SSPA Newsletter
In This Issue
Help the Stockton Shelter | Next Volunteer Day | Happy Tails | Adoptables
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Help Get Essential Items for Stockton Shelter Staff |
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As SSPA continues to help our friends at the Stockton Animal Shelter save lives, we've recognized the staff's need for essential safety gear.
The staff there have amazed us with their dedication to the dogs and their selflessness. These are some truly hardworking, compassionate individuals who are all about handling dogs in humane ways.
And they're doing this without the essentials: kits that include treats and treat pouches, break sticks, compressed air, air horns and poop bags. Many of these are critical for humanely handling dogs, including in cases when fights break out.
We're hoping to raise $1,000 to get them these items and enable them to be even more successful with achieving positive outcomes!
Thanks to their resolve to save lives, the Stockton shelter already has a 93% live-release rate for dogs, despite a huge number of intakes! And they want to do even better!
Getting them safety kits is one piece of the puzzle.
With their hard work and outlook, paired with SSPA's programs, the future for our region's shelter dogs looks brighter than ever!
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In case you missed it: We've added a new way to first meet pups at the shelter!
You can now set up virtual Zoom meet-and-greets with the dogs and SSPA’s behavioral staff every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
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Fosters Needed
These dogs are also available for adoption!
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Jasper
This guy is awesome (and super adorable to boot)!
Some of his favorite activities are playing and adventure time, and nothing rocks his boat. He’d love to find a home with a female pup for a playmate.
More than anything, he just wants a family that’s looking for smiles, love and fun!
Ready to bring him home? (He'd do best in a family without small children due to his energy.) Fill out a foster application today. |
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Judas
Just look at this boy's sweet face and precious puppy dog eyes!
Judas is a wonderful young guy looking to get out of the stress of shelter life and into a loving home.
He is a rock star on leash and does great with gentle and dainty female dogs. What a gem!
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Kaleesi
Mother of Dragons? More like Mother of Sweetness!
This is one easygoing and precious senior girl. And she’d be fine with a gentle male dog in the home.
She’s truly a rock star of a dog!
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Nala
This girl is one adorable little nugget!
She's fabulous, petite and just all-around awesome.
And she's so ready to be loved by a wonderful family!
Ready to foster her? (She prefers to be your only dog.) Fill out an application today. |
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Tate
This youngster is full of awesome energy. And he captures everyone's attention with those amazing ears!
He still acts silly and lovable like a puppy, but he's also potty trained and loves running.
He's so handsome and so playful!
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Join Us on Our Next Cleanup Day |
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Calling all of our amazing volunteers and supporters: Join us for our next volunteer day at the former Boys Ranch, SSPA's future home!
We’re planning to be back out there at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 13.
Specific needs this week: weed eaters and mowers.
With your support, we can get our new facility ready to go sooner to help even more shelter dogs in need.
Thank you so much for all of your help!
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Help SSPA Save More Lives |
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Looks like we have a TV star in the making!
Today, SSPA alum Bogart, adopted in 2018, was on KOFY in the Bay Area, which features local dogs in between shows!
Bogart made the top-five most-voted-for pups in a virtual casting call, winning a gift card for his family and a chance to be on TV!
Isn't he adorable?
His wonderful adopter, Yeni, says of Bogart, "I don't even know where to begin on what he means to me."
Yeni has worked hard with this boy - including hiring a trainer - to build trust and help him overcome his dog reactivity and separation anxiety. And Yeni's incredible work has paid off: Bogart has come such a long way!
The training and work hasn't just changed Bogart; it's changed Yeni as well.
"His presence gave me more purpose and distraction from my anxiety," Yeni said. "Those cheesy 'Who rescued whom' shirts really do apply in this case.
"He's got me planning a cross-country road trip, which was absurd to me three years ago."
Many of us can relate to a dog changing your life so much - and for the better!
Thank you Yeni for adopting this amazing boy and for going the extra mile - and then some - for him!
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Zeus, formerly Ranger, continues to thrive with his awesome family!
Just look at this happy boy making himself at home! Isn't he the cutest?
This is what we hope for all of our pups - that they find loving homes!
Thank you, Braulio and Francisca, for adopting this adorable guy!
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Pants found his home and is learning how great it can be to be a beloved part of a family!
He's learning that hardwood floors aren't so scary and is loving his bed!
His adopter Pete said, "I ordered stuff from Amazon so I can spoil Mr. Pants properly," after bringing him home!
Congratulations, adorable boy, and thank you, Pete, for adopting him!
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Chepe was recently adopted!
This boy was super stressed at the shelter and just wanted a home where he'd be loved on and cherished!
He found that in his adopter Mario, who said in an update, "Chepe is doing great!"
Thank you, Mario, for looking past Chepe's kennel stress and seeing the amazing dog he truly is!
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Belle found her family!
Her adopter, Karen, said: "Carlos and I would just like to say thank you - we just adore little Belle. She traveled well to our home and seems to feel comfortable here."
She sure looks comfy curled up in her adorable bed!
Thank you so much, Karen and Carlos, for making her a beloved member of your family!
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Don’t forget: We offer post-adoption counseling to help with your new dog’s transition into your home! Email sspadogs@gmail.com! You can send "Happy Tails" updates there as well! |
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A Big Thank You from Two Amazing Dogs |
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Two wonderful pups needed surgeries to have brighter futures, and you all stepped up to give them just that!
Your donations to T.E.A.M.'s fundraisers for June, left, and puppy Finn ensured these two could receive the medical care they need!
June had pain left over from her past, but didn't let that stop her from becoming an SSPA helper dog. She underwent surgery to alleviate her pain and is healing like a champ! And her SSPA foster Sandy decided she's not going anywhere as she was home all along! June has found her forever home, where she’ll be treasured and have plenty of pup playmates!
Finn came into the Sacramento County shelter clinging to life after being hit by a car. The medical team saved him, but he still needs one more surgery to alleviate pain on his back leg. Thanks to your donations, the funds were raised in a matter of days! Now he can look forward to a happy, normal, pain-free life.
"Finn is the first puppy foster I've had in a long time, and I've really loved watching him turn into a 'real' dog from a puppy," Finn's foster, Brooke, said. "He's such an incredible spirit, especially considering what he's been through in his short life, and how much pain he is in because of his back leg. It doesn't slow him down. He's still so sweet and cuddly. He loves experiencing new things ... he just LOVES life.
"I think we can learn a lot from dogs that have a rough start at life - they just let it go and live in the moment."
We agree - and we're so thankful to you all for supporting these two remarkable dogs when they needed it most!
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Get to Know a Member of the SSPA Team! |
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In this series, we'll feature one of our team members each week! |
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Q&A with Volunteer Jessica Bouné Thorpe
How long have you been part of SSPA and what inspired you to be part of the team?
I started with SSPA in June 2020. I responded to a post asking for adoption counseling volunteers because we had previously adopted two dogs through SSPA. They are the best! I wanted to help other people experience the same joy.
What’s the best thing about being a member of #TeamSSPA?
My favorite thing is meeting so many dogs and people! I love every dog and I really enjoy talking to everyone.
What moment during your time with SSPA is most memorable for you?
My most memorable moment came while fostering Bean, above, for SSPA. It was so satisfying to work with her and get her ready for her forever family. She found a great one!
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What do you hope to help SSPA accomplish in the future?
My goal is to help make SSPA the most successful organization it can be. I can't wait to get our new facility open.
What is your favorite thing about your pets?
We currently have four dogs, two of whom are pictured above - Mercury (black) and Jasper (gray)! My favorite thing is their unconditional love. They're always ready for a snuggle, even on a bad day.
Any final thoughts?
I'm so happy to be part of this organization and I can't wait to see what we do next!
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We'd love to share your story! Have your own SSPA story to share and/or want to be interviewed for SSPA's newsletter? Email us at sspaupdates@gmail.com! |
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Joey
This young guy with the super squishable face is ready to find his forever home!
Although he's shy and timid with new people, he's oh-so-eager to gain trust in you. He also happens to be sweet as a key lime pie.
He absolutely loves meeting new canine friends - it may take him a minute to warm up, but give this guy a minute and he turns into a total puppy! We would love to see this guy in a home with another playful dog.
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Sierra
Hello gorgeous!
This absolutely stunning girl is a total ray of sunshine who lives for being around people.
She’s currently in an amazing foster home, but she’s ready to move in with her forever family.
Sierra prefers to be the only pup in your home, but will give you all the love and companionship you need!
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Rocco
Looks like this unicorn is already in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit! Maybe he’s celebrating landing in an awesome SSPA foster home? Maybe it’s his fav celebration? Whatever the reason, this young cutie pie makes our hearts soar!
Rocco is one playful, fabulous boy. He’s happy as a clam, and loves people and dogs! Just all-around fantastic!
His fosters say, "This is our third day with Mr. Rocco and he's a squishy little baby who wants his people to give him all the loves and has bursts of energy where he just wants to play with our resident pup."
Sounds like a dream boy, huh? With him, life really can be all rainbows and unicorns (with four-leaf clovers mixed in).
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Eli
Eli is a beyond-adorable, soft and sweet nugget. He came into the shelter terrified and shut down.
His ideal forever family will understand that his shyness is due to his lack of proper socialization as a young dog. He’s looking for a family who will help him continue to grow into a balanced, happy dog. He'd love a playful, confident female dog in his future home!
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Homer
This adorable dude is a volunteer favorite!
He takes a little time to warm up to people, so he’s looking for a patient and understanding family.
He could be paired with a well-matched female dog in his new home.
Once you gain his trust, he does zoomies and flops over for belly rubs!
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Oscar
This boy came to the shelter in bad shape. He was an outdoor dog, chained in a kennel his entire life.
With the help of our awesome SSPA team and his foster, he's developed more confidence and learned that life can be good.
Let us tell you - this boy is resilient! He had owners who didn't show him an ounce of compassion, but now he's found a way to trust and even show his silly side.
Understandably, he can take a bit to develop trust, but once he does, he's marvelous!
He's low maintenance, mellow and easy to please, and has successfully lived with cats and other dogs!
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Duke
It's hard to get much more adorable than Duke and his huge grin!
He's one joyful dude who loves every minute of being around his foster folks!
That face brings smiles to everyone he passes!
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Sadie
Sadie is one stunning girl who's ready to come home with you!
She currently lives in a foster home with cats, and is loving being an indoor family pet!
What would make her even happier is finding a forever home!
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Maverick
Looking for a brindle ball of love? Look no further!
Maverick is truly a gem. He’s landed with an SSPA foster, is house trained, and is gentle and dainty with other dogs.
He’s only about 18 months old, and is ready to find a forever family who adores him and pampers him!
He’s truly just a precious, lovely boy who’s won all of our hearts!
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Prior Newsletters
Did you miss our previous newsletters? You can check them out here. |
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