This adorable 6-month-old, black-and-white American Staffordshire terrier mix puppy named “Mikey” is in need of help. He was relinquished to the Lompoc animal shelter with an injury that occurred sometime in April.
When Mikey arrived, he was in so much pain he could barely move; X-rays revealed a fractured shoulder. The staff and volunteers at the Lompoc shelter fell in love with Mikey and realized that he urgently needed surgery. The shelter called CARE4Paws, to see if they could raise funds and/or find a vet to help with the surgery. Luckily, CARE4Paws cofounders Isabelle Gullo and her husband, Carlos Abitia, agreed to foster Mikey until enough money was raised to cover the cost of his surgery.
When Mikey arrived at the foster home, it was discovered that he also had an injury to his right hip. According to Gullo, “He is limping severely, and because of the pain on his right side, he’s compensating by putting pressure on the left front paw, which has lead to a hyperextension of the muscles in the left paw.” This poor dog can’t cut a break!
Gullo stated, “Mikey is incredibly sweet and happy-go-lucky despite his injuries and the severe pain he must be in at all times. When he’s out of his crate, he bounces around like the puppy he is, sometimes falling over when his right side can’t support him, but he gets right back up to keep playing. He loves our 14-month-old son, Julian, and follows him everywhere. He’s already 40 pounds and will probably grow up to be 80 pounds. Mikey will make a great family dog if given the chance.”
Unfortunately, due to Mikey’s injuries and the surgery required, the Lompoc shelter is in desperate need of funds. If you are willing to give, even if it’s just a few dollars to help this wonderful dog, you can make donations online at care4paws.org/help.html or by sending a check to:
CARE4Paws, P.O. Box 6052, Santa Barbara, CA 93160-0524 * Donations are tax deductible.
Thousands of dogs just like Mikey die in the United States every year simply because there are not enough homes for them. Unfortunately, not all of them can be rescued, but it would be wonderful if there were a way to help such a sweet, deserving dog as Mikey. CARE4Paws hopes Mikey will serve as an ambassador for his breed and inspire change for future generations of pit bulls.
According to Gullo, “Pit bull terriers and pit mixes make up a majority of dogs that end up, and are euthanized, in shelters. The pit bull terrier has a terrible reputation, even though a majority of pits are ambassadors for their breed (the ones that do cause trouble are more often than not under-socialized, untrained dogs belonging to irresponsible owners). Sadly, very few people will adopt a dog if he at all resembles a pit bull terrier. We are trying to encourage owners of pit bulls to stop the breeding and help prevent unwanted litters, as it only perpetuates the awful cycle that the pit bull terrier is stuck in.”
CARE4Paws, short for “community awareness, responsibility, and education”—was created with the mission to help put an end to pet overpopulation in Santa Barbara County, and to inspire a greater sense of accountability, compassion, and respect for animals in the process. CARE4Paws promotes responsible pet ownership and animal welfare in Santa Barbara County by creating awareness through educational programs and dog-training intervention. They also provide the resources necessary to make spaying and neutering a viable option for all. CARE4Paws collaborates with private and public institutions in the community to decrease the number of animals that enter shelters and rescue groups as well as to increase adoption rates within these organizations. For more information, visit www.care4paws.org
Special Cat Adoption Fees for the Month of June!
Animal Shelter Assistance Program offers $30 discount on adoptions!
Through June 30, adopters can bring home two bundles of joy for the price of one … only $65! (Don’t worry: you can still adopt a single cat or kitten). From now until the end of June, cat adoption fees are only $35 for one cat or kitten. That’s a $30 discount off the regular price of $65. Included in the adoption fee at ASAP is:
* Spay or neuter surgery
* Flea treatment
* Vaccinations
* Microchipping
* Health evaluation, including testing for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Cats thought to be 10 years or older receive a full blood panel evaluation, thus assuring that the cat is indeed healthy and adoptable.
* Medical and drug coverage through ASAP’s vet for two weeks beyond adoption, if necessary
* Temperament evaluation
* Cat carrier (you can save the county money by bringing your own)
ASAP is located at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara. Adoption hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit asapcats.org.
Watch ASAP video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF-N-f2DN_M
RESQCATS has many cats and kittens waiting for a permanent home!
Please call RESQCATS at (805) 563-9424 for an adoption appointment. All cats and kittens at RESQCATS receive:
* A full veterinary exam
* Spay or neuter surgery
* Age-appropriate vaccinations and worming medication
* Feline leukemia testing
* Microchipping
RESQCATS is a nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to the rescue, care, and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens in Santa Barbara. For more information, visit resqcats.org.
Watch RESQCATS video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW3-6HMT6GA
Santa Barbara Humane Society offers discount on cat adoptions!
Santa Barbara Humane Society is offering reduced adoption fees for cats during the month of June. During Adopt-A-Cat Month, the adoption fee for cats is only $44 and includes all of the following:
* Spay/neuter surgery
* Current vaccinations
* Complete health screening
* Temperament evaluation
* Background/personality history
* Starter packet of food
* Booklet on cat care
* Cardboard cat carrier
To adopt a cat, visit the Santa Barbara Humane Society at 5399 Overpass Road. For more information, please call 964-4777. Shelter hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.