A pet food and matching donation drive to keep pets healthy, happy and with their families, plus more pawsitive news! |
|
Hello everyone,
I hope you're staying healthy and safe!
Since the start of COVID-19, C.A.R.E.4Paws has continued working directly in the community to ensure pets stay healthy and with their families. We distribute an average of FOUR tons of pet food and cat litter weekly, while providing an equally as unparalleled number of critical veterinary services in our mobile clinic. We also continue to assist pets and pet owners affected by domestic violence through Safe Haven.
To meet the unprecedented need through the pandemic and beyond, C.A.R.E.4Paws invites YOU to participate in our September Pet Food & Matching Donation Drive.
Make a pawsitive difference by contributing pet food and cat litter or by donating funds, which will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 through September 30. Monetary gifts will be allocated toward our most pressing needs, whether that’s for pet food or critical mobile clinic services. Find all of the details here!
Thank you so much. Stay well and stay pawsitive!
Isabelle Gullo
Executive Director
|
|
|
|
Distribution of TONS of pet food weekly keeps pets healthy and homebound |
Since the start of COVID-19, our Companion Pet Assistance program is distributing more pet food and cat litter than ever—about four tons per week. In comparison, we donated about two tons of food and litter total in 2019. We distribute pet food at each mobile clinic event and participate in several weekly distribution events countywide with agencies such as the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and People Helping People. Our Mobile Pet Meals team delivers pet food directly to seniors stuck in their homes and ensure that senior centers and low-income housing facilities have access to our services, too. Our September Pet Food & Matching Donation Drive aims to supply food for this essential program.
We have so many incredible partners to help us collect food during the drive: Lemos Feed & Pet Supply, Montecito Pet Shop, La Cumbre Feed, PetSmart in Goleta and on Milpas Street in Santa Barbara; Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club in Santa Barbara and Goleta; Advanced Veterinary Specialists (AVS); Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG); and Santa Barbara County Animal Services’ shelter off Foster Road in Santa Maria. You can also drop off food at all of our mobile clinic events. Find all of the details and pet food drop-off locations at care4paws.org/drive.
|
|
|
|
Critical mobile clinic care |
We are busier than ever providing free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary care to our community’s most vulnerable members.
Before the pandemic outbreak, we were on track to perform a record 1,400 spays and neuters. Now, with 1,200 surgeries performed in eight months, we estimate that—if we have adequate funding—we will alter 1,900-plus pets in 2020.
We have also budgeted to provide veterinary care to 1,200 pets in 2020, but with the financial impact of COVID-19, we are on track to assist 1,700 pets with medical treatment this year.
To accommodate the overall need for assistance, we have increased our clinic days from three to four or five per week, and it’s still a challenge to keep up. With adequate funding, we could host as many as 180 mobile clinic days during 2020, compared to 140 days in 2019. Each extra clinic day costs an average of $2,500, adding approximately $100,000 to our budgeted operating costs.
|
|
|
|
|
Grooming for dogs of homeless community members |
|
On the first Thursday of each month, we provide baths for homeless community members with A's Dog Grooming at Santa Barbara's Alameda Park. We have spent every Thursday at the park since the beginning of summer, distributing pet food, blankets, pet beds, flea treatment and more to those in need. Thanks to a generous C.A.R.E.4Paws donor, we have been able to add grooming services, too. Antonio and his team also regularly help us with special grooming requests and do a fantastic job. Now we're looking at expanding this service to homeless dog owners in north county.
|
|
|
|
Sixty spays and neuters to support Paw Works |
|
|
|
|
"I am so grateful for this program and the support I received, twice, for my dog and for me. I was going through an incredibly hard time and without Safe Haven, I would not have been able to keep my girl. Now we're in a safe place and very happy to be reunited." ~ Cookie's mom
|
|
C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Safe Haven program ensures that domestic violence survivors can find safety for their pets when they leave an abusive situation. Pet owners exposed to domestic violence can seek emergency shelter with their companion animals through our partner, Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS), and C.A.R.E.4Paws will arrange for immediate, anonymous foster care or boarding for the pets. We also collaborate with the District Attorney's Office Victim-Witness Assistance Program, plus, victims and law enforcement can contact C.A.R.E.4Paws directly for support. Learn more about this critical program...
|
|
|
|
Our pawsome food partners |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This summer, we worked with and graduated more than 40 Animal Ambassadors from Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez through Paws Up For Pets. Over the last two months, the kids got to hang out with our pups Penny and Eddies, Topher the kitty, and mini therapy horse Little Star. They learned about compassionate pet care, safety around animals, dog training and more. This fall, we'll work with both YMCA's and United Boys & Girls Clubs' afterschool programs.
|
|
|
|
A virtual Wags n' Whiskers |
|
While we cannot host a "live" festival this year due to potential health risks and restrictions on the number of attendees we are allowed to have, we are excited to host a virtual adoption event and Best in Show the week of October 5 through 11. We'll post adoption profiles of dogs, cats, bunnies and birds from dozens of animal shelters and rescue groups on our social media pages and website. We also invite you to participate in a virtual Best in Show, posting photos of your pets in costumes and videos of your pets' top tricks. We have great sponsorship packages available and will highlight our sponsors all week on social media, through print and TV ads and on our website until April, 2021. Learn more here!
|
|
|
|
C.A.R.E.4Paws in the news |
|
|
|
|
Our eye-catching new ride! |
|
We're super excited about our new C.A.R.E.4Paws van, which allows us to more easily transport pet food and supplies around the county as we host events and help pet owners in need. The cute design gives us much visibility, too. |
|
|
|
|
|
A heartfelt thanks to our incredible volunteers. Without YOU, we cannot do our work, from packing and delivering pet food to working during our mobile clinic events to fostering pets for our Safe Haven and other programs. During COVID, we have recruited so many new volunteers and it's exciting to keep building our team!
Thank you, everyone. Together, we make a pawsitive impact and help ensure pets stay happy, healthy and with their owners for life.
|
Get your friends, family and coworkers together for a fun challenge to support our drive. Set a goal for your group and let us know when you have reached it so we can feature and thank you (and your pets) on social media. Facebook birthday fundraisers are another great way to help us. |
|
|
|
Our Independent ad to thank sponsors, grantors and agency partners |
|
Do you need support for your pet or would like to help others during this crisis? We have created a COVID-19 Pet Strong community page with links to assistance available plus information for those who want to help, whether through donating, volunteering or fostering an animal from a local shelter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
