July | august 2012
pasadena humane society & spca
Volunteer Program 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 400 active volunteers, the Volunteer Services Department here at PHS plays an integral role with day-to-day 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 2011, these dedicated animal lovers gave approximately 25,000 hours of their time, which is the equivalent of 12 full-time employees! “Our volunteers are found in every department,” says Sandy DeMarco, CVA, Vice President of Volunteer Services. “A lot of our current staff members started out as volunteers.” DeMarco, who is a 21-year PHS veteran, ensures that every volunteer is properly educated by holding an orientation meeting. Once they have committed to volunteering they attend kennel train-
ing sessions provided by our Behavior & Training staff. Volunteers can then select which department fits their interests. 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. Some volunteers and their (continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack The corner of Del Mar and Raymond is the future home of the Animal Care Campus. The previous buildings have been razed; the lot is cleared of the cement and debris and ready for construction! Your humane society is expanding to meet the needs of the animals. The goals are two-fold: 1) to do everything possible to reach zero euthanasia of placeable animals; and 2) to strengthen the human-animal bond to keep pets in their homes. Plus, the new building is a certified green building made of sustainable materials. What a significant difference the Animal Care Campus will make in the lives of animals and in the community! The Animal Care Campus will include: wellness and spay/neuter facility open to the public to help reduce * aunwanted domestic animals n enhanced behavior and training center to provide additional enrichment for * ashelter animals and increased training opportunities for pets and their owners
* an outdoor animal enrichment area dditional classrooms for educational outreach to reach future * agenerations and continue a foundation for a compassionate and humane community
* a parking structure for increased accessibility Rest assured, our daily operations, services and programs will not be affected by the construction. These changes are in our near future as we continue to give animals a second chance while enriching the lives of people who care about them. For the Animals,
Steve
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Community heroes Carrie Afuso & PCC Flea Market The Pasadena City College Flea Market has a long history of supporting the community. Established in 1977 by brothers Tom and Tim Selenski, the monthly event attracts more than 420 vendors
from across southern California and as far as Utah. It is the first nonprofit flea market to run on a continual basis in the country and features a smorgasbord of antiques and collectibles. Held on the first Sunday of every month, the fair attracts thousands of shoppers. At the helm is Carrie Afuso, the Flea Market Auxiliary Coordinator. She opens the gates at 4:00 a.m. to let vendors set up although it does not start until 8:00a.m. “My goal is to bring in more community,” she adds. Enter PHS. Since December
2011, the Mobile Outreach Unit has setup shop in the PCC parking lot allowing people to learn more about our programs and services. Approximately 45 percent of the PCC Flea Market’s budget funds student support programs, clubs and scholarships. In May, the Flea Market awarded $24,000 in student scholarships. Talk about a selfsupporting organization! This story, however, is two-fold. Carrie is also raising Bamboo, a 10-month-old Labrador, to be a guide dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind based in San Rafael, Calif. Once Bamboo is old enough, she will begin her training. As an aside: the first serviceman to graduate from Guide Dogs for the Blind in 1943 was accompanied by PHS alumna, Blondie, who was adopted from us in 1941! Carrie Afuso is our community hero not only because of her dedication to helping the community and students, but for also helping animals help people in need. “It’s larger than me. I’m so humbled,” she adds. On that note, if you are around town on the first Sunday of the month, stop on by. Admission is free and who knows, you may get to meet Bamboo! For more information on the PCC Flea Market, visit: http://www.pasadena.edu/ fleamarket.
When you donate to the Pasadena Humane Society, you help animals in Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, 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. pa g e 3
paw & order
Summer Safety Summertime brings specific seasonal issues for the animals in our area. The enjoyment of the longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures and our inviting foothill location increases the use of our city parks and trails. Our Field Officers report a spike in off leash violations in all city parks. Concurrently, there is an increase in service calls for stray and roaming dogs. Cities require dogs to be on leash at all times except in specifically marked areas. While you may feel confident that your dog will return to you when you call, many dogs do not and may cause harm to themselves and others or run away. If your dog is off leash, you may be
Having identification on your pet is extremely important on July 4th. Frightened animals running from festive fireworks make it our busiest day of the year. Our officers are on duty caring for runaway, scared animals. If your pet has identification, we can contact you if we have him in the shelter.
But here are some tips to keep your pet feeling more comfortable: eep pets secured indoors and make * Ksure windows and doors are closed. lace pets in a small, dark and * Pclosed-off portion of the house to keep them calm. music or television to drown out * Uthesenoise from fireworks. f necessary, contact your veterinarian * Iand see if it is appropriate to prescribe your pet a sedative.
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cited. Current visible identification may be your dog’s ticket home! (You can purchase ID tags for your dogs on our website or in our store.) If your dog is picked up by our officers, they may be able to return him to you directly, if they know where he belongs.
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We will have extended hours of operation for July 4 and July 5 to deal with the increase of lost animals. Check our website at www.pasadenahumane.org for more information. If you see an animal you think needs assistance, call us at 626.792.7151 ext. 102. Our officers are available to help 24/7.
behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths About Pets Q: M y dog has so much energy even though I walk him two times a day. What can I do to tire him out?
A: If you have a high-energy breed, it may be difficult to give your dog enough exercise. Games that are mentally challenging will help him burn off excess physical energy as well. Feed meals in treat-dispensing toys so your dog is working for his/her food and getting rid of extra energy. Other options are taking a fun activity class with him. Being in a class environment is usually very tiring for a dog and will stimulate him physically and mentally. Some good classes suggestions are a tricks class that teaches different behaviors, or a dog-sport such as agility (the dogs run through an obstacle course) or the newest dog-sport, Treibball (a herding game that can be played inside as well).
Q: M y male cat has been peeing where he isn’t suppose to! Mainly any clothes lying around, my bed, and even once or twice on the kitchen counter. I am at a loss, what should I do?
A: First and foremost, check with your vet about any potential medical issues your cat may have. Many new behaviors may be solved once a medical issue is handled. Then look into behavioral causes for his inappropriate elimination issues. Then, try a few of these tips for litterbox “zen”: ats prefer a clean box every time they use it. Scoop the litterbox * Cseveral times a day, or as often as possible. ats need their box placed in an easily accessible, private (Zen-like), * Cstress free location. Do not move the box too frequently or make it hard to find. Do not place the box near anything that may make a sudden loud noise (i.e. furnaces, washing machines). Do not place the box near food or water bowls. choose a box that is the right size for your cat (i.e. shallow pan * Lastly, for kittens/small cats, larger deeper box for large cats). Some cats will tolerate a covered box, others will not. Try different styles until you find one that is comfortable for your cat.
For more tips and information, please contact the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA’s Behavior & Training Department at 626.792.7151 ext. 155.
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Happy Tails
Two Cats Means Twice as Much Fun! There is never a dull moment in Terri Ulbricht’s house. Between Rosie and Louie, both adopted from the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, there is always plenty of love and laughter to go around. In the summer of 2007, Terri visited the Pasadena Humane Society looking for a feline companion for her senior cat, Baxter. She was immediately attracted to Rosie, a skinny cat that was about two years old. Rosie proved to be a wonderful companion for Baxter for two years, until he passed away.
to the refrigerator or the Venetian blind rod, but his is also my lap kitty and front door greeter. Rosie is my gymnast. She wraps herself around the cat house and contorts herself around, always keeping an eye out to make sure I’m watching. She is full of surprises, and I often
At this time, Terri came back to the Pasadena Humane Society, now looking for a companion for Rosie. She wanted to adopt an animal that really needed help—perhaps an older cat, or a cat that had been in the shelter for an extended period of time. Since there were so many wonderful cats to choose from, she asked her adoption counselor, Mary, to help her find a good match. Mary recommended Louie, a sevenmonth-old who had been brought to our shelter when his owners could no longer care for him. Terri remembers the moment she met Louie, “What a personality, and a handsome fellow too! He seemed to say, ‘Here I am, now let’s go home.’”
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And home he went! Over the next few days, Rosie and Louie got to know each other and quickly became best friends, playing together and lounging on their cat house. As Terri explains, the two get along great, but have very different personalities, “Louie is usually the first to climb somewhere; i.e. the piano, up
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find her tucked in a kitchen cabinet, hall closet or on the book shelf.” It just goes to show that sometimes two is better than one. As Terri says, “Who needs TV when I have the antics of Rosie and Louie to make me smile?” Adopt your next cat from the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA! Adoption fees for one cat is $70 and only $85 if you adopt two together. Fee includes spay/neuter and microchip. Visit www. pasadenahumane.org to view all animals currently available for adoption.
event round-up Register for the Wiggle Waggle Walk Today and Help Save Lives Round up your friends, family and favorite canine companion for the 14th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk on Sunday, September 30th at Brookside Park! We guarantee a day of furry fun that will help animals in our community. What is the Wiggle Waggle Walk? It’s a fun-filled community dog walk around the Rose Bowl—and the Pasadena Humane Society’s signature fundraising event! Caring people like you sign up to walk—either as a team or individually—and to raise money to save animals. Walkers can earn “treats” for raising funds—the more you raise, the more you win. The top fundraiser will win a cruise to the Mexican Riviera! After the walk, the festivities continue with K-9 unit and agility shows, pet contests, activities for children and a Pet Expo featuring a variety of animal-related vendors, rescues and pet resources. How do I sign up? Log on to www.WiggleWaggleWalk.org today to register. You can start a team, join an existing team, or sign up as an individual. Once you are registered, you will be able to customize your own Wiggle Waggle Walk fundraising page and send messages to your friends and family asking them to help you support the life-saving services of the Pasadena Humane Society. If you need any assistance with registration, please contact Nicole Ring at events@phsspca.org or 626.792.7151 ext. 167. How does the Wiggle Waggle Walk help animals? All of the funds raised will help animals right here in your community. When you donate to the Wiggle Waggle Walk, you are providing food, shelter and medical treatment to animals in need, low-cost spay/neuter services, humane education, animal cruelty prevention and investigations, adoptions of animals into loving homes and so much more. None of this is possible without your support! Are you ready to Walk? Visit www.WiggleWaggleWalk.org today to get started. The animals are counting on you!
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Volunteer Program pets even qualify for the Pet Therapy Program in which they visit hospitals, convalescence homes and group homes. “My philosophy on volunteering is that you have something for them to do,” DeMarco adds. Approximately 6,000 volunteers have helped the animals since she has been here.
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
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We could not do what we do without each and every one of our volunteers. They are the ambassadors for the animals here at PHS. For more information on volunteering, visit www.pasadenahumane.org , then click on Support and select Volunteer.
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.
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