Because no pet or pet owner in Santa Barbara County should have to go hungry or without critical care, C.A.R.E.4Paws, in partnership with agencies such as Northern Santa Barbara County United Way and its Home For Good program, is increasing services to community members in need by introducing more Pet Resource Centers.
Starting this holiday season, the resource centers are locations where pet owners can pick up dog and cat food and other supplies, sign up for veterinary care in C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile clinic, and access wellness services for themselves.
Pet Resource Centers, which are part of C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance program, now exist at a dozen locations countywide.
Families and individuals can find help at PATH Santa Barbara, the Salvation Army, Isla Vista Community Service District, People Helping People in Santa Ynez, Bridge House in Lompoc and Santa Maria’s Good Samaritan Shelter, all United Way Home For Good Entry Points.
A new resource center has launched at Santa Barbara County Animal Services’ Santa Maria Animal Center. This is in addition to the centers C.A.R.E.4Paws has maintained for several years at Santa Barbara’s Rescue Mission, Unity Shoppe and Noah’s Anchorage.
Find a complete list of Pet Resource Centers at care4paws.org/petassistance.
Operating hand-in-hand with these centers, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Pet Meals team delivers pet food directly to homes countywide as well as to locations such as Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, where many homeless pet owners spend time.
C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile veterinary clinic also carries pet food to hand out during its Pet Wellness Clinics, hosted three days per week from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria. Visit care4paws.org/clinics.
“By lending a helping hand to community members in need and their companion animals, you prevent suffering far beyond an empty stomach,” says Isabelle Gullo, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ cofounder/executive Director.
“Many owners decide to relinquish their pets to a shelter if they cannot provide food or critical wellness services,” Gullo said. “This is not only heartbreaking for the person and pet, but our shelters become more crowded and, sadly, not every animal finds a new home.
“Through collaborations with other agencies, we can offer a fairly easy solution that benefits the whole community.”
Emily Allen, director of United Way’s Home For Good said the program also bridges the gap for those who may not seek out services for themselves, but they will take advantage of programs that help their four-legged companions.
“Often people consider pets family members. They will put their animal’s needs over their own. By engaging individuals around their concern for their pet, the homelessness emergency response system can leverage the human-animal bond to provide life-saving services to people and their pets,” said Allen.
“To serve people experiencing homelessness and their animals, we know we must build relationships with animal welfare organizations. We’re thrilled to work with C.A.R.E.4Paws across Santa Barbara County,” she said.
Support for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance comes from individuals, local business partners and other animal nonprofit groups. C.A.R.E.4Paws is looking for pet food and other supplies to ensure it can meet the growing demand.
For more information about C.A.R.E.4Paws and to support its Companion Pet Assistance program, visit care4paws.org, email info@care4paws.org or call 805-968-2273.
— Isabelle Gullo for C.A.R.E.4Paws.
