• Start off 2011 by adding a new pet to your family! During the month of January, S.B. County Animal Services is offering a 25-percent discount on all adoptable animals currently in area shelters. Check out all the potential furry friends by visiting the county’s main shelter (5473 Overpass Rd.), open on weekdays from 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 681-5435 for more info, or visit countyofsb.org for additional shelter locations.
• The nonprofit Hospice of S.B. group is seeking bilingual and Spanish- or English-speaking volunteers to help with end-of-life patient care. All Patient Care volunteers provide companionship, household help, respite care, transportation, and more to terminally ill patients and their families. Volunteers are required to complete an initial six-week training and education course before starting to work with clients, as well as a weekly ongoing training meeting after beginning work with the organization. For more info on volunteering and upcoming training dates, call 563-8820 or email contact@hospiceofsantabarbara.com.