Would you like to foster a pet in need?
As our Safe Haven program grows, so does the need for safe, anonymous foster care and boarding for pets of domestic violence survivors. Studies show that survivors stay at least two years longer in a violent situation when family pets are involved. Together, we can prevent more suffering and save lives! You provide the love and safe housing, we will provide the food, supplies and medical care. Contact us at foster@care4paws.org if you can help and please spread the word!
Order your masterpiece today!
C.A.R.E.4Paws is proud to partner with the amazing youth at the United Boys & Girls Club of Lompoc to provide wonderful portraits of all types of pets while raising critical funds for our critical work. We received this fantastic feedback from our community!
“What a wonderful surprise! My sister, Genese Izuno, arranged for a pet portrait as a surprise for Sierra and me. The pet portrait of Sierra painted by Katie R. for Mother’s Day 2023 is so heartwarming. It brought tears to my eyes, as Sierra is my “child,” and the portrait was so realistic. It is incredible that Katie could paint with such accuracy from a photograph.
Thank you, C.A.R.E.4Paws, for the work you do for the City of Lompoc, particularly for two of our most vulnerable groups. I appreciate your time and dedication to supporting our youth and animals. I am overwhelmed by your willingness to collaborate and provide something so unique and wonderful to our citizens of Lompoc.”
~ Warmly, Tanya Opfermann & Sierra ~
Support our youth program, Paws Up For Pets, which promotes compassion and accountability for animals and inspires empathy in our community as a whole by ordering your pet portrait today.
C.A.R.E.4Paws has received a $120,000 grant from PetSmart Charities!
Incredible news! C.A.R.E.4Paws has received a $120,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to improve access to vet care in Oceano, an underserved community in San Luis Obispo County that lacks pet wellness services of any kind. The funding will allow us to provide critical mobile clinic services for free for pet families in need to keep animals healthy and in their homes. We are truly grateful to PetSmart Charities for this opportunity. Stay tuned for specific details about our first clinic, which will take place on August 6 at Oceano’s Parks & Recreation Department. #petsmartcharities, #incubatorgrantee
Care that keeps pets with the people who love them!
A one-of-a-kind nonprofit on California’s Central Coast, C.A.R.E.4Paws works directly in the community to provide critical services for pet families in need, improving pet family welfare, preventing suffering and saving lives! Check out our brand-new video, which shares the latest about our programs, from mobile pet wellness and spay/neuter services to pet food distribution and support for domestic violence survivors and unhoused community members.
Pet families share their Happy Tails!
Every year, C.A.R.E.4Paws assists thousands of pet families in need with critical services, ensuring animals stay healthy and with the people who love them. Here are heartfelt stories, or “happy tails,” from families about how C.A.R.E.4Paws has made an impact in their lives and the lives of their beloved pets!
Did someone say FREE microchips for dogs and cats?
That’s right! Now through July 2, we provide free chips at all Pet Wellness Clinics through our partnership with Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Lompoc’s CAPA and San Luis Obispo County Animal Services (we cohost a big clinic with SLO animal services on July 2). As many as 30% more pets are lost between July 4 and July 6 than during any other time of year. Fireworks are fun for us, but they are scary for our four-legged family members. A microchip protects our pets and helps ensure they find their way back to you if lost.
Tips to keep your pet safe this July 4!
1. Keep your pets indoors, preferably in a safe, quiet room with no outside access. Provide your dog or cat with a crate to create a place of safety for them.
2. Keep your dog leashed if you must take them outside, and make sure your yard is secure.
3. Play music or turn on the television to drown out the sounds of the fireworks.
4. Provide a weighted blanket or thunder coat.
5. Write your phone number on your pet’s collar; tags can fall off.
Celebrating the Happy Tails!
The main fundraising portion of the night was a live auction where attendees could bid for various baskets, experiences and fun animal-related items. Specifically, some items offered were animal portraits, a VIP tour with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation or a flight on a search mission finding lost dogs. Donations were often tripled, which gave multiple buyers the opportunity to experience something they wanted.
The fundraiser raised close to $170,000, a new event record, according to Isabelle Gullö, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ co-founder and executive director. She told the News-Press that $100,000 was raised directly at the event and the rest was raised through sponsorships.
There also was a matching grant from the Sparacio Foundation, and the organization matched $50,000 during the auction event. This helped encourage those at the event to donate and bid.
According to Ms. Gullö, the money will go directly back to the organization, “helping thousands of pet families in need in the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo areas.”
Recently, C.A.R.E.4Paws expanded to San Luis Obispo with its Mobile Clinic, which allows more families to be assisted on-the-go with whatever pet needs they may have. The money raised will help support this area of the organization.
“Thanks to the wonderful support for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Happy Tails event, we will be able to help thousands of pet families in need, keeping animals healthy and with the people who love them!” exclaimed Ms. Gullö.
The event also featured multiple people talking about their “Happy Tails,” sharing how the organization has positively impacted their lives. “It is really heartwarming,” said Ms. Gullö.
The event was a success, and Ms. Gullö alongside the entire organization is thankful for the support.
If you would like more information on C.A.R.E.4Paws, visit care4paws.org.
email: abahnsen@newspress.com
PetSmart Charities donates to improve access to veterinary care through C.A.R.E.4Paws
“Most people today consider pets family, yet 50 million pets in the US struggle to access even basic preventative care such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations and annual exams,” said Kate Atema, Director of community grants and initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “While this issue affects families in nearly every community, those who have been historically excluded from human social services are most in need of pet services, too. We’re proud to support this innovative approach that meets the unique needs identified by those living in the communities themselves.”
On Aug. 6, C.A.R.E.4Paws will launch its first free Pet Wellness Clinic at Oceano’s Parks and Recreation Department on 1655 Front Street.
“The bond between pets and humans is an incredible thing,” said Gullö. “C.A.R.E.4Paws’ goal is to keep pets healthy and with their families for life by ensuring that Oceano’s community members have continuous access to veterinary services. We are truly grateful to PetSmart Charities for this opportunity.”
For more information about C.A.R.E.4Paws visit care4paws.org. For clinic questions contact info@care4paws or call 805-968-2273.
Above and beyond for a reasonable price!
We received this kind note after Michael Johnson’s pup received services with us:
“I brought my puppy, Alligria, to one of the mobile clinics so she could get her spayed and microchipped. C.A.R.E.4Paws did all that and much more. They go above and beyond for a reasonable price. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. I would totally recommend them to anyone that needs their help. They are the best!”