San Pablo nonprofit a sanctuary for meat trade survivors

By Mike Kinney

When we recently showed up at Jelly’s Place in San Pablo to interview its founder Julia Bainbridge, she had just returned from the airport to pick up five dogs rescued from being slaughtered for meat in China.

So far this year, Jelly’s Place, a nonprofit no-kill animal sanctuary that located at 2905 San Pablo Dam Road nearly two years ago, has taken in 68 dogs that faced similar fates.

Named in memory of her beloved English Bulldog who died in 2016, Jelly’s Place provides veterinary care and placement for abandoned, impounded, sick or injured dogs and cats.

The nonprofit works with a group called Slaughter House Survivors in Harbin, China, that rescues dogs and cats sold illegally in the meat trade. Some of those rescue pets end up finding sanctuary at the San Pablo shelter, which preps them for adoption into loving homes.

Jelly’s Place also provides community education and assistance to low-income pet owners.

“We get here at 9 am and we are here until say 6pm or 7pm each night,” Bainbridge said. “It’s anywhere from about 10 to 12 hours a day feeding everybody, watering everybody, getting them adopted.”

Bainbridge said she’s fortunate to operate in a community filled with helpers.

“The businesses here have been very helpful to us, they have welcomed us. They are always sending their employees from their business to volunteer to work here,” Bainbridge said.

“I love it when they put their employees out there to help us, that’s really great.”

When Bainbridge isn’t tirelessly working at Jelly’s Place, she says she’ll shop or catch a movie in the Hilltop neighborhood and head to the mountains to enjoy the snow. Bainbridge has been rescuing and fostering animals since childhood.

It’s safe to say she deserves a little me time once in a while. Jelly’s Place depends on donations and grants, and volunteers to foster and care for animals. Those wishing to make tax-deductible donations can click here.