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Friday, August 19, 2011

SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER COALITION - SEPTEMBER, 2011
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WHAT'S NOW FOR SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER COALITION?
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RUFF’s PET FOOD FOR THE UNEMPLOYED                                                                  
Free Pet Food for unemployed people on the second Saturday of every month from 10 AM to noon at the Alicia Pet Care Center at 25800 Jeronimo Rd. #100, Mission Viejo. Also, the South County Outreach Food Pantry at 26776 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest, is open Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and has free pet food.  Ann Breuer who started the Pet Food Giveaway program, with her husband Jim Gardner, is also part of a volunteer group making coats for pets in animal shelters.  Both Pet Food programs are sponsored by RUFF (Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends  www.ruffrescue.org).  You can contact Anne Breuer at annebreuer@yahoo.com

*** BEST FRIENDS GOT THE City Council VOTES they needed to operate the Northeast Valley Animal Shelter in Mission Hills in Los Angeles.  This will be a NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER where the ANIMALS WIN!!  Thanks so much to everyone who called in.  Victory!!  Now this brand new shelter that was sitting vacant will be used to save dog, cats and rabbits.  You all helped create a No Kill Animal Shelter-Congratulations!  Barb Holcomb

GREAT NEWS for the Residents of Irvine - The Irvine Co. sent a letter to the City of Irvine stating they will no longer lease property to any business that sells cats or dogs.  They will honor the current lease in Irvine with Russo's until it ends 12/12.  This is a HUGE VICTORY for the citizens of Irvine.  A very big thank all of you who have been writing letters and out protesting. You can celebrate today!!  Thank You!  - Gail Lewis   
1) We encourage all of you who celebrate this event to write the Irvine Co, Donald Bren CEO 550 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 to thank him for his decision.
2) There will be an Irvine City Council Meeting in October when the council members will be discussing the animal welfare laws.  We will need everyone's support so will let you know the date when we get that information!!  If you would like to help curb the Puppy Mill Industry call the City of Irvine at 949-724-6000 and ask the City Council to vote to BAN the SALE of DOGS and CATS in their City.  This is your chance to make a difference one city at a time.  CALL ASAP even if you are not an Irvine Resident, because calls from all over the country are coming in from those who fight to keep their puppy mill profits at the expense of dogs and puppies.  ** Watch a recent documentary about Puppy Mills at http://www.blogger.com/goog_50554033    


PET RESCUE GROUPS ARE REPORTING THEY ARE HAVE RECEIVED BILLS FOR KENNELING AND OTHER FEES FROM ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE SERVICES -  The site iswww.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-kennel-fees-for-animal-rescue-organizations/  If you have questions please contact Fran at frannie0416@comline.com " **** On 7-28 the Animal Recues received this message from the Orange County Animal Rescue Coalition  - Just heard from Sgt. Holland of OCASC.  She advised me that the outcome of the kennel fees are on hold and no further monies are to be paid until a determination is made from the Board of Supervisors. If the outcome is in our favor we will be refunded the kennel fees some other groups paid.  She did not know how much longer this will take.      ** NO FURTHER INFORMATION TO DATE - THIS ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED.
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WHAT'S NEXT FOR SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER COALITION?
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Laguna Hills Residents with Pets have been waiting since December of 2010 for the Coyote Problem in their City to be agendized and Publicly addressed by the City Council and they have been waiting almost a year for a public announcement by the City regarding  opportunity from by Dr. Fred Saad, DVM - Owner of the El Toro Animal Hospital in Lake Forest to establish a local Animal Shelter for Laguna Hills and Lake Forest  at his facility because Laguna Hills and Lake Forest residents have to travel 20 miles to get to the 70 year old County Shelter with the high kill rate that the city now uses.  He invited the city council to tour his facility and give him a chance to work with the city on this issue. The council never responded to the residents about this offer.  

** Be sure to e-mail all the Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us  to let them know again that you want better animal care services than the 70 year old County Animal Shelter with the very high kill rate in Orange.
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FEATURES OF THE MONTH AND SPECIAL THANK YOUS
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Linda Blair, actress from "The Exorcist", brought her dog rescue group - The Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation to Laguna Hills on August 6, 2011
   
On Saturday, August 6. we attended the Grand Opening of Edible Arrangements on Moulton Pkwy. in Laguna Hills on the corner of Moulton and La Paz - 949-643-5678.  Edible Arrangements supplies healthy, delicious, colorful fresh fruits and berries cut into a wide variety of interesting shapes and designs arranged in party containers for all occasions.
 
In addition to the fun, games and delicious treats from Edible Arrangements, we were delighted to meet people from the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation.  They rescue dogs from the streets as well as from many high kill shelters in So. CA.  They provide medical and mental rehab. as well as training for the abused and/or abandoned dogs they save. They are dedicated to ensuring that these dogs receive the best care possible and find forever homes as family dogs with lots of love and affection. You can learn more about this organization including how to help and dogs to adopt at http://www.lindablairworldheart.org/ Linda Blair is Academy Award Nominated Actress, a veteran of many films, and you probably best remember her as the young girl, "Regan" (whose head spun around) as the star of "The Exorcist".  She is also a long time friend of the previous owners of Edible Arrangements. 

The Linda Blair we found was surprisingly small, physically fit, refreshingly energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated to the support of the animals she rescues.  She literally jumped out of her chair to voice her concern and explore ideas with us regarding how to improve the situation when we mentioned the enormity of the problem of pet overpopulation combined with the home foreclosure crisis that is plaguing not only Orange County, with our 70 year old outdated and overcrowded County Animal Shelter, but the entire State.  Her mind was quick and her eyes darted with enthusiasm as she explained what she had learned about this problem and how much she wants this to change.  She is also a Vegan and has written a book, including delicious, easy recipes, entitled "Going Vegan" It is described as an easy guide book for a less stressful, more compassionate plan for living. 
   
We spoke with Isabelle,Yvonne and Susan, volunteers for the LB Worldheart Foundation at 10061 Riverside Dr. #1003,  Toluca Lake, CA. 91602, who told us the organization is 8 or 9 years old but Linda has been rescuing all kinds of dogs for 14 years. The Foundation runs 100% on donations and they brought about 9 dogs to the Grand Opening in hopes of finding loving families for some of them. The dogs, who were very well behaved, included Chihuahuas, a young Yellow Lab., some Pit Bulls and mixed breeds.  Linda, her volunteers and their dogs stayed at THE HILLS HOTEL in Laguna Hills, a pet friendly hotel, and reported that the hotel had been very good to them

A Children's Book Author and Wildlife Photographer in Laguna Hills

We recently discovered that Laguna Hills is home to a talented, very enthusiastic author of children's books, and wildlife photographer Marilyn Mansdorf. The title of her first book is Bunny's Busy Day, the true story of a very wild cotton tail.  Marilyn has lived in Laguna Hills for about 10 years and her photos have earned the attention of National Geographic. She has a lovely home that backs up to a canyon. Her backyard measures about 15 by 50 feet and that's where what she calls her miracle began. 

About 7 years ago Marilyn noticed that wild bunnies and squirrels were attracted to her yard. They seemed to feel at home there and she enjoyed watching them, so she began an experiment. She added children's play furniture and toys to the yard and discovered that, just like children, the bunnies and squirrels began playing in the furniture, with the toys and with each other.  She was so fascinated by their curiosity and laughable antics that she decided to document them.  She uses an older camera with real film that has to be developed and has thousands of photos that she files and uses to document her stories. 

She says her stories are meant to be a message to children that all wildlife should be respected but they are also open ended to allow children to creatively interpret the animals' behaviors.  She saves all the negatives from her photos as proof that her photos are not photoshopped.  Over the past 7 years that Marilyn has been photographing them she has earned the trust of these wild creatures and she still giggles with delight when telling their stories. 

She recalled that the first bunny to enter her yard came as a baby but is now a multi-great grandfather who returns with other bunnies that may be his offspring.  She worries for his safety and for the safety of all the other wild creatures but says she understands that they are wild and she must allow them to stay that way.  The miracle, she says, is that these very wild creatures morph dramatically into relaxed and playful comedians, enjoying the toys, each others company and accepting her as one of them when they enter her yard but they change quickly back to the wild ever vigilant creatures they need to be when they leave.

Marilyn is quick to point out that she cannot plan what they do or train them she can only record them and write their stories. She has written a series of books about them and this is the first one she has published.  You can find her beautifully bound books and buy them on her web site at www.bunnybooksinc.com   $17.95 for the hard cover edition and $11.95 for the soft cover.  I imagine you could talk her into autographing a few of them as well.  We enjoyed Marilyn very much and are continuing to enjoy her book. 
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR PET OWNERS ================================================
NEVER Leave your pet in a car during hot weather - California has a statute that specifically prohibits leaving an animal in confined vehicle. Cracking the window open and parking in the shade provides little protection, as overheating can quickly cause fatal damage to our furry companions. Canine physiology is vastly different from humans. While humans have sweat glands all over our bodies that help regulate our body heat, dogs cool down mostly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. In only a short amount of time, a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain. For example, on an 80 degree day, temperatures inside a parked car, with the windows partially open, can exceed 100 degrees in 5 minutes, and over 120 degrees in just 10 minutes! For important, helpful hot weather tips to help protect our pets this summer, click here

Tips to find the perfect pet sitter.

ASPCA tip on boarding facilities  

Coyote Attacks continue so protect your pets at all times when they are outside.
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PET LOST AND FOUND E-MAIL NOTICES FROM SCASC
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Laguna Hills Citizens who sign up with SCASC at BlandMJ@AOL.com help protect their pets through our Free Lost and Found Pet e-mails to everyone on the Laguna Hills e-mail list. If you lose or find a pet e-mail us a description of the pet, when and where it was lost or found, and your name, phone # and/or e-mail address for contact information. The anxiety you feel when you lose or find a pet in Laguna HiIls is because it is not tolerable to turn a defenseless pet over to the Orange County Shelter with its high kill rate. While most other So. County Cities have or share safe City Shelters, the Laguna Hills City Council has chosen to retain the worst animal control services available - the 70 year old County Shelter 20 miles away that is consistently overcrowded, and has a consistently high kill rate.  These are the same services we had before we became a City 20 years ago.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Be Careful related to Over Vaccinating your Pets
CANINE and FELINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL – 2011 http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

Dog chew treats recalled 
Dog chew treats recalled  FDA says Merrick's Doggie Wishbone treats could be contaminated with Salmonella.

Shelters report the leading cause of lost animals not being returned to their homes is due to the lack of identification.  Please get your pets microchiped and be sure your dogs have ID on their collars. 

Always keep you dogs on leashes on trails and in parks to keep our neighborhoods safe and to enable others to enjoy the trails, streets and
parks without being fearful. 

And Please always keep your dogs and cats indoors unless they are constantly supervised related to the ongoing Coyote Problem.
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IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR CA. PETS & PET OWNERS
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JUST FOR FUN
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SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR
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We are sorry to announce that Milo's Pet Friendly Cafe www.Miloscafe.com is  temporarily closed. 


August 13 - Sept 10 - CATOPIA at the Orange County Animal Shelter  learn more at http://www.ocpetinfo.com/ 


Sunday, August 21 SCART's 6th Annual Pet Fair in the Park. 9:30 to 3:00 PM at the Marine Stadium Park, 5255 Paoli Way, Long Beach SCART is Southern CA. Animal Response Team   http://www.scart.us/


Thursday, August 25  "Why we Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows" - book by Dr. Melanie Joy who will be making a presentation in Mission Viejo at 7pm at 23436 Madero, Ste. 140. RSVP to Donna Koontz (949) 274-1850


Saturday, August 27, 2011  Psychic Fair  11:00 to 5:00 18271 McDurmott West, Ste. H in Irvine,  949-752-5272  Sessions are 15 minutes each.  2 sessions for $35  Bonnie Taplin http://www.bonnietaplin.com/


Thursday, September 1 The Ritz Carleton, Laguna Niguel Yappy Hour, 5 to 8 pm to benefit the Pet Project Foundation - A monthly cocktail party for canines and their companions. For more information call the Ritz Carleton at 949-240-2000


Irvine Animal Care Center will offer community education classes in
Saturday Sept. 3,  Caring for Older Pets  - 1 - 2:30 pm  $20   To register go to www.Irvinequickreg.org  or call 949-724-7740
Non Irvine Residents fee is and additional $5 per course.
Proceeds benefit the Irvine Animal Care Center
Classes are for humans only your Pets are not allowed in classes


Saturday, Sept. 24 - STRUT YOUR MUTT in Los Angeles for Best Friends to raise money for pets in need.  Learn More at http://www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.eventDetails&eventID=506&utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Strut%20Your%20Mutt%20in%20NYC%20or%20LA...&mid=82443322&ml=20210349


Sunday, Sept. 25 - 14th Annual Walk for Animals at Huntington Beach Central Park. 5K/2K to benefit the Orange County SPCA. Learn more at http://orangecountyspca.org


Saturday & Sunday, November 5 and 6 - The OC Market Place has CANCELLED PET DAYS  Kathy Thorsell Pet Days Coordinator 714-267-6777


Saturday, November 19, Laguna Woods Cat Club Foster Program Holiday Boutique. Location Clubhouse 7 on Moulton Pkwy. North of El Toro at the signal at the top of the hill.  To see more details, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239215906118627
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LISTENING TO SCASC SUPPORTERS
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Visit website@aspca.org to learn more about supporting puppy mill reform
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS
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A warning about Coyotes from the office of County Supervisor Pat Bates - South County Pet Owners Warned to Beware of Coyotes

Many South County residents have expressed concerns about recent coyote sightings and several have even lost pets to these skilled hunters, as they were unaware of the coyote activity in their area. Though these animals are far from domesticated, they are very comfortable living within close proximity to human beings. As a result, they have little fear of humans and are frequently seen trotting along within a few feet of joggers, bikers and horseback riders.

Though coyotes generally hunt between sunset and sunrise, they can be observed at all hours of the day and will not pass up the opportunity for an easy meal. A dog or cat left in a backyard or unattended can be taken in a matter of moments. As such, cats and small dogs should not be allowed outside alone, even in a fenced yard.  For information on defensive measures to minimize the nuisance and losses caused by urban coyotes, please click
here.


Operation Blankets of Love  at http://www.operationblanketsoflove.com/ provides recycled and new pet-related items to comfort stray, sick, neglected and abused homeless animals in shelters, rescues and foster homes.  They also partner with other organizations to provide relief and comfort to animals displaced or endangered by catastrophe.   
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PETS & PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
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Don't forget to track Samantha Gowen OC Register Staff Writer and Pet Reporter online at her new address - ocregister.com/pets  Also look for OC Register Reporter Erika Ritchie who writes a lot of pet and wildlife stories.
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HOW TO CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS
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Laguna Hills City Council 
Laguna Hills e-mail - ccouncil@di.laguna-hills.ca.us for all City Council Members 
City web site - www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
phone - 949-707-2610  fax 949-707- 2614

Orange County Supervisors
Pat Bates: Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, the community of Newport Coast, & the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Wagon Wheel  PatBates@ocgov.com
Shawn Nelson: Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placenta Audra.Adams@ocgov.com 
John Moorlach: Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton district2@ocgov.com 
Janet Nguyen: Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminister janet.nguyen@ocgov.com
Bill Campbell: Anaheim, Brea, Irvine, Orange, Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

You Helped Create a No Kill Animal Shelter in Los Angeles!!

Results:
Best Friends got enough votes to operate the Northeast Valley animal Shelter in Mission Hills!!! The animals win!! Thanks so much to everyone that called in. Victory!!  Now this brand new shelter that was sitting vacant, will be used to save dogs, cats and rabbits.  Barb Holcomb

Northeast Valley animal shelter in Mission Hills, CA as a no kill shelter.  This is a brand new facility built by the city, but because of the budget crisis, sits vacant helping no animals what so ever.  Best Friends would like to rent this facility to do animal rescue and save countless dogs and cats by having the facility at hand.  The council is voting tomorrow and it is a VERY tight vote.  In order to push the vote in Best Friends favor (and the animals too), they are asking you call the numbers below and tell them you fully support Best Friends work in LA. Please encourage all the animal lovers you know to do the same.  The idea is to slam them with phone calls tomorrow before the vote, urging them to allow Best Friends to rent the facility for three years.  If Best Friends does not get approval to rent this facility, most likely, this brand new beautiful facility will sit vacant not helping any animals out at all.  

Status of the vote:  Last Friday, Best Friends was successful in getting seven of 10 votes in favor of our proposal, but we were one vote shy.  We needed eight “for” votes to get a majority of the full 15 votes on the council (five members were absent). As a result, a revote will be taken tomorrow (Tuesday), and we have been hard at work over the weekend to get the word out to Best Friends supporters throughout Los Angeles and the State of California.  Our goal—should we get the go-ahead to operate the shelter—is to save 3,000 LA shelter animals and perform 6,000 spay-neuter procedures in 2012, mostly in underserved communities in Los Angeles.
Here is the link to Francis Battista's blog which summarizes our position going into tomorrow’s vote.
Please help us get out the word by contacting your animal welfare colleagues, friends and acquaintances who live in Los Angeles.  Ask them to join us by contacting their city council representatives to let them know how important this vote is for the animals in Los Angeles shelters.
Even if you don't live in LA you can still help spread the word so we get approval for the shelter takeover tomorrow.  If you can spare some time tomorrow please call these council members:

Ed Reyes, 213.473.7001
Paul Krekorian, 213.473.7002
Dennis P Zine, 213.473.7003 
Richard Alarcon, 213.473.7007
Herb J. Wesson, Jr., 213.473.7010
Eric Garcetti, 213.473.7013
Jose Huizar, 213.473.7014
Tell them you fully support Best Friends work in LA. Please encourage all the animal lovers you know to do the same.
If you wanted to come in person to show your support. This is where the LA Team will be from 10am tomorrow (Tuesday): City Hall, 200 North Street, John Ferrano Council Chamber, Room 340, Los Angeles CA 90012. Feel free to wear your Best Friends tshirt!
 You can also give your opinions via live stream at the Van Nuys location.

We can do this! Thanks guys
Barb Holcomb  "For every animal euthanized, there is a person who is responsible."