July | august 2013
pasadena humane society & spca
Summertime Fun Summertime living with our pets takes some extra planning. Many pet-friendly activities are available to the resourceful pet owners that ensure a safe, fun-filled summer. Dogs If you and your canine enjoy hiking, bring drinking water for both of you. Dogs always wear fur coats and may get overheated. A dog’s foot pads are very sensitive and may burn on hot sand or asphalt, so early morning and evening hours may be a good choice. Carry a thermos of fresh water when traveling with your pet; the water will help cool down an overheated animal very quickly. Swimming is wonderful exercise and a great way to beat the heat. If your dog enjoys swimming, be sure your pet is trained get out of the pool. Wading pools are a great option to a swimming pool, but your pet will need supervision!
Cats Kitties love to sleep in the sun and make sleeping on the window sill look easy! Make certain that screens are installed on all windows that you open so that your cat remains securely inside. If you have an enclosed area so that your cat can safely be outside, provide ample shade and water. (continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack The importance of volunteers to a non-profit organization cannot be overstated. For the Pasadena Humane Society, an animal welfare agency, volunteers not only help out with programs, but also offer kindness and compassion to the animals in our care. With limited resources, volunteers help PHS fill a void so that we can deliver high quality care for the animals and residents in the community. We are dependent on volunteers to help us complete our programs. Volunteers contribute their time in all aspects of the shelter. They help put together surgical packs and observe animals during recovery; volunteers are essential to the smooth running of our events; their participation makes our behavior enrichment programs for dogs and cats effective and available. Volunteers fuel our Mobile Outreach Unit and our volunteers are the most effective ambassadors for PHS to the public. Currently, our volunteers give as much time as 12 full-time employees. With the completion of the Animal Care Center later this year, PHS will look to our volunteer department to complete and enhance our goals. They will help with the enlarged store, weekly vaccination clinics and doggy day-care. PHS is fortunate to have a strong cadre of active volunteers who are dedicated to creating the most humane world possible. Summer can be a wonderful time for animals, but vacations and weather changes can also be challenging. The 4th of July is the busiest day for animal shelters. Fireworks are frightening to many animals that will run away out of fear. Always have current identification on your pet, so that we can return them to you if they are lost. Your pet’s ID is their ticket home! If you like to hike with your dog, please obey leash laws. Take plenty of water with you and try to hike during cooler hours. We want you and your pets to have the most enjoyable summer possible! Thanks for all you do for the animals!
Steve
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Community heroes A New Take on the Golden Years Voted “Best Senior Living” by Pasadena Weekly for the last three years, Regency Park Senior Living provides an active, safe community for its residents. With four locations (The Fair Oaks, Oak Knoll, Astoria and The Villas) located in Pasadena, there are many lifestyle options for seniors including independent living, assisted living, memory care and shortterm stay. Founded more than 30 years ago, Regency Park is known for its high-quality care and housing. Its flagship location, The Fair Oaks, offers luxurious independent and assisted living, as well as many amenities, such as an Internet lounge, libraries, movie theatre, beauty salon and a garden. The Oak Knoll and Astoria locations mainly focus on assisted living and memory care for residents suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss disorders. All locations provide short-term care for residents recovering from hospital stays. “A lot of people come here thinking it’ll be a convalescent home,” says Sheila Kinney, activities director at The Fair Oaks location. “But it’s not like that at all.” With that said, it’s never a dull moment at Regency Park! Residents have a wide range of activities and programs to choose from including
movie nights, Chair Tai Chi, book readings and field trips—even Happy Hour!—and religious services, to name a few. Residents even have access to personal drivers to go to the grocery store. PHS’ Pet Therapy program visits each month too. Other services include medication management, laundry services
and personal grooming assistance. Families are always encouraged to visit their loved ones and can even hold birthday parties onsite! Regency Park Senior Living is our Community Hero because it offers a safe haven to our elders, a group that is often overlooked in today’s society. Most important of all, residents are cared for by compassionate and respectful staff and caregivers who are always there to lend a helping hand. Regency Park certainly provides a new spin on the golden years. Plus, they’re petfriendly! Learn more about Regency Park at www.regencypk.com.
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Happy Tails
CSI Pooch Like so many dogs before him, Bagheera was found roaming stray in Pasadena on January 14th, 2013. An animal control officer found him and brought him to the Pasadena Humane Society. He was given a health check and vaccinated. Then he went through a behavior assessment. He was a nice dog; he knew the sit command and was easy to leash and walk. As a year and a half old fawn colored pit bull with cropped ears, he was unlikely to be a quick adoption. Bagheera quickly became a shelter favorite. Volunteers walked him daily and taught him more basic commands and manners. He went on many Mobile Unit visits and on Shelter School field trips. He was Pet of the Week, on the TV show and given as much publicity as possible. But he did not find a forever home. After four months, and exhaustive attempts finding an adoptive home for him, our Rescue Coordinator, Lorna Campbell, sent out a rescue plea. Bagheera’s story was shared, emailed, crossposted and liked by lots of people on Facebook.
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Then a rescue in Idaho contacted Lorna. On May 3rd he was flown to a no-kill shelter in Idaho to be fostered by the
chairwoman of their board. She fell head over heels in love with him and has adopted him officially. But it gets better! Bagheera is enrolled in a police training course. By the middle of July, he will be an official, specialty law enforcement search dog for cadaver and crime scene work! This is the ending we want for all of our animals—that they find a place to call home and the perfect job. Endings like this are the result of hard work by dedicated staff and volunteers, and support by our donors and community. Fetch more photos of Bagheera here www.pasadenahumane.org/CSIPooch
When you donate to the Pasadena Humane Society, you help animals in Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is not part of any national animal organization. All of the funds you contribute to PHS stay locally. Donate to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and help the animals in your community. pag e 4
behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths About Pets Q: W hat can I do to keep my bunny comfortable in the heat during the summer?
A: Rabbits are very sensitive to the heat. If you house your rabbit indoors and you do not have air conditioning, use a fan, but do not point it directly at your rabbit. You can use an empty one or two gallon plastic bottle, fill it up with water and freeze it. Lying close to it will help cool your bunny’s body temperature. Ice cubes in your rabbits water bottle or bowl also helps. Be sure to brush your rabbit to rid it of excess fur; if you have a longhair rabbit, consider a summer haircut. Marble or ceramic tiles give a cool spot to lay on. Your rabbit will more than likely have no interest in playtime; let your rabbit relax as he/she tries to combat the heat. If your rabbit shows signs of heatstroke (red ears, panting, and confusion) place cool, not cold, water on her/his ears and feet and get your rabbit to the vet immediately.
Q: W hat are the benefits of adopting an older cat? A: Kitten season is here which may mean that many older cats are overlooked because of an exuberant kitten stealing the show. Older cats come with benefits! They are already litter box trained so you will have fewer accidents. More mature, they have lived in a house so they can be left alone for longer periods of time than a kitten with less destruction. Keep in mind that cats may live longer than dogs, so a 7 year old cat still has many happy and healthy years. Their personality traits are stable so you’ll be better able to choose a cat that fits your current lifestyle. In addition, the bond that is formed with an adult cat is as strong as with a kitten. It may just take a little extra time for them to warm up, but the feeling is still just as special.
For more tips and information, please contact the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA’s Behavior & Training Department at 626.792.7151 ext. 155.
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phs in pictures
View photo album at www.pasadenahumane.org/AnimalCareCampus
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event round-up A Hole-In-One for the Animals The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA hosted its 14th annual “Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles” golf tournament on April 22, 2013 presented by the Goodspeed Family Foundation, Nestle Purina, Unified Grocers, and Wells Fargo. Golfers enjoyed 18 holes of golf at the San Gabriel Country Club, a putting contest and a visit from the PHS Mobile Unit. After the tournament, guests
headed over to the clubhouse for an exciting helicopter ball drop, silent and live auctions, and a dinner program. The event was a success and raised over $230,000 for the animals. Thank you to the sponsors, donors, golfers, dinner guests, volunteers and Golf Committee members who made this event a hole-in-one!
It’s Wiggle Waggle Walk Time! Dust off your walking shoes and get ready for the 15th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk on Sunday, September 29th at Brookside Park. What could be more fun than taking a walk with your dog, friends, colleagues, neighbors and thousands of your fellow dog lovers to raise money for animals in need? Form a team and compete for prizes or travel solo by registering as an individual. It’s easy to get involved by visiting www.wigglewagglewalk.org. Register your team online, create your own team page and keep a running tally of the funds you
raise for the animals. Come back often to check our “fundraising thermometer” as we climb towards our goal of $400,000. For more information, please call Nicole Ring at (626) 792-7151, ext. 167 or email events@phsspca.org.
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Summertime Fun
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Rabbits Because rabbits are vulnerable to heat, be sure to keep your pet bunny cool on hot days. For easy air-conditioning, put a bottle of ice in the hutch. The bunny will snuggle up to it and keep cool. Also, try lightly spraying your rabbit’s ears when it is hot. This will make your bunny cool and happy. July 4th Many pets are frightened by fireworks on the 4th of July. Make certain that
Facility Hours Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—6 pm Sat 9 am—5 pm Sun 11 am—5 pm
Adoption Hours Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—5 pm Sat 9 am—4 pm Sun 11 am—4 pm
your pet is secure during fireworks displays. Although PHS is closed, we will have extended coverage on the night of the 4th, and will be open early on July 5th for owners of lost, frightened pets. Have fun this summer! When you are putting on your sunscreen, include your pet’s nose and the tips of his ears, too. Pack a picnic lunch, including treats for your pet, lots of water and enjoy your adventures!
www.pasadenahumane.org 24 hour Emergency Service please call 626.792.7151. Glendale residents please call toll-free 818.240.9100 The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is a private, non-profit, open door, animal welfare agency serving the communities of Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is a private, non-profit, open door, animal welfare agency serving the communities of Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena