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.

Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days of Summer


JOIN US FOR A FUN-FILLED, DOG-FILLED DAY...
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER!!

At the Benchlands along the River and around the County Building (San Lorenzo Greenbelt).

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, raffle, doggie fashion show, bobbing for hot dogs, plus fun and games!


How to Help:

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

For more information, please visit:
Dog Days of Summer

Making Lemonade...

Maggie, Charlotte, Natalie and Athena came into the Santa Cruz SPCA clutching a jar of coins and a thick envelope. "Tell them what you did" said Ms. Stoops, mother to Maggie. On their own initiative on a boiling hot Santa Cruz Sunday, the four young girls set up a stand with their very own homemade lemonade and made over $50 in sales. Not only did these young entrepreneurs make a handsome sum of money for a hard day's work, but they did it all for the benefit of Santa Cruz SPCA. Three of the girls have dogs of their own, and two of those were adopted from the Santa Cruz SPCA. Maggie spoke fondly of her own dog, Bella (originally "Hoover"), who was adopted from the SPCA a couple of years ago, and was the inspiration for the lemonade stand.



Thanks goes out to the girls for all the hard work they did!

Barks for Life

Barks for Life, held by the American Cancer Society on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the San Lorenzo Park, turned out to be a great event in support a great cause. It couldn't have been a more beautiful day for it, and seeing our adoptables frolic and have fun in the park with all their new friends was absolutely wonderful!

Check out the slideshow...

Shoe Pet Portraits by Anastasia!

The latest fashion rage for pet lovers...Pet Portraits painted on your SHOE! Custom portraits, normally going for upwards of $100, now yours for just a $70 donation to the SPCA!!!

Please contact Anastasia at BinkyArt@live.com for more information!

Dog Blog: Meet Stanley

Handsome Stanley! Adorable and affectionate, Stanley would follow you anywhere! He is a 7-year-old spaniel poodle mix. He has had a couple of scraps with our alpha males, but is just fine with the rest of our free-range population. He is pretty smart and picks up obedience training very quickly.

Stanley is available for adoption at the Santa Cruz SPCA (2685 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz)immediately. He adores attention and would be a lovely addition to your family.

Dog Blog...Meet Shiloh!

Shiloh is a wookie with a heart of gold. A purebred Lhasa Apso, he's extremely handsome with beautiful flowing hair and the cutest little smile you've ever seen in your whole life! Shiloh has a lot of energy and needs an all-adult forever home that can provide him with the consistency and training he needs. He loves going on walks and would benefit from an active lifestyle. He's extremely sweet and just wants to be cuddled and loved. Plus, he looks exactly like a miniature Chewbacca...how cool is that?

Please Click here for more information on handsome Shiloh.