our Fall 2013 newsletter - Woods Humane Society

Woods Humane Society

SHELTER TAILS Inside this Issue: From the Director’s Desk

P2 Find the Love You’re Looking For

P4 Tails 2013, “Under the Big Top”

fall/winter 2012

Wiggle Waggle 21: A K9 Superhero Tail Proudly Presented by

&

P5 Volunteer Spotlight

P6

THE WOODS HUMANE ALLIANCE

P7 save the date

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Our Mission:

On October 19th hundreds of Central Coast residents and their four-legged friends will gather at Mitchell Park for the 21st annual Wiggle Waggle Walk for Woods. After nearly two decades at Laguna Lake Park, we’ve decided it’s time to take this show on the road and strut our stuff through downtown SLO! Mitchell Park promises to be the perfect starting point for our one-mile pledge walk (with your dogs, of course!) and the ideal location for our annual Pet Fair, featuring dozens of local vendors, demonstrations, and the always popular K9 competitions. This year we pay tribute to our four-legged superheroes. Don’t forget to dress your pup in her best superhero costume for a chance to win great prizes in the Costume Contest. Your $15 registration fee includes a K9 goodie bag and special event t-shirt. But don’t stop there! By reaching out to your friends, family and coworkers you can help raise critical funds to care for our temporary guests at Woods Humane Society. To learn more or to register online, visit www.woodshumane.org.

To serve, protect and shelter homeless companion animals; To place animals in humane environments; To promote responsible pet ownership, provide humane education and reduce pet overpopulation; To celebrate the human/animal bond.

What: Wiggle Waggle Walk for Wo ods:

1 Mile K9 Pledge Walk, Pet Fair, K9 Contests, Demonstrations and more

When: October 19, 2013 Where: Mitchell Park, Downtown SLO, Reg www.woodshumane.org

How

ister at

to Prepare: Ask all your friends, family and coworkers to sponsor you as you walk and raise money for the wonderful animals of Woo ds Humane Society!

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Board of Directors Kevin Dye President

Lenny Jones Vice President Simone Michel Secretary Lisa Adams Treasurer Jon Ansolabehere Jimmy apRoberts Stacy Gregory Jennifer Melton Melanie Morgan DVM Dan Lloyd

Woods Humane Society Staff Cory Karpin Executive Director Steve Kragenbrink, CVA Director of Community Programs Serena Martinez Operations Director Denise Reynolds Business Manager/HR Representative Joy Miller Development & Outreach Associate Susan Powell, DVM, PhD Staff Veterinarian Heather Harris, DVM Elizabeth Noppinger, DVM Robyn Schmidt, DVM Part-Time Veterinarians Rebecca Mundy Registered Veterinary Technician Zahlia Cronce-King Surgery Coordinator Ashley Williams Surgery Assistant Britta Lundberg Veterinary Assistant Kiersten Anderson Humane Education Coordinator Michelle Rizzi Behavior and Training Coordinator Heather Massoni Animal Care Supervisor Chris Williams Kristin Youngberg Animal Care Team Leaders Caitlin Amaral Chelsea Connors Jessica Hennion Chantalle Little Linsey Milligan Chelsea Mills Mario Papaleo Colleen Reed-Marks Kendra Reed Patrick Regan Christopher (CJ) Schotbough Tim Williams Animal Caregivers

From the Director’s Desk Dear Friends of Woods Humane Society, Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about change. I’m one of those strange people who thrive on it. I just can’t pass up an opportunity to do things a little better, and here at Woods, I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by a growing team that feels the same way. We’re an ambitious group and together we’re always looking to make an even greater impact on the lives of homeless animals. To that end, we’ve made some exciting changes over the past several months. For starters, we’ve strengthened our commitment to Humane Education and hired our first-ever full-time Humane Education Coordinator. Kiersten Anderson, M.A. joined the team in February and hit the ground running. She launched our first Spring Break Animal Camp, has partnered with dozens of local schools and youth development organizations, has started a “Birthdays that Benefit” program where children 7 years and up can celebrate with the dogs and cats at Woods, and has an array of other exciting programs in the works. We’ve also strengthened our commitment to K9 training in an effort to keep dogs in their homes. In January we welcomed longtime professional trainer Michelle Rizzi to the team as our first Behavior and Training Coordinator. Michelle works closely with our staff and volunteers to prepare every Woods dog for a successful transition to a loving forever home. When not working with our Woods dogs, she’s offering positive reinforcement training classes for the public at Woods Humane Society. Finally, in an effort to increase adoptions and become an even greater resource for our community, we’ve made two more changes. First, we’ve expanded our hours. You can now visit Woods 7 days a week from 12:00 – 6:00pm. Second, we’ve improved our facility by adding the Harold J. Miossi Canine Play Yard and creating several thousand square feet of event space. The new play area will be the ideal space for staff, volunteers and adopters to throw a ball around and get to know our adoptable dogs, while the event space will be perfect for Critter Camp graduations, lectures (as part of our upcoming speaker series), K9 demonstrations, and training programs. These important changes would not have been possible without the support of the entire Woods team, including our tireless staff, dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Together, you’ve impacted the lives of countless animals in SLO County, and for that I thank you! Sincerely,

Devra Lake Customer Service Supervisor Kathryn Janiszewski Desiree Lomeli Hayley Richards Customer Service Representatives Sarah LeDuff Critter Camp Director Kylie Mulcaire Christopher (CJ) Schotbough Critter Camp Counselors

Cory Karpin Executive Director

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Spay and Neuter Saves Lives Every year in this country millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. Many of these losses could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. For years, Woods has spayed or neutered all of our animals before they are adopted, and we are committed to doing more. Over the past several months we have expanded our spay and neuter programs to include all of the following:

Spay It Forward/Neuter the Next − A grant-funded program for cats in Atascadero or Paso Robles. The $10 fee helps to cover the cost of future surgeries.

voucher. Woods Humane Society will accept this voucher, plus a $10 co-payment. Learn more at felinenetwork.org or by calling 805-549-9228.

Mom Spay − A program for dogs and cats who have

Project M.E.O.W. − Woods Humane Society is working

hand-in-hand with rescue groups in San Luis Obispo County to promote low-cost spay and neuter and to implement “trap, neuter and release,” an effective method of controlling overpopulation among feral and community cats. If you are concerned about un-owned cats living in your neighborhood, Feline Network Voucher Program − Those who live please reach out to the Feline Network of the Central Coast in the City of SLO, south county and the coastal communities, (contact information above) or, if you live in north county, and cannot afford to spay or neuter their owned cats, can Paws Cause at northcountypawscause.org or 805-226-8311. contact the Feline Network of the Central Coast to obtain a

recently given birth. Woods will accept litters of kittens into our adoption program and provide a spay surgery for the mother, who then returns home. The fee is $60 for cats and $90 for dogs.

For more information about any of these programs, visit the Woods Humane Society website at http://www.woodshumanesociety.org/spay, or contact us at 805-543-9316 x 10 or [email protected].

Inside the Woods-Cashin Surgery Suite

In 2007, thanks to the generous support of the Woods Family and Jack and Felicia Cashin, Woods Humane Society opened the Woods-Cashin Surgery Suite. Our goal was simple: to spay and neuter the many wonderful animals who came through our doors. We’ve come a long way from our modest beginnings, and now the Woods-Cashin Surgery Suite is home to well over 3,000 surgeries each year. In addition to performing spay/neuter surgeries for our own adoptable animals, Woods has partnered up with a dozen local nonprofit rescues (Feline Network, Meade Canine Rescue, North County Paws Cause, and Cal Poly Cats, to name a few) as well as our SLO County Animal Services Division, to provide low-cost spay and neuter services for these life-saving organizations. The Woods-Cashin Surgery Suite is in the capable hands of Woods’ Director of Shelter Medicine, Susan Powell, DVM, Ph.D., and her wonderful and committed team. With the help of several other local veterinarians, this dynamic group can perform as many as 45 spay and neuter surgeries on any given

day, making a significant and lasting impact on our county’s homeless pet population. Are you interested in seeing the Woods-Cashin Surgery Suite in action? Well, you’re in luck, because we love to give tours. To schedule a group tour, contact Kiersten Anderson at [email protected] or call (805) 543-9316 x 13

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Find the Love You’re Looking For Snowball was one of those cats, who, for many reasons, will be long remembered by Woods staff and volunteers. He was here for two and a half years, pure white, with one blue eye and one green eye, and with the dubious distinction of becoming the heaviest cat in our cattery, he was hard to miss.

There was also his friendship with Bob, the sleek black cat who was his constant companion for many months. Then there were his ears. Like many white cats, Snowball had non-pigmented pink skin at his ear tips, and over time, he developed skin tumors. To relieve his discomfort and stop the spread of the cancerous cells, the medical

staff at Woods performed a “Teddy Bear surgery,” giving him a very distinctive look. Caring for the animals at Woods is only part of what we do. Our real work is to find them forever homes. One day last fall, a very special person came along to give Snowball the home he needed. Here is the note she recently sent to us:

Hello ' Last year I adopted Snowball an earless pure white cat who I'm sure you remember… 'I knew when I saw him that he was the man for me. What I didn't know at the time was that he would become the absolute love of my life! He does all of his jobs perfectly; when I sit on the couch he never fails to jump into my lap and snuggle down. He' is always at the door to greet me when I return home from work and he always talks back to me when I talk to him. ' He was severely overweight when I adopted him, weighing in at 18.6 pounds. Since then, thanks to a diet and exercise regimen that includes daily runs up and down the stairs to our loft, he has lost 6 pounds! He is healthy, happy, and sweet. I am so thankful for him every single day. If I wasn't a crazy cat lady before, there's no denying it now. Thank you so much, Woods, for saving Mr. Snow for me! Your staff is all so sweet, and I know how much he was loved by all who interacted with him there. I encourage anyone interested in adopting a pet to check out your cattery to find the love they're looking for. I have attached some glamour shots of him to show you just how gorgeous he has become. —Kendal

Each year over 1,000 homeless pets leave Woods to share their love with new families. It is you, our adopters, volunteers, donors and friends who make it all possible!

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Tails 2013, “Under the Big Top” An extraordinary effort by a group of amazing volunteers, led by the incomparable Dwyne Willis, resulted in the most successful Gala ever to benefit Woods Humane Society. Staged as a vintage circus, the whimsical, imaginative theme created a magical atmosphere. A contingent of clowns, costumed aerialists, and dogs from Woods added an element of fun. Some guests dressed as their favorite circus performer…or animal, while others donned their finest '40s attire. But all agreed that the event was “the best ever.” Jim and Carlen Eckford provided a breathtaking venue, our corporate sponsors, led by Mission Community Bank and Jones Goodell Real Estate, provided generous support, over 200 businesses and individuals donated goods and services, and guests did their part through their spirited participation in lively silent and live auctions. At the end of the night, over $110,000 had been raised— enough to provide food, shelter, vaccinations, medical care, behavior training and a spay or neuter surgery for 220 of the over 1,000 homeless companion animals who look to Woods each year.

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Volunteer Spotlight Ginger DiNunzio: Changing Lives, One Photo at a Time If you’ve joined us for one of our many community events, you’ve probably met Ginger. For several years now, Ginger, who is a professional photographer by day, has used her skills and expertise to showcase the amazing animals of Woods Humane Society. Ginger was born an animal-lover (and photographer, apparently!) and as a kid became known for taking pictures of the family pets doing funny things. Many years later, much to her own surprise, her first-ever series of published photos were of stray dogs in Spain. “Photographing dogs is just about my favorite thing to do,” Ginger said. “I love to engage with them and elicit a cheeky response. Simply put, they just make me laugh!” Ginger shares her home with her husband John, two beautiful kids, and a parakeet they call Azul. When asked why she didn’t have a dog of her own, she said, “With two young kids I have enough pooh to clean up, thank you. But I can hardly wait any longer and will leave Woods with a new best friend soon enough.” Until then, Ginger will continue to get her “fur fix” while photographing our many community events. Most recently, Ginger partnered with Woods Humane society to photograph shelter animals in front of SLO County landmarks. She spent weeks travelling our county and beautifully capturing the personalities of these wonderful dogs and cats. Some of the photos now hang on the walls of our shelter while others will be used in future promotional campaigns. But all of them remind us that shelter dogs and cats are not broken. On the contrary, they’re amazing animals just waiting for their second chance. Are you a public relations expert, graphic designer or just a big time animal lover?” Do you have a special skill that can benefit the dogs and cats at Woods? If so, let us know. We’re always looking for those special volunteers. Learn more at www.woodshumane.org. Ginger DiNunzio,

Sandprints Photography

Woods Circle of Compassion Faithful, loyal, devoted… no, we are not talking about your beloved four-legged friend, we are talking about the Woods Humane Society Circle of Compassion. This amazing group of donors has pledged monthly or quarterly support for the animals at Woods. The Circle of Compassion has grown steadily over the last two years—in number and in impact. Starting with a small core of donors, some of whom have been giving regularly for over a decade, there are now 70 members. In 2012, $13,936 was donated; in the first

six months of 2013 the total had already reached $10,000! Diane and Russ Brown had been making year-end donations to Woods, but as Diane puts it, “I realized that it was much better to make monthly donations so that Woods would know they could count on me to help them provide care on an ongoing basis.” Members determine the amount they would like to donate, and the frequency and method of giving. Some charge $10 per month on their credit card, others send a check for $250 each quarter,

but whatever the amount, knowing that we can count on this consistent support is vital as we meet the immediate needs of homeless companion animals and make plans for the future. Joining the Circle of Compassion is easy. Visit www.woodshumane.org/donate/ to set up a monthly or quarterly credit card donation or to download a pledge form. You can also get started, or find out more, by calling 805-543-9316 x 17.

LEGACY CIRCLE

Woods Humane Society has many people to thank for its success over the past 58

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WOODS HUMANE ALLIANCE January 1, 2013-June 30, 2013

The Board of Directors at Woods Humane Society would like to thank the following people and businesses for their membership in the Woods Humane Alliance. The Humane Alliance is a community of donors providing major support for the homeless dogs and cats of the Central Coast and helping Woods Humane Society expand its lifesaving work.

Protector $5,000+

Ethel Frends Foundation Gazin Foundation John and Prudence Noon Peter and Mary Russo Family Foundation Elinor Paterson Baker Trust

Guardian $2,500 - $4,999 Martin Resorts Shirley and Mike Ritter

Advocate $1,000 - $2,499

Marsha and Ira Alpert Charles Cole Margaret Collier and Raul Castillo Dave and Brooke Cottrell Nancy Mellen Jeremy Carnevali

Friend $250 - $499

Ted Ardolino Virginia Bass Gary and Linda Beatson Debbie Boyd Bonnie Brooks Diane & Russ Brown Mary E. Buren Fred and Joan Carrington Michelle and Brian Choquette Mary Cook Sally and Bill Cook Terri Cross Dave and Jan Crowther Jim Cruce Nancy Davis Fleur De Peralta Cathy DeAlva David and Julie Delfino Mark and Mimi Ditchie Cynthia Douglas Marion Erling Darlene & Len Essig Mitchell Falkenstern Linda Feldman Richard Fleming Ellen and Daniel Gaver Jim Gentilcore Jerry and Sandy Gothe Gene Green Lee Gulliver

Mark and Kelly Holscher Ian Hoover Laura Hopkins Ilse Hoppe Judith and Martin Kaliski Berta and Steven Kerr Janice and Phillip Kissel James Landreth Coral Levin Barbara Marcum and Dale Jones Patrick and Shirley McCullough John Miller Phyllis Mina Jennifer Minikin Diane and Kerry Morris Native Trails Inc On Shore Foundation Eileen Orback Pacific Coast Survey and Design Group Dana Pratt Promega Biosciences Inc Carrol and Joan Pruett Lawrence S. Ratner Diane Rochelle Deborah Schulte Glenda Shupnick Mike & Linda Sims Therese and Robert Solimeno Joseph and Erica Spellacy Allen and Joann Stanfield Dolores Thomas Wallace Group YPNG

A Special Thank You The recent enhancements to the space surrounding our building would not have been possible without the help of a group of very generous professionals. We are so very grateful to Hilyard Concrete, Gf Garcia & Sons, Ecotone Environmental Design, and the Central Coast Landscape Association for playing a leading role. A very special thanks to Homer Alexander, past board member and volunteer extraordinaire for the countless hours he has devoted to the project. Many other local businesses and individuals have contributed, all of whom will be acknowledged in our next edition of Shelter Tails.

years, none more important than those who have included Woods in their estate planning. These visionary donors have provided major support that has impacted the lives of tens of thousands of homeless animals.

Please remember the animals of Woods Humane Society when you prepare your will or trust documents. Your gift of love and compassion will make a life-saving difference for the animals who are counting on us.

Planned Gifts Received January- July 2013

If you have included Woods in your estate plans or for more information about making a planned gift to Woods Humane Society contact Cory Karpin, Executive Director at (805) 543-9316 x 20 or [email protected].

Deborah Emery Barbara A. Goodman Sara Marchand Helen Nielsen

Doris Petersen Mary Sheridan Bertha Shultz John Southerland Irene White

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SAVE THE DATE

August 31st Brews and Bites to benefit Woods, Mission Plaza, SLO October National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month 19th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk for Woods, Mitchell Park, SLO—NEW LOCATION! Register online and start fundraising for our furry friends November National Adopt a Senior Animal Month 29th & 30th Black Friday Special on every black cat and dog December 7th Holiday Open House at Woods, including pet pictures with Santa!

Visit woodshumane.org and click on our event calendar for updates and information, and while you are there check out our new video!

K9 Training Classes

One of the reasons that dogs end up in shelters is because of behavior issues. As part of Woods strategy to help keep dogs in their homes, we now offer two regular K9 Obedience Classes taught by our trainer, Michelle Rizzi, CPDT-KA, CAP-2. C.H.A.R.M. School (Changing Habits And Reinforcing Manners), basic obedience for dogs with minimal or no formal training (for all dogs 6 months and older), and Petite Pals, basic obedience (for dogs 6 months and older and under 25 pounds).

• Each K9 obedience class runs for 6 consecutive weeks on Saturdays. Please note-the first class is an orientation without dogs.

• Registration is $130* per dog. • Each class has 6 to 8

Birthdays that Benefit What could be better than a party that gives back? Come celebrate your child’s next birthday with our animals! Hold your child’s party at Woods and we will do all the work. Up to 12 guests will enjoy animalcentered activities, a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, and time to visit with our cats and dogs. Everything, including a customized cake, is provided. The cost is $225.

participants and is booked on a first-come/firstserved basis.

• All participating dogs must be

current on vaccines: Rabies, Bordatella and DHPP. Proof of vaccinations must be provided in order to register for class.

For more information, contact Kiersten at: [email protected] or 805-543-9316 x 13.

For more information visit our website at: www.woodshumanesociety.org/K9Classes or call 805-543-9316 x 10.

Woods Humane Society

875 Oklahoma Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA ph: (805) 543-9316 f: (805) 543-9524

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