Here’s an important bulletin from our friends at Pasadena Humane. There’s a crying need everywhere for pet fosters.
Fostering an animal can accomplish several things. First, taking an animal out of a shelter environment obviously frees up precious space and resources, including human time and attention, for another animal in need.
But equally important is that bringing a shelter animal into a home setting reveals a lot about the animal and its potential for adoption.
If you haven’t spent much time in an animal shelter, even the most comfortable of these, you may not realize how stressful the environment is for an animal. An equivalent experience might be sleeping in an airport. It’s unfamiliar, stressful, noisy, and as a result some normally even-tempered animals get very agitated, even aggressive. “Bad behavior” immediately reduces the animal’s chances of adoption.
Observing how an animal behaves in a home environment helps humans identify characteristics necessary to successfully placing the animal in a forever home. The Web site states, “Scientific studies have shown that adult animals are adopted more quickly after a break from the shelter.” By appointment only, Pasadena Humane encourages “foster field trips” (a brief walk, hike, ramble) and “foster sleepovers” for one night or a few nights in your home for a shelter dog.
Pasadena Humane states that the greatest need is for fosters for larger breed dogs. Huskies, Belgian Malinois, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Labradors, mixes of all of the above.
The reasons are not hard to understand.
Big dogs have big energy, and large breeds generally need vigorous, regular outdoor exercise and a lot of enrichment and stimulation. They get bored and lonely when cooped up indoor all day, tend to howl and rip things up, and this may lead to a big breed being returned to the shelter.
If you’re up for fostering, even for as little as two weeks, you will be helping the specific animal and also helping Pasadena Humane fulfill its mission.
Whether fostering a big ol’ Huskeroo or a litter of orphaned kittens (there are plenty of those in need, too), Pasadena Humane provides all needed training, supplies, veterinary care and support.
If this potentially sounds good to you, register now for Doggy Speed Dating, Sunday, May 12 from 11 AM to 2 PM. You’ll meet several large dogs seeking loving foster homes. If you find your perfect match, you’ll be able to take your new foster dog home with you the same day, and Pasadena Humane will provide all the needed supplies and support for the duration of their stay with you. Note that this event is for fosters who are able to take a dog for a minimum of two weeks.
If you don’t find your dream date, don’t worry – your information will be kept on file for a future love-connection.
Admission to Doggy Speed Dating is free, but pre-registration is required. You must be 18 years or older to attend.
Meet RHINO #A513484
Thank you, Kevin, for bringing RHINO #A513484 to our readers.
- Male canine
- Breed: Pit mix
- Age: Just over 1 year old
- Chocolate coloring with white blaze
- Big smile, goofy nature
- Loves to be petted
- Good on the leash
- Loves kids, loves to hike
BUT WAIT, there’s more!
Suppose you’re (sadly) living someplace where pets are not permitted. Or perhaps, like many animal-lovers, you’re presently at full capacity, but still want to help out beasties in need. Maybe your finances are not such that you can make a monetary donation.
Consider what Pasadena resident and art director/book designer Stefan G. Bucher does: as a volunteer at Pasadena Humane, he reads to shelter animals as part of the “Reading Rover” program.
After all, May 4 – 5 is LitfestintheDena, the perfect time to snap up some new summer reading and share your love of books with fellow creatures. Our friend Kevin McManus, PR & Communications Manager for Pasadena Humane, says “Our dedicated volunteers like Stefan have a profoundly positive experience on the animals in our care. A person sitting and reading in a calm voice to the dogs (or cats) is very relaxing and calming for them. It’s easy to find the readers when we’re walking through the kennels because their area is usually quiet as the dogs sit, enraptured. It makes the animals’ time at the shelter a little less stressful, and for that we are extremely thankful.”
Bucher adds, “As soon as I found out about the Reading Rover program, I signed up. I’m an introvert, I don’t have pets of my own, and this is a great way for me to get out of the house, enjoy the company of some really sweet dogs, and provide them some entertainment. Solidarity among creatures!
The purpose of the program is to get the dogs used to having people around them that they don’t have to react to. I’m not there to play with them or take them on a walk, I’m just there. With a book. Reading them 1920s society mysteries or moral philosophy books. The point is that having me present is eventually no longer exciting to them. It’s just neutral. That helps them be less stressed, and the less stressed the dogs are, the easier they find homes.
I spend an hour every week, other volunteers do two-hour shifts. The program is open to all. There is a bit of training before you can start—understanding how dogs communicate their feelings, mostly, and how to make them feel at ease—but it’s easy, and also super interesting!”
Pasadena Humane
361 S. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena CA 91105
626-792-7151
City Kitty Family Seeks Rescuer
Our thanks to the invincible Ronnie Krokdal who ventures into Skid Row, Watts and points unknown to help animals. Two unhoused women living in a tent brought a mother cat with five kittens (4 – 5- weeks old) to Ronnie’s attention. Just one of the kittens is pictured here. Ronnie seeks an experienced cat rescuer to collaborate on helping this feline family. Ronnie will provide transportation, and she may be reached at 310-804-1555.
Our thanks to our friend Darlene P., for sharing “Little One” with us!
This is a male feline DSH, tuxedo coloring, yellow eyes, about four years old. Darlene writes:
“Little One may have started life as a shy feral kitty, but now he’s a bundle of love waiting for his forever home! This sweet boy will blossom into a cuddle-bug once he learns to trust you. His heart is full of affection, and he thrives on being close to his human friends, often seeking out laps for snuggles and chin scratches.Don’t let his initial shyness fool you—Little One is incredibly inquisitive and smart. He loves to explore his surroundings, always curious about what’s going on. With his high energy levels, he’s ready for playtime at any moment! Whether it’s chasing balls or pouncing on toy mice, Little One is up for the adventure. His affection knows no bounds—he’s a master kneader, showing his love with every little paw tap. While he may be a bit of a door-runner at first, Little One would thrive with window perches and cat trees to satisfy his curiosity and give him a perfect vantage point for bird watching.
Little One is looking for a patient and understanding family with prior cat experience. He may take some time to come out of his shell and truly show his playful, affectionate side. But once he feels safe and loved, he’ll be your loyal companion for life. One thing you’ll appreciate about Little One is his impeccable manners—he’s a neat freak! Instead of scratching up your furniture, he’s content to use his scratching post made of cardboard. If you’re ready to open your heart and home to this adorable furball, come meet Little One today. He’s waiting to bring joy and love into your life!
See more of Little One at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/little-one.html, where you can also submit an adoption application.”
Shout-out to our girl Lori Mostafa for bringing gorgeous BALTO, LUCY and LUCIEN to us
Meet BALTO
- Male canine
- Breed: Husky
- Age: 18 months
- Coloring: Mostly white, with baby-blue eyes
- Neutered, current on shots
- Gentle disposition
- Loves kids, likes others dogs
And meet two bonded sibling kittens, Lucy and Lucien
Tuxedo black-and-whites, including dainty white paws. These two were born in August 2023 to feral parents. Both siblings are fixed and current on shots, and healthy. Each kitten is missing an eye, but otherwise fine. They are bonded, and affectionate, must be adopted together especially in light of their visual impairment. They’re perfectly functional, because they do “look” out for each other.
To meet BALTO or LUCY and LUCIEN, phone Lori at 310-490-6858.
Meet PIP #A5620823
Thank you, Celeste D., for telling us about Pip.
Loving pets isn’t all sunshine and lollipops, especially when an elderly, terribly neglected animal probably near the end of life lands in the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority or the Downey Animal Care Center. In fairness, we talk with people in these locations who truly care. Sadly, the system is inadequate and unable to meet the growing needs of the communities served.
PIP #A5620823 is a female dog, shaggy white fur, that can barely lift her head. This is the only photo available. She is geriatric, has a heart murmur, cataracts in both eyes, is missing a lot of teeth, and has had a mass removed from her cervix.
Adopting this senior animal will be an act of mercy. For immediate response, contact [email protected]
It never ends, right?
Meet the sad, beautiful boy we call Tristan.
One of our heroines, Ronnie Krokdal, wants to take this beautiful but badly neglected dog from a barren lot in Watts. He’s a male canine, Husky or Husky mix, gray and white coat (needs a bath!), lovely pastel blue eyes. The dog has sores on his body and clearly needs immediate medical attention.
The dog’s owner seems willing to surrender the animal, but this won’t work until the dog has a place to go. If you can foster this beauty — Ronnie says he’s gentle, in spite of his circumstances – even for a week, steps can be taken to find a forever home.
We’re temporarily calling him Tristan. To make this sad story less sad, call Ronnie at 310-804-1555.
