Care before a crisis
When sweet senior Athena arrived at our mobile veterinary clinic, her family believed they were coming to say goodbye. Her severe skin problems had progressed to the point that they had scheduled a euthanasia appointment.
But after examining Athena, our Lead Clinic Veterinarian, Dr. Meighan Gomes, saw another path forward. Our team began treating Athena and working closely with her family, and today, she is feeling so much better.
Athena’s story reflects something we see far too often: families who love their pets deeply but delay seeking treatment because they are worried about the cost. Sometimes, by the time they reach out for help, a manageable health concern has become a medical crisis.
That’s why preventive care and access to affordable care matter so much. Every week, our team provides vaccines, flea and deworming treatments, spays and neuters, dental care and medical services that help pets stay healthier. We also encourage families to establish a relationship with a primary care veterinarian for regular exams and ongoing care.
We understand how difficult it can be to pay for veterinary care, especially when an unexpected illness or injury occurs. When a pet needs urgent or advanced treatment, we’re here to help eligible families through our Veterinary Partner Services program and Albus Pet Lifeline Fund.
Read on for more about preventive care and the many ways C.A.R.E.4Paws helps pet families, from affordable veterinary services and pet food assistance to foster care and emergency boarding.
Your gift helps prevent suffering and keeps pets healthy, safe and with the people who love them—and right now, it can go twice as far! Thanks to a generous $20,000 grant match from the John J. & Frank Sparacio Foundation, donations for spay/neuter surgeries are doubled.
With love and gratitude!
Isabelle
$5 rabies vaccines through October 4!
Preventive care can start with simple steps. From September 22 through October 4, C.A.R.E.4Paws is offering $5 rabies vaccines for dogs and cats at our walk-in Pet Wellness Clinics.
Vaccines, flea treatments, deworming and even regular nail trims can help prevent illness, pain and discomfort. Our mobile clinics bring these and other affordable services directly to communities across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
We’re here to meet families where they are and help keep pets healthy!
Spaying & neutering protects a pet’s health
Spaying/neutering does much more than preventing unwanted litters and keeping pets out of shelters. Spaying female dogs and cats can prevent pyometra, a potentially life-threatening uterine infection, and greatly reduce the risk of mammary tumors, particularly when performed early. Neutering male dogs and cats eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and can help prevent other reproductive health problems.
C.A.R.E.4Paws offers low-cost and free spay/neuter surgeries for pet families in need throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
A $20,000 match from the Sparacio Foundation means your gift for spay/neuter goes twice as far!
A lifeline when pets need more care
Beyond preventive wellness services, our mobile clinics provide affordable medical care for a wide range of health concerns, including ear, eye and skin infections, dental disease, wounds and other conditions. When a pet needs urgent or advanced treatment beyond what our clinics can provide, our Veterinary Partner Services (VPS) program helps eligible families access care through partner hospitals, with support from our Albus Pet Lifeline Fund.
“When a pet is sick or injured, families are often making difficult decisions while worrying about how they will afford care,” says Assistant Manager Libby Cabral, who oversees VPS. “Supporting pets starts with supporting people. We help families understand what resources are available and, whenever possible, find a path forward for their pets.”
Right time, right place for Simon!
“I was completely at a loss. My cat, Simon, had been to the emergency clinic for a urinary blockage and desperately needed a follow-up visit. But between living in my car, being on the road and running low on funds, I had no idea where to take him or how I could afford it,” says Jayme.
“I was driving when Simon had a bit of diarrhea in his litter box, so I pulled over to clean it out—and found myself right in front of Monarch Dunes Veterinary Clinic. I knew it was a sign. I took a leap of faith and booked an appointment, using just about all I had left to cover the exam fee.
“While waiting, I noticed a C.A.R.E.4Paws poster on the wall and applied for assistance. You guys were SO amazing! It truly felt like divine timing. Simon was able to get a full checkup, fluids and new medication. He’s still healing, but he’s doing so much better now. We are beyond grateful. Thank you so much!”
C.A.R.E.4Paws operates several Pet Resource Centers across the Central Coast in partnership with other agencies, including Santa Barbara County Animal Services. These centers provide access to free pet food and essential supplies. Our newest pantry is in New Cuyama, where resources for pet families are incredibly limited. Local community members help run the center and ensure donated food reaches families in need. It’s a powerful example of community supporting community. With the need for food continuing to grow in New Cuyama and elsewhere, we need help stocking our pantries and keeping up with demand.
Heartfelt thanks! 🐾
Huge shoutout to the many Central Coast businesses that collect food and supplies for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance program. You make it easy for neighbors to support neighbors and help pet families in need! We couldn’t do this vital work without pawsome partners, including Montecito Pet Shop, Advanced Veterinary Specialists (AVS), La Cumbre Feed, all five Farm Supply Company locations, Creekside Pet Boarding, Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club, Santa Barbara (in Goleta and Santa Barbara), ASAP Cats and Monighettis Farrier Feed & Pet. Together, we build a stronger safety net for pets and their people!
Max still needs us
We’re 50% there! After being left behind due to his dad’s sudden deportation, Max needed a safety net, and our community stepped up. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to date! Every donation, large or small, brings Max one step closer to the day he can be reunited with his family. Can you help us reach our goal?
Looking for a new best friend? 🐾
While C.A.R.E.4Paws’ primary focus is to help pets remain with their families, our Animals In Need Fund (AINF) program provides a pathway to safety and adoption when reunification is not possible.
AINF supports pets in need of new homes, including animals whose families are unable to take them back after receiving assistance through C.A.R.E.4Paws, as well as community cats and kittens living in riverbeds and other high-risk areas.
Meet the wonderful dogs and cats in our care and help us find them the loving homes they deserve!
Save the date! 🧡
Join us at the Gatehouse at Bien Nacido in Santa Maria on Saturday, October 24, from 1pm to 4pm for an afternoon with friends, live music and delicious eats. A portion of proceeds from Friday through Sunday will benefit C.A.R.E.4Paws and the pet families we support. We’d love to see you there!
Your pet could be a star
Following the successful re-wrapping of our 26-foot mobile unit, we are now offering pet portraits for our 37-foot mobile clinic’s new wrap. We still have spots left, and there are lots of great placements to choose from. Pricing is based on size and prominence plus includes a professional photo session.
You can also power us forward with a clinic sponsorship!
It takes a village! 🐾
Your support helps keep pets healthy, out of shelters and with their families for life.