Ohlone Humane Society in Fremont has been around since 1983, starting with volunteers who wanted to help animals across Fremont, Newark, and Union City. Unlike traditional shelters, OHS focuses on community programs and education rather than housing animals on-site. If you’re interested in what they do, visiting gives you a sense of an organization deeply woven into local animal welfare.

Their therapy dog teams are active in senior care facilities, libraries, and schools throughout the area. If your dog has the temperament for it, these visits can be valuable socialization experiences in real-world settings while your dog actually helps people. It’s a two-way benefit — seniors and students get interaction with dogs, and your dog learns to stay calm and behave well around different groups.

Beyond therapy work, OHS runs several practical programs. They help fund spay-neuter services for people who need financial assistance, which directly reduces unwanted litters in the community. They also deliver pet meals to unhoused individuals, recognizing that keeping pets and people together matters. Their wildlife rehabilitation center takes in injured and sick animals, handling everything from birds to larger wildlife that needs care.

If you’re thinking about getting involved, OHS actively recruits volunteers. You can help with events, foster animals, or train as part of a therapy dog team. The organization provides a real window into how animal rescue works beyond adoption — the day-to-day work of supporting existing pets, preventing overpopulation, and caring for wildlife.

Since OHS doesn’t operate as a traditional shelter, their programs and activities vary seasonally. They’re located in Fremont near the Newark and Union City borders, making them accessible if you’re anywhere in that tri-city area. Stopping by to learn what’s happening or asking about volunteer opportunities gives you a concrete way to connect with what they’re doing.