Pig News

Since we're officially in winter and the "cozy season," here's an easy way to add some warmth to your lap and your home by adopting a furry friend. This week's Pet of the Week at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is Flufferface. He and his three just-as-handsome brothers (Ricky, White Paw, and Smokey) are healthy and ready to find their forever homes.

They first came into the shelter as tiny, kind of sickly, stray kittens at the end of July. First treated for kitty colds and flea infestations, they went to a wonderful foster home to recover and grow stronger for several weeks. When they came back to the shelter for booster shots and to arrange for their neuter surgeries, we noticed not only how strong, healthy and sweet they were, but also that they now had some circular spots of hairloss... Bummer! It was ringworm - a mostly-harmless fungus that is, unfortunately, super-easy to spread - especially in an animal shelter!

Their foster mom whisked them back home for treatment (which takes several weeks), and they're now in tip-top shape. They've been back at the shelter for a few weeks now: healthy, handsome and hopeful, but also rather bored, and tired of sharing their kitty condo here at the shelter instead of being in a comfy home with lots to do!

While in foster care, Flufferface and his brothers lived with a 5 year old girl, other cats, and a senior pit bull and did very well with all of them. His foster reported: "Flufferface is an extremely affectionate guy.  He immediately approaches for petting, loved being held on his back like a baby, and has a strong motor purr.  He is calm and playful and very gentle with the 5 year old human who regularly handled him.  He also showed interest in an adult resident cat.  He's been absolutely perfect at using his litter box and would be a great fit for someone looking for a snuggle buddy."

ADOPTION SPECIALS
Since Flufferface and his brothers did grow up indoors, the shelter would like them to be kept safe and healthy as indoor cats as they age. They could be adopted as individuals or in any combination. Since they're all mostly-black, their adoption fees are reduced by $20 thanks to the Bogey Fund (started by the late Laurie Roberts!) - a fund that draws adopter's eyes towards black cats in our shelter, since they are often overlooked and, on average, have to wait longer before they get adopted.

In fact, ALL of the shelter's adoption fees are going to be reduced to just $50 December 1st through the 15th thanks to the Bissell "Empty the Shelters" event!! Adoption fees are always low and an amazing bargain for all the services included, but thanks to the Bissell Foundation, the shelter has been able to reduce them even further to help even more of the wonderful pets currently find new homes before the December holidays!

HOLIDAY HOURS
The Shelter's hours are usually 11-6 pm, 7 days a week, but they're closed on Thanksgiving and the day after. They'll be open 11 to 6 through the weekend, then kick of the Bissell "Empty the Shelters" event on Monday. You can walk through and see any animals in their kennels during open hours but be aware that they end "meet and greets" (aka meeting an animal out of the kennel) at 4:30pm every day. If you'd like to meet an animal out of the kennel, please arrive before 4:00pm to allow for time to discuss individual animals and meet them.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Out in the community, the Shelter has some very fun events in the coming weeks!

•     Sun Nov 30, 12 - 4 The Painted Cork in west Santa Cruz "Holiday Pawlooza" - family and pet-friendly event for shopping local, pet pictures with Santa and lick art by your dog!
•     Sat Dec 6, 12-4 "3rd Annual Pet Food Drive" for community pets at the Santa Cruz Shelter
•     Sat Dec 6, Evening, The Expendables show at the Catalyst will benefit the shelter
•     Sun Dec 7, 2-4 "Books & Bunnies" at Bookshop Santa Cruz
•     Sat Dec 13, 12-4 "Winter Wine Stroll" benefit event at Staff of Life Market
•     Thur Dec 18 & Sun Dec 21 - "Paint Your Pet" fundraisers at The Painted Cork, Andy Warhol style and classic style, respectively - register at The Painted Cork's website

For more info, along wiht new about the shelter's $50 December 1st through the 15th AND a list of upcoming fundraising events, read the full post or visit the shelter, located at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz and open from 11am to 6pm every day.

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