HALL OF FAME

In 2004 the Board of Directors became aware of the fact that some of our most dedicated members, people who had significantly impacted the establishment of the organization of the SPCA, were no longer active and their contribution was being forgotten. People come and go, and some of the early history was being lost. With this in mind, the Board began �THE HALL OF FAME�.

Frank Bartholomew designed a plaque to hang on the wall with plenty of room to add names in the future. In that first year, the first three people were proposed by Board Members and voted into �THE HALL OF FAME.�

Any member of the SPCA may propose the name of someone whom he or she believes has made a significant positive impact on the organization. The Board of Directors will then vote upon that person�s induction.

By establishing �THE HALL OF FAME� the members of the SPCA hope to always remember the hard sacrifice and hard work of those who came before.

DOLORES TUTTLE

Dolores Tuttle is a quiet unassuming woman who loves animals. One hot summer day she found a mother dog and six puppies abandoned and starving on a deserted stretch of White Rock Road. It was August and the temperature was a scorching 105 degrees. The condition of the mother dog was pitiful. Dolores picked them all up and took them to her home. She gave them all water and food and thought about how this could have happened. This dog was obviously someone�s pet. How could her owner just abandon her out in the middle of nowhere? On her next visit to the SPCA shelter she asked Jeanette Lozano, the shelter manager, how people could be so cruel and why animals are abandoned. This is the question most people ask when they hear about animals, especially puppies and kittens, being dumped. �How could somebody do this?� Jeanette explained that an animal is usually abandoned when the owner feels he can no longer take care of it; when that animal is a mother with puppies or kittens, it usually means the owner did not have the money to spay or neuter and just did not know what to do with both the mother and offspring. Dolores was moved by the plight of the animals she had rescued and by the thought of all the others who would be dumped along some deserted road to starve to death or become prey to other animals. She asked the right question. She asked herself first and then the SPCA �What can I do about this problem?� She decided she wanted to donate a sum of money for the purpose of spaying and neutering animals of owners who could not afford the surgeries. It was a most generous proposal, simple and direct. She said, �I am not a wealthy woman, but I want to help.� The SPCA proposed setting up a fund to provide spaying and neutering for the entire county of Mariposa. Dolores named the fund �Sandy�s Fund� after one of her favorite dogs. Dolores herself went before the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors to ask the county to match her donation. They recognized the worth of the program and the costs it would save the county and matched her donations for two years. Between 2001 and 2004, Dolores and her family donated $36,260, the SPCA contributed $13,000, and the County of Mariposa matched those donations with $50,149. Sandy�s Fund spayed or neutered 735 dogs and 1,980 cats, and included veterinarians in Mariposa, Merced, Sonora, Jamestown, Oakhurst, and Coarsegold. The number of abandoned litters dropped drastically during the first year, and to zero the second. Dolores�s gift saved thousands of animals from suffering and untimely death.

What happened to the mother dog and her pups? They all came to the shelter and all were adopted except for the mother and one female puppy. Dolores first adopted the mother, whom she named �Lady.� She couldn�t stand the thought of the little female being the only one left, so she went and got her also. Then one of the other females who had been adopted was returned to the shelter, and Dolores went back and got her. She now has Lady and her t wo daughters. She calls Lady her �treasure.�

The SPCA calls Dolores our treasure. She is a real SPCA hero.

PAT STACY

Jeanette Lozano, our Shelter Manager calls her �Mama San�. So many have called her �mentor� and I continue to call her �friend�. For many years, many people called her �madam president�. She is Pat Stacy, past President of the SPCA and it is my pleasure to welcome her into the SPCA�s Hall of Fame.

As President in 1981-1982, working with Mariposa County, Pat secured the land where the shelter resides today. She recruited a construction team, to build the shelter and she drew plans and helped with the construction herself; hanging doors, putting up lights. And she engaged the entire community into the project.

In 1994, Pat Stacy worked with Dr. Rosebrock to get the shelter back on its feet after a period of severe struggle.

She developed and produced the SPCA newsletter for 6 years; taking the photographs, writing the articles, handling the printing and mailing. She designed and sold ads to the local merchants to cover the cost.

At some time later she once again joined the Board of Directors and became publicity chairman; she designed flyers, posters, ads, membership cards, applications and wrote articles for the Gazette. She gave numerous speeches to service organizations and was always available to speak for the shelter in a public relations capacity.

For many, many years she gave hundreds of volunteer hours keeping the mailing list current, recording memberships and donations, mailing reminders and letters. We can thank her for our consistent membership base.

You know those little green and white address signs that you see all around Mariposa? It was Pat who conceived the idea � always on the look out for ways to pay the bills and ways to serve the community. She researched the project, found the supplier, found funding, promoted and MADE the signs at her home for TWO years, until Chris Modesett took over the task. This project, by the way has grossed over $19,000.00 for the SPCA since the onset.

About six years ago, Pat Stacy dreamed up Angel Fund, a pool of resources to help the medical bills for needy animals. She founded the fund in the name of her long time companion, Angel; a wonderful dog found tied to a tree after being hit by a car.

One of her most important accomplishments, Pat was the one who negotiated with the Internal Revenue service when they informed the SPCA that we owed $8,000.00 for not filing taxes. It was Pat who learned the tax code and filed all the back tax reports. For several years she filed the annual tax return and when the SPCA finances became more complex, she advised the Board to hire our current CPA, Spinardi & Jones of Merced.

One of the SPCA�s most important functions is to remain on good terms with Mariposa Animal Control, a source of many of our shelter animals. Pat Stacy initiated the Animal Task Force. She attended numerous meetings of that group, coordinating efforts between the SPCA, the Sheriff�s Dept., Animal Control and the District Attorney. The SPCA acted as a representative for animal rights and pressured the District Attorney�s Office to pursue animal abuse cases. Pat�s work as liaison between Animal Control and the shelter has been invaluable.

In 2001, the SPCA found itself embroiled in the sad, messy and scandalous results of the Wildcat Road Puppy Mill sting operation completed by the Mariposa Co. Sheriff�s department. Pat Stacy assisted Animal Control with the closure of the puppy mill and the subsequent SPCA placement of 125 dogs and 5 cats. The operation was extremely stressful for all involved and consumed SPCA business for months. We were forced to install an additional phone line to process the torrent of phone calls. Through it all, Pat Stacy remained a constant ROCK, handling the public relations of this project with composure and dignity. She was absolutely amazing.

The daily business of the shelter appears simple. Keep the kennels clean, care for the animals, handle adoptions and sell yard sale items. But behind the scenes there are the problems that go along with any business and personnel difficulties are common. For years, Pat gently dealt with problem employees, acting as confidante, supervisor and consultant to smooth out the wrinkles. She was always kind and respectful to everyone, no matter what the circumstances were.

In 2003 our little shelter was the recipient of a generous inheritance from along time SPCA supporter, Juanita Moore. The bequest brought with it the need for legal advice, estate lawyers, real estate agents, the fire chief, the historical preservation society, multiple appraisers and more. And Pat once again stepped up to the plate and acted as needed. She spoke before the Board of Supervisors when the county threatened to seize the inherited property through eminent domain.

You must agree that Pat surely fulfilled her duties and went beyond as President of the SPCA. Most of us, you and I, would have thrown our hands up when faced with the complications, adversity, and enormous projects that continued throughout the years of Pat�s service. But she did not throw up her hands. Instead, she gave selflessly year after year, of her precious time and her own money for the welfare of the shelter.

When I asked Pat for some details of her terms of service, she responded with a wealth of information but, she also reflected upon the things that the SPCA had given back to HER. The list was long and in itself presented a picture of Pat�s compassionate and loving nature.

In closing I�d like to paraphrase from a statement that was made last fall by Pat, herself. She said: �Everyone in this room has a great love for animals, but that love cannot be limited to just animals�..it has to extend to employees, volunteers, members, and the less fortunate in our community�����.In that more inclusive kind of love, we all have a common ground. Compassion and loving-kindness will grow and benefit everyone����..If we respect each other and treat each other with dignity, good will flow automatically from our actions�.

Pat Stacy, an enormous amount of good has flowed from YOU.

DR. PEARL HANNAH

Dr. Pearl Hannah was a friend to animals for her entire life. She was born in Greeley Hill during a time when women were not expected to have an education or a career. She succeeded in both, working for many years as a dentist in Palo Alto. There she founded the Palo Alto Animal Welfare Society.

That Society originated and funded PAWS, a low cost spay and neuter program widely used in Mariposa during the 70s and early 80's. During that time Mariposa was the beneficiary of 90 % of the funds raised in Palo Alto. Dr. Hannah was the motivator for Mariposa receiving this much needed help to spay and neuter our animals. Not many people knew that they received this help because of Dr. Hannah.

When Dr. Hannah stayed at her home in Greeley Hill she would visit the SPCA shelter in Mariposa. The Mariposa SPCA always remained a cause she wished to support.

In 1995 the SPCA received notification from Dr. Hannah�s estate that it was a beneficiary in the amount of $49,500. This came during a time when the shelter was struggling without much success to find enough funds to feed the animals and pay the bills. Our relief on receiving these funds was indescribable. It allowed us to hire paid employees and begin much needed repairs on the shelter structure. It was this bequest which allowed the SPCA to change into the successful operation you see today.

The Board of Directors founded �The Pearl Hannah Fund� which aided owners with spay and neuter or medical emergency costs. The Board also determined to reserve the bulk of Dr. Hannah�s bequest and only use the interest for operation and improvement projects. The Board has been successful with this plan making the SPCA financially responsible in this community for the first time since its inception.

Dr. Hannah did more for us than she could possibly imagine. She enabled the SPCA to change its image and save more animals than ever before. We will forever be grateful to Dr. Pearl Hannah for making it possible for the SPCA, an infant barely able to crawl, to rise and stand on its feet.

JUNITA DAWSON MOORE

Juanita Dawson Moore was one of the original signers of the articles of incorporation for the SPCA of Mariposa County. Her signature is on the first dollar bill donated to the SPCA, which hangs on the office wall at the shelter. In short, she has been involved with and supportive of the SPCA from the beginning.

Juanita was always �top of her class� in everything she did, either intellectually or when it came to taking care of any stray dog, cat, horse, or chicken in the county. She was active on many committees and, according to Leroy Radanovich, �a presence in Mariposa for 75 years.�

Upon her death on November 11, 2002, she left her entire estate, including two lots on Bullion Street as well as five acres in Midpines, to the SPCA of Mariposa County. This incredibly generous bequest will allow the SPCA to carry out many projects to benefit animals and humans for years to come.

Some of the funds have already been used for roof repair and to tile and paint the kennel area of the shelter. Upon seeing the new tile installed, one board member was heard to exclaim, �God bless you, Juanita!� This will undoubtedly be a repeated refrain in the years to come.

At the time of this writing the property has not yet been sold, so it remains for future Boards of Directors to determine the best use of Juanita�s marvelous generosity, but it will help them carry on the good work of our humble organization for decades. God bless you, Juanita!

LEAH ROSENFELD

Leah Rosenfeld was one of the original signers or the SPCA charter. Of course, her work with animals predated the formation of the SPCA in 1976, but people remember her as �Mrs. SPCA.� She could be seen driving all over the county in her little blue volkswagon bug, the interior of which was completely destroyed long ago by the cats and dogs she transported in it. The back seat was always filled with cages, and Leah�s arms always bore the scars of many scratches and bites from the animals she rescued.

For the ten years the SPCA existed before the erection of the shelter, Leah�s house was the haven for lost, lame, or unwanted dogs and cats. Her phone number was the number to call if you needed help with an animal problem. The SPCA�s present phone number is the number Leah had then. When Leah heard of someone dying and leaving animals behind, she would drive to the home and put out food for the orphaned animals, sometimes for months until she could find homes for them.

The SPCA grew out of this need for animal rescue and humane education, and for all of its beginning years Leah Rosenfeld bore the major burden of work and responsibility. After the shelter was built, Leah continued to volunteer her time continuously. In 1984 she became the local state humane officer, responding to calls to investigate animal abuse throughout the entire county. Both before and after the building of the shelter she served for several terms as president of the board of directors. There would be no present SPCA without her early and continued contribution of time and energy toward the welfare of all animals.

TRE FORD

In 1981 the SPCA had a problem. On one hand there was a bank account containing $12,000 which had been specifically donated for the building of a shelter, and on the other hand a terrible need to feed animals being cared for by the SPCA on a temporary basis all over the county. It looked like the building fund would simply disappear in dog and cat food. The board of directors at that time decided it would be better to attempt to build a shelter with the assigned money and possibly fail than it would be to use the funds for something other than building. The board then approached Tre Ford, a local contractor, for advice on how to proceed. She said, �If we have even $500 we can start this building!� Not only did she have building skills, but she is possessed with a boundless energy and optimism that anything can be done. She and her partner, Lee Gallagher, took the rough plans for a building and turned them into an actuality. She organized crews of seniors as volunteers, people who had a broad spectrum of skills, and put them to work. She said, �Eventually I wore out every little old man and little old woman in this county.� She and Lee also donated over 500 hours each of their time to the construction.

Anyone driving by the site of the building was encouraged to join as a member and pick up a hammer. Tre solicited local merchants to donate pipe, wire, paint, and hardware to the project. She had people donate $100 each to buy a door for the shelter, promising them their name would be put on a brass plate on that door. She says, �It was a special time. Everyone wanted a shelter and people were willing to help however they could.�

After building the shelter, Tre remained president of the board for four years, doing her house building during the day and talking on the phone and writing the newsletter for the SPCA at night. She said, �I was doing my civic duty while I was still young.� She and Lee drove all over the county picking up donations for the on-going yard sale, the SPCA�s only source of income outside membership dues.

In this way, the SPCA was able to build and maintain a shelter for dogs and cats. With her enthusiasm and hard work she accomplished the impossible. The SPCA owes her a debt of gratitude for making the dream of a shelter a reality. People from all over the central valley marvel that a small town like Mariposa could build and maintain a shelter. They go away saying, �Well if they can do it, maybe we can do something for animals in our community also.� Thus does Tre�s good work continue to grow.

DR RICHARD ROSEBROCK

In 1993 Dr. Richard Rosebrock had several conversations about the SPCA with one of his clients, Sharon Macarone. Each was concerned about the unhealthy conditions at the shelter, and particularly the lack of opportunity for adoption of healthy dogs because of the lack of room. So many old, sick, and otherwise non-adoptable animals were being held for years that no kennel space was available to accept animals which could find homes. The cat rooms had 76 cats, � of them needing medical attention. Rosebrock saw the impact of the problem first hand as he was then the county veterinarian and ran the impound facility for the county. Macarone had observed the conditions at the shelter and was deeply upset by them. Together they decided to try to change things.

It soon became apparent that the people in charge of the SPCA at that time were going to resist the introduction of any changes. Dr. Rosebrock and Sharon then decided to run for the board of directors, get elected, and effect the changes from within. Irregularities in that election came to light and the sitting board voted to hold another more carefully controlled election in which Rosebrock was elected and then became president.

Rosebrock had several objectives. First and foremost, there were to be no long term animals. The shelter was to function as an adoption center moving animals through quickly so the largest number could be saved. The entire facility needed to be cleaned up and repaired. Richard Azevedo, head of the San Francisco SPCA , was a personal friend of Rosebrock's and agreed to help with advice, as well as the promise to find homes for any dogs the Mariposa SPCA was not able to place. And finally, Rosebrock and the board needed to apply good business practices to the running of the shelter.

Throughout the election and for the first year of his presidency, Rosebrock was harassed and threatened by those who had been legally removed from the board of directors and who were resistant to any change. He remained committed despite threats to his business and his life. At a time when the SPCA was at war and its continued existence needed a general as its head, Rosebrock continued to rally the entire community of Mariposa to the changes he envisioned.

The SPCA exists now because of this man's courage and foresight. The changes begun by him have continued, and the SPCA has consistently prospered from his presidency to this day because of the validity of those changes.