Board member, Dr. Alex Gomes, related how C.A.R.E.4Paws’ spay and neuter program addresses the issue of pet overpopulation, relieving the strain on shelters. More broadly, the clinics deliver veterinary care that overcomes financial barriers as well as transportation and language barriers, enabling pet owners to get the care their pets need. The clinics address the harsh reality that these barriers are real and prevent many pets from getting the care that they need.
When the pet’s need is beyond the scope of what C.A.R.E.4Paws’ clinics can provide, it funds the care at AVS (Advanced Veterinary Services) and other partners that provide discounted rates. Last year, through its Albus Fund, C.A.R.E.4Paws provided $100,000 in funding for needed medical care.
C.A.R.E.4Paws continues to provide several tons of pet food each month to low-income and homeless pet owners. Since the start of the pandemic, it has supplied more than six million pet meals. It distributes food largely through partners, including Santa Barbara County Animal Services, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) in Santa Barbara, United Boys & Girls Clubs, Good Samaritan Shelter, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, and a few animal-focused nonprofits. It delivers pet food directly to senior and disabled owners at their homes and to homeless pet owners at Alameda Park. Pet Food Experts in Fontana has been a generous in-kind donor, helping to sustain the program.
C.A.R.E.4Paws delivers its services with a lean staff, lots of volunteers, and little overhead. It uses mobile clinics, according to Board Chair and CPA Christopher Harris, “not just to deliver services where they are needed, but also to keep our costs as low as possible by not having the expense of physical offices or brick-and-mortar facilities.” Harris noted further that “not only do 90 percent of our donors’ dollars go directly to our mission and programs, but those programs are delivered in an extremely cost-efficient manner.”
In addition to donations to support its programs, C.A.R.E.4Paws is seeking volunteers, with the greatest need being for foster homes for its Safe Haven Program. In partnership with Domestic Violence Solutions, this program provides anonymous foster care for pet owners leaving an abusive situation. Other volunteer needs are to help staff its mobile clinics and to run pet food drives.
An inspiring volunteer, San Marcos High School senior Ava Vasquez, has run pet food drives in each of the past four years at Vieja Valley Elementary School. Last year alone, Vasquez and some collaborators brought in 1,220 pounds of food. As Gullö related, “Times are tough for many community members. Thousands of families in Santa Barbara County still struggle to pay rent and bills, let alone feeding their four-legged companions.”
