september | october 2011
pasadena humane society & spca
It’s Wiggle Waggle Walk Time! Please join us for the 13th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Brookside Park in Pasadena. Bring your four-legged friend for this fun-filled community dog walk, fundraiser and Pet Expo. Registration is free and easy at www. wigglewagglewalk.org. Create your own personalized webpage and invite your friends, family and co-workers to help you raise money for homeless
pets in your community. You can walk as an individual, form a team or join
an existing team—any way you do it, you will be helping the animals in a big way! In addition to fundraising to help animals in need, you can also earn great prizes such as a limited edition Wiggle Waggle Walk 2011 t-shirt, pedometer, blanket, PHS training classes for your dog, and more. The top fundraiser will win an iPad 2! Check out our website to view all prizes and get great tips on fast and easy ways to raise funds. (continued on back)
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack Come to Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl on the morning of Sunday, September 25 and you will see over 2000 people having fun with their dogs at the 13th annual dog walk. The Wiggle Waggle Walk is our signature event, celebrating that incomparable bond between dogs and the people they live with. You’ll find dogs and people in matching costumes, playing fetch, having their photos taken, but all of them will be there as a result of good, responsible pet care. Responsible pet care involves a long term commitment to your pet. It may involve preventative care like vaccinations and check-ups, vet care when your pet is ill, or going to training classes, and taking advantage of appropriate exercise opportunities. But good pet care also includes following the laws of your city and state, which include leash laws, licensing and pooper scooping! No matter what precautions owners may take, sometimes a well-loved pet gets lost. If an animal comes into PHS as a stray, the staff has more options if we are aware that the animal is owned. Something as basic as a current license, microchip or tags gives staff access to information that can be used to reunite pets with their lost owners. With a current license, we know that the pet has had a rabies shot and therefore has been protected from certain diseases. Staff can easily find a recent address and phone number to use as we try to contact the owner. If we know that an animal has a home, before making the pet available for adoption, we keep it twice as long while we try to contact the owner. If a pet with identification is brought to us injured, we will automatically give it the care it needs. Responsible pet care has benefits that reach beyond the lost and found. Tragically, only 2% of animals coming into shelters have identification. PHS is here to help you care for your pet. If you need a microchip, collar and tags or licensing information, we can help.
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Even if you don’t have a dog to walk, stop by and visit the Wiggle Waggle Walk. You’ll see great dogs having a lot of fun and you’ll have a fantastic time too!
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Community heroes Vroman’s—Giving Back for Over 100 Years On November 14, 1894, Adam Clark Vroman founded Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Located just a few blocks from its current location at 60 East Colorado Street, Vroman’s is the oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California.
Back, Vroman’s helps promote the shelter’s pets, programs, and events.
Still a family owned business, Vroman’s Bookstore has a rich history that includes a commitment to philanthropy and dedication to strengthening the community. Among his many accomplishments, Adam Clark Vroman helped establish the Southwest Museum, rescued Franciscan missions from decay and helped a competitor start a rival bookstore. Vroman also bequeathed his extensive book collection to the Pasadena Public Library.
Vroman’s hosted several pet themed events last year inviting animal trainers, service dogs, and the Pasadena Humane Society’s Mobile Unit which placed several animals into loving homes as a result of the exposure. The bookstore also provides PHS with prime space in one of the building’s display cases to help publicize one of our most important events for the animals, the Wiggle Waggle Walk.
In recent years, Vroman’s Bookstore has donated nearly $560,000 to Pasadena area organizations through the Vro-
For well over 100 years, Vroman’s has recognized the value of community and helping people and animals in need.
man’s Gives Back program. Every time a purchase is made, a portion of the proceeds is donated to area non-profits. Over 20 local organizations, including the Pasadena Humane Society, benefit from this ongoing program.
The Pasadena Humane Society is very grateful for their continued support and generosity.
Vroman’s Bookstore supports PHS in more ways than one. In addition to their generous contributions through Gives
** You too can help Vroman’s help PHS! Sign up online or in store for Vroman’s Gives Back and a portion of your purchases will support the animals and programs at the shelter.
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 pag e 3
wild things
Living With Coyotes The foothills around the Pasadena Humane Society are filled with wildlife. That is one of the pleasure of living in our area, however, sometimes the proximity to wildlife may cause problems. Coyotes are natural inhabitants of our foothills. Primarily regarded as nocturnal animals, coyotes may be seen out during the daytime. They are highly adaptive and not always welcomed visitors. Despite bounties, trappings and poisonings, their numbers continue to increase and their range broadens. Conflicts with coyotes in urban areas are usually caused by human behavior. Whenever coyotes are fed by humans, they become more comfortable around
•P ick up any fallen fruit before nightfall •S ecure garbage cans Keep brush cleared
•C lear excess brush and woodpiles that may serve as shelter
•K eep compost contained Be a responsible pet owner
•K eep cats indoors •A lways walk your dog on leash •S upervise small pets whenever they are outside
•S pay or neuter your dogs—coyotes may breed with domestic dogs For Your Safety
• I f a coyote approaches you, make noise and look as large as possible.
•K eep young children and pets close to you.
•C arry an umbrella during your walks.
us. Eventually, they may lose their fear of humans and become more aggressive. Although it is nearly impossible to erase coyotes from any area, there are many things you can do to discourage their visits. Prevent Conflicts
Open the umbrella towards a coyote; the sight of a small object suddenly becoming large is very frightening to coyotes.
•M ake noise to deter the animal: yell, clang pots and pans, ring a large cowbell.
•S pray the coyote with the hose (if safe to do so)
•N ever turn your back or run away
•N ever intentionally feed wildlife • Remove outside pet food
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• Remove bird feeders
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If you have any questions or concerns, please call our wildlife officer at 626.792.7151 ext. 110.
behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths about Pets Q: S hould I use a doggie seatbelt on my pup when I take him for car rides?
A: Yes! According to AAA, unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 car accidents annually. Doggie seatbelts and car seats are a great way to stay safe while driving. Most doggie seatbelts consist of a harness with a tab that can clip right in to the seatbelt. Remember, never allow your dog to sit in your lap while driving; a deploying airbag can be fatal to a dog riding in the front seat. If you have a small dog, consider purchasing a booster seat to keep your little guy safe; in most cars, if there is no weight on the passenger’s seat, the airbag will not deploy. Our pets are our family, so make sure everyone is safely enjoying the ride!
Q: M y dog is sometimes anxious around other dogs; a friend of mine recommended taking him to the dog park to socialize, is this a good idea?
A: That depends on your dog! Some dogs truly enjoy the company of other dogs while some can certainly do without. Socialization is important in the life of domesticated dogs, but to them it means being neutral to people and other dogs. Neutral behavior means they should not have any reaction, shy or aggressive, to people or other dogs. Most dogs are not comfortable in a large group of unfamiliar dogs, and do best with a few dogs that they know. Start with one or two appropriate dogs and let your dog acclimate to larger groups. Once you see neutral behavior, work your way up to larger groups. To keep your dog successful, keep him comfortable, even when it means avoiding other dogs.
Q: C an I help lessen my dog’s shedding? A: Certain hypoallergenic breeds shed very little while double-coated breeds shed large amounts. Dogs who do shed (blowing their coat) will shed the most during spring and fall, when temperatures change. While there is no way to stop shedding completely, brushing your dog regularly will help. Shaving your dog is not a good idea because it interferes with natural selfcooling and self-warming mechanisms. But brushing your dog with special shedding tools can work wonders. In addition to managing your dog’s coat, keep plenty of pet hair tape rollers around the house and consider using a handheld vacuum or broom that is designed to pick up pet hair.
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
A Puppy’s Tail of Second Chance Success Betty, just a few months old, was found near the freeway with an injured leg. She was most likely the victim of a hit and run accident. A good Samaritan rushed her to the Pasadena Humane Society. We brought her into our veterinary clinic where we quickly discovered that the pup’s leg was fractured. The entire leg was put in a cast so it would heal properly. Regardless of the pain she was in, Betty was so sweet through it all. A few weeks later, her leg was healing nicely and Betty was ready for adoption. Right around that time, Steve and Lori came to our shelter. As Lori recalls, “I think it was love at first sight!”
Steve and Lori enrolled Betty in the Pasadena Humane Society’s Puppy Kindergarten, a class that focuses on puppy socialization, typical puppy behavior issues, and basic training. However, Betty soon began to have problems at home. She was starting fights with Oliver over food and toys. Steve and Lori began to worry that perhaps they had chosen the wrong dog. They turned to Becky Whitt, their Puppy Kindergarten instructor, for help. Becky explained that resource guarding can be a common problem in a household that has two or more dogs. She gave the couple a management plan for the two dogs that would create a safe and tension-free environment in their household. They followed her advice and noticed a huge improvement right away! Betty no longer tries to fight with Oliver. In fact, the two are getting along great.
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They brought Oliver, their other dog, in to meet her. The two seemed to get along great so they adopted her and brought her home with them that very day.
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Steve and Lori adore the newest member of their family, “We love Betty so much. We both feel like she was meant to be in our lives… she brings us so much happiness every day. She has a ways to go, but she’ll get there.” It just goes to show that putting in a little bit of effort can go a long way in creating a loving and lasting bond!
event round-up Two Benefits a Smash Success for the Animals On June 11th, the Pasadena Animal League presented The Fast and the Furriest, a fun-filled fundraising gala at Annandale Golf Club. Over 250 guests enjoyed live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and a visit with some of PHS’s wonderful adoptable pets. The animal-and-automobile-themed event grossed more than $110,000 for spay and neuter services at the Pasadena Humane Society! The next morning, the San Marino Motor Classic was held at Lacy Park. The Motor Classic showcased more than 200 classic cars ranging from American and European race, sport and luxury cars. Best in show was awarded to a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing from the collection of John La Barbera, but the real winners were all the animals at the Pasadena Humane Society—$100,000 was raised on their behalf!
A wonderful time was had by all!
To the left: Michael Federico, Kelley Haggert and Mia Dunn To the right: Tess Donovan, Candice Rogers and Karen Hanus-McManus
To the left: Ben Reiling, Paul Colony and Aaron Weiss present check to PHS president Steve McNall To the right: Judges inspect the Class CCCA vehiclesr
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID 361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
It’s Wiggle Waggle Walk Time! Help us reach our goal of $315,000 to provide food, shelter and medical care to all animals in need in our com-
munity! For more information, please contact Nicole Ring at (626) 792-7151, ext. 167. Register today at www.wigglewagglewalk.org The animals are counting on you!
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—5 pm Sat 9 am—4 pm Sun 11 am—4 pm
www.pasadenahumane.org 24 hour Emergency Service please call 626.792.7151 Glendale residents please call The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is a toll-free 818.240.9100
private, non-profit, open door, animal welfare agency serving the communities of Arcadia, The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is a Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, private, non-profit, open door, animal welfare San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena
agency serving the communities of Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.