Noozhawk is excited to welcome back our annual Four-Legged Friends and More special section for 2026 — a celebration of the pets who fill our homes and hearts with love, loyalty, and endless joy.

From wagging tails and gentle purrs to feathered and scaled companions, this section shines a spotlight on the special bond between people and their pets.

Filled with helpful resources and inspiring local stories, this year’s edition features the trusted businesses, organizations, and animal care professionals dedicated to supporting pet health and happiness throughout Santa Barbara County.

Whether it’s veterinary care, grooming, boarding, training, or pet-friendly services, readers will discover valuable resources for every stage of their pet’s life.

As part of this special section, Noozhawk spoke with Julia Black, Executive Assistant & Marketing Manager at C.A.R.E.4Paws, to learn more about their commitment to compassionate veterinary care and the ways they help pets — and their owners — thrive year-round.

C.A.R.E.4Paws

Question: What is the name of your business or practice?

Answer: C.A.R.E.4Paws.

Q: What is the mission behind your organization?

A: C.A.R.E.4Paws (Community Awareness, Resources & Education) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to reduce pet overpopulation and improve pet family welfare on California’s Central Coast.

Q: What types of animals does your organization serve?

A: Primarily dogs and cats.

From nail trims to lifesaving care, C.A.R.E.4Paws makes a meaningful difference for pets and families. Our Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach program brings affordable veterinary care directly to underserved Central Coast communities, helping keep pets healthy and with the people who love them.

Q: Can you describe the services your organization offers?

A: Since 2009, C.A.R.E.4Paws has worked to keep pets healthy, out of shelters and with the people who love them by increasing access to care. Today, we assist more than 25,000 pets and their families annually across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties through our core programs: Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach, Veterinary Partner Services, Companion Pet Assistance and Safe Haven (assistance for domestic violence survivors).

C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach is our largest program. By utilizing two mobile veterinary units operating four to five days per week, our bilingual clinic team brings services directly to communities where affordability, transportation, language barriers and limited access to veterinary providers often prevent families from seeking care.

We regularly serve Santa Barbara County communities from Santa Barbara and Goleta to Lompoc, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria and New Cuyama. In San Luis Obispo County, we work in Nipomo, Oceano, Arroyo Grande, the city of San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles.

Every time we operate our mobile units, we host a walk-in Pet Wellness Clinic from 10am to 1pm that is open to anyone in need of assistance with low-cost vaccines, flea treatment, deworming medication, nail trims and microchips.

C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Veterinary Partner Services program helps connect pet families with one of our many vet hospital partners when a pet’s needs exceed the scope or availability of our mobile clinics and community medicine services.

This may include specialty care, advanced diagnostics, emergency treatment or other services not feasible through our mobile model.

Q: What makes your organization unique?

A: C.A.R.E.4Paws is unique because we meet families where they are—geographically and financially. Many people struggle to access veterinary care due to cost, transportation barriers, language barriers or fear of seeking help. As a result, pets may go without essential care, leading to declining health, unwanted litters, and in some cases, shelter surrender or separation from their families.

Our mobile veterinary clinics bring services directly into communities throughout the Central Coast.

In 2025, we assisted 17,000 pets through wellness and veterinary services, while our broader programs supported more than 25,000 pets and families overall. Our services are offered at very low cost, or for free, if a family cannot afford to pay for care.

During our walk-in Pet Wellness Clinics, for example, we offer $5-$10 rabies vaccines and $20 nail trims, and microchips are free during special events. Our spay/neuter and community medicine services are also offered for free or for a donation if a family cannot afford our low- cost fees.

Collaboration has been at the heart of C.A.R.E.4Paws’ work since day one. Our partnerships include County Animal Services, local humane societies, animal rescue groups and pet service providers.

We have also built strong relationships with the District Attorney’s Office, Santa Barbara County’s Behavioral Wellness Department, domestic violence organizations, community development and outreach teams, service providers for unhoused populations, schools, churches and community nonprofits like People Helping People.

For unhoused populations specifically, C.A.R.E.4Paws collaborates with organizations such as Good Samaritan Shelter, 5Cities Homeless Coalition and Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) to provide outreach in riverbeds, encampments and other underserved areas, as well as support for pet families living in transitional housing programs.

All of these critical partnerships allow us to expand our reach and create stronger safety nets for vulnerable pets and families.

Our new Pet Refuge fills a major gap on the Central Coast by offering confidential emergency boarding for pets during family crises. Some placements happen in less than 24 hours.

At our core, everything we do aims to preserve the human-animal bond and prevent unnecessary shelter relinquishment. Our client Esmir’s story reflects how access to support can keep pets healthy, safe and with the people who love them. “Rocky is my baby, my life, and he would not be here today if it wasn’t for C.A.R.E.4Paws. They treated us like family and gave us hope when we had nowhere else to turn.”

Q: What training, education and experience do your staff have?

A: Our veterinary team includes experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians and clinic professionals with extensive training in high-volume spay/neuter and community medicine.

Across the organization, staff bring expertise in veterinary care, outreach, crisis response, animal welfare and nonprofit services. We prioritize continuing education and evolving best practices to better serve pet families.

Q: What is your level of expertise regarding pet health and behavior?

A: For more than 17 years, our team has helped pets and families access wellness services, medical care, food assistance, behavioral support and other resources that strengthen the human-animal bond. We work closely with veterinary partners and community organizations to support pets experiencing both routine and complex challenges.

Q: How do you manage behavioral problems?A: We provide behavioral support, training resources and referrals to help families keep dogs in their homes. Behavioral issues are one of the most common reasons animals end up in shelters, and early intervention can make a tremendous difference.

Q: Are you currently accepting new clients?

A: Yes. C.A.R.E.4Paws continuously assists pet families through our wellness clinics, medical services, pet food distribution and various safety-net services. Our walk-in Pet Wellness Clinics are open to the public and provide vaccines, flea treatment, microchips, nail trims and more.

Appointment-based medical care and spay/neuter services are generally reserved for families experiencing financial hardship. Demand for services continues to grow, and we work hard to help as many pets as possible.

Q: Can you name a few common reasons pets end up in shelters?

A: Financial hardship, lack of access to veterinary care, housing instability, behavioral challenges and unplanned litters are among the most common reasons pets lose their homes.

Temporary crises—such as domestic violence, hospitalization, job loss, deportation or homelessness—also increase the risk that families will have to relinquish pets. Programs like Safe Haven and resources such as our Pet Refuge help fill these gaps by providing temporary support while families regain stability.

Q: How do you help clients feel comfortable leaving pets in your care?

A: Compassion and communication are key. We strive to explain processes clearly and support families without judgment, knowing many are facing incredibly stressful circumstances. Building trust matters, as reflected in our client Monica’s experience after her beloved cat, McLovin, became critically ill. “I finally felt like I was being heard. They asked me all the right questions and provided amazing support.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws meets people where they are. Every year, we provide accessible veterinary care, pet food assistance and other safety-net services to more than 25,000 pets and their families.

Q: Are you a nonprofit? Do you accept donations?

A: Yes. C.A.R.E.4Paws is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that depends on grants, donations, partnerships and community support to carry out our mission.

We are deeply committed to stretching every dollar as far as possible so more pets and families can access the care and resources they need.

As longtime supporters John and Karen Jostes share: “C.A.R.E.4Paws does amazing work for pet families without a lot of overhead.

They use resources very effectively, which makes every dollar you give go further. It’s a great investment!” People can find various ways to donate and get involved on our website.

Q: How do you keep the public informed?

A: We have an informative website and very active social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram as well as LinkedIn. We also partner with dozens of other agencies and local businesses that help spread the word to those in need. For special events, we place ads, post flyers and send press releases to the media.

Q: What is the typical cost of services?

A: We provide free, donation-based and low-cost services depending on a family’s circumstances. Our goal is to ensure finances do not prevent pets from receiving needed care.

Q: What are your hours of operation?

A: C.A.R.E.4Paws does not have a brick-and-mortar facility. Instead, we meet families where they are, working directly in the community. Families connect with us in different ways depending on their needs. Our mobile veterinary units operate four to five days per week throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Our clinic schedule is listed here.

We distribute pet food and supplies through regular outreach events. Community members also reach out for pet food assistance, urgent medical support, foster and boarding services, behavioral support and other resources. Our website lists all programs, services and events. Pet families can also email info@care4paws.org or call 805-968-2273 for guidance.

Q: What is one fun fact about your organization?

A: C.A.R.E.4Paws’ founders all began as shelter volunteers, witnessing firsthand the need for stronger support systems for pets and families. We are not a shelter or rescue organization; instead, our work focuses on preventing homelessness and shelter surrender by expanding access to care and resources.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

A: Veterinary care continues to become more expensive nationwide, and requests for assistance have never been higher. C.A.R.E.4Paws increasingly serves as a bridge between families and care that might otherwise be out of reach.

Our Albus Pet Lifeline Fund continues to help families access veterinary care through our many partnerships with full-service and emergency clinics when costs would otherwise be impossible to manage.

In 2025, a $50,000 gift-match challenge made possible by Albus Pet Lifeline Fund co-founders Andrew and Kendra Feshbach inspired significant community support, raising more than $83,000. This funding is critical, as C.A.R.E.4Paws spends at least $150,000 annually to ensure pets receive care beyond the scope of our mobile units.

In May 2026, we launched C.A.R.E.4Paws’ first-ever Community Cares Campaign with a $60,000 matching-gift challenge goal to expand access to pet care on the Central Coast.

Thanks to incredible community support, we’re 80% of the way there. Now we hope everyone will join us in crossing the finish line. Every gift made through May will continue to be matched dollar for dollar, doubling its impact.

Together, we can remove barriers to care for families facing impossible choices. Because pets are family! “Rebel means the world to me. I don’t know what I would do without her,” says Tammy from Santa Maria. “She’s my support and the reason why I strive every day to make our lives better.

C.A.R.E.4Paws went the extra mile to help her, and I can’t put in words how grateful I am to the donors who made this possible. You gave Rebel her life back!”

C.A.R.E.4Paws was instrumental in helping Esmir Mellin when her dog Rocky was ill.

To kick off the campaign, supporters contributed a $60,000 matching donation during the Happy Tails paddle raise portion, creating a pool of funds to inspire and multiply giving throughout the campaign.

“The month-long campaign invites the broader community to come together in support of pets and the people who love them,” organizers said.

“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, donors and guests who made Happy Tails such a meaningful and successful event,” said Isabelle Gullö, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ cofounder and executive director.

“This year, we’re especially excited to carry that energy forward through our Community Cares Campaign,” she said. “The $60,000 match created during the paddle raise means that every dollar given in May will go even further to support pet families in need.”

The Happy Tails event featured silent and live auctions, along with a program highlighting the impact of C.A.R.E.4Paws’ services and the importance of community partnerships in expanding access to care.

Since 2009, C.A.R.E.4Paws has worked to reduce pet overpopulation and improve pet family welfare by providing access to veterinary care, pet food, supplies and critical support services.

The organization serves more than 25,000 pets and their people annually in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Programs include Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach; Veterinary Partner Services; Companion Pet Assistance and Safe Haven; and the new Pet Refuge, which provides confidential emergency boarding for pets during times of crisis.

Every month, the nonprofit reaches hundreds of pet families who would otherwise go without care, like Esmir Mellin and her dog Rocky.

Without the veterinary care provided by C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile clinic team and veterinary partner services, Rocky would not have survived a life-threatening illness, C.A.R.E.4Paws said.

“Rocky is my baby and I don’t know what I would do without him,” Mellin said. “C.A.R.E.4Paws provided the medicine and helped me with food. They are always here for us and treat us like family. Rocky would not be here today if it wasn’t for them.”

As the cost of veterinary care and basic pet needs continues to rise, so does the demand for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ services, Gullö said.

“The Community Cares Campaign is an opportunity for everyone, no matter the size of their gift, to be part of the solution and help keep pets healthy and with the people who love them. Because every pet deserves a healthy life, and every family deserves the chance to provide it,” Gullö said.

Community members can participate in the campaign by making a donation; starting a Facebook birthday fundraiser; organizing a team fundraiser or matching challenge at work; and by sponsoring spay/neuter surgeries, wellness exams and other essential care for pets in need.

To learn more or contribute, visit care4paws.org/community. For event highlights and photos, visit care4paws.org/happytails.