Established in 1929, HSSV has served Silicon Valley for 75 years and grown into one of the largest animal shelters on the West Coast, caring for nearly 24,000 animals last fiscal year. To date, HSSV has adopted more than 500,000 animals into permanent, loving homes. In fiscal 2003-2004 alone, HSSV found loving homes for 7,451 animals, spayed/neutered 6,191 dogs, cats and rabbits and vaccinated 11,947 pets. The agency has an "open door" shelter policy and accepts animals 24-hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of any temperament or health related problems. HSSV's medical center offers affordable spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchips to the public. More information about Humane Society Silicon Valley can be found at www.hssv.org

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