Before many animals at the Chico Animal Shelter can be adopted, they need medical treatment, from routine vaccinations to costly procedures. A local fundraiser this week aims to help cover those expenses.

Friends of the Chico Animal Shelter (FOCAS), a non-profit, is partnering with The Habit Burger & Grill to raise money for the shelter’s medical fund, which helps cover veterinary costs for animals awaiting adoption. 

As a city-run shelter, Chico Animal Shelter has a lengthy and complicated process for accepting donations. Local community members Shelly and Eric Rogers wanted to simplify that process.

In 2017, the couple created FOCAS to raise money for the shelter, furthering their efforts in housing, caring and treating lost or abandoned animals. 

The fundraiser will take place from 4- 9 p.m. at The Habit Burger & Grill. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the shelter’s medical fund. 

Chico residents and animal lovers are invited to grab a bite to eat while supporting the community and local shelter animals.

Shelly Rogers, chief executive officer of FOCAS, has been volunteering and fostering animals since 2012. She has fostered more than 180 dogs while supporting the Chico Animal Shelter. 

“I tell everybody about how much I love the shelter,” Rogers said. “They work miracles for the saddest animal in town; there’s so much integrity.” 

Donations received at the fundraiser will go directly to the shelter’s medical fund, helping cover costs ranging from flea treatments to extensive medical procedures.

“Maybe they need an amputation, or they’ve been suffering neglect for a long time,” Rogers said. 

With vet care costs rising to astronomical levels, medical expenses are huge.

The shelter funds veterinary care for more than 100 animals each year, going above and beyond to get them healthy, Rogers explained. 

“Anyone who has a pet knows how insanely expensive vet care is right now,” Rogers said. “They (Chico Animal Shelter) want them as healthy as possible before they get adopted.”

FOCAS volunteers are unpaid and contribute their time out of a shared dedication to improving the lives of shelter animals through fundraising and advocacy efforts.

“This is a very easy way for folks to get dinner, support a restaurant that is supporting local causes, and help out the shelter pets,” Rogers said. 

Those unable to attend can keep up with FOCAS’s upcoming fundraisers, such as their Fun Run on March 15, and donation drives via their social media channels. 

Fundraisers like this allow Chico Animal Shelter animals to get the care they need to be ready for adoption. 

Every dollar raised helps give a sick or injured animal a second chance at a home. Even small contributions can make the difference between waiting at the shelter and finding a loving family.

Sydney Davis can be reached at [email protected]