Big crowd shows up to welcome Humane Society back to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) has opened an office in South Lake Tahoe to better serve the community and they celebrated along with a full crowd at their grand opening reception on Tuesday.

HSTT came to the aid of the South Shore after the former director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society embezzled almost $60,000. Its members tried to hold the 51-year-old agency together but it disbanded in January of this year, never being able to gain back the trust of the community.

"While we had absolutely no affiliation or tie to that Humane Society, we knew their dissolution would create a gap in critical support needed in this community," said HSTT Executive Director Stephanie Nistler to the gathered group. "Earlier this year we decided to step in and help."

The new office is located at 3438 Lake Tahoe Boulevard and will be open five days a week: Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to noon. Mariel Berei is the South Lake Tahoe program manager.

During the interim HSTT operated out of donated office space on the Nevada side, giving them the chance to help over 120 local residents get their pets spayed or neutered at a low cost or free. They also held two wellness clinics where they provided 94 free vaccinations and 38 free microchips.

Those services will continue, as will - FREE Pitbull/Chihuahua Spay & Neuter; Pet Pantry offering free pet food to community members in need; Pet Assisted Therapy; Community Cat-Trap, Neuter, Return; Humane Education; and Pet Adoptions.

The South Lake Tahoe location will offer cat adoptions in the new year, leaving dog adoptions to the El Dorado County Animal Shelter in Meyers as well as their own Truckee spot.

"We're so happy and grateful for the community support," said HSTT Board Member Chantale Hansen.

The Tahoe Chamber was also present to hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Through their Pet Assisted Therapy program, volunteers will continue to visit the Barton Skilled Nursing center and the library, and will soon be able to visit local schools to assist students with reading.

"We are here to help, but can't do it without you," said Nistler.

She said they just had their most important fundraiser, Giving Tuesday, but will continue collecting donations to help them continue services on both ends of Lake Tahoe. On Giving Tuesday they pulled in almost $150,000.

They will also be selling promotional items in the local location, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and, new this year to replace the calendar, books of postcards with local dog photos.

HSTT is also looking for a fundraiser/special events coordinator. More info can be found on their website, https://hstt.org/ and https://hstt.org/south-lake-tahoe.

Besides cash donations, they are also looking for pet food donations and volunteers. Pet adoptions also help support the non-profit.