Holiday shopping; businesses that support animal rescue – part 3

Want to find the perfect gift for the pet lovers – and the pets – on your holiday list? You can do it fast, easy and with plenty of heart by shopping at businesses that support the same causes that are important to you.

Rather than wait in long lines at corporate chain stores, Sacramento pet-lovers can shop at small businesses that are full of unique gifts and great selections of pet supplies. Best of all, you can choose a business that puts their money where their mouth is by donating generously to charities in their community.

Sacramento pet rescue groups were asked on Monday which small businesses help them out, and they had some very good suggestions for shoppers.

Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply Spa and Boutique and owner Millie Finch give generously to nonprofits that help both people and animals in this area. Just a few of the many groups Finch assists are Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Senior Gleaners and Titanic’s Pantry.

HART volunteer Bill Bonini doubts that anyone can walk into Trends-n-Treats without finding plenty of unique gifts, healthy pet foods and special services that are perfect for animal lovers.

Rachele with Pawsitive Attention Pet Services is another small business owner who “walks the walk”, or in her case walks the dog. Her business offers traditional services but also unique ones such as pet transport, moving-care, house-training and end-of-life care; she can even help if you would like your favorite pet to be part of your wedding ceremony.

But Rachele also gives back to her community by volunteering many hours every day to Chako Pit Bull Rescue and the Sacramento House Rabbit Society. Purchasing a gift certificate from Pawsitive Attention makes you a giver in more ways than one.

Western Feed and Pet Supply offers a wide range of goodies and foods for animals, and they donate to a wide range of local charities as well. Volunteers from many rescue groups sing the praises of Western Feed, including the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter, HART, Cats about Town Society and The Sacramento Pet Food Bank.

Gina Knepp with the City shelter also appreciates the generosity of Grateful Dog Day Care and the Animal Den Pet Resort and Spa.

Elk Grove’s Pets To Go has won the gratitude of the City shelter’s Karen Dickinson, who says that the owner has always been a big donor and supporter of area rescue groups.

Besides having a really cool name, Groovy Doggy offers artisan pet coats and owner Vanessa donates a portion of the sales of every coat to Chako.

Don’t spend the holiday season in crowded parking lots and longs lines; shop at small businesses that support the causes you believe in.

I see Fido kissing Santa Paws – this weekend

Santa is famous for assisting a certain ruby-nosed reindeer gain the affection of his peers, but his philanthropy doesn’t end there. The jolly fellow also works to get pets adopted and to raise money for worthwhile animal rescue groups.

Santa is particularly glad to help LAPCATS, a nonprofit organization created to help special pets from the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. To raise funds for LAPCATS, Santa is happy to pose for a keepsake photograph with your beloved pet.

Since he will be quite busy next week, this is the final weekend that the big man is available for pet photos.

He requests all to dash away, dash away, dash away to the PetSmart in Elk Grove on Saturday 12/17 or Sunday 12/18/11. Being an equal opportunity fellow, Santa has been known to pose with dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and even pet rats.

Within minutes, you will receive one quality printed photograph along with a special Christmas picture frame.

A donation of $10.95 is all it takes; guests with a free PetSmart “PetPerks” card get an even better deal of $9.95 for the pose, photo and frame.

LAPCATS understands how precious our pets are, and is pleased to email you a copy of the photo for an extra $5.00 donation to the rescue group.

During Santa’s visit, you will also have the chance to win unique prizes and gift baskets by participating in the annual raffle. This is a great opportunity to save money and time by winning the perfect gifts for someone on your list.

Proceeds from the photos, raffle and optional email go to support the work of LAPCATS in the Sacramento and Elk Grove area.

Some of the group’s adoptable cats will be at PetSmart during the event and you’re sure to be impressed with these sweet, beautiful animals. All of the cats and kittens have been fully screened to learn about their personality, temperament and health. Placement in temporary foster homes has also given LAPCATS more insight into how each cat interacts and reacts to day-to-day life with people and other pets.

Before joining LAPCATS, each animal has been spayed or neutered, microchipped, given flea/tick/worm treatment, vaccinated, and tested for FELV/FIV.

Please join Santa and an elf or two in celebrating the holidays with your pet.

• Photos with Santa Paws to benefit LAPCATS
• Saturday 12/17 and Sunday 12/18/2011
• 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. both days
• PetSmart Elk Grove
• 8215 Laguna Boulevard
• Elk Grove, CA 95758

Holiday shopping; businesses that support what you believe in – part 2

While many people head for major national retailers and big-box stores when doing their holiday shopping, there are options that are better for the giver, the receiver and the community. Businesses that support the same causes that you believe in can be the perfect places to find extra-special gifts during the holidays and all year long.

If you or the people you are shopping for love animals, it is easy to find small businesses in Sacramento that do their part to keep shelters and rescue groups afloat. The support of these businesses is especially important to animal shelters in the current economy, and it is time to return the favor by spending your shopping dollars with them.

This series of articles highlights some of those local small businesses; part 2 introduces some great options for gifts that pamper the heart, soul and body. And yes, chocolate is involved.

Toffee Fudge, Glacier Mint and White Chocolate Mocha are just a few of the flavors available from Kelli’s Best Cookies. They have platters and gift baskets available and are now also offering unique children’s birthday parties. Best of all, Cathryn Reynolds of Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary said today that that Kelli has been “very generous in her support of the shelter”.

Now that chocolate issue has been handled, there are other special gift options to check out.

It is no stretch to see why Happy Tails also appreciates the efforts of the Zuda Yoga Center.  Each of the two studios (in Midtown Sacramento and in Folsom) offer yoga classes to the public twice a week with all of the proceeds going to Happy Tails. Gifts are available in their boutique and gift certificates are available in any dollar amount.

Others on your list would love a gift certificate for massage, sugar scrubs and other luxurious and relaxing spa treatments from Victoria Goddanti, owner of Shanti Lounge. Goddanti has been very generous about helping the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter and the Sacramento Pet Food Bank.

How that your loved ones are relaxed, pampered, limber and full of cookies, HART animal rescue and C.A.T.S. (Cats about Town Society) recommend a visit to Debbie Driggs of Hair By Debra. Anyone wanting a glossy mane of stylish hair would love a gift certificate from this talented, experienced stylist. For more information contact Debbie at 916-723-7786 or email her at debrahanes@comcast.net.

After all of that, snuggling down with a good book would be the perfect plan. HART and C.A.T.S. have also benefited from the support of Carol’s Book Store and owner Sharon Wright. The gorgeously funky store features great books, unique jewelry, cards and artwork, and Wright holds poetry and dance events there as well.

Show your love for needy pets while finding the perfect gifts for those special people on your holiday list.

Additional articles in this series will include supportive small businesses that offer gifts for the home and garden, as well as for families and pet owners.

A month of free dog food for 2011 adopters

Did you adopt your dream pooch from an animal shelter or rescue group at any time during 2011? Pedigree wants to thank you for rescuing a needy dog, and they’re ready to put their money where their mouth, well, where your dog’s mouth is.

As part of Pedigree’s adoption reward program, rescue groups learned today that eligible adopters in the Sacramento area can get coupons for a free one-month supply of dog food. In the current economy that is an especially nice gift for your wallet as well as for your dog.

The Pedigree coupons are redeemable for one bag (up to 20 pounds) of dry dog food and four 13.2 ounce cans of wet food. Unless the dog you adopted loves to binge and is the size of a bull Mastiff or a giant Newfoundland, that amount of food should last a month for one dog.

Judy Kent of Sacramento nonprofit Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue was pleased to hear that Pedigree is so supportive of animal rescue groups. While Pedigree may gain some new customers who continue to use the product after the freebies, Kent acknowledges that adopters likely have more to gain than the company.

Did you adopt your dream pooch from an animal shelter or rescue group at any time during 2011? Pedigree wants to thank you for rescuing a needy dog, and they’re ready to put their money where their mouth, well, where your dog’s mouth is.   As part of Pedigree’s adoption reward program, rescue groups learned today that eligible adopters in the Sacramento area can get coupons for a free one-month supply of dog food. In the current economy that is an especially nice gift for your wallet as well as for your dog.   The Pedigree coupons are redeemable for one bag (up to 20 pounds) of dry dog food and four 13.2 ounce cans of wet food. Unless the dog you adopted loves to binge and is the size of a bull Mastiff or a giant Newfoundland, that amount of food should last a month for one dog.   Judy Kent of Sacramento nonprofit Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue was pleased to hear that Pedigree is so supportive of animal rescue groups. While Pedigree may gain some new customers who continue to use the product after the freebies, Kent acknowledges that adopters likely have more to gain than the company.

Kent says that “those who adopt animals are special, generous people, and it’s great that a large company is willing to give back”.

To receive the coupons for free food, people simply need to complete a short form and mail it in with proof of adoption, such as a copy of the adoption certificate or receipt for the adoption fee payments.

The company will not be able to return any of the adoption documents they receive, so they request that people only send in copies rather than originals.

If you do not have any of the original adoption documents, contact the shelter or rescue group from which you adopted the dog to see if they are able to provide a copy of it.

This offer is valid for dogs or puppies that were adopted at any point during 2011; unfortunately the exceptional people that bring in stray or abandoned canines are not eligible. Certain restrictions apply, and only one form can be completed per household.

All requests for coupons must be received at Pedigree by January 31, 2012 in order to be eligible.

• Pedigree Adoption Drive – Free Dog Food for 2011 adopters
• Click here for details
• Click here for get the form that needs to be completed.

Holiday shopping; businesses that support what you believe in – Part 1

During the holidays people rush to crowded malls and mass retailers for gifts that often end up being pretty generic and uninspiring. But there are some great gifts available that fill the heart and soul in addition to filling those empty Christmas stockings.

The key is shopping at a place that supports the causes you believe in and that have special and really fun gift options. Suddenly the holiday season will become merrier for everyone involved.

While some mega-monster corporations have their paid staff give help to charities, they operate with multi-million dollar budgets to publicize and market their good works. By contrast, small businesses that help do so without the fanfare or the big money.

If you (or the person you are shopping for) love animals, here is some jolly holiday news.

• Sacramento-area animal shelters and rescue groups have identified small businesses that voluntarily go the extra mile to help them, and there are plenty of options for gift seekers.

This series of articles will profile some of the businesses that put their money where their heart is; part 1 begins with Ned Buratovich, owner of the busy one-man shop imagiNed Web Design

Buratovich is also the creator of the fun and inspirational 100-year “One of These Days” calendar poster.

One of Buratovich’s dearest childhood pals was his short-haired fox terrier named Lucky. When long-time friend Suna Kneisley needed assistance for her Sacramento nonprofit group C.A.T.S. (Cats about Town Society), Buratovich immediately jumped in and offered his talents for free.

Kneisley describes Buratovich as one of the most “boundlessly creative, dynamic and whimsical” people she knows, and is grateful for the large amount of time he has volunteered to create and maintain websites for animal rescue.

She encourages people to visit the sites he does for C.A.T.S. and for the nonprofit Spay It Forward to see just a few examples of his talents.

So what does his passion for the under-dog (or cat) have to do with holiday shopping? The 100 year calendar makes a perfect present and is available online – with no long lines, crowded parking lots or desperate shoppers – for only $15.00. And this gift is a lot more than a blank canvas with numbers on it.

Buratovich describes it as “a long-term project planner, a dream vacation scheduler, the ultimate bucket-list calendar, a lifetime timeline, an anniversary keeper and birthday reminder, a historical push-pin map, a chronological chart AND a work of conceptual art”.

The calendar is an entertaining way to help people appreciate every day of their lives, and comes with a 14-page user’s guide booklet.

Best of all, the calendar is a great present in more ways than one. In addition to being something special they can keep forever, the giver and receiver are partnering with someone who donates his time and talents to help needy animals.

Beats a box of reindeer-decorated socks from a mega-corporation any day.

• LifetimeCalendars.com (or its “evil twin” ProcrastinatorsCalendar.com)
• Both are the same item, created by Ned Buratovich, but “pitched with different spins.”

We are the 75% – as least this month

Although recent news has been focused on people in the 99th percentile, there is a different number that is particularly special for pet lovers right now. Some of Sacramento’s largest animal shelters are proving that 75% is the figure that counts.

At least that is, when thinking about animal adoption fees.

During the month of December, adopters can bring home the pet that is perfect for them and save 75% off the normal cost of adoption.

The move is part of “Home for the Holidays”, a December campaign aimed at finding forever homes for 1,000 homeless animals in the area.

The Sacramento County Animal Shelter, City of Sacramento Animal Care Services, Sacramento SPCA, and Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary are all part of the promotion.

View the slide show to see just a few of the animals up for adoption from these participating shelters.

Shannon Asquith, a long time volunteer at the Sacramento County shelter, says that the 75% promotion is a great way to bring together people and pets. On Saturday Asquith helped a woman and her daughter pick out the only gift the girl wanted for Christmas; an adorable gray kitten.

“We found the perfect match, so both she and the kitten got just what they wanted most for the holidays”, says Asquith.

Some local shelters also have gift certificates available for purchase; they can be redeemed for adoptions, pet supplies, vet services or other items for sale. Adoption certificates are particularly good gifts because the receiver gets to pick out just the right pet for their lifestyle.

For more information, click on the name of the shelter below.

• City of Sacramento Animal Care Services
• Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary
• Sacramento County Animal Shelter
• Sacramento SPCA

Join the “75-percenters” and bring the joy of the season home for a needy animal.

Happy hour party to benefit Sacramento Pet Food Bank

Put together music, wine and beer, hors d’oeuvres and a chance to win money, and it sounds like a good time. Wave a magic wand; it turns into a party for a great cause and becomes a downright excellent plan.

The event, set for Friday December 9 is a benefit for the Sacramento Pet Food Bank (Titanic’s Pantry) and the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter.

The $5.00 entry fee includefs one drink, wine, beer, water or soda.

There will be a raffle and items for sale, including unique jewelry, artwork and pet supplies. One particular raffle item will appeal to the dog owners on your holiday shopping list; a gift certificate from Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply, Spa and Boutique for a full-service dog bath and grooming.

Bring a donation of cat or dog food, cat litter, toys or other pet care items for Titanic’s Pantry, and get a free ticket to the raffle. The more donations you bring, the more raffle tickets you can get.

“Keys to the Kennel” according to Gina Knepp, Acting Animal Care Service Manager for the City of Sacramento. Knepp said today that the kennel keys are $5.00 each and the winning key will open the lock on a $100.00 prize.

Party attendees should bring either cash or their checkbook, as credit cards can not be used at this event.

There will also be gift certificates from the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter available for sale; this is your opportunity to give a holiday gift that really counts. Certificates can be redeemed for animal adoptions or other services at the shelter.

The benefit will take place in the Garden Room at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, part of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association.

• Titanic’s Pantry Party
• Friday December 9, 2011
• 5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
• Sierra 2 Center Garden Room
• 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818
• $5.00 entry fee includes one drink (Wine, beer, water or soda)
• Raffle tickets are $1.00 each / $5.00 for six; free raffle ticket for donations to the Pantry
• $5.00 for each kennel key for a chance to win $100.00

Should Santa leave a puppy – or is there a better option?

The image of delighted children playing with their adorable new dog or cat on Christmas morning is pure Norman Rockwell. But is it a good idea?

Perhaps not, some Sacramento animal rescue groups are saying today.

But why not? Lots of reasons probably, but here are just a few – I wanted a dog not a cat, I don’t like dogs, I don’t like cats, I think hamsters are icky, I want a Siamese cat instead, I want one that will cuddle instead of running around, I want one that runs around instead of cuddling, I think they’re too much work, I can’t afford pet/vet care, I like other people’s animals but don’t want one of my own, I don’t like picking up poop or cleaning a box, I want one that doesn’t bark so much, I want one that barks more or….I don’t actually like animals very much.

Giving someone a live animal sounds wonderful, but the reality isn’t always a great thing for the animal or the new pet owner.

For the animal, moving into a new place with new people is a wonderful but stressful event in any case. Add to that the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and it can upset and change the behavior of the sweetest aniaml in the world.

For the people, if the match isn’t right or if the recipient doesn’t actually want a pet, things can go south pretty quickly.

(Just ask all of the little chicks and bunnies that were given as gifts last Easter, and were turned in to overcrowded shelters a week later.)

Instead of buying an animal to give as a present, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and HART animal rescue suggest getting a gift certificate instead.

The animal shelters for Sacramento City, Sacramento County and the City of Folsom also encourage holiday shoppers to come to them for gift certificates.

Depending on the shelter, certificates could be issued for an adoption, a service or just for a particular dollar amount.

Know several people who want to contribute towards a larger gift for someone special? They can each buy a dollar-amount gift certificate that will combine to get the recipient what they want. This can be a great option for someone who already has their perfect pet.

Cindy Walden, Animal Services Officer for the City of Folsom shelter, says that a certificate could even be “for a rabies vaccine ($5.00) or microchip ($20.00) at our monthly clinic “.

Dollar-amount certificates can also be redeemed for any items a shelter may sell (such as logo shirts, books or calendars); check out Homeward Bound’s “Golden Mall” for some great examples.

For the sake of the people and animals involved, all regular adoption guidelines and screening done by the shelter still apply when gift certificates are used.

For contact information on these shelters and rescue groups:

• City of Sacramento Animal Shelter, click here
• City of Folsom Animal Shelter – Call 916-439-2268 or email cwalden@folsom.ca.us
• HART Animal Rescue – Call 916-730-7814 or email hartcats@live.com
• Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, click here
• Sacramento County Animal Shelter, click here

Prince Harry, Black Friday adoptions this weekend

Contrary to public opinion, Prince Harry is not a dashing red-haired young Englishman. Or at least his namesake in Sacramento is not; the local version is a silky, black-haired adoptable cat at the County Animal Shelter.

And although he doesn’t get nearly as much attention from the paparazzi as his human counterpart, the feline Prince Harry is currently a newsmaker himself.

As part of a Black Friday special this weekend at the City and County of Sacramento animal shelters, the bonny Prince is making the headlines because he is available for half the normal adoption fee.

All black or mostly black animals are adoptable at 50% off at both shelters this weekend, which is a much better deal than most people will receive after waiting in line for hours at Wal-Mart or Target.

The Black Friday promotion continues through close of business this Sunday, until 5:00 P.M. at the City and 4:30 P.M. at the County.

The event includes Boo, a male black and white Pomeranian and long-haired Dachshund mix at the City shelter, and Jabbar, a Great Dane mix also with the City.

Marlow, a black gorgeous cat and a sweet Border Collie and Australian Shepherd mix (listed under kennel number ID#A560572 ) are half-price through the promotion at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter.

Old wives tales often suggest that black-coated animals have negative, mystical powers, but they are actually among the favorites of animal rescuers and others who have adopted ebony animals.

To learn more about why black animal are good luck, view the amusing video to the left of this article.

Kirsten DeVriend of Sacramento has had black animals throughout her life. She and her husband Bill currently enjoy the hijinks of Dizzy, a loveable pure black cat they rescued more than 10 years ago, and DeVriend remembers Max the dog fondly.

Max was a black German Shepherd with a caramel undercoat; they named him Maxwell Smart as a joke because he was, well, not the brightest bulb as a puppy.

“But if you petted him” says DeVriend, “you had a friend for life”.

This weekend is the perfect opportunity to find your friend for life at an excellent price at the City and County of Sacramento Animal Shelters. All pets adopted from the shelters are spayed /neutered, vaccinated and ready to join your family.

• Black and mostly black animals at 50% off normal adoption fees
• Saturday November 28 and Sunday November 27, 2011
• City of Sacramento Animal Shelter
• Sacramento County Animal Shelter
• Click on the above shelter links for information and business hours

Talking dog makes shocking confession; Sacramento listens

During a packed press conference in California’s capitol city today, the world’s first English-speaking dog made a brief, direct and indisputable statement. Rupert Smithson, a handsome pooch of undetermined lineage, spoke firmly and without need for a microphone.

“I’m hungry”, said the reddish-brown canine, “and I expect that I will want to eat again tomorrow as well”.

California’s “First Dog” Sutter Brown stepped in to add his support; the Corgi manfully admitted that he also felt the urge to have food on a daily basis.

A petite Persian cat in a flowing white fur coat, dark sunglasses and jeweled collar joined  Smithson and Brown at the podium and faced the crowd defiantly.

“I have an eating disorder”, she said. “Trust me, if I don’t get food every single day I become disorderly in the extreme”.

Although none were asked, she left the podium insisting that she would not answer any further questions.

Upon her departure a stream of pets surged onto the stage in solidarity, confirming that they share the same addiction as Smithson. Despite failed attempts at rehabilitation, all of the animals admitted to craving and essentially requiring food every day of the year in order to survive.

Smithson announced that he was going to a 12-step meeting and left the audience in shocked silence.

Okay, so maybe a bit of the above reporting isn’t completely accurate. In the interest of full disclosure, the Persian’s sunglasses weren’t actually very dark and the press conference wasn’t really all that packed.

But those little fibs did get you to read this far, so please stick around for a moment more.

Real or not, the message of the press conference comes through loud and clear. Just like people, pets need food every day, no matter what the weather is like or how the economy is behaving.

The need for food, whether for children or kittens, has a way of leveling the playing field. As living beings we all need it, and as a community we can help each other get it.

In this community, pet owners needing a little assistance can turn to The Sacramento Pet Food Bank.

Also known as Titanic’s Pantry, the all-volunteer-run nonprofit has helped thousands of families get a portion of their pet’s monthly food at no charge. Without assistance from the Pantry, many would have been forced to surrender their pets to already overburdened animal shelters and rescue groups.

This Saturday there will be a special pet food drive for Titanic’s Pantry, hosted for the third year by the Sacramento Cat Hospital.

Donations of unopened and unexpired cat and dog food (both canned and dry), leashes, collars, cat litter, bedding, and other pet supplies will be gratefully accepted by volunteers at the event. Monetary donations are also welcome, as they can be used to purchase whatever items are most needed.

By the way, Rupert really is hungry every day and the Persian diva can be difficult even after being fed.

• Pet Food Drive for Titanic’s Pantry
• Saturday November 19, 2011
• 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
• Sacramento Cat Hospital
• 4115 Manzanita Ave. Carmichael 95608
• For more information about the pet food drive, contact the Sacramento Cat Hospital at (916) 488-4161 or email info@sacramentocathospital.com.