CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS

Are you a creative person with a talent for painting, photography, pottery, or another art form? Do you enjoy doing crafts, such as needlework or sewing, in your spare time? Then you can help North County Humane Society!

The Shelter has established a small store in the NCHS Reception area. All store proceeds benefit the Shelter, except during National Spay Day USA week when monies raised through store sales are applied to spay/neuter certificates to San Luis Obispo county residents.

If you have an item(s) you would be willing to donate to the store, please contact Priscilla milasmom@att.net. Of particular interest, are animal themed items.

STUDENTS SUPPORT SHELTER

Fifth grade students in the Canyon Creek After School Program recently learned about, and raised money for, the Shelter cats at North County Humane Society.

The Canyon Creek After School Program is one of many services offered by People’s Self Help Housing in Paso Robles. People’s Self Help Housing (PSHH) is a non profit organization that provides affordable housing to low income residents. This includes affordable rental facilities, many of which also provide learning centers, child care facilities, health services, and more.

Kimberly Gaspar, the Educational Enhancement Program Coordinator at the Canyon Creek Apartments, explains, “we try to provide educational assistance for the children of the low income families living in our apartments. I have 60 students in grades kindergarten through fifth, for which PSHH provides after school help with homework, a nutritious snack, and enrichment programs that include workshops, guest speakers and field trips.” The Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP) helps to build youth self-esteem, promote parent involvement, improve academic success, and thereby, increases the rate of High School graduation.

Gaspar recently invited North County Humane Society Board Member Carol DeHart King and Volunteer Kathleen Bockius to speak before fifteen 5th graders as part of YEEP’s Canyon Creek After School Program. The 30 minute NCHS presentation on May 26th covered the Shelter, the cats, and included many student questions.

The students then held a Bake Sale at the Center as part of a Community Open House on Wednesday, June 2nd from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., raising over $ 36.00 for NCHS. These monies will be used towards the care of the cats. The Bake Sale involved working in the kitchen, baking cookies, cupcakes and decorating them, and then attending the tables at the event. The 5th graders also made up poster boards to advertise their Bake Sale, featuring photos of cats cut out of magazines.

The Open House, attended by parents and community members, included a Mexican dinner, pinatas, a carnival, and the aforementioned Bake Sale. Anita Rouse, NCHS Board President noted, “We are very grateful when community groups, especially young people, put this kind of time and effort into learning about our local Shelter and to raising money to ensure its’ continued existence.” People’s Self Help Housing and the North County Humane Society plan more future collaborative efforts involving youth.

back to top

Membership Luncheon Raises Spay/Neuter Funds

This year’s annual Membership Luncheon included a Spay/Neuter auction fundraiser. Thanks to the generous donations of local businesses and residents, and the enthusiastic response of our membership, enough money was raised to provide at least 48 spay/neuter certificates to San Luis Obispo county residents. Those interested in receiving a spay/neuter certificate to help defray the cost of spaying or neutering their pet at a local veterinary clinic should contact the Shelter at 466-5403 for assistance. Spay/Neuter saves lives!

back to top

NEWSLETTERS

Short Tails

Our newsletter is published quarterly and is free to our members. Often we include an insert; it may be for a fundraiser, a memorial/tributes page, or other information we hope you'll be interested in reading. You may download Adobe pdf formatted issues and "extras" by clicking on the month listed below.

Spring 2010

Winter 2009

Spring 2009

2008 Newsletters

January/Feb 2008 • April/May 2008 • June/July 2008 • September/October 2008

back to top

Meet Billy McPaw, SpokesCat for NCHS

SHELTER NEWS By: Billy McPaw, NCHS Spokescat

Hi to all you non furry and furry humans out there!
As you know, I tend to hang out in the NCHS Reception area, so I’m, as you human’s say, “in the know.”

It’s been really busy around here! In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many of my feline friends leaving the Shelter since I’ve been here. From what I’ve overheard, there were 42 adoptions in May - an all time NCHS record! Wow! It’s really exciting to know that so many of my friends have found good homes.

Ritchie, a 6 year old orange and white domestic short hair, was adopted out the day after he was a special guest on the Dave Congalton radio show on KVEC. I hear Ritchie was bashful about being on the air and snuck into some electronic equipment under a table to hole out for the balance of the show. Ritchie weighs in at 16.9 pounds. How did he sneak into such a small space? Wish I’d had a chance to ask him before he left NCHS. . . . So, he ended up needing to utilize a “spokesperson,” one of the Shelter volunteers, to speak on his behalf. How ironic - I speak for the humans and a human had to speak for Ritchie! *

Sherry Chapman, our “Animal Care Coordinator,” (who, by the way, takes good care of us animals), organized another “K9's for Felines Walk” around Atascadero Lake Park. I love the idea of making those dogs work for us cats! You know what they say - “Dogs drool, Cats rule!”

Actually, I guess dogs can’t be all that bad (I’ve never made their acquaintance), as 150 people and their dogs showed up in really cold, windy weather on May 22nd to raise money for us felines. I hear the ones who attended the walk came in all shapes and sizes from a 2 pound Chihuahua to a 180 pound Newfoundland. Wow! Some of those dogs are as big as ponies! I wonder if that big one would give me rides? That would save me having to walk to and from my food dish and litter box. An interesting idea to consider. . . . Those of you who have met me know that I am not athletically inclined.

Did y’all know that June is “National Adopt A Shelter Cat Month?” That’s right! It’s about time we shelter cats received national recognition. We are the best you know. We can be adopted for a low $69.00, which includes: already being spayed or neutered, being current on vaccines, tested for things like the Feline Leukemia Virus, 30 days of free pet health insurance, and free microchipping. Even in this economy, where else could you get such a great financial bargain, plus, love and companionship too?! Does your spouse come with all of those things?

The incredible thing is, it gets even better! As I sit here looking around, I am surrounded by beautiful handmade quilts in assorted colors that would match any decor. I hear that anyone who adopts a cat (adult or kitten) anytime during the entire month of June, receives a free quilt while supplies last. I guess this means that you and your new forever friend can snuggle up together to watch the Animal Planet or take a catnap.

The June special is only good as supplies of cats and quilts last, so hurry in today! When you come in, be sure to say hi to me. I’m the handsome fellow, the color of vanilla ice cream, in the Reception area. It’s best to come in Tuesday through Saturday between 10 and 4:00 p.m. as I’m not very good at texting. My paws are too big.

May the Sun shine on your belly.
May the gentle breezes fluff your furr.
May your friends include felines.
And, may you enjoy forever love and companionship.

Your friend, BILLY

(* This same volunteer will be appearing for NCHS on the Dick Mason show on KPRL on
June 3rd).

back to top

SPOKESCAT RECEIVES NATIONAL ATTENTION!

Billy McPaw, Spokescat for the North County Humane Society, appeared in the July issue of “Cat Fancy” magazine in a special article featuring “45 Extraordinary Cats.” Of course those at the Atascadero shelter have always found him extraordinary, even before his recent national attention!
Congratulations Billy! Does this mean gourmet shrimp will now replace your kibble?

Spay/Neuter Certificates Available at Shelter and DAS

Spay/Neuter certificates are available at North County Humane Society for Atascadero residents only in the following amounts:

• $40.00 for females

• $20.00 for males
  

Certificates from the Department of Animal Services are available at the North County Sheriff's Station in Templeton.

PLEASE NOTE: SUPPLY IS LIMITED!!!!!
Call to check on availability

back to top

THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY!

back to top

NEW ADOPTION FEATURES AT NCHS

If you take a look at our adoption page, you will see some big changes. For the first time in our 32-year history, we are able to offer you real-time adoptable cat information. The cats you see online are currently available. As they are adopted, they immediately come off of our website. This is one of the many changes we are making to stay current and offer you better service.

We know that filling out an application can take valuable time, especially if the shelter is busy. You can save time by filling out an application online and submitting it through Petango. Click on “Start Your Adoption Application.” Petango is a nation-wide searchable pet adoption site, and is another step we are taking in our efforts to increase efficiency. After you have submitted your application, we will have it on hand at the shelter and can process your adoption more quickly.

Another new feature is our ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance. Each cat adopted from the shelter comes with the option of 30 days free health insurance that covers many common problems such as respiratory illness, eye infections, and even bone fractures, up to $750. You pay a one-time deductible of $75. An average vet visit is often over $150, and can be much higher. You have the options of extending your free coverage to 45 days, or adding free renter’s insurance covering pet damage to the interior of your house up to $500. We want to make sure you have the best possible adoption experience with your pet. This is our way of helping guarantee a healthy pet and happy landlord. The free health insurance expires automatically after 30 days.

Most cats adopted through the shelter will also come with a microchip. When you adopt your cat, the registration is automatically transferred to you. You can then maintain your own information with 24PetWatch. If you move, you can update your information online. You also have the option of putting photos of your pet online. If, for any reason, your cat gets lost, you will have a current and accurate record of your pet. Microchipping and registration of the microchip can cost between $50 to $100 dollars.

Shelter pets are “better than free.” When you get a “free” kitten, you can expect to pay close to $200 in initial health check, vaccines, spaying or neutering, and testing for Feline Leukemia or Feline AIDS (FIV). When you adopt a cat from North County Humane Society, you are taking home a cat that is already spayed or neutered, has had its initial and follow-up health exams, has had its vaccines, has been tested for FIV and Leukemia, and has been treated for fleas, ear mites, and any other possible health conditions. In addition, you get a 30-day happiness guarantee, 30 days of free pet health insurance, a microchip registered to you, and unlimited behavioral assistance. Our adoption fee is still only $69.00 per cat.

back to top

PLEASE HELP OUR CATS

This is a particularly difficult time economically. As our President has noted, this is the most difficult time financially in our nation’s history since the Great Depression.

The severity of California’s weak economy has had an impact on us at the North County Humane Society. Many families on the central coast are losing their homes to foreclosure. When this happens, some have contacted us to take in their loved pets, while others are so overwhelmed by their circumstances, that they leave their pets behind to fend for themselves. Others, are unable to manage the cost of pet food and medical care, and have had to resort to getting rid of their beloved animals, due to their dire economic straits.

In addition, last summer we all saw a significant rise in gas prices. As you may recall, as a result of this, food and other products went up significantly in price. This includes the cost of pet food and cat litter. Unfortunately, when gas prices were finally decreased, the cost of many products that are necessary to the running of our Shelter did not go down as well.

To make matters even more difficult, there has been a decrease in how much some of our steady contributors are able to give. Although they want to help us out, as they know how long we’ve been in operation, how much we love the cats we care for, and the importance of what we do, they have lost significant amounts of money due to the stock market decline and therefore, are not able to give as they would like.

A society is judged by how it treats its animals, especially during rough times. This is particularly apt, when all of us are feeling the effects of an economic downturn. It is even more important to help those who cannot help themselves, when times are tough.

Will you please open your hearts and wallets, to help us remain open? Any amount is appreciated. The kitties under our care need YOUR help if we are to stay open. Thank you for whatever help you are able to give.
The staff, volunteers and cats at the NCHS.

back to top

1-877-NEW PET LINE Launches to Help Owners Manage Their Pet’s Behavioral and Nutritional Special Needs

Hill’s is also launching 1-877-NEW PET LINE, a resource to help new and current pet owners understand and manage a variety of their pet’s behavioral and nutritional special needs. Staffed with live experts trained by Dr. Jacqui Neilson, DVM of the American college of Veterinary Behaviorists, pet owners can discuss special needs including acclimating a pet into a new environment, obedience/house training, proper nutrition and pet fitness. The New Pet Line is open Monday through Saturday from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Central Standard Time.

Transforming Pet’s Lives through Nutrition

Hill’s is currently the largest corporate sponsor of shelters in the U.S., providing well over 1,000 shelter partners with free, high quality nutritious food they need to help their pets get healthy soon and adopted faster. To date, Hill’s has donated over $100 million dollars worth of food and helped millions of cats and dogs get adopted.

back to top