MARCH | APRIL 2015
pasadena humane society & spca
Springtime for Wildlife Spring signals the arrival of not only warmer weather, but also a rise in wildlife sightings around our community. Many wild animals produce offspring at this time of year, increasing the likelihood of an encounter with a baby animal. “Often during the spring and summer months people will come across baby wild animals that they believe are in need of help,” Says Darlene Lopez, Wildlife Coordinator here at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. “However, most of the time parents are in the area watching over their young.” With baby mammals it is important to remember that, unless they are clearly injured or ill, it is best to leave them alone. When you remove them from the area in which they were found, you greatly reduce their chances of reconnecting with their parents. However, if the baby animal appears lethargic, hypothermic, or if the parents are confirmed deceased, immediately contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center or your local humane society.
(continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
LEADER OF THE PACK “Open Door. Dedicated Care.” is the tag line we have chosen to describe who we are. As an open admission shelter, PHS accepts all animals from our nine service cities and we have pledged to do the very best we can for each animal in both the short and long run. The issues that develop in springtime are an example. Spring is baby animal time. Opossums, squirrels, raccoons and other foothill wildlife are brought to PHS for care in spring and our phones are inundated with calls from residents asking what they can do to help these critters. Our website has information specifically about baby birds, wild animals and underage kittens and puppies that will help at www.pasadenahumane.org/ babyanimals. That’s not all PHS is doing for our animal population. The Neely Cat Center, part of Phase 3 of the Campaign to Save Lives, will open soon. When open, it will create a “cat zone” in the shelter, with a separate entrance away from dogs, so that cats are less stressed. It will include two communal cat rooms for social cats and 3 rooms for cats who prefer to be alone. The floor plan will allow for greater intake of cats during a disaster. There will be interactive toys, and cat behavior technicians , as well as a room for feral cats. The Neely Cat Center will include a nursery for kittens and nursing mothers. All of these features will allow PHS to save the lives of more kittens and cats, and increase the chances that cats will find homes. Phase 3 also includes a plan for pocket pets and reptiles. PHS is renovating existing space to provide the best quality of care, better housing, and greater visibility to pets that include guinea pigs, lizards, rabbits, and snakes. Our mission is to provide compassion and care for all animals and the Campaign to Save Animals allows PHS to get closer to the goal of zero euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals. PHS is able to accomplish so much because of its talented staff and dedicated supporters. Together we compose an effective team that is committed to providing animals with the best possible care. For the animals,
PAG E 2
COMMUNITY HEROES
Wonder Dog Ranch Wonder Dog Ranch is a cage-free dog daycare and boarding facility located in Monrovia. Owned by husband and wife team Brenda Trainor and Kevin Dods, the business offers spacious indoor areas for dogs to romp and play. “We’re treating your dog like family,” says Brenda. In addition to the cagefree environment, the ranch has a living room with comfortable chairs and couches made complete with a TV so canine visitors feel right at home during their stay. Wonder Dog Ranch gives temperament assessments for dogs before providing daycare. It also offers specialized services to amputee, paraplegic, blind, diabetic and undersocialized pets who need extra care. Who is that handsome hound in the picture? That’s Ernie, a “doodle” mix Brenda and Kevin adopted in 2006. Also known as the Chief Barking Officer at Wonder Dog Ranch, Ernie is a certified therapy pet who helps kids with developmental disabilities at schools. He also visits local libraries through the Monrovia Reads literacy program. Look for Ernie at Monrovia Library for PHS’ Barks & Books program this spring. Since its beginnings in 2012, Wonder Dog Ranch is committed to serving the community as best as they can. “We want to be a good neigh-
bor,” says Brenda. They donate to the Foothill Unity Center pet food bank and give presents to pets in need at their Santa Paws event. The crew also attends the American Cancer Society Bark For Life, as well as the Wiggle Waggle Walk. Wonder Dog Ranch has big plans for the future including creating symposium for pet-related businesses and care organizations to share ideas to help better serve the animal community. “We can at least help a neighbor,” Brenda adds. Wonder Dog Ranch is our Community Hero because of their commitment to helping animals and lending a helping hand to families in the community. Fetch more information at www.wonderdogranch.com
PAG E 3
PET ED. Spring Forward Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8. Exercising with pets is not an option, but a necessity as important as food, shelter, water and veterinary care. There are many options for exercising your dog. Align activities to size, breed and age, and do not forget to do the same for yourself. ALTERNATIVES TO LONG WALKS INCLUDE: • Brain work can be an exhausting workout: hunting for dinner, food puzzle toys, or taking a nose work class are great ways to stimulate your dog. • Play dates and doggie daycare are wonderful opportunities for exercise. Your dog will come home tired and happy. • Frisbees and balls are great fun for some dogs especially Retrievers. • Swimming is great exercise for your dog. Start water exposure when your pet is young so they can gain confidence in the water; make water activity pleasant—do not force your dog in the water and start in shallow (belly deep) depth; bring fresh water for your dog to drink; dry out your dogs ears after water play; bathe your dog after playing at the beach, in a pool or lake to rid her coat of bacteria. WALKING IS GOOD FOR YOUR DOG AND YOU! • People with dogs walk an average of 300 minutes per week compared to people without dogs who average 168 minutes per week. Get a pedometer and monitor your walks. It’s a great way to measure your accomplishments. • Walk for a minimum of 30 minutes twice daily. • New sights and smells along different routes increase interest and excitement for your dog.
pg. 2
Your home is a fun and safe environment where cats and rabbits can stay fit, too. Simple items such as cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls can be fun and inexpensive toys. You can also invest in other enriching toys to keep them stimulated such as laser pointers and feather toys. Spruce up the house with a kitty condo or a cat tree to enhance your feline friend’s indoor experience. Rabbits love to burrow and climb so add a few PVC pipes in their hutch to keep them active. If you have a very active bunny, you can try an agility course! The benefits of exercising your pets are multiple. Let longer daylight hours be an incentive to exercise with your pet.
PAG E 4
HAPPY TAILS Chloe and Charlie In January of 2014, PHS created the Foster Care Program to help save more underage animals by placing them into temporary homes until they are ready for adoption. The very first
Chloe and Charlie are two of over 350 foster animals that were placed in 2014. “Every morning we play with them, feed them, groom them and put them down for their morning naps before heading off to work,” Heather adds. “Some would say they are spoiled. We would say we are spoiled as Chloe and Charlie bring so much joy to our lives. They talk to us all the time. They snuggle with us on the couch and they sleep with us every night. We are a happy family.” The PHS Foster Program relies on dedicated foster volunteers to care for orphaned kittens and puppies, as well as families willing to open their homes and hearts. Thanks to Heather and her family, Chloe and Charlie can live happily for years to come.
kittens adopted from the program were tabby siblings Chloe and Charlie. “Chloe and Charlie are almost one year old and they are as inseparable as they day we adopted them,” says their pet parent, Heather DeLuca. “They came to us with paws wide open and as well behaved as any eight-week-old kitten could be.”
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).
PAG E 5
HELP US GROW Be a Hero to the Animals Become a member of the Heroes Circle, a community of supporters who share our concern for animals. Your annual commitment of $1,000 or more will allow Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA to provide nourishing food, a warm shelter and much-needed medical care to the animals in our community. Your gift will also help to ensure the continued success of PHS programs and services
such as adoptions, spay and neuter services, humane education and outreach, cruelty investigations and so much more! Heroes are eligible to receive a variety of exciting benefits such as the VIP Adoption Concierge, a private behind-thescenes tour of PHS, name recognition on kennel plaques and invitations to special events like the annual Heroes Circle reception and Breakfast of Heroes. Become a hero today by visiting www. pasadenahumane.org/heroes. For additional information about the Heroes Circle, please contact Ryne Meadors, Major Gifts Officer, at 626.792.7151 ext. 123 or rmeadors@pasadenahumane.org.
Matching Gift Challenge Great news! Thanks to Chairperson Carol Kirby and the Board of Directors of Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, any gift you send by May 15, 2015 will automatically double in value—up to $50,000. For example, $30 will become $60 to provide food, shelter and medical care to the abandoned animals in our community.
pg. 2
This matching opportunity couldn’t be needed more. As spring approaches, our shelter is bursting at the seams with unwanted, abandoned, and abused animals, especially puppies and
kittens, which are in need of a second chance to find a new forever family to cherish them. Please help give twice the love to the animals in our community so they can lead happy, healthy lives. To participate in this exciting challenge please call Rafael at 626.792.7151 ext 164 and mention the Matching Gift Challenge or visit www.pasadenahumane.org/match. Thank you for your kindness and for caring for our furry friends.
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.
PAG E 6
EVENT ROUND UP Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles 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. Tickets are now available for the notto-be-missed awards dinner, featuring gourmet fare, a helicopter ball drop opportunity drawing, hosted cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions. The reception begins at 4:00 pm with hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, no host bar and the gorgeous view of the San Gabriel Country Club. Witness the exciting helicopter ball drop at 5:00 pm with buckets of numbered golf balls spilling over the fairway. The lucky winner receives a percentage of the total ball sales—up to $10,000! Head Chef Edward Ungrue will serve a delicious gourmet dinner while guests enjoy a video of the life-saving work of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and an exciting live auction.
purchased at www.pasadenahumane. org/balldrop
Proceeds from Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles will support Pasadena Humane Society programs such as animal care, adoption services, low-cost spay/neuter, humane education, and so much more.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to find out about sponsorship Dinner tickets are $100 per person. Balls opportunities, please contact Milena can be purchased for $25 for 2, $50 for Warns at 626.792.7151, ext. 167. 5 or $100 for 12. Ball drop tickets can be
Save the Date! The San Marino Motor Classic will be held at Lacy Park in San Marino on Sunday, June 14, 2015. The exhibition will feature a broad array of motorcars that span more than a century. More than 200 vehicles will be on display. General admission tickets are $25, in advance. Proceeds from the event will support the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, Peterson Automotive Museum, and the Rotary Club of San Marino. For sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets, visit www.pasadenahumane.org/smmc
PAG E 7
Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Springtime for Wildlife (continued from page 1) Darlene also mentions that if you find a baby bird with little or no feathers (known as a nestling) who has fallen out of a nest, you can place the baby back in the nest as long as it is within reach, intact, and there are adult birds in the area. If the nest is not intact or out of reach, a makeshift nest can be made out of an old margarine container by poking holes in the bottom
and lining the container with dry grass, bits of the old nest, or pine needles. Place the baby bird in the container and keep a distance to make sure that the parents are attending to the nestling. Contrary to popular belief, mother birds will not reject their babies if they have a human scent on them. For more information on baby wildlife, visit www. pasadenahumane.org/wildlife.
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