september | october 2012
pasadena humane society & spca
It’s Wiggle Waggle Walk Time! It’s that time of the year again! Join thousands of animal lovers and their canine companions for the 14th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Brookside Park in Pasadena. You and your family will be sure to have a blast at 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 form a team, join an existing team or walk as an individual. You can even stay home and raise funds. Whatever way you choose to partake in the Wiggle Waggle Walk you will be making a big difference for animals that need your help! In addition to fundraising for the animals, you can also earn amazing prizes such as a limited edition Wiggle Waggle Walk 2012 t-shirt, baseball cap, gift certificate to the PHS store, training classes for
your dog, and more. The top fundraiser and the top donor will each win a cruise for two to Catalina and the Mexican Riviera! Visit www.wigglewagglewalk.org to view all prizes and get great tips on fun and easy ways to raise funds.
Register today at www.wigglewagglewalk.org The animals are counting on you! (continued on back page)
compassion and care for all animals
leader of the pack The Wiggle Waggle Walk for the Animals has become the signature event of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. People and their dogs from all over Southern California participate by supporting teams, and raising much needed funds for our animal care programs. Although dogs are doing the walking, they are supporting all of the animals helped by PHS. This fun event supports the serious work we do each day. To fetch information, or to register or join a team, go to www.wigglwwagglewalk.org. The way that thousands of people unite to support our animal programs at the Walk is an example of the partnerships that help this humane society serve the community. To help assure the success of our Animal Care Campus, we have developed a partnership with Community Bank. Goodwill Industries has agreed to have a pet corner for their customers and their pets. On the behavior department field trips, Euro Pane Bakery welcomes our staff, volunteers and dogs with water, treats and sometimes macaroons! Hill’s Science Diet Shelter Program guarantees that our dogs and cats have high quality, consistent food to eat, and VCA hospitals offer significant benefits to pets adopted from PHS—both examples of partnerships that protect the health of animals in our community. Our local community supports the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA in unseen ways. PHS is fortunate to be part of a supportive community that works in partnership to achieve our mission of care and compassion for all animals. I am excited about the future. With both the new and well-established partnerships, the Animal Care Campus will provide excellent care for the animals of our community through spay/neuter programs, animal behavior programs, public training classes, humane education opportunities, and reliable access to animal care products and adoptable animals. PHS looks for new and creative ways to provide the best care possible for the animals, but we know we are part of a team of individuals, businesses, volunteers and supporters who believe in what we can accomplish.
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Community heroes Staying on Track: Girls on the Run of Los Angeles County Empowering young girls can be a challenge. Girls on the Run steps up to the plate by fostering a sense of self-worth through—you guessed it—running. The
“In fact, the girls don’t need to run. They can walk, skip, jump—anything as long as they’re moving forward.”
Los Angeles chapter of the volunteerbased nonprofit began in 2006 in Pasadena. Six years later, 25 teams are thriving in local schools.
Girls on the Run of Los Angeles County is our Community Hero not only because it provides a positive, active environment for young girls, but because it stresses the importance of being involved in the community. “Our goal is to reach out to every girl in Los Angeles County” adds Mothershead.
The nonprofit hosts an after school program twice a week for 12 weeks for elementary and middle school girls. The 24-lesson curriculum, focusing on selfrespect and healthy living, is taught by certified volunteer coaches and conditions the girls to run in local 5K races. “It’s more than just running,” says Leanne Mothershead, Regional Coordinator for Girls on the Run of Los Angeles County.
Integral to the curriculum is a community project. Leanne met Marlin Miller, our Mobile Outreach Coordinator, at an event at the Rose Bowl. After his presentation to girls about the shelter, they immediately wanted to help the animals. Shortly after, the team at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School coordinated a bake sale and raised approximately $3,100 from 2011 to 2012 for PHS! Obviously those were some yummy cupcakes and cookies!
Look for the girls at this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk on Sunday, September 30th! More than likely they’ll be jogging, instead of walking, around Brookside Park! For more information on Girls on the Run, visit www.girlsontherun.org.
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
Fall Facts Although the basics of good pet care remain the same throughout the year, a few issues may arise during the fall months. The temperature during September and October still gets very hot! Temperatures inside cars climb rapidly and your pet may suffer even with access to water and shade. If you see an animal in a situation that concerns you, call 626.792.7151 and our officers will respond quickly. We respond to all calls, but animals in distress and public safety are our highest priority. We are here to help! If you have a child that returns to school after the summer, your pet may miss the
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activity around the house. PHS offers activity classes that will help keep your pet from getting bored and potentially causing a problem.
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Our foothill communities can expect the occasional visits from wildlife to continue. PHS has many tips that discourage wildlife from specific areas without harming them on our website. Go to pasadenahumane.org—look under programs and click on wildlife. Or go directly to http://www.pasadenahumane.org/ site/PageServer?pagename=programs_ wildlife If your pet is anxious at Halloween, there are many ways to keep him comfortable. Dedicate a room to his comfort, play music to distract from trick or treaters, and check on him periodically for reassurance. It might be the time for a special treat just for your dog or cat, too. If you have a dog that enjoys Halloween, make sure costumes are dog or cat friendly. PHS encourages you to keep your pets safe at home. Hiking with your dog is a wonderful way to exercise your pet and have fun together. Remember that all of our service cities (Arcadia, Glendale, La Caùada Flintridge, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena) have leash laws that require dogs to be on leash when they are in public. PHS must enforce this requirement. Each summer and fall complaints of off leash animals increase, and PHS must respond to them. Please, keep your dog on leash for its safety and the safety of others.
behavior & training Q A Tips and Myths About Pets Q: I ’m looking for a new dog but was told that in order to establish a bond with the dog, I have to start with a puppy. Is this true?
A: The idea that a deep bond between owner and dog can only be established with a puppy is a common misconception. Adopting an adult dog often shortcuts you to their best years while sidestepping the extra time that a puppy requires. Because dogs are such social animals, as long as you are a fair and consistent leader, any dog you choose will be able to bond with you. Typically puppies adapt faster to a new home whereas an adult dog can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to acclimate. Regardless of what age you get your dog at, each dog is an individual and the length of time the bonding process takes will vary.
Q: I t’s Wiggle Waggle Walk time! I am really excited about going but my dog doesn’t really enjoy the company of others, should we go?
A: The answer is actually simple; do what you think will make your dog happy! If you notice that while out on walks, your dog tends to become reactive or vocal, or if they’ve shown aggression in the past, it may be wiser to leave them at home. Dogs that do not enjoy the company of others tend to be more stressed when forced to be near or interact with other dogs. If your dog simply doesn’t want dogs greeting them nose-to-nose (and that’s okay!) then you may want to try bringing them along, but be mindful of the dogs and space around you. Remember, it’s not necessary for your dog to greet each and every dog, just that they have fun. Either way, know that YOU, with or without a dog, are always welcome to participate in the walk. We have over a few thousand dogs participate each year so the more the merrier.
Q: I bought a shirt for my dog but he won’t wear it. How can I get him to like it?
A: Make it a positive experience for your dog. Start by laying the shirt under his food bowl when he eats. When he ignores it, hold the shirt near him and give him treats. Then lay the shirt across his back until he ignores it. When you can put the shirt on your dog, give him lots of treats as a reward!
For more tips and information, please contact the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA’s Behavior & Training Department at 626.792.7151 ext. 155. pa g e 5
Happy Tails
Bruno Filled Their Home with Love Perfect matches are not just found on online dating sites. In fact, love has been found on more than one occasion on the Pasadena Humane Society website. Every animal that is available for adoption is posted on our site with a photo, brief description and sometimes a video. It was on the PHS website where Brenda and Oliver Loson first laid their eyes on Bruno, a sweet two-year-old pit bull. Brenda recalls the day they found him, “Oliver and I both love dogs, especially pitties. We always knew we would adopt a second dog sometime in the future. But when I stumbled upon Bruno’s pet of the week photo on the PHS website, we realized that sometimes, some things in life should not be put
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off. With just one look at his photo, he completely stole my heart. After reading his description and watching his short video, deep down I knew he would be a perfect addition to our home.” And he was the perfect addition to their home! He immediately bonded
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with Dena, a pit bull they had rescued two years earlier. Bruno’s new big sister quickly taught him the do’s and don’t’s of the household, what toys they were allowed to chew on and the best spots on the patio to take naps. Though Bruno was a little shy while he was in our shelter, Dena helped him build his confidence and put his fear and anxiety at ease. Bruno also adores his “pet parents,” Brenda and Oliver. They take him to dog parks, the beach and for plenty of walks. But perhaps his favorite things to do, when he’s not playing with Dena, are to get belly rubs and snuggle with Brenda and Oliver in their bed on Sunday mornings. In a recent letter, the Loson’s told us, “Bruno has filled our lives and home with lots of LOVE. I don’t think I have ever met a more affectionate dog. While Dena is sweet, she is very independent. Bruno, on the other hand, is both a momma and daddy’s boy. And he absolutely adores his ‘sister.’ I can never get a picture of them separately because he is always either playing with her, resting at her side, or even sometimes laying on top of her, literally.”
event round-up San Marino Motor Classic The San Marino Motor Classic was a big hit on June 12th in beautiful Lacy Park. Spectators enjoyed viewing hundreds of classic cars, spanning nearly a century of automotive excellence. Best in show was awarded to Tony Vincent’s 1939 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet. However, the animals were the real winners with a portion of the proceeds—$112,500—donated to support the life-saving programs of the Pasadena Humane Society.
Animal Care Campus Groundbreaking Celebration It was quite an exciting day on June 20th here at the Pasadena Humane Society when we broke ground on the new Animal Care Campus. The event kicked off the construction of our new facility which will house a state-of-the-art Wellness and Spay/Neuter Clinic, bringing us closer to our goal of zero euthanasia of placeable pets. For more information, visit www.animalcarecampus.org.
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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1142
361 South Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105
Wiggle Waggle Walk We need your help to reach our goal of $300,000 to provide food, shelter and medical care to all animals in need in
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
(continued from front page) our community! For more information, please contact Nicole Ring at (626) 792-7151, ext. 167.
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, 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