Monthly Newsletter
Events & Clinics
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.”
Times are tough for many community members—thousands of Central Coast families struggle to pay rent and bills, let alone feeding their four-legged companions. This is why student volunteer Ava Vasquez has coordinated a weeklong pet food drive at her former school, Santa Barbara’s Vieja Valley Elementary, for four years in a row. Her annual drive supports C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance program and, this year, Ava raised 1,230 lbs of food with help of the Vieja Valley’s student council as well as former student Luccia Macaluso. That’s a jump from last year’s 1,220lbs of food.
Ava, now a senior at Santa Barbara’s San Marcos High School, says she really enjoys the opportunity to helping the community. “During the pandemic years, I volunteered at C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile veterinary clinic, handing out pet food,” says Vasquez says. “I saw how appreciative the families were, so 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.”
When people live in poverty, so do their pets. Over the last 16 years, C.A.R.E.4Paws has worked to support low-income, senior, disabled and unhoused community members by providing access to critical services, such as veterinary care, spays/neuters and pet food. Since the start of the pandemic, C.A.R.E.4Paws has distributed more than six million pet meals!
It’s never been easier to give back! Help pet families in need by shopping our Amazon and Chewy wish lists to donate pet food and supplies directly to our program. You can also donate at care4paws.org/help.
Also seen at the event were Tara Zanecki and John Palminteri, Peggy and Gary Finefrock, Lisa and John Stevens, Eryn and Craig Shugart, Deborah Steffen and Patricia Ryan. Keynote sponsors were Beth Climo and Bob Bourgoin, Andrew and Kendra Feshbach, Bill and Kathy Borgers, Greta Hansen, John and Karen Jostes, and Ron and Betty Ziegler.
Gullö and Harris gave brief speeches of welcome, with thank yous to the sponsors, donors, attendees, their board, and staff. Gullö, “We were founded 16 years ago this May and remain a grassroots organization in the community to make sure pets stay with their families. Our mission continues to be to reduce the pet population, keep pets out of shelters, and provide pet care services. We work with many local organizations and provide services. Fundraising here supports our mission and our new shelter center, the Creekside Pet Boarding, in Arroyo Grande.” Accompanying their speeches were videos of the work the organization is doing.
Sought after live auction items at the event included a stay at the HillsNek Safari Camp – Amakhala Game Reserve in South Africa, donated by its cofounder Chantelle Cook and facilitated by marketing guru Leigh-Anne Anderson; and a week stay in historic Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris.
The auction was led by Los Angeles professional auctioneer Jim Nye, who raised approximately $98,900 between the live auction items and the Ask, along with getting attendees to cheer all the bidders and winners. The raised funds are a definite help in C.A.R.E4Paws’ 2025 estimated budget of $2.4 million.
Vegan dinner and appetizers were by Whiskey ‘N Rye and dessert by Bodega Bake Shop.
On May 4, 2025, we hosted our annual Happy Tails Celebration & Fundraiser at the Cabrillo Pavilion in Santa Barbara, supporting pet families on the Central Coast. The event was a heartfelt gathering that showcased our organization’s impactful work and the deep connections forged within the community.
The evening was filled with warmth and generosity, raising more than $250,000 for our programs, a big record compared to previous years. These funds are pivotal in sustaining programs that provide essential services, such as spay/neuter surgeries, veterinary care, vaccines, pet food and supplies to families in need.
We are so excited about our Happy Tails Celebration & Fundraiser at Santa Barbara’s Cabrillo Pavilion this Sunday, May 4.
While we are sold out of in-person tickets, you can still participate in our online silent auction. Bidding is open until 10pm on May 4, with 60+ great packages to choose from! Plus, you can preview our live auction to get excited for Sunday—or to inspire you to attend next year’s event.
Have fun bidding and know that the funds raised go to support pet families in need, keeping animals healthy and with their people. That is truly priceless! We can’t thank our kind and generous auction donors enough for making all of this possible.
We invite you to read our May 2025 e-newsletter!
Hello!
We hope all is well with you and your four-legged family members.
Right now, we need your help to get four of our adoptable dogs into loving forever homes or long-term fosters. Our super cute puppies, Jasper and Smokey, are staying at Creekside Pet Boarding in Arroyo Grande. Our beautiful Greek sisters, Athena and Aphrodite, are boarded at Lucky Dog in Nipomo.
Our boarding partners are fantastic, but it’s time for these amazing pups to land in a home! ❤️
We invite you to read our April 2025 e-newsletter!
