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When Bernard’s first dog passed on, Flash, a Black Lab, became Bernard’s family in 2001. Flash has shared good times and bad times with Bernard. Through it all, Flash has given Bernard the strength to continue fighting to regain his health — and because of the dedicated Staff and Volunteers of PAWS/LA, Bernard has been able to see that his dog is well-cared for. Flash developed health problems that Bernard could not have afforded to pay. PAWS/LA stepped in and provided the financial assistance meeded to see that Flash received the treatments he needed.

Every month, rain or shine, a dedicated PAWS/LA Volunteer makes food deliveries for Flash, which lifts another burden from Bernard’s shoulders. Like all of PAWS/LA clients, Bernard’s primary concern is for the welfare of his animal companion. Because of PAWS/LA, Bernard isn’t faced with debilitatiing stress over Flash’s welfare.

Bernard believes in giving back what he can to the organization that has allowed him to keep Flash with him. Whenever possible, Bernard helps to spread the word about PAWS/LA, happy to share his experience of the generosity and devotion of PAWS/LA Staff and Volunteers. “Flash has helped keep me alive,” he says, “and PAWS/LA has enabled me to keep Flash.”

Always a realist, Bernard knows that his life could end before Flash. He has tried to make provisions for his beloved dog to be adopted should the need arise. His worry over this matter is greatly decreased because he knows PAWS/LA will step in and make sure that Flash finds a loving human to care for if Bernard is taken from him.

Bernard has not had an easy road to walk, but because he had Flash by his side he’s never felt alone — and for that he will always be grateful to the wonderful people at PAWS/LA.

Melissa Poppenger has been a volunteer for PAWS/LA for over three years. At a difficult time in her own life, she was looking for some way to get out of her problems and become involved in helping animals and the elderly. She began researching volunteer opportunities on the internet, and when she read about PAWS, she knew that she had found her niche. Melissa is one of the angels who deliver food bank food to PAWS clients. Melissa’s route takes her to the out of the way places in the San Fernando Valley – places that others often can’t find no matter how hard they try. For Melissa, no address is too difficult to find.

Like many of PAWS/LA clients, Melissa has two companions who are as important to her as any member of her family: Her dog, Shadow, and her African Grey Parrot, Rico. Melissa has always been an animal lover. As a young person, she had cats and a family dog. Her Whippet got out of the yard and was lost. Melissa was delighted when her family received a call that someone had found their Whippet, but was dismayed when the so-called rescuer was more interested in collecting a reward then in retuning the dog. After several days of silence, the family received another phone call about the dog – this time from the “rescuer’s” girlfriend who said that she couldn’t stand hearing the dog crying, and gave Melissa the address of where the dog was being kept. Her family got the dog back five days later. The importance of having her dog returned to her is something that Melissa has never forgotten.

When Melissa is not delivering food for PAWS, she can be found working in the IT Department for the Fashion Design Institute. Prior to that, Melissa worked in a bakery where she did the early morning baking. The grocery strike of several years ago, compelled her to seek a change of career direction.

When asked what PAWS/LA means to her, Melissa replied, “It means hope and freedom. Freedom to have the animals who mean so much to our clients remain with them, and the hope that their lives will continue to improve because of the dedication and care of the people who are the heart and soul of PAWS/LA.”

For more information about Volunteering, contact Raymundo Baltazar. 213.741.1950 x 116

BOWL PROJECT AUCTION

November 29 thru December 16, 2011

See Auction

On-line auction of one-of-a-kind celebrity dog bowls.

When does a basic dog bowl become something more? Answer — When it’s a one-of-a-kind piece of “pup art” created with love by many of today’s hottest stars. Scheduled to launch on November 29, 2011, Bowl Project 2011 is an online charity auction featuring ceramic dog bowls that are custom painted by such celebrity animal lovers as: Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres, Betty White, Jessica Simpson, Jane Lynch, Chelsea Handler, Cindy Crawford, William Shatner, and many others.

These collectible bowls are personally signed by each celebrity artist and will be sure to last a lifetime. The bowls’ conveyed messages are an important reminder of the love and affection pets offer people, especially those in need of care most.

For more information about The Bowl Project call Pamela Magette. 213.741.1950 x 113 or pmagette@pawsla.org.

As a non-profit agency we rely heavily on the kindness of individuals and companies for donations of everything from money to pet food and products.

We are very fortunate to be the beneficiary of  wonderful partnerships with several Los Angeles-area PetCo stores.  Each of these stores has generously selected PAWS/LA as the recipient of the food and items placed in their in-store donation bins.

These donations amount to hundreds of pounds of essential pet food each month which we distribute to the dogs and cats of our PAWS/LA clients. These donations are an amazing gift and allow us to stretch our budget dollars even further to help more pets and people in need.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to all of our friends at the PetCo stores listed below and hope that you will stop in if they are in your neighborhood.

200 S. La Brea Ave Ste C

Los Angeles 90036

(323) 934-8444

508 North Doheny Dr

West Hollywood 90048

(310) 275-6012

12800 Ventura Blvd

Studio City 91604

(818) 506-6416

5347 S. Sepulveda Blvd

Culver City 90230

(310) 390-7255

8801 S. Sepulveda Blvd

Los Angeles 90045

(310) 645-7198

1873 Westwood Blvd

Los Angeles 90025

(310) 441-2073

13420 Whittier Blvd

Whittier 90605

(562) 907-2300

475 Foothill Blvd

La Canada 91011

(818) 790-3165

51-A Peninsula Center

Rolling Hills 90274

(310) 377-5560

537 N. Pacific Coast Hwy

Redondo Beach 90274

(310) 374-7969

1201 W. Whittier

La Habra 90631

(562) 690-0410

1425 N. Montebello Blvd.

Montebello 90640

(323) 724-3194

People often say that cats can be aloof, but maybe they are just misunderstood. Perhaps it is just that cats possess an independent spirit and want the choice to socialize when they feel like it. Instead of approaching and reaching toward a cat, it may be better to formally greet them by sitting with your hand extended and waiting patiently for kitty to come to you. If he accepts your invitation, he will typically come over, touch you with his nose and then turn his head to rub his cheek on your hand. This is a cat’s way of marking you with friendly pheromones produced by the glands in his cheek.

At this point, you may engage the kitty with activities he enjoys. Start off slowly and gently to avoid spooking him, and maybe work your way up to grooming and tossing toys. Treats are always a great way to win over cats, and most animals in general. Tossing treats for cats to chase gets them to interact with you in a playful way while being rewarded at the same time. Most importantly, always let a cat have the choice to approach and interact with you and give them lots of attention and praise as a means of positive reinforcement.

PAWS/LA does not endorse nor take responsibility for accuracy of the facts and/or statements above.

Cecilia Clem was looking for an organization that would allow her to volunteer her time helping both animals and their human companions when she pretty much just stumbled upon the PAWS/LA website. She was immediately impressed by the Mission Statement and without any further ado called to set up an appointment. That was over a year ago, and since that time Cecilia has been a guardian angel to our clients who need assistance in having the food delivered for their animal companions. Cecilia works as a Home Delivery Volunteer and sees a large number of clients every month. She and the clients have established a rapport where she has become another member of the extended family. The clients know that they can count on Cecilia and PAWS/LA to make sure their beloved animal companions have the food they need for the month. One of the highlights of Cecilia’s work is that she gets to meet new four legged friends on a regular basis. All of the clients want to be sure that Cecilia gets to know their animals, and Cecilia is delighted to make the new friends. As Cecilia says, “So many of our clients have a heavy load to deal with. They worry about being able to keep their animals, and they worry about being able to provide for themselves. PAWS/LA helps to lighten that load, and I’m so happy to be part of the solution.”

In addition to doing Volunteer work for PAWS/LA, Cecilia holds down a full timer job as Vice President of Purchasing for Lakeshore Learning, a company directed at supplying materials for early childhood learning. As far as Cecilia is concerned, children and animals have always gone hand in hand.

Cecilia has been an animal lover her entire life. Born and raised in San Francisco, Cecilia graduated from Cal State East Bay. When a new employment opportunity presented itself, her parents moved the family to Los Angeles, but they all remain die-hard 49’ers fans. Cecillia has 3 dogs and one cat in her animal companion family. All three of her dogs are rescues, who began as foster animals, but soon became family to Cecilia and adoption was inevitable.

Doing volunteer work for PAWS/LA has made Cecilia more thankful for the blessings she has in her own life. She feels a sense of fulfillment and joy in her ability to work with PAWS/LA in helping others. PAWS/LA is a vital part of her life and she is humbled by the strength and courage she finds in the clients who have become so important to her.

For more information about Volunteering, contact Raymundo Baltazar. 213.741.1950 x 116

On Sunday, October 16th, 2011, for the first time ever, PAWS/LA is fielding a team in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk. As an AIDS Walk coalition member, PAWS/LA will receive 100% of monies raised on our behalf. So, this is a great opportunity to generate much-needed funds to continue to care for the pets of our clients living with HIV/AIDS!

You can get involved in a number of ways:

1. Sponsor the team. Donate directly to the PAWS/LA Team through the AIDS Walk website.

2. Join the team. Become a member of the PAWS/LA Team and generate your own sponsors.  All monies will be directed to PAWS/LA.

3. Sponsor a PAWS/LA Team Member. You may have friend or family members who have already joined out team. You can sponsor them through their page on the AIDS Walk website and the monies will be directed to the PAWS/LA Team account.

4. Send a check. Checks can made payable to PAWS/LA and send to our offices at 1150 S. Hope St. #A, Los Angeles 90015. Be sure to write “for Team #9667″ memo line.

5. Spread the word. Use your Twitter account and Facebook page to generate support.  Include this link to the PAWS/LA page:

Visit AIDS Walk Los Angeles for more event. information

Please contact Raymundo Baltazar to find out how you can get involved!

rbaltazar@pawsla.org or 213.741.1950 116

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