Board Report -- Coincidence, Kismet or Angels?
by Sharon Sherman, Chairman of the Board  

In early March of this year, PAWS was contacted by Chihuahua Rescue which had just removed 35 chihuahuas from a hoarding situation. They asked if we might be able to take two, a pair they called Pepsi and Cola. We, of course, said yes!  And what arrived could not have been cuter.  Look at these two!

Pepsi
Pepsi
Cola
Cola

But over the next few months, not one person submitted an application to adopt Pepsi and Cola. None of us could understand why. They walked wonderfully on a leash, strutting down the street with their "Adopt Me" capes, cute as ever. They greeted everyone they saw with wagging tails and kisses. They liked other dogs, didn't seem to mind cats, and ignored bicycles and skateboards.  So why no applications?

Then one day in May, a couple visiting Coronado for a wedding decided to take a walk. And, who did they run into?  A PAWS volunteer dog walker who had Pepsi and Cola in tow. The dogs ran right up to these visitors, welcoming them to our town, and it was love at first sight in both directions. One fly seemed to be in the ointment though: the couple was leaving to go back home to Beaufort, SC early the next morning.  We assured them we could work around that.

Over the next week, the couple made all of the arrangements to bring their new family members home. They made reservations with Delta, one of the few airlines which has a temperature controlled animal transport service.  Coronado Animal Care Facility Vet Tech, Raquel McNaughton, prepared health certificates, rabies and other vaccination confirmations and copied medical records.  Other staff members set up the Delta approved kennels with water, food, warm towels and toys.  Pepsi and Cola seemed to know something was afoot. Every time any one of us walked by their kennel, they would look up at us, wag their tails and smile as if to say, "Is it almost time?"

On June 1st, at 5:15 a.m., Pepsi and Cola arrived at Delta Cargo, were checked in and found their place with other animals in the special cargo unit.  They arrived in Atlanta to the open arms of their new family and drove to Beaufort.  Now here they are, sitting on their new mom's lap. What a happy picture!

So, you tell us. Was it just a coincidence that this couple visited Coronado and decided to take a walk which would lead them right into Pepsi and Cola's path?  Was it kismet, that magical power believed to control what happens in the future?  Or, are there really dog and cat angels who help us with our work finding forever homes for our wonderful animals?  Whichever you believe, it sure worked this time.  Pepsi and Cola could not be with a more loving and committed forever family!

Pepsi and Cola


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AB 485 - PET RESCUE & ADOPTION ACT   
Group of young pets isolated on white

California Assembly Bill 485, the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, authored by Assembly Members Patrick O'Donnell and Matt Dababneh and sponsored by animal advocacy group, Social Compassion in Legislation, continues to make its way through the California legislature.  It was passed by the State Assembly on May 30, 2017 with almost unanimous bipartisan support.  If approved by the State Senate, California pet shops will be required to source dogs, cats and rabbits from shelters and rescue groups rather breeding "mills." PAWS of Coronado is following this legislation closely and will update the Insider Report as news is received.    

CORONADO WOMAN'S CLUB LOVES THE ANIMALS!

In June, PAWS received a call from Pat Cooley of  the venerable Coronado Woman's Club, letting us know she had a check for us.  We were thrilled and invited Ms. Cooley to come on down!  

A few days later, PAWS volunteers Beth Good and Karen Dwinell greeted Ms. Cooley at the Coronado Animal Care Facility (CACF).  Ms. Cooley then presented a check for $300 to PAWS from the members of the woman's club!

Without the support of local philanthropic organizations, neither PAWS nor the CACF would be able to do as much as they do. You've heard "It takes a village?"  Well, it  certainly  does in order to take care of Coronado's lost, stray and relinquished animals.

So, thank you to the Coronado Woman's Club for thinking of the dogs and cats, rabbits, turtles and birds and becoming our newest local club supporter.  Any Coronado club wishing to learn more about the work of the CACF and PAWS can call 619-522-7371 to arrange a speaker for one of its meetings.  
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It's All In The Whiskers!
by Corinne Mitchell

Did you know that the size, shape and depth of the bowl you use to feed your cat can make their drinking and dining experience a pleasure or a pain?

A cat has whiskers all over their face, springing out from either side of their nose, from their cheeks and above their eyes. These whiskers have a sensory organ at their end that acts like a touch receptor, sending signals to the brain and nervous system. This makes a cat's whiskers extremely sensitive to pressure.  Any time a cat's whiskers come close to something, it triggers a sensation. This helps a cat detect the presence, size, and shape of nearby objects.

Because they are so sensitive, a cat can experience stress if their whiskers are rubbed the wrong way.   It's called "whisker stress" and, when eating or drinking, can be caused  when a cat's sensitive whiskers touch the sides of the bowl.  It can occur when the cat is served food from a bowl that is too narrow or too deep as it is forced to push their face into the bowl to reach the food.  When the cat does this, it causes their whiskers to bump against the side of the bowl causing great discomfort. In extreme cases, cats may refuse to eat out of deep, narrow bowls altogether.

The following behaviors may be just a quirk of your cat or they may be signs of whisker stress:
  • Have you noticed your cat pull food out of the bowl, throw it on the floor next to the bowl and then eat it?
  • Or perhaps your cat uses their paw to "fish" food out of the food bowl to eat it? 
  • Does your cat constantly demand food even though their bowl is half full having eaten only the top layer of food?
  • Does your cat consistently finish only part of their meal?
The answer to preventing or stopping whisker stress lies in serving your cat food from a "whisker friendly" bowl.

The ideal cat food bowl is wide and shallow with plenty of room for your cat to eat the food without their whiskers touching anything.

You also want there to be a narrow edge on the bowl (or plate) so that the cat doesn't push the food off the bowl onto the floor.

There are some designer cat bowls available at rather high prices, but more and more manufacturers are selling reasonably priced whisker friendly bowls. If they are beyond your budget, look at open stock bowls at area stores like Ikea, Target, World Market, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and the like. There are some wonderful serving bowls and plates with edges that work perfectly as a whisker friendly cat food bowl.

Make your cat's dining and drinking a pleasure and not a pain - use whisker friendly bowls!

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SOCK IT TO 'EM!
From the ASPCAPro

Sometimes a supplemental heat source is needed by animals 
Photo courtesy of ASPCA
who have gone through surgery, are suffering from a cold or experiencing a failure to thrive.  Dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles...they all need extra TLC at times.  

A very effective heat source can be made by filling a sock with uncooked rice and tying it closed.  Microwave the filled sock for 30 seconds, wrapped in a  hand towel and placed in a pillowcase.  Making sure it is not too hot, te sting it as one would a baby's bottle, the rice sock is placed in with the animal under its blanket. Making these rice filled socks is a great project for volunteers and kids who are looking for something useful to do for shelter animals or their own pets. 

 
NEWS OF THE YORKIES!!! 
 
For anyone who has visited the Coronado Animal Care Facility (CACF) lately, fun could be found in the very last dog kennel on the way to the backyard.  In it were five female Yorkies, each as cute as the other and all of them full of energy and charm.  Sadly, their lives didn't start that way.  In February 2017, they were found in a hoarding situation in Poway which was operated by a  retired  police officer and his wife.  181 Yorkies and mixed Yorkies were seized by the San Diego Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement Office and the owners arrested.  

The SDHS did a yeoman's job adopting out the healthier animals, but by April there were still 50 dogs remaining in various stages of poor health.  To help, the CACF offered to take five of these little ones, all suffering from serious ear infections and critical socialization issues.  Clockwise below, from the bottom right are Flower, Bunny, Heidi, Gypsy and Gidget.  
 

I t was the CACF's goal to bring each and every one of these Yorkies to good health.  A dermatology specialist, Jennifer Inaya, DVM from VCA Animal Dermatology Clinic in Kearny Mesa, came on board to treat the girls and by the middle of last month, each dog's medical issues had been fully resolved.  The PAWS volunteers and CACF staff also did a wonderful job socializing the dogs so they were ready for their forever homes.  All five have now been adopted: one went to a family in Chula Vista, one to El Cajon and three are remaining in Coronado! 

The hoarders were sentenced in mid July, having pled guilty to two counts each of felony animal cruelty.  Each received five years probation and are prohibited from ever owning another animal.  By way of restitution they forfeited their home and 41' motor home (now being used by the SDHS) and paid additional monetary fines. The San Diego District Attorney's Office took the matter very seriously and would not agree to any deal with the defendants without the felony plea.

Animal hoarding is a serious crime, usually perpetrated by someone who wishes to punish the animals.  It is a type of sadism.  If  you  see or hear of a hoarding situation, please call the San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012 to report what you know or may  have heard.  The report can be made anonymously. By getting involved, you can save the  lives of dogs and cats who deserve so much more.  Animals cannot speak for themselves, so we need to be their voice.   

4th of July, 2017: Come and Gone

It was another very successful  entry for PAWS of Coronado, partnering with the Coronado Animal Care Facility,  in the annual 4th of July Parade.  Over 30 volunteers and supporters strutted their stuff in their yellow PAWS T-shrts and yellow umbrellas. Marchers carrying signs with the number of adoptions (184!), feral cats spayed and neutered (146!) and returns to owners (133!) for 2016 were greeted with cheers and applause from the thousands of fans lining the street.     

This year Heidi Iversen of Sunstreet Mortgage Company, coordinated the PAWS entry.  A big "THANK YOU" goes out to Heidi for all of her work!  
 
  



Mike Matheny, of Sundance Golf Cars, donated the use of his Cinderella carriage, driving it himself while his dog enjoyed the excitement of the parade from the back seat.
  
July 4th parade PAWS carriagle
Mike Mathey of Sundance Golf Cars with his canine friends 

Canine Mayor Bailey and Canine Vice Mayor Gracie also enjoyed the parade from their vantage points of their very own electric cars. PAWS Board member Caroline Haines, with her aunt and uncle, Pike and Jane Meade, provided water for the humans and dogs at the end of the parade route, with cooling off pools set out for the happy but weary canines. Another great year for the 4th of July Parade, another great year for PAWS. A good time was had by all!
   
Coronado Canine Mayor Bailey riding with his humans



(Photos by Heidi Iversen)

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Loving Brothers: Leo & Scotty
by the Cat Adoption Team

Coming to an animal care facility can be a very stressful time for a cat. This is especially true for older cats when they are relinquished. They have lost their home and their human, and are thrust into an unfamiliar world full of smells, sights and sounds with people they don't know.

Cats in this situation sometimes react with fear, hiding from the world as best they can. Or, with cats that were obviously loved like Leo and Scotty, they may roll with the program thinking that their family will be back to get them soon.

Leo
Leo
From the start, Leo and Scotty showed their super affectionate side. They were excited to see any visitors that came to their cat room. Laps were expected as were the pets that went along with them. In fact, a chair was added to their room so their visitors could sit a spell while offering the beloved lap.

Leo will also sit at your feet looking you in the eye, imploring you to pick him up. Once snuggled in, he lays his head in the crook of your elbow and settles in as you pet him and croon to him.  While Scotty doesn't enjoy being picked up quite as much as Leo, he is no slouch when it comes to giving and accepting love. It is just that lap time and allorubs (two cats rubbing their bodies against each other) are more his style.

As time has passed, we have started to see changes in these cats. They have become a little less animated with visitors. They have lost some of their enthusiasm for the little things that once brought a smile and a purr. They have developed the "is this all there is" attitude.

Scotty
Scotty







While the Coronado Animal Care Facility is a lovely place and the staff and volunteers give the pets tremendous care and TLC, it is not a home. The animals are alone for a minimum of 16 hours a day.  While the PAWS Cat Petting Team plays with the cats for two hours per day, that is just not the same as having their own family with plenty of pets, hugs and love all day and night.  Leo and Scotty crave more time with people, more attention, more love - in short, they want a home of their own.

Don't let this be all there is for these wonderful boys.  Do you have room in your heart and home for two well-trained, super affectionate felines who will be your faithful companions?

Come meet Leo and Scotty today to see just how special they are.  You won't be disappointed!


KIDS' KORNER

Every week we greet kids from Coronado who visit the Coronado Animal Care Facility (CACF) to bring gifts to the dogs and cats in our care. These kids are the future of animal welfare and our furry friends are in good hands with them. These kids want to talk about animal overpopulation.  They ask us bluntly why people are cruel to animals.  They want to know why someone would relinquish their pet because it is "too old' or "too sick."  We don't have the answers, but it is so encouraging that these kids want to begin the conversation. Their hearts and their heads are in a very compassionate place.

Sadie Edwards
Over the 4th of July holiday, lemonade stands were set up in Coronado, with the proceeds being donated to PAWS.   On the left is Sadie Edwards and, yes...that is Gidget.  Sadie's family adopted one of the Yorkies!  Sadie had some police officers come to her stand and they told other officers who told other officers who told other officers and they eventually bought out the lemonade stand.  Sadie split the money she earned between PAWS and her college fund!

Parker & Maren Thompson
Next are sisters Parker and Maren Thompson. They are holding a PAWS kitten that their family adopted. All of the proceeds they earned over the holiday with their lemonade stand went to PAWS to be used for cat food and cat toys.












A group of animal savvy Coronado kids knew how much their pets like toys so they figured our cats and dogs would too.  The y went out and purchased stuffed animals which are now being used to entertain
Kate Kennedy, Anna Hinz, Julia Hinz and Caffrey Oden

the animals.

 
Coronado Senior Girl Scout Troop 5148

Then, Coronado Senior Girl Scout Troop 5148 decided to put their creative stitchery skills to work and made fleece chews and tug of war toys for dogs. Out in the play yards you will see them being put to very good use!       

Madie, Lily and Katie Collins








Lastly, we had three Coronado young girls who combines it all...family, stuffed animals and a cash donation.  Thanks go to Madie, Lily and Katie Collins who brought us toys for the dogs and money they had earned to be used for food and treats for the cats and dogs.                                                                 

So what do we say about these young PAWS supporters ?
   
KIDS RULE!
  
          
I'm Hansel and I'm adopted!!!
RECENT SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS:

                    JUN '17      JUL'17
Cats           8              15 
Dogs          9                9                  

Click to view our

Here are some of our current adorable adoptables:

Chelsea
Chelsea
Kai - an older cat
Honey
Honey - waiting patiently 
Paco
Paco - just arrived  
Miney
Miney

Mo
Mo
To view all our animals for adoption, click here.               (Photos by Kim Johnson)

August 10, 8:00 am - PAWS Board Meeting, Coronado Golf Course Clubhouse
August 30, 5:00 - 6:30 pm - PAWS  Yappy Hour, McP's Irish Pub
September 14, 8:00 am - PAWS Board Meeting, Coronado Golf Course Clubhouse
September 27, 5:00-6:30 pm - PAWS Yappy Hour, McP's Irish Pub
October 8, 11:00 - 4:00 -  Coronado Fire and Police Open House

PAWS of CORONADO - pawsofcoronado.org - Tel. 619-435-8247
Insider Report Editors:  Sharon Sherman and Beth Good
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