Expansion to San Luis Obispo County

Expansion to San Luis Obispo County

In 2022, C.A.R.E.4Paws expanded our mobile pet wellness services to San Luis Obispo (SLO) County through Snip & Chip SLO, a community-based program developed alongside SLO nonprofits Animals in Need Fund and Animal Shelter Adoption Partners.

The only initiative of its kind in SLO, Snip & Chip curbs pet overpopulation, prevents pet homelessness and euthanasia of adoptable animals, and improves animal welfare in the county.

Since February, we have altered 300 dogs and cats and provided medical care, vaccines, microchips and other basic services to more than 850 pets. In addition to Animals in Need Fund and Animal Shelter Adoption Partners, we thank Feline Network of the Central Coast, Nipomo Dog & Cat Hospital, Lucky Dog Pet Resort, Elm Street Dog Park, City of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach, County of SLO, SLO Animal Services and Woods Humane Society for the partnerships!

For more details and ways to contribute, please visit our program page.

A Pawsitive Impact for Pets

A Pawsitive Impact for Pets

Published November 26, 2022

While shelters along California’s Central Coast do their best to provide care for abandoned dogs and cats, the facilities can be extremely overcrowded as animals face a long wait to find forever families. And, sadly, not all animals find a new home.

Isabelle Gullö has a solution: Why not step in earlier with programs that reduce pet overpopulation and prevent pet homelessness in the first place?

In 2009, Gullö, who at the time was a Santa Barbara County Animal Services shelter volunteer, cofounded C.A.R.E.4Paws alongside Carlos Abitia and other shelter volunteers to fill a desperate need and provide resources that keep pets healthy and with their families for life.

C.A.R.E.4Paws – short for Community Awareness, Responsibility & Education – offers an array of services to low-income, senior, disabled and unhoused pet families in Santa Barbara County’s most underserved communities. This includes free spaying or neutering, assistance with veterinary care and low-cost vaccine events in the nonprofit’s two mobile veterinary clinics; distribution of pet food and supplies; support for pet families exposed to domestic violence; a youth education program called Paws Up For Pets; and even Pet Emergency Training (P.E.T.) for First Responders.

More than 20,000 pet families in need receive assistance every year in Santa Barbara County. Also, in February 2022, the organization expanded its mobile wellness services to San Luis Obispo County, where it has already assisted hundreds of low-income pet families.

The nonprofit is having a sizable impact on reducing overpopulation.

“Since our founding, C.A.R.E.4Paws has spayed and neutered more than 16,000 dogs and cats for free,” says Gullö, who’s also the nonprofit’s executive director. “That has contributed to a significant drop in shelter intake numbers. By the end of December 2022, we will have altered another 2,200 animals.

Also sizable is the amount of free pet food C.A.R.E.4Paws provides annually. In fact, the nonprofit has distributed well over one million pounds of food since the pandemic began. Much of the food is distributed through Pet Resource Centers co-operated by C.A.R.E.4Paws and various partners. Some is provided during community events. For example, during weekly visits to Santa Barbara’s Alameda Park, volunteers provide food for pets of the unsheltered, along with blankets, bedding, and flea treatment. Once a month, C.A.R.E.4Paws brings A’s Mobile Grooming to the park to bathe the dogs of the unhoused for free, a service also provided monthly in Santa Maria with Doggie Parlour.

“Times are hard for so many community members, and families should not have to choose between caring for their animals and putting food on the table,” says Gullö. “We do everything we can to ensure pets stay healthy and with the people who love them. This prevents suffering and pet homelessness.”

Creativity with compassion

Creativity with compassion

The youth at United Boys & Girls Club in Lompoc continue to amaze us with their pet portraits, which they create from photos of beloved pets. Portraits are $50 and the money raised supports C.A.R.E.4Paws’ critical programs.

Order your portrait today, whether it’s of your own four-legged family member, a pet that has crossed the rainbow bridge or a gift for someone you care about.

Mobile spay marathon in Palmdale

Mobile spay marathon in Palmdale

October 22 and 23 was a big weekend for C.A.R.E.4Paws! For the first time in our 13-year history, our clinic team traveled to Palmdale and Subaru Antelope Valley for a big spay/neuter weekend with Karma Rescue. We altered 54 dogs and cats, making a dent in the area’s pet overpopulation.

We are so grateful to our clinic crew, the awesome Karma team and generous spay/neuter sponsorships from Subaru and the City of Palmdale.

Mobile Spay Marathon in Palmdale Veterinarian cuddling kitten
Mobile Spay Marathon in Palmdale Client with Pet
Buddy is healed and happy!

Buddy is healed and happy!

Buddy’s mom sent us a note after we helped her beautiful pup in our mobile clinic:

“We are so thankful for all that you do to help our community! After a 3.5-pound tumor removal, Buddy wears his scar proudly. Thank you!”

Walk Against Abuse—a pawsome event!

Walk Against Abuse—a pawsome event!

On Sunday, September 18, C.A.R.E.4Paws, Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County and Elings Park hosted the inaugural Walk Against Abuse. More than 200 people and almost as many dogs came out to support Safe Haven, a program that assists pet families exposed to domestic violence. Thank you to all of our participants, sponsors, donors, volunteers and staff for making this happen! A very special thanks to our cohosts, Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County and Elings Park.

The fun-filled afternoon included a dog walk through the beautiful park grounds, exciting activities, food by El Pastorcito Mobile, great tunes from Music by Bonnie and a presentation about how Safe Haven prevents suffering and saves lives—and ways to support this critical program!

Mark your calendars for our next Walk Against Abuse: Sunday, October 1, 2023!