Long meetings. Tedious dialogue. Sitting on a government commission is thankless.
The city’s Animal Wellbeing Commission is no different. Commissioners serve because they want the best outcomes for Sacramento’s homeless pets.
The last thing volunteer commissioners need is a city spokesperson publicly accusing them of harming the animal shelter.
But that’s what happened at February’s commission meeting.
Always a dog lover, Sacramento resident Gary Cooper didn’t think much about cats until a Maine coon mix planted himself on Cooper’s doorstep 20 years ago.
After several months of leaving food for the young feline and watching him roam the neighborhood and scrap with another cat, Cooper scooped up the stray and brought him inside to join the family, which included five rescue dogs.
Now Cooper calls himself “a crazy cat lady.” He’s rescued seven felines over two decades. “I understand how wonderful they are,” he says.
Professional, polite and well-spoken, Julie Virga is a powerhouse. She’s relentless, determined and uncompromising.
She doesn’t mince words or pull punches when advocating for Sacramento’s dogs and cats. She requests meetings with city officials, sets agendas and gets attention.
A Sacramento native, Virga has rescued, fostered and rehomed countless animals, and volunteered as a foster parent for the city’s Front Street Animal Shelter.
The dais seat reserved for the head of Front Street Animal Shelter has been occupied by someone else at the past two Animal Wellbeing Commission meetings.
Front Street Manager Phillip Zimmerman has been absent. Apparently, he’s not ill or out of town. He’s a lame-duck leader who chooses not to attend.
Zimmerman posted on social media he plans to retire in May. Meanwhile, he’s still on the city payroll, but often missing in action.
The dog’s graying muzzle proves she’s no youngster. She’s been bred so many times her swollen nipples hang down.
The cat’s scarred face is evidence of too much time on the street. He’s wary of strangers but warms up quickly.
No aggression. No medical problems.
