JULY | AUGUST 2015
pasadena humane society & spca
Our Greatest Ambassadors You’ve seen them in the front office. You’ve seen them walking around the kennels socializing with the animals. You may have even seen them on TV. Who are we talking about? Our dedicated volunteers of course! With approximately 600 active volunteers, the Volunteer Services Department here at PHS plays an integral role with day-today assistance to the animals and staff. Our volunteers contribute their time to socialize our cats and dogs, help in our clinic, aid our customers, go on our Mobile Outreach Unit, and help our events run smoothly. In 2014, these dedicated animal lovers gave approximately 33,460 hours of their time, which is the equivalent of 16 full-time employees! “Volunteers are the lifeline of the organization,” says Mary Ann Nation-Greenwall, Vice President of Volunteer Services. “They assist in almost every department.” Nation-Greenwall ensures that every volunteer is properly educated about the Pasadena Humane Society and the department where they will be volunteering. Because volunteering at PHS is very
popular, potential volunteers must apply for a position and select which department fits their interests. She added 10 new opportunities, giving volunteers a choice of 22 volunteer programs. (continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
LEADER OF THE PACK At the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA we are fortunate to have supporters who are willing to give all they can to help build a humane future for all animals. Sadly, on May 19, 2015, we learned that one such person, Isobel (Robin) Degnan, passed away at her home in Arizona. Robin was a piano prodigy, a classical concert pianist, and a lover of German Sheperds. Her two million dollar gift to the Campaign to Save Lives led to the groundbreaking for the Animal Care Campus, forever changing the future of animals in our area. Robin, a very generous and dedicated animal lover, will be missed. In June 2014, PHS broke ground for the Neely Cat Center, beginning the Campaign to Save Cats, phase 3 of the Campaign to Save Lives. Co-chaired by PHS board members Beverly Marksbury and Nancy Plamann, the $3-million campaign broke ground in June 2014. The state-of-the-art facility was funded by a generous $2,501,119 lead gift from the William R. Payden Philanthropic Trust and reached its goal in April 2015 with private donations. The center is the fulfillment of the late Bill Payden’s wishes for a place where cats receive compassion and care. The Neely Cat Center is named in honor of Neely, Payden’s Chocolate Point Siamese cat. Concurrently, we renovated our previous cat area into state-of-the-art housing for reptiles, small mammals and birds. The Critter House shelters our rabbits, along with other small critters and reptiles, in their own area where appropriate care is given. Thanks to our dedicated supporters, all animals that come to PHS can now be accommodated in their own area, according to the needs of their species. If you are looking for a new pet—maybe a kitten or a bunny—come visit the Neely Cat Center and the Critter House to see the wonderful animals PHS has available for adoption. We look forward to your visit! For the animals,
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COMMUNITY HEROES
Fight On! For Animals Fight On! For Animals is a group dedicated to uniting the Trojan Family by providing a place for University of Southern California alumni and students to bond over their common vegetarian lifestyle and interest in helping animals. Founded in February of this year by Randyn Calvo, the group cultivates philanthropic events and meetups in the San Gabriel Valley for animal lovers and vegetarians. For the last three years, members of the group partnered with the USC Alumni Club of San Gabriel Valley to help the shelter animals during USC Alumni Day of SCervice in the spring. The generous volunteers helped take inventory of supplies, assembled equipment and washed our Mobile Outreach Unit and Humane Education van. The group also hosts vegetarian and vegan-friendly events. “I wanted to create a place where people feel welcome,” says Randyn. In February it hosted “SCupper”—a networking dinner at Veggie Grill in Pasadena where alumni shared their experiences over a delicious meal. Fight On! For Animals also works in conjunction with the USC Alumni Club of San Gabriel Valley to create scholarship opportunities
for USC students in the region, as well as other networking opportunities for alumni. There’s more in store for Fight On! For Animals! Upcoming activities include volunteering trips to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro and the Farm Sanctuary in Acton, in addition to donation drives for other rescue organizations and creating an all vegan tailgate to celebrate the football season. Fight On! For Animals is our Community Hero because of its stewardship of animal welfare in the community. Fetch more information at http://fightonforanimals.org or see them at the shelter during the 5th Annual Day of SCervice on March 12, 2016!
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PET ED. Lending a Helping Paw The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is home to two Companion Animal Programs (CAP): Pet-Assisted Therapy and Barks & Books. When participating in CAP, dedicated PHS volunteers bring their own trained pets to a host of destinations in our service cities. These programs demonstrate that our “open door� swings both ways and that our dedicated care goes beyond our campus to reach people in the community. The Pet-Assisted Therapy program volunteers provide a comforting visit with a loving dog or cat to hospital patients, residents of nursing care facilities, and young people in therapeutic, residential facilities that address crisis intervention. Our pet therapy dogs (and cat!) are well socialized and people-oriented pets. All therapy pets must have Canine Good Citizen Certification (prep class and testing available at PHS), and pass an evaluation with one of our behavior specialists. Barks & Books, the Humane Education program that works in conjunction with local libraries and schools, gives children the opportunity to read aloud to dogs. Children aged 5-12 read animal related short stories to a captive audience of therapy dogs. In this environment, reluctant readers are free from the fear of being corrected or making a mistake when a dog is listening. The selfless love of the CAP animals is awe-inspiring. A statement made by Pet-Assisted Therapy volunteer Lois Longo says it best: With these programs, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA assists in the well-being of the people in our community. It also offers owned pets a wonderful opportunity to volunteer alongside their owners. A win-win for people and pets alike!
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Our CAP programs are currently recruiting new volunteers. If you have a friendly, outgoing dog or cat that is good with people of all ages, visit pasadenahumane.org/volunteer to learn more about these exciting volunteer opportunities.
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HAPPY TAILS He’s A Keeper Who rescued whom? Jane Caughey shares her experience in adopting Keeper.
I returned 5 days later, and was disappointed to find that the Westie had been claimed. The young man volunteer suggested I might like to see the small dog which was available, so I agreed. Well, there was this handsome little blond looking right at me with his tail wagging, really wagging! I fell in love right there. I said, ‘I’ll take him.’ And off we went....I looked at him, and said, “You’re a keeper!” And I named him Keeper. Keeper is much loved by my fellow old people....he gets petted constantly. Thank you all of you at the Pasadena Humane Society. You have made so many pets and people happy!”
“Being 91, I moved to a retirement complex here in Pasadena—a good move, but I missed my dog. I’ve always had a dog, and our dog—my daughter’s and mine—went with my daughter to live in another state so I was lonely. I visited the Pasadena Humane Society, and happily saw a Westie dog; however, I was told we had to wait five days to make sure the owner didn’t come to retrieve the Westie. The gal volunteer who accompanied me suggested I might like to see another small dog that was definitely available—I declined to look.
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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HELP US GROW More Bang For Your Buck Consider donating long-term appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds to help the animals.
2. You won’t have to pay capital gains taxes after selling the securities because you donated them to PHS.
Your gift will provide food, shelter and medical care for homeless and abandoned animals and you will benefit as well.
PHS also accepts gifts of property which can carry substantial capital gains or appreciation in value. Using real estate to fund a gift allows you to preserve cash assets and receive tax advantages.
1. Y ou’ll be eligible to receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities—up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. You must have purchased the securities over a year ago and they must have a current value higher than their original cost.
Contact Ryne Meadors, Major Gifts Officer, at (626) 792-7151 ext. 123 or rmeadors@pasadenahumane.org for more information.
Back to School Shopping This year, when you are out shopping for back to school supplies don’t forget the shelter animals! As the weather changes and temperatures soar, animals come to PHS in need of food, shelter and vital medical care. It is at this critical time when our supplies are stretched to the limit. Won’t you please help us provide these items to the animals in our care? Please help us by purchasing some of the high volume items from our wish list at www.pasadenahumane.org/
wishlist. Items such as high quality canned kitten food, fleece or micro fiber pet beds, or food dispensing dog toys will directly benefit the animals in our foster program and shelter. Many items can even be purchased from our very own Shelter Shop located at PHS! If you have any questions or are interested in hosting a drive please contact Rafael Hernandez, Development Coordinator, (626) 792-7151 ext 164.
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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 Let’s Go! Let’s go! The 17th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk parades back to Brookside Park on Sunday, September 27th. Join thousands of animal lovers and their four-legged friends for a funfilled community dog walk, fundraiser and Pet Expo.
team or join as an individual. Build your personal fundraising page and tell your story as to why you fundraise
The Wiggle Waggle Walk is our largest fundraiser of the year. Our goal is to raise $400,000 to help provide shelter, food and veterinary care for more than 12,000 animals cared for every year at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. Funds raised from the Wiggle Waggle Walk will benefit all the animals that come through our open doors including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, wildlife and more. Participants who raise or give $1,000 or more will receive VIP status which includes VIP registration, access to the VIP tent, a red carpet opportunity, food, drinks, free giveaways and much more. Arrive at 8 a.m. to register, then let the fun begin with the Walk at 9 a.m. Participants and their canine companions can walk a one-mile or three-mile route around the historic Rose Bowl and then recharge at the Pet Expo featuring pet-related booths, food trucks, fun contests, K-9 demonstrations and more until 1 p.m. Registration is free and simple. Please visit www.wigglewagglewalk.org to create your team, join an existing
for the animals. Invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to join in on the fun too. Many companies will even match your donations to PHS if you inquire in your human resources department. Can’t make it to the Wiggle Waggle Walk? You can raise funds at home. You can also find fundraising tips, a complete list of prizes, full event schedule and more. For more information, email change contact to events@ pasadenahumane.org. Help us make this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk our most successful one yet!
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Our Greatest Ambassadors (continued from page 1) Tom Ratanavaraha was named 2015 Volunteer of the Year at our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in April. A lawyer by trade, Tom donated almost 5,000 hours helping the animals over the last 7 years. Some volunteers have dedicated more than 20 years of their time to the animals here at PHS! Children as young
as 15 years of age can apply to the Junior program. We could not do what we do without each and every one of our volunteers. They are the greatest ambassadors for the animals here at PHS. For more information on volunteering, visit www.pasadenahumane.org/volunteer.
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