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C.A.R.E.4Paws hosts adoption drive-thru event in Santa Barbara County

C.A.R.E.4Paws hosts adoption drive-thru event in Santa Barbara County

Press Coverage

By 
Published December 2, 2021 5:14 pm

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — C.A.R.E.4Paws is hosting a donation and drive-thru adoption event in Santa Barbara County.

The Donation Drive-Thru & Home for the Holidays Adoption Festival will help support families in need with pets and help shelter animals find their forever homes.

Supporters will be able to drive through and drop off the dog and cat food along with monetary donations to help C.A.R.E.4Paws with their efforts.

There will adoptable pets from the Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP), Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society in Partnership with Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG), Aussie Rescue Networking Group, Santa Barbara Humane, Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelters (BUNS) and Spark Rescue for supporters to meet.

The event will be on December 4 at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara and at the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

C.A.R.E.4Paws also offers family photos with Santa for $25 to benefit its programs. Anyone adopting a pet during the festival will receive a complimentary photo.

The organization hopes the event will help raise resources for pet families in need to keep their pets healthy and in their homes. They also hope that adoptable animals from local shelters and rescue groups will find a family during the holidays.

“Pets are family, and people should never be forced to choose between caring for their four-legged family members and caring for themselves,” says Isabelle Gullo, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ co-founder and executive director, who adds that at least 8,000 families in Santa Barbara County live in poverty and, on average, 65 percent of families own at least one pet. “When people live in poverty, so do their pets,” Gullo says. “The good news is that there are many resources available to ensure pets stay at home. Between C.A.R.E.4Paws, our animal and human welfare partners and generous community members, we create a powerful safety net that ensures people and pets stay together.”

Over the last 12 years, C.A.R.E.4Paws has worked to help families keep their pets by providing access to veterinary care, spays and neuters, pet food and supplies. During the pandemic, the nonprofit has tripled the number of pet families it supports to more than 20,000.

To help support C.A.R.E.4Paws with their efforts during the holidays, click here.

For more information on C.A.R.E.4Paws and its services, you can email them at info@care4paws.org or call them at 805-968-2273.

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C.A.R.E.4Paws plans special holidays event

C.A.R.E.4Paws plans special holidays event

Press Coverage

by Katherine Zehnder 

C.A.R.E.4Paws is sponsoring Donation Drive-Thru and Home for the Holidays Adoption Festival Dec. 4 in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a Donation Drive-Thru and Home for the Holidays Adoption Festival Dec. 4 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, as well as the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria. 

At both locations, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Earl Warren Showgrounds is at 3400 Calle Real. The Elks Lodge is at 1309 N. Bradley Road.

The event will raise money to assist families to keep healthy pets in their homes as well as promote adoptable animals from local shelters and rescue groups. 

The event will be open to drive-through motorists, who can drop off dog and cat food as well as monetary donations, which will go toward the organization’s intervention services. 

Participants can also park and visit with adoptable pets from groups such as Animal Shelter Assistance Program, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society in Partnership with Dog Adoption Welfare Group, Aussie Rescue Networking Group, Santa Barbara Humane, Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelters and Spark  Rescue. There will be opportunities for family photos with Santa to benefit shelter programs and a complimentary photo to anyone adopting a pet.

Furthermore, C.A.R.E.4Paws has partnered with agencies such as Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, People Helping People and Good Samaritan Shelters, to provide food and supplies to several pet resource centers. 

“Pets are family, and people should never be forced to choose between caring for their four-legged family members and caring for themselves. When people live in poverty, so do their animals,” said Isabelle Gullo, the C.A.R.E.4Paws’ co-founder and executive director, in a news release. “The good news is that there are many resources available to ensure pets stay at home. 

“Between  C.A.R.E.4Paws, our animal and human welfare partners and generous community members, we create a powerful safety net that ensures people and pets stay together,” she said.

At least 8,000 families in Santa Barbara County live in poverty, and approximately 65 percent of families own at least one pet, according to Ms. Gullo. 

In addition to the Earl Warren Showgrounds and the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria, pet food and monetary  donations can be dropped off Dec. 4 with several of C.A.R.E.4Paws’ business and animal welfare partners. This includes Plaza Deli, Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club, Montecito Pet Shop, La Cumbre Feed, Advanced  Veterinary Specialists, George’s Pet Shop, Santa Ynez Valley Humane/DAWG in Buellton and Santa Barbara County Animal  Services’ shelters in Goleta, Lompoc and Santa Maria. 

ASAP in Goleta collects pet food  weekly for C.A.R.E.4Paws and is hosting a donation drive right in support of C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Dec. 4 event. 

All locations are listed at care4paws.org/holidaydrive, where supporters can also donate funds and contribute food through C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Amazon Wish List. 

For more information, go to care4paws.org/holidaydrive.

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Dog,And,Cat,Under,A,Plaid,Looking,Out,The,Window.
A sweet note from Snowy

A sweet note from Snowy

Happy Tail Stories

When the Rodriguez family got their dog, Snowy, at three months old, she lost all of her hair. The family brought her to C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile clinic, where they found out that Snowy had mange. “My husband was desperate and wanted to give her up because we couldn’t make her better,” says Lourdes Rodriguez. However, Carlos Abitia, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ cofounder and mobile clinic manager, and our clinic veterinarian, Dr. Tom Thompson, told the family that Snowy could be treated and get better and grow all of her hair back.

Snowy went through the treatment for mange and after that, she got spayed and received all of her vaccinations, thanks to a generous veterinary assistance grant from PetSmart Charities.

“C.A.R.E.4Paws services are very important,” says Lourdes. “The staff is very friendly and treats you very well, and they have all these services for pet owners in need. It is an exceptional service!”

Dolly is better than ever

Dolly is better than ever

Happy Tail Stories

In the spring of 2021, Courtney Vasquez noticed that her kitty, Dolly, was not feeling well. She ate less and less and lost her energy. During the pandemic, the Vasquez’s family business has suffered significantly, but luckily, Courtney discovered C.A.R.E.4Paws’ wellness services for families in need. After meeting with our veterinarian, Dr. Tom Thompson, Courtney learned that Dolly has stomatitis, an extremely painful inflammation of the mouth. “Dr. Thompson and staff went out of the box thinking of solutions. For six months, we saw him every two weeks,” says Courtney. “And now, Dolly is better than ever. She’s playing, eating and has an appetite that just won’t quit! Bringing Dolly to the clinic was the best decision I ever made. Because of C.A.R.E.4Paws, she’s getting what she needs.”

We thank PetSmart Charities for contributing to the medical services for Dolly and so many pets in need!

Santa Barbara Co. Animal Services opens Pet Resource Center in Lompoc

Santa Barbara Co. Animal Services opens Pet Resource Center in Lompoc

Press Coverage

Posted at 7:57 PM, May 26, 2021

 

and last updated 9:39 PM, May 26, 2021

Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) along with a handful of local non-profits have opened up a pet resource center in Lompoc to offer assistance with pet food, supplies, and veterinary services.

Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne, along with non-profits like C.A.R.E. 4 Paws and many others, came together Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the center which aims to help those who are finding it difficult to provide for their animals.

“We’ve gone from helping about 7,000 pet owners in 2019 to helping more than 20,000 in 2020,” C.A.R.E. 4 Paws co-founder Isabelle Gullo said.

It’s a big increase that organizations say has to do with economic hardships because of the pandemic.

“Community members whether you are a senior, whether you are in a low-income household, whether you lost your job, to feel like you have to give up that friend or family member because of a resource that is expensive,” Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne said.

According to C.A.R.E. 4 Paws, in addition to the increase in pet owners coming in for assistance, pet food distribution has seen a huge jump from four tons yearly to four tons on a weekly basis.

Mobile clinics have also increased the number of services provided by 50 percent. They say they expect to do even more this year.

With the recent increase of new pet owners during the pandemic, they want to ensure people can keep up with the health and care of their animals.

“The resource center will have food for anyone who needs pet food assistance but also spay-neuter resources, low-cost medical care, free microchip, dog leashes, cat leashes, beds,” SBCA’S programs manager Jessica Wiebe said.

A new pet resource center also opened at the county animal shelter in Santa Barbara on Wednesday. There is also one at the Santa Maria Shelter.

“Everything here is free. This is basically for the public. The idea is again we don’t want anyone to have to make the decision of surrendering a pet and basically leaving a family member,” C.A.R.E. 4 Paws Board President Christopher Harris said.

For more information on the different Pet Resource Centers, click here.

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Santa Barbara County Animal Services, nonprofit groups opening Lompoc, SB Pet Resource Centers

Santa Barbara County Animal Services, nonprofit groups opening Lompoc, SB Pet Resource Centers

Press Coverage

  Updated 

Santa Barbara County pet owners struggling to hang onto and care for their pets amid the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic now have two new places to get assistance with pet food and supplies and access to veterinary services.

 

The County Division of Animal Services and nonprofit C.A.R.E.4Paws have joined forces with five other nonprofit groups to open Pet Resource Centers at the Lompoc and Santa Barbara animal shelters.

 

Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne cut a ribbon on May 26, opening the resource center at the Lompoc shelter, 1501 W. Central Ave., while Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte cut the opening ribbon at the Santa Barbara shelter, 5473 Overpass Road.

The two pet resource centers join one that opened in January 2020 at the Santa Maria Animal Shelter at 548 W. Foster Road as well as 10 C.A.R.E.4Paws assistance centers that opened in 2019 at partner organizations throughout the county.

 

“We strongly feel that no pet owner should have to make a decision between paying a household bill and buying food for their pet,” said Isabelle Gullo, co-founder and executive director of C.A.R.E.4Paws.

 

“We’re continuing to expand support for pet owners in need so their animals can stay with their homes rather than being surrendered,” she said.

 

Other groups joining the effort are Companion Animal Placement Assistance, or CAPA; Animal Care Foundation of Santa Barbara County; Animal Shelter Assistance Program, or ASAP Cats; K-9 Placement and Assistance League, or K-9 PALS; and Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter, or BUNS.

 

CAPA has sponsored a pet food bank at the Lompoc shelter since 1997.

Pet owners finding it difficult to care for their animals can visit a Pet Resource Center to pick up dog and cat food and other supplies. They also can sign up to receive pet wellness services and veterinary care in C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile clinic and the County Animal Services clinic at the Santa Maria Animal Center.

Collaborating with community organizations to provide services to pet owners and animals is part of the “new vision” outlined May 18 for the County Board of Supervisors by new Animal Services Director Angela Yates.

 

“These Pet Resource Centers are a perfect example of how we can provide greater service to the community through partnership,” Yates said. “Alone, none of our organizations could provide all the support and services needed in our county, but together we can form a strong safety net that keeps animals together with their families, in homes rather than shelters.”

Gullo said the Pet Resource Centers are really an expansion of previous cooperation between Animal Services and C.A.R.E.4Paws.

“We’ve always collaborated, and over the years we’ve only strengthened that collaboration with projects such as spay and neuter clinics and promotions for pets that need homes,” Gullo said.

 

Animal Services and C.A.R.E.4Paws began collaborating even more closely during the pandemic to prevent animals from being relinquished at the three county shelters.

 

When pet owners inquired about relinquishing their animals, a joint staff member helped provide access to services and support they needed so they wouldn’t have to give up their pets.

 

The need for Pet Resource Centers is evidenced in the increase in pet food distributed by C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance program during the pandemic.

 

Gullo said prior to the pandemic, the organization distributed a total of about 4,000 pounds of dog and cat food a year to needy pet owners.

 

“Since the pandemic started, we’ve distributed 400,000 pounds of pet food,” she said. “That’s 4 tons of pet food every week, or 100 times what we did in a year before COVID.”

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Pet owners with financial issues get vital help with food donations and low cost services

Pet owners with financial issues get vital help with food donations and low cost services

Press Coverage

By 
April 26, 2021 11:52 am

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After a weekend of generosity from pet lovers, a public food drive has restocked the supplies for C.A.R.E.4Paws in Santa Barbara County.

The non-profit set up in multiple locations to accept food, blankets and pet products from residents, coming through in a safe flow patterns.

Some dropped off small quantities. Others had multiple 50-pound bags.

Staff members were on scene to help with the unloading and sorting.

It comes at a time when the need for food has shot up during the COVID crisis and when many people have become jobless or work insecure. This drive is helping with their pet costs.

C.A.R.E.4Paws says nationwide the number of pets living in a poverty setting has gone up 20 percent compared to the number before COVID.

Isabelle Gullo, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Executive Director and Cofounder says, “during tough times people rely on their pets more than ever. A majority of pet owners can’t imagine going through these tough times without their four-legged friends. Poverty severely impacts both people and pets, and it’s critical that we, as a community, work together to provide a safety net for those in need to prevent suffering and ensure animals can stay with their owners.”

The need is vital for the pets and their owners for companionship and mental stability during a crisis. “Especially during tough times so it becomes difficult with  something  so big as the pandemic  to make sure they have pet food and veterinary care,” said Gullo.

Thousands of animals and pet owners have been helped every year.  “And since the pandemic started that number has tripled.   So in 2020 we helped   20,000 pet owners,” said Gullo.

In a statement C.A.R.E.4 Paws said:

Since the start of COVID-19, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance (CPA) program has distributed more than four tons of pet food per week, assisting pet owners in need Santa Barbara Countywide. That’s roughly 400,000 pounds of pet food! Prior to the pandemic, the organization typically distributed two tons of food total in a year. This has increased C.A.R.E.4Paws’ pet food expenses to an unparalleled $10,000 monthly.

C.A.R.E. 4Paws distributes the food through its mobile veterinary clinic sites  which is listed on its website.   The organization also collaborates with groups like Adam’s Angels which meets at Alamada Park each Thursday, to help those in need with food, clothing, wellness and food for their pets.

Gullo said, “we want to be there to support and we don’t want anyone to feel bad about coming to pick up food. It’s important.”

In addition to the food, blankets,  and collars,  there’s also a mobile grooming donation at the park site once a month. “Tthe need was great for grooming because they can’t give baths where they are currently living.”

Going forward even with COVID slowing down, the need  is expected to be high for months.

Gullo said, “we’re not seeing the need diminishing anytime soon.  So we want to be here to support the community.  It’s community supporting community to help  others in need.”

Donations over the weekend were made Saturday at multiple locations throughout Santa Barbara County including The Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, Deckers Brands in Goleta, and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society & Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG) in Buellton. On Sunday, April 25, drive-thru donations were dropped off at Ryon Park in Lompoc and Elks Event Center in Santa Maria.

Ongoing donation drop off sites includes Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club in Santa Barbara and Goleta, Plaza Deli, Montecito Pet Shop, Advanced Veterinary Specialists (AVS), Carpinteria’s Animal Medical Clinic and
Santa Barbara County Animal Services’ shelters in Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria.

All locations are listed at care4paws.org/drive.

C.A.R.E.4Paws offers assistance with free and low-cost veterinary care for low-income pet owners through its Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach program.

The organization’s mobile clinic works directly in the County’s most underserved areas and, since the
C.A.R.E.4Paws and its services, visit care4paws.org or reach out via info@care4paws.org or 805-968-2273.

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C.A.R.E.4Paws holds inaugural Pet Food Donation Drive-Thru throughout Santa Barbara County

C.A.R.E.4Paws holds inaugural Pet Food Donation Drive-Thru throughout Santa Barbara County

Press Coverage

Posted at 4:58 PM, Apr 25, 2021 and last updated 6:58 PM, Apr 25, 2021

C.A.R.E.4Paws is stacked with new dog and cat food items following its Pet Food Donation Drive-Thru Saturday and Sunday.

Spanning across Santa Barbara County, this was the non-profit organization’s first countywide donation drive-thru event, according to the C.A.R.E.4Paws website.

C.A.R.E.4Paws executive director and co-founder, Isabelle Gullo, said she hopes to collect fresh food and funds for pet owners in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has created a lot of hardships for people, so C.A.R.E.4Paws is here,” said Gullo. “We have a big safety net of services which includes distribution of pet food, so we’re trying to help as many people as we can so that pets can stay in their homes.”

Community members were asked to bring new and unopened dry or canned pet food, as well as new pet supplies such as beds, blankets and pet jackets.

Drop-off sites at the Elks Unocal Event Center in Santa Maria and Ryon Park in Lompoc were accepting donations Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

C.A.R.E.4Paws also had drive-thru donation sites Saturday at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, Deckers in Goleta and the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton.

Other drop-off locations include George’s Pet Shop in Montecito, the Animal Medical Clinic in Carpinteria and the Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club in Goleta.

Community members interested in assisting C.A.R.E.4Paws do not need to step outside of their home to do so — people can shop from the comfort of their own home on the organization’s Pet Food Amazon Wish List or make a financial donation online.

Monetary donations can also be mailed to C.A.R.E.4Paws, PO Box 60524, Santa Barbara, 93160.

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C.A.R.E.4Paws hosts first countywide pet food donation drive-thru

C.A.R.E.4Paws hosts first countywide pet food donation drive-thru

Press Coverage

By 
April 24, 2021 6:25 pm

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — The COVID-19 pandemic has created extreme challenges for two and four-legged family members alike.

Across the nation, the number of pets living in poverty has increased by more than 20 percent compared to pre-COVID estimates, according to an ASCPA study. 

To prevent suffering and ensure companion animals stay healthy and with their owners through these difficult times, nonprofit C.A.R.E.4Paws is rallying the community to support its pet food donation drive-thru taking place today and Sunday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. with multiple drop-off locations available countywide.

Today, supporters can drop off pet food and monetary donations at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, Deckers Brands in Goleta, and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society & Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG) in Buellton. 

On Sunday, drive-thru donations can be dropped off at Ryon Park in Lompoc and Elks Event Center in Santa Maria. 

Contributions of dog and cat food — unopened products only — can be dropped off in bins (to limit person-to-person contact). The C.A.R.E.4Paws team is of course on hand to help unload donations as needed.

C.A.R.E.4Paws, thanks to many of its longtime business and agency partners, has a dozen additional locations where donations can be dropped off this weekend or anytime before and after the official drive- thru event. 

This includes Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club in Santa Barbara and Goleta, Plaza Deli, Montecito Pet Shop, Advanced Veterinary Specialists (AVS), Carpinteria’ Animal Medical Clinic, and Santa Barbara County Animal Services’ shelters in Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria.

Since the start of COVID-19, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance program has distributed more than four tons of pet food per week, assisting pet owners in need Santa Barbara Countywide. That’s roughly 400,000 pounds of pet food! Prior to the pandemic, the organization typically distributed two tons of food total in a year. 

This has increased C.A.R.E.4Paws’ pet food expenses to an unparalleled $10,000 monthly.

“A majority of pet owners can’t imagine going through these tough times without their four-legged friends,” C.A.R.E.4Paws’ executive director Isabelle Gullo said. “Research shows it and we continue to hear it firsthand from clients, donors, social media followers and anyone in between.

Poverty severely impacts both people and pets, and it’s critical that we, as a community, work together to provide a safety net for those in need to prevent suffering and ensure animals can stay with their owners.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws distributes pet food during all of its mobile veterinary clinic days and participates in several weekly distribution events with agencies such as the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, People Helping People, and the senior centers of Los Alamos and Guadalupe. Its Mobile Pet Meals team delivers pet food directly to homebound seniors, senior centers and low-income housing facilities. 

Additionally, the nonprofit provides pet food and supplies at several Pet Resource Centers cohosted with agencies such as Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, Good Samaritan Shelters and Santa Barbara County Animal Services. Two new centers are launching by June 1 at SBCAS’ Santa Barbara and Lompoc shelters, adding to the center already operating successfully at SBCAS’ shelter in Santa Maria.

“The more pet food and money we raise, the greater of a safety net we can provide for community members who are struggling,” Gullo concluded.

For more details about how to support the Pet Food Donation Drive-Thru, you can visit their website.

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Pet food donation drive-thru to help struggling pet owners

Pet food donation drive-thru to help struggling pet owners

Press Coverage

Source: C.A.R.E.4Paws

The COVID-19 pandemic has created extreme challenges for two- and four-legged family members alike. Across the nation, the number of pets living in poverty has increased by more than 20 percent compared to pre-COVID estimates, according to an ASCPA study. To prevent suffering and ensure companion animals stay healthy and with their owners through these difficult times, nonprofit C.A.R.E.4Paws is rallying the community to support its Pet Food Donation Drive-Thru taking place on April 24 and 25, 10am to 2pm, with multiple drop-off locations available countywide.

On Saturday, April 24, supporters can drop off pet food and monetary donations at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, Deckers Brands in Goleta, and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society & Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG) in Buellton. On Sunday, April 25, drive-thru donations can be dropped off at Ryon Park in Lompoc and Elks Event Center in Santa Maria. Contributions of dog and cat food (unopened products only) can be dropped off in bins (to limit person-to-person contact). The C.A.R.E.4Paws team is of course on hand to help unload donations as needed.

C.A.R.E.4Paws, thanks to many of its longtime business and agency partners, has a dozen additional locations where donations can be dropped off April 24-25 or anytime before and after the official drive-thru event. This includes Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club in Santa Barbara and Goleta, Plaza Deli, Montecito Pet Shop, Advanced Veterinary Specialists (AVS), Carpinteria’ Animal Medical Clinic, and Santa Barbara County Animal Services’ shelters in Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria. All locations, addresses and more details are listed at care4paws.org/drive.

Since the start of COVID-19, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance (CPA) program has distributed more than four tons of pet food per week, assisting pet owners in need Santa Barbara Countywide. That’s roughly 400,000 pounds of pet food! Prior to the pandemic, the organization typically distributed two tons of food total in a year. This has increased C.A.R.E.4Paws’ pet food expenses to an unparalleled $10,000 monthly.


C.A.R.E.4Paws volunteers packaging pet food for distribution – Photo by WinkFace Photography

“A majority of pet owners can’t imagine going through these tough times without their four-legged friends,” says Isabelle Gullo, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Executive Director and Cofounder. “Research shows it and we continue to hear it firsthand from clients, donors, social media followers and anyone in between.” But, Gullo says, when money is tight or nonexistent, the stress of not being able to care for a pet can be overwhelming. “Poverty severely impacts both people and pets, and it’s critical that we, as a community, work together to provide a safety net for those in need to prevent suffering and ensure animals can stay with their owners.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws distributes pet food during all of its mobile veterinary clinic days and participates in several weekly distribution events with agencies such as the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, People Helping People, and the senior centers of Los Alamos and Guadalupe. Its Mobile Pet Meals team delivers pet food directly to homebound seniors, senior centers and low-income housing facilities. Additionally, the nonprofit provides pet food and supplies at several Pet Resource Centers cohosted with agencies such as Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, Good Samaritan Shelters and Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS). Two new centers are launching by June 1 at SBCAS’ Santa Barbara and Lompoc shelters, adding to the center already operating successfully at SBCAS’ shelter in Santa Maria.

Beyond pet food, C.A.R.E.4Paws offers assistance with free and low-cost veterinary care for low-income pet owners through its Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach program. The organization’s mobile clinic works directly in the County’s most underserved areas and, since the pandemic started, C.A.R.E.4Paws has increased its number of clinic days from 140 to more than 200 per year. The number of clinic services provided has grown by 50 percent since 2019, including spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, treatment of skin issues, dental procedures and mass removals.

Another critical service available to pet owners is C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Safe Haven program, launched in partnership with Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) in January 2020. Pet owners exposed to domestic violence can seek safety with their pets at a DVS shelter and C.A.R.E.4Paws arranges for immediate, anonymous boarding or foster care for their animals.

On April 24 and 25, in addition to donating pet food and money at one of C.A.R.E.4Paws’ many drop-off locations, community members can visitcare4paws.org/drive to donate online and purchase food to be delivered from the organization’s Amazon Wish List. “The more pet food and money we raise, the greater of a safety net we can provide for community members who are struggling,” says Gullo.

For more details about how to support the Pet Food Donation Drive-Thru, go to care4paws.org/drive. For more information about C.A.R.E.4Paws and its services, visit care4paws.org or reach out via info@care4paws.org or 805-968-2273.

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