july | august 2014
pasadena humane society & spca
Fostering a Bright Future Shelters across the country see an influx of kittens this time of year. Aptly named “kitten season,” many of these animals are too young or ill to be adopted. Our Foster Care Program saves lives by placing these baby animals in temporary foster homes until they are old and well enough to find forever homes. In turn, the program also prepares these animals to be loving companions in their adoptive homes. The Foster Program is based on volunteers who take in animals ranging from kittens, puppies and nursing moms, to injured or ill cats and dogs. PHS provides basic pet supplies and medical care for foster pets. In return we ask foster parents to provide a loving home, an open heart and time to keep up with wellness check ups, as well as foster care training. “My hope is that the program allows us to save as many lives as possible and more than we ever have before,” says Jamie Holeman, Foster Care Coordinator. “We’re doing adoption events outside of the shelter to raise awareness (continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack June 20, 2014 marked the grand opening of the Campaign to Save Cats. The Animal Care Campus is growing and PHS remains committed to providing the best possible care for the animals in our community. As Phase 3 of the Campaign to Save Lives, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is renovating existing space to provide a cat-specific environment that will give excellent care and enrichment. Phase 3 will also bring PHS closer to its goal of zero euthanasia of adoptable/placeable animals! The new cat facility, the Neely Cat Center, will create a “cat zone” in the shelter to reduce disease, stress and increase survival. The area will be expanded to include: • a nursery for kittens and nursing mothers • a feral cat room • community cat rooms for more social cats • cat rooms for those cats who prefer to be alone • an isolation room for cats recovering from illness • adoption offices • offices for cat behavior specialists • assessment room • treatment area for cats • a floor plan that allows for greater intake in case of disaster and so much more! More households include cats than ever before. Join our Campaign to Save Cats by contacting Kristina Lamas at klamas@phsspca.org or 626.792.7151 ext.109. Animal care is reaching new levels thanks to our supporters. The Pasadena Animal League (PAL) is holding its bi-annual event, Dog Days of Summer, on July 26, 2014. Celebrated songwriter and performer, Mac Davis, will headline the event. Proceeds from the event support the public spay/neuter services at PHS. Fetch information at www.dogdaysofsummer.org. PHS is very lucky to have strong community of supporters and animal lovers. As one of our supporters, you are responsible for our success and an essential part of our team. For the animals,
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Community heroes Extreme Makeover: Shelter Pet Edition Looks aren’t everything, but they can certainly help homeless animals find new homes. Due to limited resources, animal shelters cannot groom every animal that is brought into their care. Luckily, there is one organization that lends a helping hand, a few shears, clippers and blow dryers: Pets 90210! Pets 90210’s mission is simple: save animals in Los Angeles City and County shelters. Donating grooming services is one way to help animals find homes. “We discovered this by accident,” says Bill Crowe, director of Pets 90210. “One of our volunteers happened to be a professional dog groomer.” Operating six days a week, the grooming van, staffed by two professional groomers and volunteers, visits shelters across Los Angeles County to give even the most neglected dogs a relaxing day at the spa. “Some of the dogs look like a pile of dirty rags,” Crowe adds. “You see it in their face. They’re depressed. And then an hour or so later, they’re a happy dog. It’s kind of divine.” The grooming van visits PHS every Wednesday to give shelter dogs much-needed makeovers. Approximately 50 PHS shelter dogs have received a new ‘do thanks to them. According to Crowe, the organization
will donate its grooming van to shelters indefinitely. Pets 90210 helps animals in other ways, too. It produces pet adoption TV shows for the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles. Additionally, it hosts 11 adoption events every year. You may have even seen its floats in the 2013 and 2014 Rose Parades to help raise awareness about spaying and neutering pets, as well as adopting shelter pets. PHS thanks Pets 90210 for generously donating its grooming services to hundreds of shelter dogs in Los Angeles County. Fetch more information including amazing before and after photos at www. pets90210.org.
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behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths About Pets Q: M y dog doesn’t listen when I give him commands. Is he being dominant?
A: Dogs misbehave and seem to ignore you because they are not sure what you want. It might be the perfect time to refresh your leadership skills and develop a consistent training regimen. PHS has many classes that can help you train your dog and reduce your frustration. We offer training classes, classes for puppies, as well as agility, and other fun and games opportunities. All of these will help cement the relationship with your dog and help develop clear communication between you and your dog. Our classes use positive reinforcement and include the use of treats, toys, and praise so that you learn to communicate clearly what you want him to do. By rewarding your dog for doing the things you want, you build the foundation for a well anchored relationship. Then your dog waits to perform commands because you’ve clearly communicated your expectations. Sign up for classes at pasadenahumane.org/caninecollege.
Q: W hen can I start to train my puppy? A: Like all mammals puppies begin learning at birth. Their brains appear to be particularly responsive to learning and retaining experiences that are encountered during the first four months. Your young puppy may have a shorter attention span and will require more patience when teaching behaviors, but there is no reason your puppy can’t learn right away. By waiting until your puppy is six months old, you’ll have missed a critical period in their development when much learning occurs. Even though you must take precautions until your pup is fully vaccinated, it is very important to socialize and desensitize your pet to people, places, items, and other puppies. By doing so, your puppy will grow up to be a behaviorally healthy and confident adult dog. Enrolling in a puppy class is a great way to socialize your puppy in a safe and secure environment and to begin training. We currently offer Puppy Social, Puppy Pre-School and Puppy Kindergarten. Fetch class information at pasadenahumane.org/caninecollege.
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For more tips and information, please contact the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA’s Behavior & Training Department’s helpline at 626.792.7151 ext. 155.
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keeping your pets Safe Summertime Safety The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA has a few suggestions to make this the most enjoyable summer yet for you and your animal companions.
be visible on your pet’s collar, too. PHS recommends microchipping your furry friend as a backup measure. Request an appointment by emailing SNiP@phsspca.org. Walking & Hiking You may want to enjoy the great outdoors with your canine companions. Each city requires dogs to be on leash while out in the public. Enjoy your hikes earlier in the morning and avoid the heat of the day. Provide plenty of water and check their paws for debris. Rattlesnakes are common in hiking trails so please be vigilant while out on your stroll. Hot Weather
July 4th The Fourth of July is the busiest day of the year for shelters across the country. The loud noises from fireworks can frighten pets enough to run away from home. Although the shelter will be closed on July 4, we will have extended hours the evening of July 4 and the morning of July 5 to help reunite lost pets with their families. Check our website for exact times under “News and Events.” Prevent pets from running away by playing calming music during fireworks and securing doors, windows and gates. Current ID tags should
With hot weather more prevalent than before it is pertinent to take extra safety precautions with pets. Provide shade and cool water to all pets. Avoid walking dogs on asphalt, cement, artificial grass or like surfaces as their paws can burn. Never leave pets in a hot car either. Beat the heat by filling up a wading pool with water and let your dogs frolic around. Putting ice cubes in a sink can keep cats cool too! A frozen two-liter bottle of water acts as an air conditioner in your rabbit’s hutch. If pets are exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (e.g., excessive panting, heavily salivating, and/or immobile) seek immediate veterinary attention for assessment.
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help us “grow” PHS Your Legacy and Your Pet Join us for a complimentary Estate Planning Seminar on Friday, October 17 from
Topics will include: • Introduction to wills and trusts • Pet Trusts • Planning for your pets to be taken care of after you are gone • How your advanced planning can provide for PHS to help other animals • Retirement and tax planning strategies • How to liquidate securities and real estate and pay no capital gains tax RSVP by Friday, October 10 to Ryne Meadors at 626.792.7151 ext. 123 or rmeadors@phsspca.org.
11:30 a.m—1:00 p.m. You’ll learn how to include your companion animals in your estate plan and lunch will be provided.
Once you have made provisions for PHS in your estate plan please let us know so that we can thank you, include you on our list of Legacy Society donors, and provide you with a welcome packet.
Autos for Animals Turn your car, motorcycle, boat or RV into a contribution for the animals by donating them to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. You can donate your vehicle even if it is not running, registered or smog checked.
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It’s easy to get started, just contact our vehicle donation partner, Riteway Charity Services, at 888.250.4490. The staff at Riteway Charity Services will take care of everything, from towing, processing all of the DMV paperwork and selling
the vehicle at auction. Proceeds from the vehicle’s sale will support our programs, services and is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Every year PHS helps over 12,000 dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and other animals. Your gift will ensure that these lost, injured and homeless animals are given nourishing food, comforting shelter and much-needed medical care. If you have further questions about our vehicle donation program, please contact Melissa Fuentes at 626.792.7151 ext. 130.
When you donate to the Pasadena Humane Society, you help animals in Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, 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.
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event round-up A Hole-In-One for the Animals! Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA hosted its 15th Annual Doglegs, Birdies, & Eagles Golf Tournament on April 22, 2014 presented by The Goodspeed Family Foundation, Nestle Purina, Unified Grocers, and Wells Fargo. Golfers enjoyed 18 holes of golf, a helicopter ball drop opportunity drawing, cock-
tails, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions and an awards dinner. The event was a success and raised over $240,000 for the animals. Thank you to our sponsors, donors, golfers, dinner guests, volunteers, and Golf Committee who made this event a hole-in-one!
Dog Days of Summer Celebrated songwriter and performer Mac Davis (writer of Elvis Presley’s “In the Ghetto,” “Memories,” and “A Little Less Conversation”) will headline the Pasadena Animal League’s Dog Days of Summer fundraiser for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The gala, at a private club in Pasadena, begins with cocktails and a silent auction followed by an al fresco dinner and then an intimate concert by the musician. Pasadena Animal League, the sole auxiliary of PHS, welcomes new members to join in our fundraising efforts to raise money for the animals. To purchase tickets and/or to join PAL, contact Lynne Nicholson, PAL President, at lynne.usdc@yahoo.com.
Save the Date!
It’s Wiggle Waggle Walk time! Join thousands of animal lovers and their four-legged companions on Sunday, September 28, 2014 for Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA’s 16th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk. The walk is our biggest fundraising event of the year because of committed and caring people just like you! With
your help, we hope to raise $375,000 to provide care for the thousands of animals that come to our shelter annually. Register for the Wiggle Waggle Walk today, by visiting www.wigglewagglewalk.org, or call 626.792.7151 ext. 167.
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Fostering a Bright Future about kitten season and to promote spaying and neutering of pets.” The PHS Foster Program strengthens our role as an open door shelter in being able to care for more animals. Fostering an animal can be a commitment of anywhere from two to eight weeks, depending on the animal’s condition. Daily socialization of foster animals is extremely important to help the animal adjust to people and is required for at least three to four hours a day.
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Interested in fostering? Visit www.pasadenahumane.org/foster and read our Foster FAQ to see whether fostering is right for you. If so, fill out our General Volunteer Application. For more information or questions email us at foster@phsspca.org. Stay tuned for adoption events, such as Foster Fridays at the Shelter Shop on the website!
Facility Hours
The Shelter Shop Hours
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—6 pm Sat 9 am—5 pm Sun 11 am—5 pm
Mon-Fri 10 am—7 pm Sat 9 am—5 pm Sun 11 am—5 pm
Adoption Hours
www.pasadenahumane.org
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—5 pm Sat 9 am—4 pm Sun 11 am—4 pm
24 hour Emergency Service please call 626.792.7151. Glendale residents please call toll-free 818.240.9100