NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2014
pasadena humane society & spca
Adventures On the Road Have you seen the PHS Mobile Outreach Unit in your neighborhood? It is not hard to miss! The 33-foot big blue RV adorned with photos of animals and people, also known as the “shelter on wheels”, extends the brick and mortar boundaries of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA into neighboring communities and cities. The primary goal of the Unit is to raise awareness about all of the programs and services PHS provides to the animal community. Whether it is information on spay/neuter services, dog training classes or adopting a pet, the Mobile Unit has the answer. Marlin Miller, Mobile Outreach Coordinator, and his devoted band of 70 volunteers travel throughout our nine-city service area and throughout Los Angeles County every weekend and some weekdays. A few shelter dogs join the crew and spend the day out of the kennels and meet new people, mingle with other shelter dogs and in many cases find
homes. In 2013, more than 94% of the dogs that went out on the Unit were adopted or sent to a rescue organization! The Mobile Outreach Unit attends community events including block parties, fairs and festivals, pet supply shops, parades and more. Marlin also takes shelter dogs, staff and volunteers on Shelter (continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
LEADER OF THE PACK 2014 has been a year of growth and change for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. From the opening of the Animal Care Center to breaking ground for the Neely Cat Center, PHS is working to improve the lives of animals in our community. The cities of Monrovia and Bradbury partnered with PHS to provide excellent animal care services for their residents which increased our service area to nine cities: Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Caùada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena. The new Animal Care Center has allowed PHS to concentrate on two critical goals: ending euthanasia of placeable animals and keeping pets in homes and out of shelters. To help people provide good health care for their pets, PHS offers low cost options for sterilization and vaccinations. Agility, Puppy classes, Wallflower classes for shy dogs, and Reactive Rover classes are some of the classes offered by the Behavior and Training Department to strengthen the bond between pet and owner making it less likely that a pet will be relinquished. The Shelter Shop now offers a tremendous variety of high quality products for pets. These include food and treats, leashes, collars, toys and just about anything that a dog, cat or rabbit owner may need! Best of all, all proceeds go back to the animal care programs. But PHS also looks to the future. Currently, we are building a state-of-the-art, cat center that is dedicated to improving the treatment and care of cats. The Neely Cat Center will open in early summer of 2015 and will include community rooms, interactive play, cat behavior specialists, and a nursery. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA continues to take Animal Welfare to a new level—but your support leads to our success. Together we are building a better community for animals. For the Animals,
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COMMUNITY HEROES
Paw & Order: The Glendale Police K-9 Unit The brave men and women of the Glendale Police Department have plenty of back up when it comes to protecting the community. Their back up comes in the form of crime-fighting K-9 officers.
community a safer place to live and work they allow officers to do their jobs in a much safer and more efficient manner.” Sgt. Riley adds.
Established in 2005, the Glendale Police K-9 Unit’s first members were Sam, Marlin, Qwai and Yudy, all who have since retired. The current team consists of three officer/handlers and their K-9 partners: Officer Feeley and Jager, Officer Rolando and Branko and Officer Sholtis and Idol. “Glendale PD has a full service K-9 unit,” says Sgt. Sean Riley, Area Command/K-9 Unit Supervisor. “The K-9’s are cross trained in narcotics and explosives / firearms.” These four-legged crime fighters also track down dangerous suspects, secure buildings, locate missing persons and find evidence. All of the K-9 officers are trained in German. K-9 officers serve five to seven years before retiring. Jager (pronounced Yeager) is the newest member of the team and will be trained in narcotics detection. Branko and Idol are already seasoned in the field. “K-9’s are amazing animals who absolutely love coming to work every day and looking for criminals or contraband. They not only make the
Not only are the officers and K-9s partners, but they are also family members. Officers care for them on duty and at home. They’ll also adopt them once they’ve retired! The K-9 Unit is supported solely by donations facilitated by the Glendale Police Foundation. Donations help in every aspect of caring for these special canines. We commend the two-legged and four-legged officers of the Glendale K-9 Unit for protecting and keeping the City of Glendale safe. Learn more about the Unit at http://www.glendalepolicefoundation.org/
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PET ED. Have a Humane Holiday! When looking for special gifts for the holidays, consider the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. We offer opportunities for donations and for gift certificates for adoption, spay/neuter services or merchandise from The Shelter Shop. Check out The Shelter Shop for something special for your pet and pets on your list. The Shop carries unusual toys, specialty items and what you spend there stays at PHS to help the animals in our care. Your pets will certainly pick up the excitement and changes that come in the holiday season. They may need some special attention, like a long walk, game of fetch, or an extra snuggle. As you plan your holidays, keep these tips in mind for a safe holiday season. FEASTS Yummy food is everywhere during the holidays, but it may upset your pet’s digestion. Keep their diet as normal as possible to avoid tummy upsets. If you want something special, try delicious treats from the Shelter Shop. You’ll find the purr-fect gift! If you choose a beautiful, live tree, position it in a steady, secure spot. Many pet owners have been surprised with a crash when their cat (or dog) has decided to try to climb the tree or reach the top most ornament. ‘TIS THE SEASON OF LIGHTS Simple precautions can make all the difference! As with any electrical device, make certain that electrical cords are well hidden and not tangled. Use candles safely and make certain your fireplace screen is in place. HOLIDAY PLANTS? Position your tree in a steady, secure spot. Many pet owners have been surprised by a crash when their cat (or dog) has decided to try to climb the tree! Unfortunately, traditional holiday plants like mistletoe, holly and poinsettias are poisonous to dogs and cats. But nurseries and florists are filled with pet-safe options you can use when you decorate. Keep the traditional plants out of reach. TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS? Make your Boarding Reservation soon, if you plan on traveling during the holidays. Our kennels fill quickly. As a special treat for your dog, arrange for a play session with one of our trainers! Contact the Shelter Shop for more information and reservations at 626.792.7151 ext. 125.
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The Pasadena Humane Society wishes you and your pets a safe and happy holiday season.
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HAPPY TAILS One Lucky Black Cat Last spring, one of our animal control officers responded to a call about a kitten trapped in a storm drain near a shopping center in Pasadena. Upon assessing the situation, our officer contacted the Pasadena Fire Department for assistance.
kitten! The story was posted on our Facebook page and has become one of our most liked and shared stories of the year. The kitten’s harrowing rescue even gained media attention in the Pasadena StarNews and local television. The black kitten, “Shady”, now lives happily in her new home and there is not a day that goes by that she is reminded of how lucky she is to be in a loving “purr-ever” home. Watch Shady’s rescue at www. pasadenahumane.org/shady. PHS is proud to have strong relationships with our public safety and emergency response agencies to help the animals. In a pleasant twist of fate, sometimes the rescuers become the rescued. Happy tales are what make our mission even more tangible.
Thanks to the firefighters’ efforts the young, black kitten was rescued and was brought to PHS for veterinary care, shelter and placed into our Foster Program. The small kitten left a lasting impression on Russell, one of the firefighters who assisted in her rescue. A few weeks later, Russell adopted the
How has your animal companion made a difference in your life? When did you first adopt from PHS? Share your adoption story with us by emailing us at pr@ pasadenahumane.org with “Scoop Happy Tails” in the subject line. Your story may be featured in a future issue of Scoop, on our website, or on our social media channels! Include a high resolution photo (at least 3 MB at 300 dpi) and your story (no more than 300 words).
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Happy Holidays from all the animals at the Pasadena Humane Society! This year we present our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide to help with your gift giving ideas. These are gifts you can feel good about buying because you can also help the animals in our community. Below are some thoughtful gift ideas that also help support the animals at our shelter. AMAZONSMILE This holiday season enjoy the convenience of shopping from home and low prices from AmazonSmile. Just shop at smile.amazon.com and a portion of your purchases will be donated back to our shelter when you select Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. PHS GIFT CERTIFICATES Gift certificates come in any denomination and are redeemable for purchases at our Shelter Shop, pet adoption fees, spay/neuter services or for training classes! They are available for purchase in the Front Office and the Shelter Shop. WISH LIST Don’t forget the shelter animals when crafting your holiday gift list. View our wish list at www.pasadenahumane.org/ wishlist and see what the animals at our shelter need or host a holiday gift drive and collect much-needed items like canned dog and cat food, cat litter,
pet toys and much more. Some items can even be purchased in our very own Shelter Shop. Every item will be used by an animal in need! AFFILIATES ‘Tis the season! From planning your perfect holiday meal to checking off your gift list these fine retailers are sure to have what you need. And the best part? Our Affiliates will generously donate a portion of the proceeds to help support the animals in our community, for more information please visit www. pasadenahumane.org/affiliates. HOLIDAY TRIBUTE OR MEMORIAL CARDS Need a perfect gift for your loved ones; a gift that will never go out of style or lose value, and help animals in need? Instead of spending time in crowded stores, why not give a gift to PHS in honor or memory of a special person or pet that has touched your heart this year? PHS will mail a personalized holiday card letting your loved one or their family will know a gift has been made. Please visit www.pasadenahumane. org/tributegifts or call 626.792.7151 ext. 164 for more information.
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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 Wiggle Waggle Walk What a day for the animals! The 16th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk was a smash success! Thank you to everyone who raised funds towards our goal of $375,000 that will help animals in our community receive the care that they need, reunite them with their families or find the homes they deserve. Approximately 3,000 pet lovers and 1,500 canine companions attended the event, held at Brookside Park on Sep-
tember 28th. Everyone involved enjoyed the community dog walk, celebrity guests and dog, fun contests,
agility and police K-9 shows and our signature Pet Expo. This was made possible by the amazing support of all of our donors, fundraisers, sponsors and volunteers. Thank you for making another Wiggle Waggle Walk a big win for all of the animals!
Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles Golf Tournament to Benefit PHS On Monday, April 20, 2015, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will host its 16th annual Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles Golf Tournament at San Gabriel Country Club. Proceeds from Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles will support Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA programs such as animal care, adoption services, low-cost
spay/neuter, humane education and so much more. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and include a foursome of golf. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Milena Warns at 626.792-7151, ext. 167 or email mwarns@pasadenahumane.org
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Adventures On the Road School field trips, an enrichment program for shelter dogs, throughout Pasadena. Additionally, the Mobile Outreach Unit also acts as an emergency mobile command unit in the event of a natural disaster. It plays an integral role in taking evacuated pets from areas affected by wild fires, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters and transports them back to the shelter for safe keeping. Most recently, it assisted
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during the heavy rain storms and floods in Monrovia. Look for the Mobile Unit at the Rose Parade Float Expo Village later in December. Until then, read weekly blog posts by Marlin in “On the Road with Marlin” or visit our online calendar to see where it will be in your community. If you’d like the Mobile Outreach Unit at your special community event, contact Marlin at mmiller@pasadenahumane.org or 626.792.7151 ext. 119.
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