A home
for the
holidays
Clatsop Animal Assistance
holds fundraiser to care
for North Coast pets
Carolyn Hoard
Clatsop Animal Assistance Volunteer Anita
Switzer poses with a shelter cat.
BY CAROLYN HOARD AND NIKKI DAVIDSON
When an animal comes into the Clat-
sop County Animal Shelter, Clatsop Animal
Assistance jumps into action to help.
The nonprofi t partner provides spay and
neuter services, cares for the animals and
facilitates their foster and adoption . More
than 93% of the animals who end up in the
shelter are adopted to forever homes.
See Page 5
The
Illahee
Apartments
Carolyn Hoard
Adopted Clatsop Animal Assistance dog ‘Kent’ enjoys exploring the North Coast on walks with
his new owner, Sushanto Shenai.
CAA President Marcy Dunning.
VOLUNTEER FINDS ‘BLESSING’
IN ADOPTED SHELTER DOG
A job brought Clatsop County Animal Shelter
volunteer Sushanto Shenai from Canada to the
Oregon Coast.
Downtown Astoria’s
Most Respected
Apartment Complex
Since 1969.
1046 Grand Avenue
Astoria, OR 97103
503-325-2280
4 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
Making a home in a new country during a pan-
demic was diffi cult, so Shenai started volunteer-
ing to help out with the animals. That’s when he
met a shy American pitbull mix named “Kent,”
who stole his heart.
“There is a quote out there when it comes to
shelter and rescue animals,” said Shenai. “’Who
rescued whom?’ I think it fi ts perfectly when I
think about Kent coming into my life.”
Kent needed a lot of medical care for a bad back
and hips. After a long recovery process, the
10-year-old dog is back to chasing tennis balls
and going on walks.
Shenai initially fostered Kent, before adopting
and giving him a forever home two years ago.
He and Kent have formed a strong bond, one
that Shenai called “a blessing.”
“After a hectic day at work, it feels so good to
come back to a home where someone is excited
to see you and ready to snuggle with you,” She-
nai said. “(It) melts your worries away.”
That companionship is especially meaningful to
Shenai during the holidays, as he’ll be spending
the time away from his family in Canada.
“It will be me and Kent celebrating the holidays
together,” he said. “Although we will miss the
family over the holidays, we are grateful for
having each other during these festive times.
Cannot ask for anything more from Santa.”
Adopted dog ‘Kent’ enjoys playing fetch
with his new owner, Sushanto Shenai.