Harris said the idea for a dedicated facility came out of repeated challenges the nonprofit faced while operating its Safe Haven foster program, which connects pets with temporary homes during family crises. The foster model, while effective in many cases, often proves difficult to coordinate during nights and weekends or when multiple animals need shelter quickly.

“The way we usually describe it is it’s like Friday night at 10 p.m., and we get a call about two dogs that haven’t been socialized,” Harris said. “It’s hard to find placement on the spot. This refuge is the solution to that.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws says the refuge will also fill a growing need tied to local immigration enforcement. In recent months, the group has supported pet owners who were detained, deported, or forced to relocate unexpectedly.

“We’ve had recent immigration actions that left pets without owners or with owners who couldn’t support them,” Harris said. “This facility gives us a known place to house those animals safely.”

Safety remains a core priority for the program, particularly for survivors of domestic violence. For those individuals, the location of the refuge will remain confidential, even to the pet owners themselves.

“Once we take an animal into care, the owner doesn’t know where the pet is,” Harris said. “That’s critical for the safety of all involved.”

The organization is currently working to raise $150,000 to build the refuge. The bulk of that cost includes prefabricated, climate-controlled kennels and essential infrastructure such as fencing, plumbing, and electrical work. Harris said the group has raised about $30,000 so far and is in discussions with a donor who could contribute an additional $30,000 to $40,000.

C.A.R.E.4Paws says all donations will be carefully tracked and used in accordance with donors’ wishes, despite the sensitive nature of the project.

“Any donor-restricted fund that comes into an organization must be used for the purpose it was given,” Harris said. “That’s our obligation. Even though the location remains confidential, we still provide funding status updates and adhere to strict financial oversight.”

In the meantime, the nonprofit continues offering other services for low-income and vulnerable pet owners. On Aug. 17, C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a free large-scale spay and neuter event in Santa Maria in partnership with Santa Barbara County Animal Services. The group expects to perform up to 90 spay and neuter surgeries in a single morning and provide vaccinations and basic care for another 150 to 200 animals.

Libby Cabral, assistant manager for C.A.R.E.4Paws, said barriers to care often prevent people from seeking help, not because of their own needs, but because they fear being separated from their pets.

“If they don’t have a safe place for their animals to be, they are not going to seek that help for themselves,” Cabral said. “This program creates that safety net.”

Angela, a longtime local resident, knows firsthand how vital that connection can be. She experienced homelessness for over a year and credits her dog for getting her through it.

“She got me up and out every morning,” Angela said. “That was my whole purpose. Her.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws plans to open the refuge this fall and hopes the community will support its mission to keep families and their pets together through some of life’s most difficult challenges.

To learn more or donate, visit care4paws.org/petrefuge/.

“When people go through these incredibly difficult times, the last thing they should have to worry about is what will happen to their beloved pets,” says C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Cofounder and Executive Director Isabelle Gullö. “This refuge will ensure that no one has to surrender their pet or leave a four-legged companion behind to seek safety or stability.”

Located at a confidential location to protect both animals and their families, the refuge will feature a prefabricated structure with 10 large indoor/outdoor dog kennels and a 40,000-square-foot exercise yard. Cats will be housed in a separate building in homelike rooms. During their stay, pets will have plenty of one-on-one time with staff and volunteers as well as access to veterinary care through C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach program. Grooming and dog training will also be available.

The refuge aims to fill a critical gap: temporary as well as long-term foster homes and boarding placements, especially for larger dogs and multiple family pets, remain scarce, and local shelters remain at capacity. It also provides a significant and necessary safety net, especially for domestic violence survivors. Reports show that 70% of women exiting abusive relationships have pets, and that as many as 48% of women stay in the violent relationship because of fear for their pet’s safety. Given that domestic violence survivors typically need to leave a dangerous environment immediately, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ ability to respond quickly is essential, which is made possible with 24/7 access to the Pet Refuge.

“Providing peace of mind for families and housing their beloved pets in a safe, nurturing environment makes a profound difference,” says Gullö, adding that the goal is to reunite people with their animals as they pursue a new life of safety and security. “We know what happens when people don’t have support for their animals during tough times, and we hope the community will get behind our vital project, as it takes a village to keep pet families together.”

This is true for the Vega family, in the featured photo, whose dog, Maya, was cared for in a loving foster home through C.A.R.E.4Paws while they navigated a housing transition. That lifeline allowed them to welcome Maya back when the time was right and avoid the heartbreak of surrender.

The budget for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ innovative and compassionate initiative is $150,000, and community members are invited to support the project through monetary donations and sponsorships, including naming opportunities for kennels and the play yard. In that regard, C.A.R.E.4Paws extends sincere gratitude for generous contributions from supporters such as Creekside Pet Boarding and private donor Kathleen Curtis.

Donations of the following are also appreciated: veterinary care, food, supplies, dog training and grooming. Additionally, C.A.R.E.4Paws seeks in-kind donations for fencing and construction for the exercise yard.

On June 8, members of C.A.R.E.4Paws, the Street Dog Coalition, and Santa Barbara County Animal Services journeyed into the riverbed with Gorilla Carts full of vaccines and parasite treatment in search of unhoused pet families they could provide with physical examinations and vaccines. The effort was the fourth pet wellness event C.A.R.E.4Paws and Street Dog Coalition hosted in the Santa Maria Riverbed since the county and others started removing encampments last August.

Along with rabies, distemper, and Bordetella vaccines, volunteers offered free bags of pet food, water, Greenies treats for pets’ teeth, wipes for eye infections, harnesses, and edible broad-spectrum de-wormer. Santa Barbara County Animal Services also provided microchips and dog licenses.

“We’re not a full-service vet, but we can do a lot of the basic care,” C.A.R.E.4Paws co-founder and executive director Isabelle Gullö told the Sun before the June 8 event. “When we roll out our mobile units [like these in the future] … any family that struggles to pay for basic services can show up and get them for low cost. If someone can’t afford to pay, they can pay on a sliding scale, or we will comp their services, depending on their situation.”

While passing through a dusty trail in the riverbed, Mobile Clinic Services Coordinator Christy Todek said the clinics operate Tuesday to Friday and every other Sunday in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

“The mobile clinic is our largest program now. Last year, we helped 19,200 dogs and cats through that program alone, Gullö told the Sun. “Every Tuesday, we’re in Lompoc. Every Wednesday, we’re in Santa Maria. Thursdays, we usually go to Grover Beach. And the first Sunday of every month, we’re in Oceano.”

The June 8 clinic was designed specifically for unhoused pet families. The three organizations said they plan to host mobile clinics specifically for such families every three months. 

Volunteers are especially cautious about respecting pet families and their encampments—they always ask permission before entering and don’t force any services they don’t want.

“You don’t have to be away from him very long,” one volunteer said to a pet parent. “He’s your buddy.”

Gullö said that going out into the community and reaching unhoused people where they’re at helps show them their pets are in good hands. Now, 16 years in, C.A.R.E.4Paws assists more than 25,000 pet families every year through such services.

“We want families to stay together,” Gullö said. “We have seen firsthand what happens when pets and their parents get separated. We want to prevent that. We want to keep pets healthy, happy, safe, and with the people who love them.”

For more information about wellness clinics and C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Tuesday initiative, call (805) 968-2273 or visit care4paws.org.

Select “Support pet families in the riverbed” from the “Where do you want your donation go?” dropdown menu.

C.A.R.E.4Paws was founded in 2009 by Isabelle Gullö as a nonprofit organization to help families on the Central Coast who have pets to provide for their four-legged companions amidst the rising cost of care and other barriers to accessing pet services.

The organization works directly with over 25,000 pet families in underserved communities in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, providing services to low-income, senior, disabled, and unhoused pet owners via a range of critical resources. These include free and low-cost veterinary services, help with behavior training and grooming, and distribution of pet food. Since the pandemic began, the organization has distributed more than six million pet meals.

Vasquez’s efforts play a large role in the success of the organization. “Ava’s successful annual drive helps support C.A.R.E.4Paws’s pet food distribution in a big way, and we are so grateful to Ava, her friend and collaborator, Luccia Macaluso, along with the students and teachers at Vieja Valley Elementary,” said Gullö. “The fundraiser truly embodies the concept of the community supporting community, and we hope that Ava’s compassion and dedication to help animals and their families will inspire more students to organize their own fundraisers — whether it’s for C.A.R.E.4Paws or another cause that’s close to their hearts.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws has worked to reduce pet overpopulation and improve pet family welfare by creating safety nets that keep cats and dogs healthy and out of shelters, with loving owners.

Vasquez began volunteering at the organization when she was in 7th grade, where she assisted at their mobile veterinary clinics by helping to check in pets for appointments and arranging supplies. With her experience at these clinics and seeing the real impact she was having on families, she formulated a plan to make her own pet food drive.

“I saw how appreciative the families were, and I thought it would be a really good project to start and also to inspire other students to get involved to help those in need,” said Vasquez.

As a pet owner herself, Vasquez also knows the joy that pets bring to families. “This organization gives families the help they might need to keep their pets, and I think that’s really important, not only for the people but the dogs and cats that are kept out of shelters and able to stay in a loving home,” said Vasquez.

Vasquez set up the pet food drive at her own elementary school, which has been a full circle moment for her. “I love that this drive is establishing itself as a tradition at my old elementary school,” said Vasquez. She continued, “We have raised more and more food each year, and I think it shows that people are connecting with this cause and hopefully becoming more aware of it.”

The event, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, featured vegetarian and vegan food by Whiskey ‘N Rye, local wines, cocktails and mocktails, and craft beer by Rincon Brewery. Also, guests enjoyed a curated silent auction, a live auction by Auctioneers for Good and a presentation about C.A.R.E.4Paws’ community work, which included heartfelt testimonials, or “happy tails,” from families that the organization helps.

One such happy tail is from Mike Loza, who attended the event with his four-year-old service dog, Radar. Radar has received pet food, supplies and veterinary services from C.A.R.E.4Paws over the past year. In return, Mike volunteers with C.A.R.E.4Paws on Thursday evenings at Alameda Park, assisting with distribution of pet food for unhoused pet families.

“Thanks to the incredible C.A.R.E.4Paws team, I was recently able to get Radar’s vaccinations and registration taken care of, which helped me secure housing and get off the streets,” said Loza during his speech on stage. “They go above and beyond—more than people realize. If you’re able to, please support them. It’s not just about helping one person—it strengthens the whole community.” Loza adds, “To the whole team: thank you. You’ve helped me get to where I am today, and your impact reaches far beyond me and Radar. I tip my hat to each of you.”

Since 2009, C.A.R.E.4Paws has supported several hundred thousand low-income, senior, disabled and unhoused community members with a range of resources. This includes free and low-cost wellness services through the organization’s Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach program, which serves both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. In 2024 alone, C.A.R.E.4Paws assisted 19,200 dogs and cats with low-cost and free spays/neuters, vaccines and other essential care. Since 2020, the organization has provided more than six million pet meals to families struggling financially and it supports pet families exposed to domestic violence through Safe Haven.

“Without access to affordable services and pet food, many families make the difficult decision to relinquish their pets to a shelter to ensure the animals receive essential care,” says Gullö. “C.A.R.E.4Paws helps prevent that kind of heartbreak and suffering by providing critical resources, and we cannot do our work without the community’s support.”

If community members and local businesses would like to support the Happy Tails event after the fact, C.A.R.E.4Paws is grateful for contributions to help pet families in need. Just visit care4paws.org/help.

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.”