Urgent Call for Help

A few months ago, I wrote a story about Mikey, the adorable six-month-old, black-and-white American Staffordshire terrier mix puppy who was in need of help. He was injured and needed surgery when he was relinquished to the Lompoc animal shelter. Thankfully, money was raised to cover the cost of the surgery and Mikey was adopted into a loving family. But now the story continues as Mikey has siblings that also need to be rescued.

An organization called Shadow’s Fund rescued Mikey and his siblings from horrendous conditions. They were all living outside with almost no human contact. According to Shadow’s Fund: “The dogs were ‘leftovers’ from a backyard breeder (who is now in jail) and for eight months the pups were basically left to their own devices in a backyard, living in filth and sleeping on concrete covered in trash and feces. With no bed, blanket or doghouse, the puppies sleep huddled together in a broken wooden box.”

Even though these poor puppies had been neglected, they were craving human attention. Shadow’s Fund picked up the puppies to be spayed and neutered, but they weren’t about to return them back to those conditions. The puppies are now receiving care at Shadow’s Fund, but they are at capacity and are in need of foster homes as there are still two more puppies and the mom dog that need to be rescued from the deplorable conditions. Volunteers are walking the mother and remaining two puppies and cleaning the yard daily but they need to get the remaining three dogs out and permanent, loving homes are needed for all five of the dogs.

If you are able to foster or adopt one of these deserving dogs, please contact Jill Anderson at (805) 735-3165 or email info@shadowsfund.org. Shadow’s Fund is a rescue organization for seniors, pit bulls, and other high-risk shelter dogs in California. They have a full facility and they receive dozens of requests every single day to help pit bulls. According to volunteers at Shadow’s Fund, “We’re working as hard as we can to help as many dogs as we can, but sometimes it feels like we’re trying to contain a flood in a paper cup.” To learn more about Shadow’s Fund, or to make a donation, visit www.shadowsfund.org

Thousands of dogs 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 these well-deserving dogs. Pit bull terriers are often the dogs that end up neglected.

According to Isabelle Gullo, director for CARE4Paws, “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 an irresponsible owner). 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.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DAWG’S 20th Birthday

A party will take place Saturday, October 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelter in Goleta at 5480 Overpass Road. Parking will be available next door at St. Raphael’s. Bring the whole family for live music, face painting, a photo booth, ceramic tile painting, a visit from a special guest, and more! All proceeds go to our dogs here at the shelter so be sure to enjoy our bake sale, raffle, catered food, drinks, and birthday T-shirts. Or simply get in the birthday spirit by bringing DAWG a tax-deductible birthday present. Check out our wish list at http://www.sbdawg.org/donate. We ask those in attendance not to bring family dogs.

Over the last 10 years, Dog Adoption & Welfare Group (DAWG) has placed more than 2,000 dogs in their forever homes; 360 in 2010 alone! The dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors at DAWG are responsible for saving the lives of dogs in Santa Barbara County every day, and providing the community with educational outreach, and, hopefully, new family members.

Adoptable Pet of the Week

Lyle is a two-year-old short-haired, white and brown cat with some tabby markings. He is an alpha cat and so should probably be the only feline in the house. This big brawny boy is affectionate and likes to be held, purring his thanks and giving lick kisses. Because of his white face and pink nose, Lyle will need to be kept indoors.

For more information, visit ASAP at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road. Adoption hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.asapcats.org or call (805) 683- 3368.

The following is included in the adoption fee at ASAP: 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; and cat carrier (you can save the county money by bringing your own).