Teacup for Two!

It's tea time! Why not sit down with Pumpkin, Sweet Potato or both? These two adorable 4-month-old teacup Chihuahuas are very loving, affectionate and sweet. Although they are teeny-tiny, barely 3 pounds, they will bring big love into someone's life.

These two were part of a litter of four that came to the Santa Cruz SPCA with their mom at only 4 weeks old as an unwanted litter. Pumpkin and Sweet Potato are the last two of the group and have literally grown up in a shelter. Although they have been loved by volunteers and staff, been given all of their vaccinations, and been properly socialized with other dogs and kitties, they are in dire need of a real home with a lifelong family of their own.

Sweet Potato is a little boy who is the more confident of the two. He is curious and bold and has the "take-charge" approach to life. He's playful with other dogs, loves his toys, and has the most adorable little upright ears and bright eyes. Pumpkin is a little girl who is a tad more submissive and shy. She is definitely the cuddle bug of the two and will follow a person around until she can figure out a way to wiggle into your lap, arms or clothing! She loves to be carried around and doted on, and although she's shy she will be the first to scurry over to beg you to pick her up.

These siblings are available to be adopted together or separately. They are so sweet with each other and spend hours playing, cuddling and cleaning each other. Even if they don't go together, we are confident that they will adjust to life with other dogs or human family members just fine. They would do great with other small to medium dogs or gentle larger dogs, as well as cats. We don't recommend that they go to a home with small children because their size makes them more delicate and they can be more easily injured.

Call the Santa Cruz SPCA at 465-5000, or visit www.santacruzspca.org. The SPCA, at 2685 Chanticleer Ave., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The SPCA Mall Adoption Center and Gift Shop is at the Capitola Mall near Target and is open on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You Are Winning if you Pick Charlie

Charlie may have a little hitch in his giddy up but that doesn't stop him from enjoying life to its fullest. He can still run, jump, play and give you all the love in his heart with no hesitation. This three-year-old Beagle/Rat Terrier mix was hit by a car when he was six months old and his injuries, a broken leg/hip and torn foot, were never treated because his family could not afford it. In time, his body healed the only way it knew how which left him with a fused rear leg and half a foot. He can still use his leg when walking but elects to trot or run on three legs. Other than the unfortunate results from the old injury, Charlie is a healthy boy who has a lot to give even though a little was taken from him.

A move forced his previous family to give Charlie up and now he waits patiently for a new home to call his own. He is a very friendly dog who adores attention and closeness. He loves to cuddle and follow his person around the house like a little side-kick. Charlie has done very well with men, woman and even children and would fit into most any household. Because of his old injuries, his athleticism was a bit hampered but he is still enjoys daily walks and is no slacker, he’ll keep up! He would be a good walking buddy for someone who is trying to get out and stay active.

Charlie prefers female company when it comes to other dogs and should either be the only dog in the house or a buddy for a girl. Although he is part Beagle, he is on the quiet side and only occasionally whines when he gets anxious or excited. He is about 18 pounds and has long legs making him appear bigger than his weight might suggest.

If you're looking for a loving dog with a kind spirit, who is mellow and easy to handle to give you years of companionship, then you have easily found that in our boy Charlie. Come meet him and he'll make you feel like a winner!

New Beginnings for our Adoption Center in the Mall

SPCA Adoption Center  in the Mall to Move to a New, Better Location!

The Santa Cruz SPCA Adoption Center and Gift Shop, previously located in the Sears wing of the Capitola Mall, is moving! Our new location will be in the bustling area right next to the entrance to the new Target store, near the food court and Macy's. We hope that a move to such a busy space will mean more exposure and funds for the animals, and more adoptions.

Our Adoption Center and Gift Shop features adoptable animals, and also carries many pet supplies such as dog and cat toys, leashes, collars, harnesses, pet beds, dog fashions, humane training tools, and much more.

The proceeds from all sales go to the animals, and our merchandise is usually priced lower than most pet supply stores! Why buy from a big chain, when you can get the same products for less, with all proceeds benefiting the animals?

So come on in, meet some of our amazing adoptable cats and dogs, and pick up some supplies or an SPCA t-shirt, all for a great cause!

Our new site will be open starting Friday August 17th at 11am.

Dog Blog: Irresistible Bella!



Who could resist this face?

 Bella is 10 years old and is a very sweet and gentle girl who's still got pep to her step! She no longer has any teeth but still has a hefty appetite for wet food and does totally fine with it. However, her tongue likes to make it's way out into a silly grin. Bella gets along with cats and other small dogs. She would make a great companion for a senior looking for a quiet, mellow dog to spoil!

Show Abel the Terrier the Love that he Deserves

We often see extremely heart-wrenching situations with animals that come through our doors but something about what happened to Abel, an 18-month-old Terrier mix, seemed extra awful. Abel was found running the streets with a rubber-band wrapped so tightly around his neck that it had embedded itself deeply into the skin. Witnesses said they had seen him running from house to house frantically for a few days. It became very apparent that Abel had been suffering for much longer than that.

The embedded rubber-band required emergency surgical removal and left a large sutured area across poor Abel’s throat. It’s going to heal up in time and did not do permanent damage to his trachea or other important breathing structures but caused an unthinkable amount of pain. Once the sutures come out, hair will grow over the scar and it will be but a bad memory for Abel. Dogs are resilient and soon forgive.

He has settled in quite well and is showing us an absolutely adorable and loving personality. He is a tiny little guy, around ten pounds, with a fun-loving and spunky air about him. With a dainty little trot and ears that can arrange themselves in all directions, Abel is an instant comedian who is winning hearts left and right. He is extremely social with other small dogs and loves to play. He would be a wonderful companion to another playful small dog but would also be great as an only dog in a home where a lively yet cuddly sweetheart would be appreciated.

He comes when called, is learning to walk nicely on a leash and is never seen without a wagging tail. Although he is active, he doesn’t hesitate to jump up and lounge on a lap or two when all you’re looking for is a little cuddle. Abel would be a kids best friend in a minute and is the kind of dog that could really make any family complete. Come show this dog the kind of love humans are capable of!

If you would like to help animals like Abel and his orphaned friends, please consider donating to the Santa Cruz SPCA. The Santa Cruz SPCA is a 501c3 charitable organization and receives no government funding, relying solely on public donations to run its many programs that benefit the animals and people of our community.

For more information call the Santa Cruz SPCA at 465-5000, or visit www.santacruzspca.org. The SPCA is located at 2685 Chanticleer Avenue in Santa Cruz, CA 95065 and is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 p.m.

Sponsor a Pet: Amos

Amos is a new arrival at the shelter, but already we can tell that he is a complete sweetheart. When he first arrived, his hair was so matted that it was a solid mass on his body filled with foxtails and burrs. Underneath the mass of tangles, he was suffering from several open sores from the foxtails, which had become infected. After being shaved and treated with antibiotics, our vet discovered that this poor guy was also suffering from a broken pelvis.

He is recovering well and is already much more comfortable and happy.

If you would like to help sponsor Amos's treatment, your contribution will go a long way and will be greatly appreciated! www.santacruzspca.org/donate.html When you sponsor a pet, you not only help the animal listed, you make it possible for us to continue rescuing animals with special needs which would otherwise be euthanized in overcrowded shelters. Your support literally means the difference between life and death for those animals.

The Santa Cruz SPCA is a non-profit charitable organization which receives no public funding. All of our animals and programs rely solely on the generosity and kindness of private donors.

This Valentines Day, Find Love at the SPCA

What better way to celebrate Valentines Day, than to adopt a best friend for life? Check out the Featured Pets in this newsletter to see just a few of the homeless shelter pets looking for their one true love - YOU!

For a full list of our adoptables check out our website: www.santacruzspca.org/adopt

Can't adopt? Show your sweetheart that you have a heart of gold! Donate to the SPCA and we will send a personalized acknowledgment card that same day. Just go to www.santacruzspca.org/donate

Treat your Valentine to one of these beautiful sterling silver charms! Elegant and simple, these charms will compliment any look.

www.santacruzspca.org/charitycharm

Dog Blog: Meet Cinnamon!

Little Cinnamon here is about as sweet as they come. Her loving nature and sweet demeanor belie her past...her, her "baby daddy" Jackson , and her two pups Max and Ruby, were rescued from death row at another shelter. She's been through a lot, but you'd never know due to her calm temperament and affectionate nature.

Cinnamon is available at the Santa Cruz SPCA located at 2685 Chanticleer Avenue on the mountain side of the 1 freeway.

For more information on Cinnamon or any of our other dogs, please go to www.santacruzspca.org or call (831) 465-5000 during business hours.

A Poem For Senior Dogs

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

- Author Unknown

Dog Blog: Meet Riana!

Adorable little Riana looks more like a gazelle than a dog as she trots around on her stilt-like legs. The happy-go-lucky girl loves being held and will happily sit on your lap for as long as you will let her. She loves playing with toys, especially the smaller, stuffed variety, but doesn't share well with other dogs and would be best as the spoiled only child of a quiet, adult-only household.



Riana walks well on a leash, but, as with most dogs, needs some behavior and potty guidance. When she was fostered, she only had 1 accident in the house and after some simple but consistent instructions, she began going outside.

More information on Riana is available by clicking here or by going to the Santa Cruz SPCA website(www.santacruzspca.org) and selecting from the "ADOPTION" toolbar at the top.

Beautiful Photography

Gorgeous photography taken by volunteer and friend, Simone Anne...

www.simoneanne.com

Dog Days of Summer!

A tail-wagging good time was to be had for all down at the San Lorenzo Benchlands on Saturday, August 21st as the Santa Cruz SPCA hosted its first annual “Dog Days of Summer” festival. Over 400 families and their four-legged companions flocked to the event to frolic in the sunshine and participate in a whole host of activities.

The public and their pets were invited to peruse local vendors and artisan booths, participate in a raffle and silent auction loaded with awesome prizes, and strut their stuff in doggy pageants! Agility and Search and Rescue demonstrations were performed throughout the day in the lower arena, while CBS’s Survivor star, SPCA board member and Event MC Lex Van Den Berghe kept everyone entertained with his wise-cracks and enthusiasm in the main ring.

The festival coincided with the 5th anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina airlifts in which the Santa Cruz SPCA, thanks to generous donations by Doris Day and countless volunteer, airlifted over 180 animals to safety and new homes. Many of these animals and their families turned out to support the event by participating in a beautiful and touching “Katrina Remembered” survivor pageant. It clearly demonstrated the power of love and determination embodied by “The Little Shelter That Could”. SPCA Director Lisa Carter was present to welcome the very survivors she once helped rescue and was overjoyed to witness the difference she made in their lives.

Volunteer event coordinator Heather McCurdy led an impressive group of SPCA Staff and Volunteers through the biggest event in Santa Cruz SPCA history which succeeded not only in raising much needed donations for the SPCA, but provided dog lovers from all over the Bay Area with a wonderful and fun weekend activity that will be remembered for years to come!

Many, many thanks to all the sponsors, donors, volunteers and staff who made this event everything it was.

Please support the SPCA by patronizing the local businesses who have given so much to the Santa Cruz SPCA.

Also, be sure to check out Portia Shao's blog of Positive Vista Photography Studios for more awesome photos of this incredible event! (My personal favorite is the one of the pony meeting the Great Pyranees!)

Dog Days of Summer!

A fun, doggy day of activities, events and demonstrations, including a celebration of the fifth anniversary of Katrina -- the people who rescued dogs and the dogs that survived the devastation.



JOIN US FOR A FUN-FILLED, DOG-FILLED DAY

At the San Lorenzo River Benchlands in Santa Cruz, and all around the County Building

♥♥All Proceeds Benefit the Santa Cruz SPCA!♥♥


August 21, 2010

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Activities include:

Dog-A-Thon walk, Parade of Katrina Survivors, vendor booths, scent tracking demonstration, dog psychic, agility course, doggie free style demonstration, donor raffle, doggie fashion show, bobbing for hot dogs, plus fun and games, and much much MORE!



How to Help:

Be a Sponsor, a Vendor, a Participant, a Donor, a Walker, a Volunteer!

for more information, including volunteering to help at the event, please go to our Santa Cruz SPCA Website or email Cathryn at Cathryn@santacruzspca.org

Whole Foods Birthday Bash!

Whole Foods Capitola turned 1 this year, and what better way to celebrate than food, fun, free cake and adoptable doggies!



Santa Cruz SPCA Volunteers and adoptables mingled with the crowd on July 24, 2010, for this birthday bash of epic proportions. Food vendors from all over the bay area packed the parking lot with yummy (and often times healthy) treats, a massive Whole Foods birthday cake was shared with everyone and there was even a Zumba lesson at noon!

Taz and Marigold were adopted from the event and several other dogs adopted as a result.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING US, WHOLE FOODS!!

Rick's Barber Shop Supports Santa Cruz SPCA!

Santa Cruz SPCA volunteers brought adoptable dogs to the sidewalk in front of Rick's Barbershop on June 18, when the salon hosted an all-day fundraiser and adopt-a-thon. Rick, Rochelle and their staff of stylists snipped their way through more than 30 heads of hair and donated the proceeds to the Chanticleer Avenue shelter. SPCA Event Coordinator Cathryn Boult spearheaded the event, which raised more than $800.

Much thanks to Rick, Rochelle and the entire crew down at Rick's Barber Shop for donating their time, talent and tips to this event (not only did they donate the cost of the haircut, but their tips too!!!)

SPCA Volunteers had an amazing time and 2 of our volunteers got snazzy new haircuts...like they weren't fierce enough already!!!

Here are some photos from the event...

Santa Cruz Subaru hosts Love-A-Pet

Santa Cruz Subaru, in partnership with the ASPCA, hosted "Love-A-Pet" for the Santa Cruz SPCA on June 24th, 2010.

The staff of Santa Cruz Subaru couldn't have been more hospitable! Priscilla Saavedra (pictured in the slideshow below with her awesome chihuahua sweater), who managed the event, made INCREDIBLE (so our dogs say!) home-made dog treats to sell/bribe our adoptables with, there was a wonderful spread of muffins, cookies and food, and pet photographer Elyse Destout offered free portraits with the donation of any food item!!

Two dogs were adopted as a result of this event and over 60 pounds of dog food was collected!!!

♥♥THANKS TO WAYNE, PRISCILLA, ELYSE AND THE WHOLE GANG DOWN AT SANTA CRUZ SUBARU♥♥

Please support businesses that support our community by visiting...

Santa Cruz Subaru

and

Elyse Destout Photography

Check out our photos of the event...

Paws in the Park

The Santa Cruz SPCA in conjunction with Furry Friends Rescue held “PAWS in the Park”, June 5th 2010, at Santana Row, San Jose. Festivities included an “Adoption Parade” featuring designer dogwear by Touleh, contests including “Best Diva” and “Most Unique Breed Mix”, raffles and Silent Auctions. Emily Verna, President of Furry Friends Rescue and Cathryn Boult, Event Coordinator for the Santa Cruz SPCA organized the event and are extremely grateful to Santana Row event staff for hosting the event.



With generous prizes provided by Pet Food Express, Best Bully’s, Diane Wat Design, Posh Pooch Portraits, Blue Dog Bakery, Chilis, Trader Joe’s, ONE Fitness Club, Canine Corral, Happy Tails to You Dog Training, Doggieville, Downtown Dogs Resort & Spa, Amici’s Pizza, Spa for Pets, Pooch Hotel, Frankie Johnnie & Luigi too!, Arcadia, Pawin’ Around Dog Care & Boarding, Scentsy by Rameena, Ruffles & Wags, Bed & Biscuits, FB&C Bakery, Dog Dish Diet Bone Appetit, Murphy Dog Photography, Dogdration, and Distinctive Dog Portraiture, both the Silent Auction and the Raffles were a hit.

Volunteers and adoptables alike had an absolutely wonderful time at the event and cannot wait until next year!

Here is a slideshow of the event, with beautiful photographs taken by
the fabulous Rachel Stone

Woofstock! 2010

Oh boy, did we have fun at Woodstock! Tons of four-legged friends, games, prizes, pageants, vendors, food...you name it, it was there! We had a booth and adoptables who were working the crowd and enjoying the excitement. We received $70 in donations and the event resulted in multiple adoptions!

Special thanks to Portia Shao of Positive Vista Studios
(www.positivevista.com)
who donated her time and talent in benefit of the Santa Cruz SPCA. Portia offered beautiful pet portraits in exchange for donations to the SPCA, and raffled off six portrait packages, many worth over $150!

Here's the slide show of our wonderful day...

Thanks to everyone who made it out to support the SPCA and your local dog community!

Woofstock West!

The Spring Dog Parade & Festival is the only festival in Santa Cruz County organized by dog owners to benefit dogs in need.



Entry fee: $10 per dog, $2 per person, children under 10 are free. Each dog entrant receives Five Tickets and a Gift Bag chock full of doggy toys, treats, food, coupons and more! Tickets are good for raffle, contests, parade, photo booth! Sign up for contests at the Contest Booth, contestants must have a wrist band.

Santa Cruz SPCA will have an informational booth with adoptable dogs on site.

If you would like to volunteer for this event or would like more information, please email Cathryn at Cathryn@santacruzspca.org

Dog Blog: Meet Klaus

Klaus is sweet, loving, calm, gentle...everything you would want in a puppy. The tragedy is that lovely cattle-dog mix Klaus is in jeopardy of growing up in a shelter. Having been here for almost a month, he is the last remaining pup in his litter and is just longing for a home of his own. All our volunteers and staff just dote on him, think he's just the best and are completely puzzled that he was not adopted immediately.

If you, or anyone you know, are looking for a wonderful addition to the family or a hiking buddy, come over and check out Klaus. He's just waiting for love!

Santa Cruz SPCA is located at 2685 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz. Our cross-streets are Chanticleer and Soquel on the mountain side of the 1 freeway.

Please call (831) 465-5000 for more information.