MONTEREY COUNTY — Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS) now has the support of a dedicated new nonprofit: Friends of Hitchcock Road Animal Services (FoHRAS), a 501(c)(3) volunteer led organization committed to raising funds for Monterey County’s only government-operated animal shelter.
FoHRAS was founded by community volunteers who recognized the urgent need for additional resources to support the shelter’s lifesaving work. The organization provides funding for critical programs that improve the wellbeing of shelter animals throughout Monterey County.
“I was volunteering at HRAS, walking dogs, when someone mentioned that the shelter didn’t have a 501(c)(3),” said Angie Roeder, co-founder and president of FoHRAS. “I was shocked. I knew immediately that we needed to create one. I drafted a plan, put it on a flyer, and started sharing it with everyone I could.”
Roeder was soon joined by Sonja Sheppard and Delia Leal, and together they worked closely with HRAS leadership to establish the nonprofit. FoHRAS received its official 501(c)(3) designation in August and began accepting tax deductible donations in November. The organization has continued to grow, recently welcoming three new board members: Elizabeth VanCleave, Makenna Covington and Gretchen Greenwood.
Located on Hitchcock Road in Salinas, HRAS serves most of Monterey County, including the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Greenfield, Marina, Salinas and California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), as well as numerous unincorporated communities, such as Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Aromas, Prunedale, Spreckles, Plaskett, Corral de Tierra, Pebble Beach and more.
In 2025 alone, HRAS cared for more than 4,200 animals, all while operating with constrained municipal funding. Rising costs of living and economic strain have made it increasingly difficult for many pet owners, particularly in underserved communities to access care, often resulting in higher surrender and abandonment rates. This places additional pressure on the shelter’s already limited resources.
FoHRAS exists to bridge that gap. In partnership with HRAS, the organization has identified four key areas of support:
- Shelter Fee Reduction — Encouraging adoptions and helping owners keep their pets;
- Medical Care Assistance — Providing essential veterinary care for shelter animals and pets in need;
- Spay/Neuter Initiatives — Supporting community-wide efforts to help prevent over-population; and
- General Fund Support — Enhancing HRAS operations and improving quality of care.
“FoHRAS is now seeking community partners to help expand these critical programs,” the organization stated. “Whether you operate a storefront and want to host a community driven promotion, own a restaurant and can support through a fundraising event, or are a philanthropically minded individual wishing to make a tax deductible contribution — FoHRAS welcomes you. Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved.”
For more information about Friends of Hitchcock Road Animal Services, visit fohras.org.
