|
Insider Report
- May 2016 -
|
|
by Sharon Sherman, Chairman of the Board
More than 45,000 animals come into local San Diego shelters every year. On July 1, 2015, the City of Coronado Animal Control Facility (ACF) signed a pledge with other members of the San Diego County Coalition for Animal Welfare to not euthanize any healthy, treatable animal within San Diego County. Each member in the Coalition, under its "Getting to Zero" (G20) policy, has agreed to work together, share their resource of space and transfer homeless pets between organizations to find solutions for each individual animal.
The Coronado ACF works most closely in G20 with the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility (CVACF) on Beyer Way. The CVACF fills quickly and, for the most part, with larger animals. When the shelter approaches capacity, it reaches out to the Coronado ACF to see if we have sufficient space to take 2-3 small dogs, suitable for placement into our community.
If we have space available, biographies and medical records for several animals are sent to us for review by the ACF medical staff and the PAWS Dog Adoption Team. If an animal (or two or three!) pops out as one we know we would be able to place, we bring him to the Coronado ACF. The dogs are already spayed/neutered, up to date on their inoculations, vaccinated for rabies and checked for parasites, all at the expense of Chula Vista. The Coronado ACF prepares the dogs to immediately begin their walks wearing the PAWS "Adopt Me" capes and the search for a forever home begins.
Sometimes we do take special needs dogs under this program: such as our two little blind dogs, Joy and Tina (now Rose). If not for this cooperation between our shelters, they may have languished at the very large CVACF instead of becoming the focus of outreach efforts here in our community. Both of those sweet lovely dogs were placed into their forever homes within days of coming to our shelter. Sometimes just a change in scenery is all that is needed.
It is true that the Coronado ACF is a jurisdictional shelter; meaning we are limited to accepting relinquishments and strays from people who live or work in our community. But, the City of Coronado has made one exception to this rule and that is for our participation in the Getting to Zero program. The program benefits everyone involved, human and canine alike. Thank you City of Coronado for going that extra mile for the animals.
|
 |
|
|
Karen with Ollie |
Spotlight on Karen Dwinell,
President of PAWS of Coronado
by Kim Johnson
If you want something done, ask a busy person. It's an old saying with a powerful message. There are people like Karen Dwinell who work tirelessly to assist our displaced companions in finding that loving family.
In her role as President of PAWS of Coronado, there are the administrative duties, but it is in the ranks that you see her best work. The compassion, dedication and team player approach make it easy for the volunteers to like what we do. We humans can offer our accolades, but animals say it best. When our furry friends are in her embrace, there is a trust and easy transition from the timid pound puppy or cubbyhole kitty, to "I know I'm going to land in a good home".
She's probably blushing right now and won't like the attention on herself, but it seems befitting to appreciate a woman who spends countless hours, days, months and years doing what she loves most, making a difference for our animals.
|
|
Kismet: Kita's Adoption
by PAWS Staff Writer
|
One recent Saturday morning at the Coronado Animal Care Facility (ACF), a couple threw open the door, rushed in and blurted out, "Is Kita still here?!?!?" They had clearly been running and were out of breath with excitement. I just couldn't figure out why or how Kita was on their mind as she was a stray dog so newly entrusted to us, she was not yet even on our website or Facebook page.
"Well, yes, she is here at the ACF, but right now she is out on her walk," I said. "I know," the woman panted, "That's where we met her and we want to adopt her." I invited them to come in, catch their breath, tell me their story and wait for Kita to return.
The couple told me they were from Ramona and that this particular week had planned for a long overdue vacation. But, when their daughter injured her leg, they decided to forgo leaving town and do a "staycation" instead, seeing the sites in San Diego that we all take for granted. They had planned out a full week of activities throughout San Diego County and on this Saturday morning they had brought their bikes to Coronado to ride the beautiful bike path around our town. After finishing, they made their way to the coffee cart at the Ferry Landing and that is where they met our Kita.
It was love at first sight for them all. When Kita returned from her walk, she threw herself into the woman's arms, licking her face all the while. Then she took her turn with the husband, trying so hard to get to his face for some more kisses she was actually standing on his chest. "Didn't she just meet you?" I asked, and we all laughed. The couple told me about their two Chihuahuas at home, how Kita would fit right in, how their family would not be complete without her and asked could they fill out an application to adopt. Long story short, by the end of the day the application was completed, they had brought back their two Chihuahua dogs for a meet and greet, a home check was completed and Kita was ensconced in her new home. A huge "thank you!" goes to the Dog Adoption Team for working all day to make this all happen.
What are the chances of every puzzle piece falling perfectly into place to bring this little one her forever home? This couple had no intention of being in Coronado that day, but life happened and here they were. They happened to pick that particular Saturday, out of seven possible days, to come ride their bikes in Coronado. Of all the coffee carts and coffee houses in our town, they chose the Ferry Landing to relax after their ride...and at the exact time Kita and her PAWS volunteer were out for their morning walk. Seems almost impossible.
But actually, we see it happen all the time. It is not as unusual as you would think. We see it as the work of doggy angels. Somehow paths cross, lives intersect and our rescue animals find their forever families. Come on down to the ACF and watch the magic. It is really quite something.
|
by PAWS Staff Writer
Two of the most beautiful Tuxedo cats that you would ever want to meet,
Leo and
Inga, are currently at the Coronado Animal Care Facility (ACF). Both came in as strays and are looking for their new forever families. Each will sit in the large windows of the ACF cattery trying to catch the attention of the people going by. They are clever and playful... two very cool cats.
What are Tuxedo cats like as a breed? One fact, which is indisputable, is that Tuxies are stunning, with their white bibs and spats against their sleek black coats and tails. Tuxedos are known for their intelligence (said to be as much as 200% smarter than the average cat); their musical influence ('The Blues' is thought by many to have been inspired by the nighttime serenades of lovesick Tuxies); and their place of honor in famous families (William Shakespeare owned a Tuxedo cat, as did Beethoven and Sir Isaac Newton).
Come by and meet Leo and Inga. They would be such a wonderful addition to any home. Don't miss this chance to learn first hand what wonderful pets Tuxedo cats can be by welcoming Leo or Inga, or both (!), into your family.
|
"Service Dog" vs. "Support Dog"
Determining whether a dog is a "Service Dog" or "Emotional Support Dog" can be confusing. What are their owners' rights, where can they go, where can they be banned? Let's look through the confusion to the actual facts.
According to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), a Service Animal is any dog that is specifically trained to perform tasks for a disabled individual. Explaining further, the ADA states: "Service Animals" are defined as dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person's disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
This official definition specifically excludes all "emotional support" or "comfort" animals, which are pets that owners keep with them solely for their own emotional reasons and which do not ameliorate symptoms of a recognized "disability."
Although the ADA allows service dogs to accompany owners almost everywhere the public is welcome, emotional support animals do not have the same breadth of protection. They have no right to go into a grocery store, hospital, school or public building. BUT, the Federal Fair Housing Act does allow them to live with their owners in rental housing and the Federal Air Carrier Access Act permits them to accompany their owners in the passenger compartment of aircraft.
Many people are surprised to learn that over a dozen different specializations exist for service dogs. There are Diabetic Alert Dogs, Severe Allergy Alert Dogs, Visual Assistance Dogs, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, Wheelchair Assistance Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dogs, Brace/Mobility Support Dogs, Medical Alert Dogs, Seizure Assistance Dogs and more.
It can become a sticky wicket if you attempt to exclude an animal from your workplace in that if you are trying to determine if a dog is a support animal, or if it is service dog, there are only two questions you may ask: (1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? And (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? You cannot ask about the person's disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.
So, what to do, what to do? If the support animals, which have come by your place of business, have not shown themselves to be causing any trouble, you may want to advertise your establishment as "dog friendly" to both emotional support dogs and service dogs alike. Dog friendly venues are extremely popular and there is a growing movement for animal lovers to frequent animal friendly business establishments over those that are not so welcoming. It is good to note, however, that under the ADA businesses are permitted to deny access to even service dogs that are not behaving properly, or if the presence of the animal constitutes a fundamental alteration of the business or poses a direct threat.
In other words, one would hope the owner of the service or support animal would use his or her common sense as to where their animal would be appropriate...for instance, a cat show might not be a good choice.
|
Update on PAWS Alums: Iggy and Ziggy
Thank you, thank you for sending the adorable pics of Sunny and Buster [formerly Iggy and Ziggy].
We feel like they have always been part of our family.
They are settling in nicely and we are having a ball with them!
Thank you for making it possible.
|
|
Successful Adoption Stats for March and April 2016
:
Mar. Apr.
Cats 3 6
Dogs 8 5
Click to view our
|
Here are some of our current adorable adoptables:
To view all our animals for adoption, click here. (Photos by Kim Johnson)
|
- May 4, 5:30pm -
Coronado Canine Mayor Inauguration
- Coronado Animal Care Facility
- May 12
, 8:00am -
PAWS Open Meeting
- Coronado Golf Course Clubhouse
- May 25, 5pm -
Yappy Hour and Patriotic Costume Parade
- McP's Irish Pub
- June 4, 10am-2pm -
Rabies Vaccination and Licensing Clinic
-
Coronado ACF
- June 9, 8:00am - PAWS Open Meeting - Coronado Golf Course Clubhouse
- June 29, 5:00pm -
Yappy Hour - McP's Irish Pub
|
|
Coronado Canine Mayoral Election
PAWS of Coronado would like to thank the owners of the "caninedidates" for Coronado Canine Mayor. The caninedidates and their owners have campaigned tirelessly during the month of April. We appreciate their support!
Please join us for inauguration of the Coronado Canine Mayor on May 3, 5:30pm at the Coronado Animal Care Facility. The winner will be announced at the inauguration.
|
|
