Due to the pandemic, the demand for C.A.R.E.4Paws' help is greater than ever. To prevent suffering and ensure pets can stay with their families, we are distributing four tons of pet food weekly and providing critical wellness services to a record-number of animals in our mobile veterinary clinic. We also offer refuge for pets of domestic violence survivors as well as humane education programs that promote compassion for animals and empathy in our community.
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Together, we make
a pawsitive impact!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
During the COVID-19 crisis, C.A.R.E.4Paws stays true to our mission to keep animals happy, healthy and with their families for life. We continue to bring life-saving services directly to low-income, senior, disabled and homeless pet owners throughout Santa Barbara County. This includes assistance with affordable medical care and free spay and neuter surgeries in our mobile veterinary clinic and distribution of pet food several times per week in our clinic, during special events, at our many Pet Resource Centers and through delivery to seniors in need.
SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS
With the lockdown orders and heightened emotional and financial stresses caused by COVID-19, domestic violence is more prevalent than ever. C.A.R.E.4Paws' Safe Haven program ensures domestic violence survivors can find safety for their pets when they leave an abusive situation. Pet owners exposed to domestic violence can seek emergency shelter WITH their companion animals through Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) and C.A.R.E.4Paws arranges for immediate, anonymous foster care for the pets. Survivors and law enforcement can also contact us directly for support.
KEEPING PETS WITH THEIR PEOPLE
Since the start of COVID-19, our Companion Pet Assistance program has provided four tons of pet food weekly to pet owners in need. This includes Mobile Pet Meals delivery to hundreds of families in collaboration with the Foodbank and 211 Helpline. We distribute pet food in our mobile clinic four to five days per week and during events with agencies such as the Foodbank and People Helping People. Pet owners can also access food at our dozen Pet Resource Centers countywide. It's all about keeping pets and people together!
COMMUNITY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY
We are so grateful to our partners and donors, who are giving food and funds to support a community in need. Lemos Feed & Pet Supply has donated several tons of pet food over the last three months. ResQcats' food drive has raised more than $15,000 worth of kitty food, while ASAP's recent drive brought in more than $10,000 worth of food. Generous locals Heather and Tom Sturgess gave $15,000 toward a large pet food order. Other amazing supporters include Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club, Best Friends Animal Society, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG.
CRITICAL MOBILE CLINIC CARE
During the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to host Mobile Pet Wellness Clinics for dogs and cats in Santa Barbara County, providing affordable critical veterinary care and spay/neuter surgeries by appointment as well as walk-in vaccines and other services. We also distribute emergency pet food from 10am to 1pm each time we run our clinic, taking all necessary precautions to keep clients, staff and volunteers safe. View our schedule and check us out on KEYT!
MOBILE PET MEALS!
We're super excited about our new C.A.R.E.4Paws van, which allows us to more easily transport pet food and supplies around the county. We're distributing four tons of pet food and cat litter weekly and we will be here to help pet owners for as long as it's needed!
VOlUNTEER POWER
Our volunteers are amazing! We cannot do our work without our super team, from food pickups, packaging and distribution to assistance with mobile clinic services to foster care for pets we take in temporary as part of our Safe Haven and Companion Pet Assistance programs. Thank you for your time, talents, passion and dedication! Want to join our pawsitive team? Please email volunteer@care4paws.org.
THE ANIMAL WELFARE ALLIANCE OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
We're thrilled to announce the cofounding of the Animal Welfare Alliance of Santa Barbara County together with Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP), Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG) and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society. Our goal is to improve animal welfare by building strong partnerships between local organizations so we can maximize resources and jointly build programs.
A FANTASTIC PET FOOD & MATCHING DONATION DRIVE
Through September, the community stepped up in a beautiful way to support our Pet Food & Matching Donation Drive. Not only did we receive several tons of pet food and supplies, but we raised more than $20,000 with a matching gift campaign. We thank our donors and also our fabulous business partners, who have housed donation drop-off stations for us.
THE VIRTUAL WAGS N' WHISKERS
This year, C.A.R.E.4Paws' celebrated Wags n' Whiskers Festival was a weeklong virtual event, October 5-11. We promoted adoptable pets from Central Coast shelters and rescues our festival pages as well as on social media. We also highlighted our generous festival sponsors and invited pet owners to participate in Best in Show by posting photos and videos of their pets' favorite outfits or top talents. You can still view adoptable animals here! Next year's festival is live on Saturday, October 9, at Santa Barbara City College.