march | april 2010
pasadena humane society & spca
Go Online & Stay in Touch Looking for reliable pet information? Want to “go green” and help the animals at the same time? The Pasadena Humane Society’s updated and expanding website allows online visitors a comprehensive look into the shelter and its programs. The new site, both modern and timely, is your source for the latest in pet-related news and information. Browse topics such as, “Why does my dog bark so much?” and “How to report animal cruelty”. Get advice about
the many wildlife issues that may effect your neighborhood. And read Scoop, the shelter’s bi-monthly newsletter, now online and available at your convenience.
Day or night the Pasadena Humane Society will be at your finger tips. See all the animals available for adoption, many with detailed descriptions and videos. Are you looking for a lost pet? Or perhaps you found an animal and are unsure what to do next. Visit the site for guidance and determine your next step. Don’t forget to register your email address for the latest news, personalized updates, and event information which can be added to your individual calendar. Save time and paper and donate or sign up for behavior classes online. You can also download the shelter’s Annual Report for detailed statistics, operating expenses, and how your contributions help the animals in our care. continued on page 8
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack Every city is required to provide animal control services for their residents. Our seven cities have contracted with PHS to handle these. Many of our supporters and many animal lovers are not aware that PHS, through the Field Services department, provides excellent care for animals at the community level. In late August, PHS responded to an emergency call from the cities of La Caùada and Glendale. The Station Fire threatened homes in the foothills and residents were asked to evacuate immediately. PHS provided safe haven for their pets and animals of different species during that time. The Station Fire is a dramatic example what we do. But our staff maintains mandated standards of animal care daily that are rooted in public health concerns. For example, dogs that roam free present public safety and health issues. When officers bring in stray dogs, they are enforcing a city’s leash law that has curbed the spread of diseases, such as rabies. Officers are also protecting the public from aggressive animals. The Field Services department investigates all reports of potential animal negligence or abuse, and rescues animals from hoarders. Our officers are first responders and mandated reporters of elder and child abuse. In their daily interaction with the public, and through partnerships with fire and police departments, they have the opportunity to influence people who do not come into the shelter. Our trained officers educate the public when possible but enforce the law when necessary. PHS wants its supporters to understand the scope of our work for the animals. We encourage you to visit us and see the staff at work. When you donate to PHS you are helping animals in our local community. Thank you for your support. We can’t accomplish what we do without you. For the animals,
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Steve
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did you know
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In 1930, the Board of Directors required all people who adopted a dog or cat have the pet sterilized. Because of an increase in reported rabies cases in 1932, the city of Pasadena enacted the first leash law. It requires owners to have their dogs on leash and prohibits dogs from roaming stray and has continued to the present.
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In 1935, the Pasadena Humane Society asked local veterinarians to spay and neuter dogs and cats. The average cost for the surgery was $1.00 to neuter a male and $5.00 to spay a female.
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In 2010 you may spay or neuter your cat or dog through our low cost SNiP program. The prices are a bit higher than in 1935, but through spay/neuter you help us fight the tragedies caused by pet overpopulation. Call ext. 138 for an appointment.
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Boarding for dogs has been offered at the Pasadena Humane Society since 1936. Call ext. 125 if you want information about this service.
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In 1936, PHS celebrated a placement rate of 22% of the 6, 411 animals we received. Those were very hard times. In 2009, our placement rate for adoptable cats was 99.8% and was 98.8% for adoptable dogs. We are working hard to reach our goal of 100% placement of all adoptable animals.
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The Board of Directors resolved in 1927 never to give animals to schools for vivisection窶馬o matter the condition of the animal. PHS has not waivered from that position.
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 Skunks Skunks are very common in Southern California gardens and make no attempt to blend in with their surroundings. Their distinctive shock of black and white fur serves as a sufficient warning to most curious animals. Although skunk spray is felt to be one of the most offensive odors in the natural world, a skunk must feel very harassed before it sprays. These cute creatures
Suburban yards hold plentiful resources for local skunks. Our gardens are filled with fruits and vegetables, insect and rodent pests, and even pet food. Convenient den sites include crawl spaces beneath homes, decks and sheds. Homeowners can discourage skunks from setting up their den on their property by treating their lawns with grub control and avoiding overwatering. Picking dropped fruit and ripe vegetables will also help. For those people who feel that trapping is the only solution, it is important to avoid trapping skunks during the spring and summer when young are dependent upon their mother. Baby skunks are usually born from April to May and will begin to follow their mothers after a few months.
prefer to make a hasty exit and will stamp their feet, raise their tail, hiss, snort and charge, before they resort to spraying. Spraying is their final defense.
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During late winter months, a skunk’s mating season, you may see territorial males spray each other, in an effort to secure a mate. Skunks have very poor eyesight and only see something that is very close or moving quickly. If you accidentally stumble upon a skunk, you can back away slowly to avoid a confrontation.
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Check out: www.pasadenahumane.org/site/ Pageserver?pagename=program_ wildlife for more information. Skunks are one of four species considered primary rabies carriers. Although a rabid skunk is very rare, if you see one with abnormal behavior including disorientation, unprovoked aggression or uncharacteristic tameness, it may be sick, so please contact local animal control authorities.
behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths about Pets Q: M y adult dog has started to have accidents on the living room carpet at night. I show him the mess and tell him, “No” in a stern voice, but it keeps happening. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Although housetraining accidents are often a source of frustration, pet parents should resist the urge rub their pup’s nose in it. Punishment after the fact is rarely, if ever, effective whether you are dealing with housebreaking or attempting to correct other problem behaviors. Accidents shouldn’t be overlooked, though. Even after one accident, communicate clearly to your dog your expectations regarding housetraining and elimination habits. To set them up for success, consider going back to crate training or limiting the dog’s access to roam the home freely and unsupervised.
Q: W hy does my dog always jump up on visitors that enter my home?
A: It would seem as though you have a very affectionate dog in your house. Jumping is considered an innate behavior, meaning something dogs know how to do without being taught. It is always recommended that you try to break this habit as a puppy; however it is not impossible to break for an adult dog. Often times something as easy as walking into your dog when they jump, or simply ignoring them when you come home can curb this behavior. The easiest solution however is to contact your local trainer or Shelter for more information.
Q: I need to take my cat to the vet, but how do I get them into the carrier? A: Almost everyone who keeps cats or works with cats will be familiar with this challenge. The easiest solution however, is to simply do it backwards. That’s right! By backing the cat into the carrier, you give your pet less opportunity to scratch, and the cat is less likely to attempt to scratch over something they can not see coming. Once you get you cat inside make sure you reward them with something positive so the next attempt is even easier.
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 Chihuahua Express Chihuahuas have certainly been in the spotlight in recent years. They are featured in movies and commercials. Celebrities are photographed carrying tiny “teacup” Chihuahuas in their arms or purses. In December of last year,
they were in the spotlight for another reason: their numbers are overwhelming shelters in California. The news media began to report that what we at the Pasadena Humane Society have long known — people impulsively purchase the dogs without being prepared to care for them. When things “don’t work out,” the dogs are turned over to shelters. Some facilities are reporting that Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes now comprise up to 30% of their canine population. That has certainly been the case at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, where they outnumber potential adopters. Some have been in our kennels, unable to find new homes.
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At the end of last year, we experienced our usual Christmas adoption rush.
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Hundreds of dogs, cats and rabbits found new homes for the holidays. Yet many wonderful dogs were still waiting to be adopted. There was adorable Lucy, who had been relinquished because she was afraid of other dogs. There was Molly, who had been found with untreated injuries, apparently from being hit by a car. And feisty little Stillwater, who had been returned to us not once, but twice because his adopters “changed their mind about having a dog.” We knew that we could not rely on chance or hope to find homes for these great animals — we had to act. Our Mobile Outreach and Rescue Coordinator Kevin McManus got on the phone. He had heard that things were different at the Sacramento SPCA, where there was actually a shortage of small dogs. He asked if to ask if they could help find homes for these dear pets. They agreed to take all three — and eighteen more! So on a chilly December morning just after Christmas, PHS staff member Kevin and his wife (and devoted volunteer) Karen Hanus-McManus loaded twentyone dogs into our van for the six-hour drive to Sacramento. They helped the staff there get the animals settled into their kennels. Last we heard, all of the dogs have found new, forever homes!
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 11th Annual Golf Benefit to feature Helicopter Ball Drop Raffle On Monday, April 26, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will host its annual Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles Golf Benefit, to be held this year at the Angeles National Golf Club. The golf benefit will include a putting contest, 18-hole golf scramble and an awards dinner featuring live and silent auctions. Golf packages are $250 per person and include lunch and dinner. Non-players can purchase dinner tickets separately for $75 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. A Helicopter Ball Drop raffle will add to the excitement of the day. The helicopter from the television show 24 will spill buckets of golf balls over the 18th hole. The lucky person whose ball lands in the hole wins half of the total ball sales—up to $10,000! If no ball lands in the hole, the closest is worth $1,000. An additional prize will be awarded to the ball that lands farthest away from the hole. Golf balls are priced at two for $25 each or ten for $100. Balls can be purchased online at www.pasadenahumane.org, by phone at 626.792.7151, ext. 167 or at the Pasadena Humane Society. Proceeds from the golf event and the Helicopter Ball Drop help provide food, shelter and care for the animals at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA.
For more information, please call Ruben Longoria at 626.792.7151, ext. 167
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID 361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
Go Online & Stay in Touch, continued from page 1 Contributing to PHS is now easier than ever with our online donation form. With just a simple click of the mouse, your secure and tax-deductable gift will be put to use caring for homeless
pets and saving lives! Donations are accepted in any amount 24 hours a day.
Visit the site often to stay in touch and see all the work being done to help the animals!
Events For the most up to date schedule for Mobile Outreach, Barks and Books and Behavior Classes, please check the website, www.pasadenahumane.org Dr. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS will present 2 workshops at PHS in March The Well Adjusted Cat on March 26, and The Well Adjusted Dog on March 27-28. To learn more and to register, visit www.thepetdocs.com
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
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.