scoop - january & february 2012
DESCRIPTION
Scoop is a bi-monthly newsletter put out by the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCATRANSCRIPT
In the decade since the Pasadena
Humane Society & SPCA opened the
SNiP (Spay Neuter in Pasadena) clinic,
more than 13,000 cats, dogs and feral
cats have been sterilized, preventing the
birth of countless animals and subse-
quently reducing euthanasia of unwant-
ed pets in our service area.
However, Chihuahuas now make up a
significant portion of our kennel popula-
tion. Our rescue coordinator has estab-
lished very successful partnerships with
shelters on the East Coast that have
a high demand for them and PHS has
flown more than 200 Chihuahuas back
east to be adopted into loving homes.
But that is not enough. Beginning
January 2012, our public spay neuter
clinic will begin sterilizing Chihuahuas
and Chihuahua mixes under 15 pounds
at no charge to their owner! Like our
january | february 2012
Standing Up for the Little Guys A successful public spay and neuter program is essential to ending the tragedy of pet overpopula-tion. When combined with an aggressive pet identification and public information plan, more dogs and cats are sterilized and the number of homeless animals decreases. Spay/neuter programs have contributed significantly to the nationwide decrease in euthanasia of domestic pets in shelters.
compassion and care for all animals
pasadena humane society & spca
(continued on back page)
pg
. 2
If you visit the animals in our shelter, you quickly
realize that none of them are worried about the
economy or even their next meal. Our staff and
volunteers keep the animals fed, warm, and safe
from disease and harm thanks to our supporters.
When animals are in distress, our commitment
to them is to help immediately and, if necessary,
establish a program that will lead to long-term
change. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA has a tradition of proactively
creating programs that have positive long- term results for the animals. 2012
is no different.
Beginning January 1, 2012, our public spay neuter program will begin
sterilizing Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes under 15 pounds at no charge
to the owner.
Currently, our kennels are filled disproportionately with Chihuahuas and
Chihuahua mixes. We hope this offer will help Chihuahua owners care for
their pets in these tough economic times.
PHS developed two strategies to curtail the population of Chihuahuas in our
shelter: (1) no-charge sterilization for the public and (2) potential transport
for healthy and behaviorally sound Chihuahuas to a placement partner on the
East Coast, where the breed is less abundant. Both actions make significant
strides towards reaching our goal of zero euthanasia of placeable animals.
Our team of staff, supporters, donors and volunteers work tirelessly for the
animals. We know that each year brings new challenges on behalf of the
animals, but we are prepared and ready for every one of them.
We want you to know that your contribution to the Pasadena Humane Soci-
ety & SPCA stays at this shelter. Every donation is used to help the animals
in our service area—the cities of Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge,
Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.
We can’t do it without you.
Steve
leader of the pack
PAg e 2
When you donate to the Pasadena Humane Society, you help animals
in Arcadia, Glendale, LaCañada 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.
community heroes
PAg e 3
Euro Pane Bakery Making a Difference, One Macaroon at a Time
(continued on back page)
Just across the street from the Paseo
Colorado shops is Euro Pane Bakery.
Known for its passion fruit Arnold Palmer
and decadent macaroons, this artisan
bakery (owned by baker and restaura-
teur Sumi Chang) serves up a delicious
variety of foods and a relaxing ambiance.
This newest location opened in May of
2010 while the original Euro Pane, which
is further down Colorado Blvd., opened
nearly 20 years ago.
The bakery has hosted the PHS Shelter
School program field trips for the last
five months when manager Pat Tauzin
heard of the program through her dog
walker, a former PHS staff member. This
program enriches dogs through fun
activities, which, in turn, makes them
more adoptable. Led by Behavior
Supervisor Drew Marsden and his staff,
dogs are paired with a volunteer and are
taught basic obedience commands such
as “come,” “sit” and “stay” in addition to
being socialized with other dogs.
Once a month, the Shelter School pro-
gram goes on a field trip in which the
PHS Mobile Unit takes the group out
around Old Pasadena. They walk for
about a mile until they reach their final
destination – Euro Pane. Bowls filled with
cool water are lined up along the lush,
densely green seating area as Euro Pane
staff graciously bring out complimentary
trays of all-natural dog biscuits while
PHS staff and volunteers are treated to
Arnold Palmers and macaroons. The
group stays at the location for about 20
minutes so volunteers can practice the
obedience commands with the dogs in
an open setting.
Since hosting the program, Tauzin men-
tioned that patrons have asked more
about the shelter. “We look forward to
it,” she said. “It’s fun to see them come
over and see the different dogs.” All of
pg
. 2
wild things
PAg e 4
Besides their size, the plumages of
both birds have distinguishable at-
tributes. The crow’s tail is fan-shaped
while the raven’s tail is longer and points
into a wedge. The raven’s wing is also
pointed in contrast to the more blunt
and splayed feathers of the crow. Raven
plumage has a glossy sheen with purple
hues, whereas the crow’s is a dull, flat
black. Ravens also have a “ruff” of hair-
like feathers around their curved beak.
The beak of a crow is flat.
The vocalization of the birds can also
be used as an identification tool. The
smaller crow has a higher pitched “caw”
compared to the deeper, rougher “kraw”
of the raven. Both birds have many
types of vocalizations, but the raven has
many more, and has even been known
to mimic human speech.
Both birds are year round species
throughout most of North America. The
encroachment of cities and suburbs on
open land has led to a decrease in the
number of ravens, while the gregarious
crows have prospered.
Ravens form strong pair bonds and
can often be seen together or with a
couple of their offspring in small family
groups. They prefer large, open home
ranges and have long life-spans. Crows
are often seen in the city living in social
groups that can number in the hun-
dreds. The oldest wild raven on record
was 17 years old. The oldest wild crow
on record was 16 years old, while the
oldest captive crow on record was an
astonishing 59 years old!
The corvidae family of birds includes crows, ravens, magpies,
jays and nutcrackers, many of which are common in Southern
California. The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and
the Common Raven (Corvus corax) are very similar; however,
there are subtle differences that can help with correct identi-
fication. The most obvious difference is size – ravens are the
largest member of the corvidae family. The wingspan of the
raven is three-and-a-half to four feet compared to the crow’s
two-and-a-half feet. Additionally, the raven can also weigh
four times more than the average crow.
Ravens vs. Crows
Q: Every time I leave my dog alone he gets into the trash. He knows it’s wrong because when I return and correct him he puts his head down and acts very guilty, but he does it again the next time I leave. What can I do to make him stop?
A: Many dog owners complain that their dogs steal food or other items from
the trash can. This behavior is not only annoying to the owner, but can
also be dangerous for the dog. Stealing and gorging on human food can
make your dog sick. Ingesting items such as tissue, aluminum foil and
bones etc. can cause serious injury. Trash can digging is a self-rewarding
behavior that is best addressed through behavior management. First,
never leave trash where your dog can get into it. Use a trash can with a
lid. Some cans have locking lids in case your dog is a determined trash
digger. Empty trash cans when they are full so your dog will not be at-
tracted by the smell. Next, restrict your dog’s access to the trash. If you
cannot put the trash out of reach; confine your dog to a crate. The crate
will keep your dog safe and you won’t have to clean up a mess. Finally,
never punish your dog after the fact. While your dog may appear to look
guilty, the only thing he knows is that you are upset and he is using his
best doggie body language to try and appease you.
Q: What do I need to know before bringing my new puppy home?
A: Puppies are like infants and need special care and supervision. Besides
food and water, one essential for any new puppy is a crate. Puppies need
to learn the rules of the house before given any freedom to run loose.
Keep the puppy in the crate at night, during nap times or when he/she
cannot be supervised. Other crucial items include chew toys, deodorizing
pet spray for cleaning up messes, grooming supplies and treats for train-
ing. Socialization is very important for young puppies; remember to
expose your puppy to lots of new things, but do so in a positive way.
They can be challenging, but it is important to be patient and do activi-
ties that both you and your new puppy enjoy!
For more tips and information, please contact the Pasadena
Humane Society & SPCA’s Behavior & Training Department
at 626.792.7151 ext. 155.
Tips and Myths About Pets
PAg e 5
?
behavior & training Q A
pg
. 2
Leia the Super Nanny Dog
happy tails
PAg e 6
Leia adores her human baby sister, one-year-old Liesl. She loves
to follow the little girl around and give her gentle doggy kisses.
But life wasn’t always so happy for this sweet pup…
Four years ago, Leia was a stray, living
on the streets with one of her litter-
mates, malnourished and timid. A few
weeks of healthy meals and a lot of
interaction with staff and volunteers
helped them to blossom into beautiful,
bouncy puppies. Her littermate was
adopted, but for some reason, Leia
waited and waited for a forever home.
Marita DeLeon, a volunteer in the PHS
Pet Therapy program, was visiting the
shelter with her dog, Benny. The two
met Leia, and Marita was surprised
that Benny showed quite an interest in
the puppy. Marita was not sure if she
was ready to have another pet, but
requested to be the last resort for Leia
(meaning that if no placement could
be found, she would adopt her).
When Marita received a call from our
Adoptions office, Leia had been at
the shelter for almost two months
and had been overlooked by poten-
tial adopters. When Marita agreed to
take the little dog, Leia finally got the
home she had been waiting for so
patiently.
About a year ago, things changed
in the DeLeon home. Marita and her
husband welcomed a new bundle of
joy into their life—their lovely daugh-
ter Liesl. They were confident that
Leia would be a wonderful companion
to their daughter. As Marita explains,
“Leia was smitten from the moment
she met Liesl. All she wants to do is
watch over her and kiss her. They both
love each other so much.”
Leia has exceeded their expectations
as an adoring and attentive nanny
dog. When Liesl wakes up crying at
night, Leia runs into her room and
paces around her crib. During the day,
she watches Liesl when she plays and
is incredibly gentle with her.
The little dog that Marita took a
chance on proved to be a loyal and
beloved family member. Leia and Liesl
have become inseparable best friends.
Leia the Super Nanny Dog
event round-up
PAg e 7
Doglegs, Birdies and Eagles to Benefit PHSOn Monday, April 23, 2012, the Pasadena Humane
Society & SPCA will host its 13th annual Doglegs,
Birdies and Eagles Golf Benefit at the San Gabriel
Country Club.
Tickets are now available for the not-to-be-missed
awards dinner, featuring gourmet fare, a helicopter
ball drop raffle, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and
live and silent auctions. Dinner tickets are $75
per person.
All of the proceeds from Doglegs, Birdies and
Eagles will support Pasadena Humane Society
programs such as animal care, cruelty investiga-
tions, adoption services, low-cost spay/neuter
surgeries, animal control, humane education, and
so much more. For more information, to purchase
tickets, or to find out about sponsorship opportu-
nities, please contact Nicole Ring at 626.792.7151, ext. 167.
Save the Date!The San Marino Motor Classic will be
held at Lacy Park in San Marino on
Sunday, June 10, 2012. The exhibition will
feature a broad array of motorcars that
span more than a century. More than
200 vehicles will be on display.
General admission tickets are $25, in
advance. Proceeds from the event will
support the Pasadena Humane Society
and the Rotary Club of San Marino.
For more information and to purchase tickets,
visit www.sanmarinomotorclassic.com.
Non-profitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDPasadena, CA
Permit No. 1142361 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Euro Pane Bakery (continued from page 3)
Standing up for the little guys
this is done out of Tauzin’s good will, who
has two shelter dogs of her own. “We do
whatever we can. This is a no-brainer.”
The sheer generosity of the public and
local businesses is one of the reasons why
PHS is so successful. In the case of Euro
Pane, PHS recognizes it and its staff for
giving shelter dogs an opportunity to get
out of the kennels, socialize with each
other and, in turn, help them find a new
forever home.
no-charge surgeries for pit bulls, this pro-
gram is available to Chihuahua owners in
our service cities.
Surgery in our SNiP clinic is by appoint-
ment only and frequently has a waiting list
so we strongly encourage you and your
friends to call early and schedule an
appointment.
Fetch more information about this pro-
gram online at www.pasadenahumane.
org, or call our SNiP coordinator at
626.792.7151 ext. 138.
(continued from front page)
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.
Facility HoursTues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—6 pmSat 9 am—5 pmSun 11 am—5 pm
Adoption HoursTues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9 am—5 pmSat 9 am—4 pmSun 11 am—4 pm
www.pasadenahumane.org
24 hour Emergency Service please call 626.792.7151Glendale 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