8
Browse topics such as, “Why does my dog bark so much?” and “How to re- port 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 ad- dress for the latest news, personalized updates, and event information which can be added to your individual calen- dar. 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 con- tributions help the animals in our care. continued on page 8 MARCH | APRIL 2010 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. compassion and care for all animals pasadena humane society & spca

Scoop - March & April

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Browse topics such as, “Why does my

dog bark so much?” and “How to re-

port 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 ad-

dress for the latest news, personalized

updates, and event information which

can be added to your individual calen-

dar. 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 con-

tributions help the animals in our care.

continued on page 8

march | april 2010

Go Online & Stay in TouchLooking 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.

compassion and care for all animals

pasadena humane society & spca

pg

. 2

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 Cañada 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,

Steve

leader of the pack

Pag E 2

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

did you know

Pag E 3

?* 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 con-

tinued to the present.

* 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.

* 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.

* Boarding for dogs has been offered at the Pasadena Humane

Society since 1936. Call ext. 125 if you want information about

this service.

* 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.

* The Board of Directors resolved in 1927 never to give animals to

schools for vivisection—no matter the condition of the animal. PHS

has not waivered from that position.

pg

. 2

Skunks

wild things

Pag E 4

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

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.

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.

Suburban yards hold plentiful resources

for local skunks. Our gardens are filled

with fruits and vegetables, insect and

rodent pests, and even pet food. Con-

venient den sites include crawl spaces

beneath homes, decks and sheds.

Homeowners can discourage skunks

from setting up their den on their prop-

erty by treating their lawns with grub

control and avoiding overwatering. Pick-

ing 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 dur-

ing 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 moth-

ers after a few months.

Check out: www.pasadenahumane.org/site/Pageserver?pagename=program_wildlife for more information.

Skunks are one of four species consid-

ered 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.

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.

Q: My 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 par-

ents 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: Why 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 some-

thing dogs know how to do with-

out being taught. It is always rec-

ommended 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.

Tips and Myths about Pets

Pag E 5

?

behavior & training Q A

pg

. 2

The Chihuahua Express

happy tails

Pag E 6

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 overwhelm-

ing shelters in California. The news

media began to report that what we

at the Pasadena Humane Society have

long known — people impulsively pur-

chase 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 adopt-

ers. Some have been in our kennels,

unable to find new homes.

At the end of last year, we experienced

our usual Christmas adoption rush.

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 Coordina-

tor 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 Kev-

in and his wife (and devoted volunteer)

Karen Hanus-McManus loaded twenty-

one 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.

On Monday, april 26, the

Pasadena Humane Soci-

ety & SPCa will host its

annual Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles Golf Benefit, to be held this year at

the angeles National

golf Club. The golf ben-

efit will include a put-

ting 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 helicop-

ter 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 addition-

al 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.

The Chihuahua Express

event round-up

Pag E 7

11th Annual Golf Benefit to feature Helicopter Ball Drop Raffle

For more information, please call Ruben Longoria at 626.792.7151, ext. 167

Go Online & Stay in Touch, continued from page 1

Facility HoursTues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—6 pmSat 9 am—5 pmSun 11 am—5 pm

adoption HoursTues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—4 pmSat 9 am—3 pmSun 11 am—3 pm

www.pasadenahumane.org

24 hour Emergency Service please call 626.792.7151Glendale residents please call toll-free 818.240.9100

Non-profitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaIDPasadena, Ca

Permit No. 1142361 South Raymond Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

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.

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

events

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!