Images and Info. Shouldn't Be Final Factors

Small Joey is immediately friendly!

    I’m glad the dogs and cats here don’t use computers or care about website hits. These days, it’s all about page views, click-through rates, “likes,” and how many followers or friends, etc. Sadly, some of our orphans are labeled as having “no recent activity” because their online photos and bios haven’t been looked at in a while.

Brindle Bosco is a super senior!

    Among smaller dogs not ranked as current “favorites” are Ming (Spaniel mix), Bennie (Sheltie mix) and precious Pumpkin, saved from a shelter in 2007. Each of them is shy at first; however, even several dogs who crawl into laps for cuddles haven’t received recent inquiries, including Nick the Chihuahua and Joey (shown above left).

Cute Boots wants an owner ASAP!

    In terms of how often potential owners express interest, senior or special-needs pets were often at the bottom of the rescue’s long list of available animals. For example, Bosco, a great dog (shown above), as well as cats like three-legged Mickey, plus older Earl, Annie and Ethan (the latter three are lovable, long-haired black cats) were rarely the intended result of Internet searches this past year.

    On the flip side, many people are reading their online details, but dogs named Beenie, Princess, Shammy, Sean and Oso remain homeless. Cats called Boots (shown at left), Adorable and Hitchcock tend to get attention for their looks, but still aren’t adopted. Hopefully, more visitors will be on-site at this shelter these next few months to meet and select their next “furry family member.” - L.K., volunteer

Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186
Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org * Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

Compassionate Contributors Have Inspiring Impact

Chance has been with us since 2007!

Being part of the behind-the-scenes team involves many rewarding moments. Getting dogs like Ethan, Fifi, Apollo, Chance II, Gracie or Lizzy to walk confidently is wonderful. Watching Shammy, Carlisle, Charity or Dee Dee do learned behaviors makes us smile. It’s fun when little longtimers like Della, Pepper, Toby (here since 2007!), Chance, Peter or Pumpkin still get excited for each outing or during any interaction with volunteers. It was a happy achievement when Rembrandt had successful treadmill sessions, leading to less anxiety.

Fifi (a Boxer mix) arrived in 2009.

Within this season of giving thanks, we extend gratitude to our dedicated volunteers. Several offer brief, but always positive support. Some stay for hours, some are seen regularly, while others appear as often as possible. A few continue their efforts off-site, helping with things like home visits, needed supplies, online promotions, training, fostering, mobile adoptions and more.

Pretty Marisa waits for a new owner.

There’s the girl who gives extra attention to black cats (her favorites), the friends who entice felines with treats or toys, the woman who pets older cats until they purr, and the couple who cuddle kittens to get them used to people. We also definitely appreciate those who exercise the challenging dogs, those who work with the shy or scared animals, and those who oversee the office. 

Free, kind and knowledgeable assistance is truly a treasured and valuable resource, especially for the hundreds of potential pets here.
  - L.K., volunteer

Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186
Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org * Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

Promotional Efforts For Precious Pooches

Tater's "socks" caught someone's eye.

“Why does that dog have white there and there like that?” a teen said, noticing the white chest and feet of Tater. (That’s the unique coloring he was born with as a mixed breed!) Another passer-by inquired, “Why isn’t his tail curved?” (Well, cute Tater has similar coloring of a Basenji, but not that breed’s curved tail. Meanwhile, Happy, a small female mixed breed at our shelter, has both Basenji coloring and its curved tail.) 
 “Does her back itch?” a lady asked, pointing to Lucy the black Lab who rolled around on the ground. (No, either she wants a tummy rub or is just happy!) A man asked, “Is she original?” (Uh, yes, Lucy is purebred.) Some questions that people asked about dogs we brought to a recent event were interesting.

Lucky wore his peacock costume well.

“Why is he so chubby?” a youngster asked of Jesse, a sweet brindle boy. (Maybe Jesse likes food a lot.) “What is he saying?” (Jesse's barking could have meant "Take me with you!" or that he wanted the hot dog the kid was holding!)

The bigger dogs wore Adopt Me! bandanas proudly. But tough competition was nearby: about a dozen little ones, also from our shelter, wore standout outfits. At least three got placed soon afterwards. We hoped those dressed as an octopus, peacock or banana would win the costume contest, but a dog from another rescue, dressed as an angel, took top honors.

Siblings Lance and Lucy received many compliments: “Gorgeous. So friendly! So well-behaved. They seem really connected.” Sadly, no applications were filled out that day for the pair. So, like the booth next door which offered hula hoops as a fundraiser, we packed things up after a while, grateful the weather had been decent. Furthermore, lots of feedback was nice: "Good luck. Keep up the good work. I wish I could help more. Bless you for what you're doing." As always, it was a pleasure to hear: "We adopted from you before. We'll spread the word." - L.K., volunteer

Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186
Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org * Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

To Celebrate Fall, Fall in Love With Potential Pets

Thank goodness the cries for help were heard! A little Siamese kitten was found in a car’s engine after meowing loud enough to make the driver check under the hood. He may have crawled in there to get warmth overnight. Saki (pictured at left), as we’ve named him, is only about seven weeks old. What a courageous cutie!

   Additional feline babies this month are: Tripper, Jova, Maxim and Meeka (brother and sister) and Rollo. Other new intakes are girl Torties: Angel, an adult cat who came with two cat friends; and Maude (age 1, has longer hair).

   On the canine side, we recently welcomed some wonderful dogs: Shannon, a young Vizsla mix; Bonnie, a Border Collie pup; Molly (Dalmatian/ Labrador); Lizzy (Australian Shepherd); and Cupid, a female Poodle. Also come meet poodles Max and Pokie, Pets of the Month.

Luke likes long walks and playtime.

   October is “Adopt A Shelter Dog Month.” Your calendar should also include “Consider A Cat!” Choose from about 250 companion animals here that we care for on any given day, including providing food, walks, baths/grooming, and quality time with shelter workers and volunteers.

   Did you know Oct. 27 is National Pit Bull Awareness Day?  We have a variety of grayish-blue ones available: Luke (shown), Blue Bob, Luna and Mia. Be sure to watch their insightful videos. Fun fact: Famous pit bulls include Petey from the “Little Rascals" comedy series, who lived to age 16!
- L.K., volunteer

Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186
Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org * Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

From Tiny & Terrified to Protected & Peaceful

These four kittens are quick learners!

So young, their eyes weren’t open yet. So small, they fit in a person’s hand, either shaking and nervous or so still that we worried. So weak and hungry, they could barely lift their heads. No momma cat came with these abandoned kittens huddled together and crying, so someone would have to give the group food, keep them warm, and teach them potty habits. Who would carefully serve the kittens a milk replacement formula every few hours, monitor their progress to soft food, and regularly handle each gently to get them comfortable around humans?

Three babies nurse their young mom.

Our Kennel Supervisor said he’d do it, despite being extremely busy overseeing continuous care of the rescue’s hundreds of dogs and cats, arriving early and staying late each day if needed in addition to being a husband and father with numerous kids and pets at home. Despite his best efforts, one little orphan didn’t survive. But the remaining four are now doing well (see image, above left). Soon they’ll be ready to be adopted!

Other cat offspring arrived anonymously with their mother, so petite she likely isn’t far from being a baby herself. A calm, beautiful gray Tortie, her name is Aisha; we’ve named the kittens Reid, Flynn and Raven before knowing their gender (all shown, above right). Stay tuned for pictures on our website!
- L.K., volunteer

Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186
Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org * Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

Unexpected Life Changes Cause Unknown Futures

Ramsey, 11, awaits adoption.

Imagine our delight when three cats were adopted together from here! Imagine our dismay at their return a decade later, because their owners can no longer care for them. Such a major transition isn't easy for any pet, especially older ones. Large and grey Zane, Angel the plump female Tortie and thin, black-and-white Dodger are all age 12. Dodger is currently recovering from needed dental work.

Also very sweet, Ramsey (right), 11, is a gentle orange-and-white tabby who lost his family after allergies set in. Affectionate Ricky, 9, came back because the other cat wasn’t ready for her as a new friend. Precious Ethan, 9, joined us after his owner went into a nursing home.

Sage is very ready for better luck.

     

On the dog side, the owners of Matty (female Lhasa Apso) and Mia (Pug/ Beagle) passed away. When the caretaker of Charlie (Boxer/Rhodesian Ridgeback) went away to school, the teen's parents didn't want to keep their son's dog. The guardian of Rusty (Shepherd/ Chow Chow) became too ill. Poor Sage (Doberman/ Kelpie, shown at left) has lost her home three times, while Akita mix siblings Bubba and Sweet Pea faced that situation twice (due to a move, then their people's financial hardship). All these animals deserve another chance!
- L.K., volunteer

Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186
Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org * Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

Famished, Frightened Feline Family Found



"Marmalade, Tangerine and Mango"

We named the mama "Sweetness"

Who knows how long they were in there? From a distance, the big dog crate in a parking lot seemed to be a discarded, empty box in the afternoon heat. Upon a closer look, tiny and weak meows were heard. A peek inside revealed a small, scared mama cat with three kittens, huddled together on piles of dirt, excrement and mold. It breaks the hearts of animal lovers to see innocent creatures experience such horrible conditions.  After a transition to clean and comfy quarters, the grateful group quickly finished fresh food and water.

  

Sadly, this was not an isolated incident for Pet Adoption Fund. It wasn’t the first, and won’t be the last. That's why funds must always be available. We now need donations to treat these recent rescues, who must be examined by a vet, given shots, fixed, dewormed, tested for health issues, etc.

Please help us help them by going to the link below to make a donation through PayPal.  No amount is too small.  Please include a note, or mention “kitty family.”  Checks can be mailed to the address listed below.  Thank you in advance.

> DONATE        LK, volunteer



... SAVED from this awful situation!





Pet Adoption Fund > Back to Home Page
7507 Deering Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Office & Message: (818) 340-1687/1186

Viewing & Office Hours: 1:00 to 5:00, 6 days a week (closed Mondays)

View our pets at: http://www.petadoptionfund.org

* Join us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter