Beyond the Boardroom Shirley Zindler Executive director of Dogwood Animal Rescue
By Rosie Padilla
What is the hardest part in running Dogwood? There is a lot of heartbreak. Probably one of the hardest things is just having to say no every day to animals in desperate need. Any specific cases stand out? We took in a dog that was found in a plastic garbage bag in an orchard in the Central Valley with three gunshot wounds and three broken legs. We put up a huge reward, like a $10,000 reward and other people added to it. There ended up being like a $15,000 reward, but the person was never brought to justice. One person did this dog so wrong, caused this dog so much suffering, and a thousand people wanted to make it right. You see the best and worst of humanity [in rescue] but there is something so precious about being able to make it better. It must be very rewarding, too. When an animal comes in and it’s terrified and avoids all human contact, whether it’s sudden or slow, and then they start welcoming human touch. When they realize they are safe, they can just lay back and relax and have their puppies or greet people. And then they get adopted into the most beautiful, pampered life. How has the rate of adoptions been this year for Dogwood? We adopt-out close to 1,000 animals a year, sometimes we are just over a thousand. This year we are going to be down a little bit because adoptions are down. What’s your response when families hesitate to adopt due to worry about their children eventually dealing with the loss of a pet? Learning to cope with the death of a pet is a tool for learning to cope with life in general because we are going to go through losses. You’ve written two books about your time as an animal control officer and rescuer. Would you ever consider writing animal-rescue fiction? I love to read, I read every day. But I figured out that I just like non-fiction. There is so much amazing real stuff happening that I don’t need to make stuff up. No offense to the amazing authors out there that write every other thing. Are you a dog or a cat lover? Dogs share most of our emotions, but they don’t think the same way as humans—and I like that. I don’t need dogs to be little people in fur coats, I love them because they are dogs. They are unique in their own precious way. I love kitties, too, but there is no other animal on earth that will so consistently leave their own kind and walk through fire with you. Zindler’s compassion for the animals is showcased in the extensive vetting process applicants must go through to foster or adopt a Dogwood animal. Those selected as a potential adopter for a rescued animal will receive a call from a Dogwood representative to confirm the answers provided on the application—as well as confirming with the references listed. Even while being interviewed for Beyond the Boardroom , Zindler was on call making sure her ringer was turned on in case there were any emergencies regarding a rescued animal. Zindler’s efforts are showcased through the calm and happy demeanors of the animals one encounters at Dogwood. Zindler truly offers a sanctuary to the forgotten. For more information regarding adoption, fostering or volunteering visit dogwoodanimalrescue.org. M ost people clock out at 5 p.m. and head home for the day—but not the executive director of Dogwood Animal Rescue, Shirley Zindler. Instead, Zindler lives among the animals Dogwood rescues. When walking around the property—her house is surrounded by the kennels—Zindler can introduce you to every animal she has on site; she knows why they ended up at Dogwood and any ailments that may be plaguing them. She ensures that every dog and cat is treated with the utmost love and care while temporarily residing at the nonprofit.
Duncan Garrett Photography
66 NorthBaybiz
January 2025
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