May | JUne 2010
pasadena humane society & spca
Getting the Job Done The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is an open-door shelter. That means we accept any animal in our service area no matter its age, temperament, species or health. In our facility in 2009, PHS staff cared for more than 33 new animals a day, over 232 each week and over 12,100 in the year. These animals are not only cats and dogs. Any animal in our service area that needs food, shelter or care is welcome. That encompasses many varieties of animals—and a lot of expertise.
The animals that come to the shelter reflect the animals in our service area, which is located near the foothills and covers 500,000 households. If you visit our kennels, you can expect to see cats and dogs, rabbits and birds. If you are lucky, you may spot owls, a turkey vulture, a bobcat, and perhaps a pot bellied pig or a goat or two. In 2009, you might have seen peacocks, mallards, frogs, opossums, foxes, parrots or even a tarantula! Each animal received excellent individualized treatment.
PHS staff is trained to handle wildlife— from raccoons to raptors, opossums to owls. We carry the licenses to rehabilitate wildlife and can care for them when they are injured or sick.
The PHS mission statement, Care and Compassion for All Animals, is fulfilled everyday by our very capable staff. So if you see an injured deer, a bear in your avocado tree or a stray dog in your neighborhood, let us know. PHS can take care of that animal no matter what the situation may be.
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack Founded in 1903, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA has grown up with the city of Pasadena. Because of our long history in the area, residents and businesses have grown to rely upon PHS for all of their animal care needs, and expect us to respond effectively and quickly to any animal issue that may arise. In the early years, besides protecting women and children, the humane trend was to ensure the proper care of working animals. Horses were part of the local industry. A family’s well-being was tied intrinsically to its horses, goats, cattle and other work animals. Now although most of our work with animals centers on companion animals and wildlife, we remain influenced by our beginnings. The first location on Raymond Avenue was across the street from the Lowe Opera House just south of Bellevue. The current property was purchased in 1914 and the historic facility on Raymond Avenue was built in 1932. The Pasadena Humane Society became a Cultural Heritage Landmark in 1984. Our first animal control vehicle, a horse drawn carriage, doubled as an ambulance and was scheduled to appear in the Rose Parade of 1908. PHS was pulled from that parade to treat an injured animal but we made the complete route in 2003, with a float to celebrate our 100 year anniversary and the work of all Animal Welfare Agencies. I spotted an old photograph of an early motorized animal control vehicle and thought about the rich and varied history of PHS. Some day in the future, I’d love to see a modernized replica of this antique truck driving the streets of our service area delivering pet food for the pets of people who cannot get to our shelter easily. What a great way to keep the personalized service that has characterized PHS while attending to the needs of the animals. PHS has become the excellent shelter it is today because of your support. Thank you for helping the animals. For the animals,
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Steve
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The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA was founded in 1903 and incorporated in 1907. PHS has been at the current location since approximately 1914. At that time, PHS was the location was in the middle of the industrial area, close to the railroad station. Our office staff has super powers! They answer telephones, welcome stray animals, give directions, rent traps, reunite lost owners with their pets, update our database, reply to every question you can imagine— and that’s just a sample of things they do daily. PHS could not run smoothly without them. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA provides dog licensing for the cities of Arcadia, La Cañada, and San Marino. Residents of all other cities should contact the appropriate City Hall for licensing information. Dogs and cats 5 years or older make excellent companions and have very different needs and requirements than a puppy or kitten. If you are 60 years young and are looking for a new pet, you might consider a more mature cat or dog. Because of a generous subsidized program, all adoption fees will be waived. It’s baby animal season! Help us prevent litters of unwanted animals by spaying and neutering your pets. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. Spay and neuter will help end the tragedy of pet overpopulation! Call 626.792.7151 ext. 138. Join us on Facebook, the social networking website that allows users to interact with people and organizations in a unique and modern way. “Become a Fan” of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and stay in touch and informed. We would love to see photos of PHS alumni in their new homes.
The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is NOT part of the ASPCA. When you donate to PHS you are helping animals here in Southern California. The ASPCA does not distribute donations locally. Each spca in the country is legally separate from all of the others. Donate to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and help the animals in your community http://www.pasadenahumane.org/donate
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Wild things Hummingbirds Hummingbirds live only in the western hemisphere and are plentiful in California. Some species live here year-round while others migrate. People often encourage visits from these beautiful birds by hanging colorful feeders and planting ower gardens. Many people may not realize that hummingbirds do not survive off flower nectar or sugar water alone. They use the energy they get from flowers to catch small insects such as fruit flies. It is important not to use pesticides in your garden as they can be dangerous for hummingbirds.
Be sure to hang feeders out of reach of neighborhood cats. In the spring, female hummingbirds build nests of spider web and plant material. After laying two eggs, the mother bird will incubate them for a couple of weeks. Baby hummingbirds are born tiny and featherless but are full grown and ready to fledge within a few weeks. If you find a nest on the ground, place the nest in a small box and secure it to the tree to prevent it from falling again. Your scent and the box will not deter the mother. Even if it is not fully feathered, a baby on the ground can be placed back in the nest. Older, fully feathered babies can be out of the nest if they are off the ground. These fledglings are likely under the care of a watchful mother. Stay at a distance and look for signs of the mother. If you see the mother and the area appears free of predators, leave the fledgling alone.
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Feeders must be thoroughly cleaned every 2-3 days to prevent the development of a common, deadly fungus. Feeder solution should be four parts boiled water to one part white cane sugar. Other ingredients or artificial color may be harmful to hummingbirds.
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If a baby hummingbird appears to be in distress or has no mother, place the bird in a box with tissue paper and small air hole. Keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place and immediately contact a licensed bird rehabilitator or our wildlife officer at 626-792-7151 ext.110.
behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths about Pets Q: M y dog growls at people when he’s on my lap! He has snapped at a few people before and I’m afraid he might actually bite someone. What should I do?
A: This common behavior among small dogs, lap guarding, is a form of resource guarding. As soon as your dog begins to growl, give a verbal correction and place him on the floor. Continue the process until people can get closer to you. Have them give him a treat if he does not vocalize. Time and consistency are key.
Q: S hould I chase my dog when he starts to become overly active in the house? I try to call him but he pretends he can’t hear me, ignores me and keeps going.
A: Chasing an unruly dog does very little to promote positive alternative behaviors, such as a reliable recall. Try to calm your dog by kneeling down and calling him to you. Reward your dog if you only had to call once or twice. If you had to call in an excited voice multiple times, give your dog a second command such as “sit” and then reward. This will not only help your control and relationship but will teach a dependable recall.
Q: M y dog is anxious when I leave and whines all day long. What can I do to help stop this behavior?
A: Many dogs become anxious when their owners prepare to leave for the day and some may experience isolation distress. Dogs will cue in to the signals we give such as putting on our coats or shoes, picking up our keys, saying goodbye to our dog, etc. To desensitize your dogs to these cues you can repeatedly pick up your keys and put them down when you are at home and not preparing to leave. You can also change your routine to make yourself less predictable. Additionally, distract your dog with something fun before you leave. A frozen peanut butter Kong or puzzle toy can provide entertainment for several hours. Set one down for your dog just before walking out the door to distract your dog and to create a positive association with your leaving.
For more tips and information please contact the Pasadena Humane Society & SCPA’s Behavior & Training Department at 626.792.7151 ext. 155.
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Happy Tails The Wall Cat’s Heroic Rescue It was early morning in January. A gardener in Arcadia heard the desperate cries of a cat coming from a backyard, and immediately called the Pasadena Humane Society. Officer Ian Mills was quick to respond. He found the cat stuck in a tight space between two seven-foot cement walls. The space was so narrow that he was unsure how the animal got in between the walls. There certainly was no easy way to get the cat out — the walls were too high. Officer Mills called the Arcadia Fire Department to help out. Together, they determined that cutting a hole in the wall would be the only way to safely free the animal. Officer Mills subdued the cat using a tranquilizer on a pole to
prevent it from going through any more undue stress. Then, with permission from the homeowner, the Fire Department cut a hole at the base of the wall.
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The cat was carefully removed and immediately brought to the Pasadena
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Humane Society for treatment. The clinic staff was amazed (and relieved) to find that the lovely tabby was healthy and had only minor injuries from its ordeal. The “Wall Cat” quickly became a staff favorite. No long after her rescue, she was adopted into a loving forever home. Rescuing animals is all in a day’s work for our Animal Control officers. They respond to an average of 64 calls a day. Not all are this dramatic, of course, but they do range from animal cruelty and neglect investigations, injured wildlife, barking complaints, stray animal pick-up, animal rescue, and more. Our dedicated officers work hard to enforce animal related laws within our seven service cities, keeping our communities safe for animals and people alike.
The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA routinely works with other shelters and rescue groups to find homes for animals. Your support helps to make this possible.
event roUnd-Up Donors Honored at Reception On a balmy evening in March, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA hosted a reception to thank the 2009 members of its Director’s Circle—donors who gave $500 or more in the last year. The Humane Society’s training room, normally the site of our canine behavior classes, was transformed into a festive celebration of spring. Guests enjoyed a light supper while they visited with staff representatives from Adoptions, Behavior, Community Resources, Development, Field Services, Front Office, Health, Humane Education, SNiP, Volunteer Services and Wildlife. Each guest also had the opportunity to receive some animal smooches at the “Kissing Booth” and a photo to commemorate the fun. President and CEO Steve McNall introduced the latest of his famous slide shows, and newly elected board chair Nancy Plamann announced the founding of Angels for Animals, the PHS & SPCA’s new Major Donor Club. Together, Director’s Circle members donated nearly $1 million to help the animals in 2009. For information on how you can become a member of the Director’s Circle or Angels for Animals, please call Courtnay Bragagnolo at (626) 792-7151, ext. 123, or email cbragagnolo@phsspca.org. PHOTOS ABOVE: GUESTS SHARE A MOMENT WITH AFFECTIONATE SPANIEL-MIX SWEETUMS AT THE KISSING BOOTH. TOP COUPLE: WOODY AND TERRY WALKER
BOTTOM PHOTO: DAN LIEN
SAVE THE DATE! The 12th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Pasadena’s Brookside Park. It’s not too soon to register your team and create your own personal fundraising page now at www.wigglewagglewalk.org. For more information, please call (626)792-7151, ext. 167. PAg e 7
Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID 361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
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—4 pm Sat 9 am—3 pm Sun 11 am—3 pm
Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
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.