Happy paws

By Tomi Tran

She rushed to answer the call, distress call. As she arrived, Veronica Belmont, an Animal Rescuer, was met with a chaotic scene: a scared and injured dog trapped in a barbed wire fence, struggling to break free.

Without hesitation, Belmont and her team sprang into action. They worked quickly and efficiently, carefully cutting away the sharp wires that punctured the dog. It was a delicate operation, but Belmont’s team was well-trained and experienced in handling such situations.

After what seemed like hours yet was only a few minutes, the dog was finally freed. With a soft touch and gentle voice, Belmont reassured the injured animal as she carefully lifted it into their animal rescue van.

Belmont: “I go through these kinds of situations often…you just get used to it after a while”

Belmont, works at Happy Paws Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization focused on saving the lives of dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and barn animals, based in San Jose.

Belmont: “Our goal is to create a safe place for all animals to stay and find their forever homes.”

Most people would not sign up for such emotionally challenging work unless they cared deeply about animals. Belmont explained her journey into animal rescue:

Belmont : “Back when I was still in highschool, I would go to local animal shelters and do community service hours there, I guess it was around that time I began to fall in love with animals.”

Belmont's passion for animals made her want to do more to help them and provide the best care they can receive.

She also fills in other support roles at the Happy Paws Animal Rescue.

Belmont: “I would say that most volunteers, including me, have learned how to provide different types of care to animals . . .   we do feeding, bathing, exercising, and training for the animals here.”

Animal rescues differ from animal shelters, according to Belmont:

Belmont: “Our animal rescue is supported and run by volunteers because we don’t get any government funding unlike most animal shelters.”

Instead of public buildings with kennels, rescues often operate out of private homes, and they may or may not use foster parents to care for pets until they can find suitable adopters.

Animal rescuing is emotionally taxing, with a growing number of abandoned, mistreated, and suffering animals needing help, Belmont describes how she still manages to find her work rewarding.

Belmont: “Being an animal rescuer is not an easy job but at the end of the day I continue because it allows me the opportunity to save animals and give them a second chance at life.”

When asked how we could help our local animal rescues, Belmont says,

Belmont: “Our animal rescue heavily relies on donations and so we would really appreciate any support the community can provide, whether it's through donating, volunteering, or adopting”.

By supporting local animal rescue services in these ways, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of homeless and neglected animals in our community.

For the Warrior Times, this is Tomi Tran.