Mazda Foundation Continues Support of The SPCA for Monterey County

During this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Mazda took a quick break from historic racing to welcome Scott Delucchi, the newly-appointed executive director of The SPCA for Monterey County, at a dinner celebration held every year as part of Mazda’s annual Reunion festivities. As part of the ongoing partnership between the Mazda Foundation and The SPCA for Monterey County, Masahiro Moro, the president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, welcomed Delucchi to the event by handing over a check in the amount of $30,000, bringing the total gift amount from the Mazda Foundation and Mazda to $110,000.

Upon receiving the check, Delucchi discussed how the Mazda partnership has positively affected the shelter. Through sponsorship of the Food Prep Room in the SPCA’s Dog Adoption Building, Mazda has helped keep the room supplied and ready to take in animals.

Delucchi also took the opportunity to address the current status of animal evacuations as a result of the Soberanes Fire that has continued to grow in the Monterey area. Delucchi expressed how important contributions such as these are to the continuing success of the local SPCA, noting that as of August 18 the SPCA has taken in 232 pets displaced by the fire. More than 200 of the animals that were offered shelter during the time of evacuation have been returned to their families, with the SPCA continuing to provide care for those that have not been able to return to their homes.

The partnership with The SPCA for Monterey County, which began in 2007 with the Mazda Motorsports team, is a natural relationship for Mazda. The location of the shelter directly across from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and the mission of both organizations resulted in the neighborly relationship held today. Mazda racers have worked with the team at The SPCA for Monterey County every year since 2007, and the Mazda Foundation has been enhancing the partnership since 2014.