Staff Report

After Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc across Texas, Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) responded to the call for help from animal shelters directly impacted by the freezing temperatures, ice, and snow. 

With their owners stranded without power and water, thousands of Texas pets entered shelters during the storm’s aftermath. As a result of this rapid influx of animals into the shelters, dogs and cats that were already there before the storm hit are now at risk of euthanasia due to space limitations and exhausted resources. Through a major collaboration of animal organizations, a goal was set to find safe transport for 1,000 animals or more across state lines to free up critical space in the exhausted Texas shelters. 

Twenty-two dogs made the long journey from El Paso, arriving in Santa Barbara on the evening of Saturday, March 6. The dogs selected for the journey ranged from 4 to 70 pounds and were said to be healthy and social. 

Most importantly, the priority was to transfer dogs that truly don’t have a home or are at risk of euthanasia, according to SBCAS Director Angela Yates. 

“As a municipal shelter, it’s unusual for us to transfer in animals from other jurisdictions, but in times of disaster and crisis, our network of animal shelters work together to save as many animals as possible,” Yates said. “We are so grateful that we are in a position to offer these 22 dogs a new and loving life in Santa Barbara.”

The transport was made possible through SBCAS’s partnership with C.A.R.E.4Paws, Shadow’s Fund and the Santa Barbara Animal Care Foundation, who rallied their support and resources to assist. El Paso Animal Services transported the dogs to Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona, which offered to act as a transport hub to give the canines a day of rest. 

SBCAS volunteers than made the 18-hour round-trip drive to the Tucson facility and back to bring the dogs to Santa Barbara. 

“Through this collaboration, we are able to provide these shelter pets a greater chance at a loving home and we can’t thank SBCAS enough for being a lifesaving partner,” said Ramon Herrera, interim director of El Paso Animal Services.

Upon arrival to the Santa Barbara shelter, the dogs were rotated throughout play yards, and received a vet exam before being placed up for adoption. 

Anyone interested in giving one of these Texas dogs a California home, please visit https://countyofsb.org/phd/animal/texasdogadoption.sbc and fill out an application that is specifically set up for these Texas canines.

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Santa Barbara County Animal Services has noted a recent uptick of cases of canine respiratory disease and parvovirus infection in the Santa Maria area. The owners of dogs and puppies are advised to consult their veterinarians to ensure their animals are current on recommended vaccines and are informed about how to keep them safe and healthy.

Canine parvovirus is an extremely infectious virus that is present year-round in the environment. This virus can cause very serious disease and death in dogs and puppies. Symptoms of this disease include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Puppies are at greatest risk of contracting the virus, as their immune systems are not yet fully developed.
“The chances of a dog or puppy becoming infected with parvovirus are greatly reduced with proper vaccination,” said Dr. Ginger White, director of Shelter Medicine for Santa Barbara County Animal Services. “Not only can a simple vaccine potentially save your pet’s life, but it can save thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses and heartbreak for dog owners.”
Because they are higher risk for contracting parvovirus, puppies should be restricted from public outdoor areas until their vaccination series is completed at approximately 16 weeks of age. Most often, the parvovirus vaccine is combined with Distemper virus and Adenovirus type 2 vaccines, but this can vary.

There are multiple different infectious agents that can cause respiratory disease in dogs and puppies. There are vaccinations available to help prevent many, but not all, of these infections.

Dogs who are boarded, go to dog parks/beaches, group training, grooming, dog shows, and group walks are considered to be at a higher risk for infectious respiratory disease. It is recommended that these dogs be vaccinated against infectious respiratory diseases caused by:

Canine distemper
Adenovirus type 2
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Parainfluenza virus
Both types of canine influenza virus (H3N2 and H3N8).

Although vaccinations are generally very effective, they do not provide complete protection from infection in every dog.

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To celebrate the 12 Days of Winter Whiskers, a new animal will be showcased each day on social media from December 12 through December 24. Additional adoptable animals can be viewed online, and the public is encouraged to “shop” from home for the purrfect gift for yourself and your family! “Nationwide, the number of people adopting and fostering has skyrocketed during COVID-19 as homebound humans find companionship and comfort during these months of social isolation,” says Michelle Maltun, SBCAS Community Outreach Coordinator. “Now that the holidays are here with another stay-at-home order, our hope is that even more people will make their holiday season a little brighter by opening their home to a new furry family member!” 

With each adoption, your precious animal companion comes spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, ready to bring an abundance of whiskers and love to your home this holiday season!

Visit Winter Whiskers on SBCAnimalservices.org and asapcats.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Meet & Greet appointments can be made by calling the Santa Barbara Shelter at 805-681-5285 and Santa Maria Animal Center at 805-934-6119.

Bring a little love home for the holidays during our 12 Days of Winter Whiskers!

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Animal shelters throughout Santa Barbara County have joined forces to host a “Black Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday” event following the Thanksgiving holiday. The promotion will run November 27, 2020 through November 30, 2020 and will include fee-waived adoptions for all animals six months and older with any black coloring on them (even just a black nose or tip of the paw!)

Participating organizations include:

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program, (ASAP), at (805) 683-3368; www.asapcats.org 
• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter, (BUNS), at (805) 683-0521; www.bunssb.org 
• Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 934-6119 extension 7 in Santa Maria and (805) 681-5285 in Santa Barbara; www.countyofsb.org/phd/animal 
• Santa Barbara Humane Society & Santa Maria Valley Humane Society at    (805)964-4777; www.sbhumane.org 

“We’re working together to get as many animals out of our community’s shelters and into forever homes as soon as possible this holiday season,” says Santa Barbara County Animal Services Community Outreach Coordinator Michelle Maltun.  “We know many families are home and not traveling this year, so now is a wonderful time to bring home a new furry family member. Since the shelters in our community are operating on an appointment-only basis due to the pandemic we have extended the typical Black Friday special so that there is plenty of time for everyone to adopt a pet who would like to.”

All organizations are available for appointments Friday through Monday except for Santa Barbara County Animal Services which will be hosting appointments on Saturday and Monday only during the event. Interested adopters are encouraged to view adoptable animals online before calling any of the participating shelters to schedule a visit.  All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and have had a health exam.  View each organization’s website for more details.

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The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is pleased to announce that Angela Walters Yates has been hired as the animal services director for Santa Barbara County. Yates has over 30 years of leadership experience and comes with extensive animal sheltering knowledge and community relationships to make a positive difference in the lives of animals and the people who care about them. 

Angela Walters Yates

Most recently, Yates served as the executive director, and previously a board member, for the Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP) over the past eight years. Yates was responsible for the oversight, program development and accountability for best practices over all operational areas of the full-service cat shelter, including intakes, behavior, retention, animal care, foster care, adoptions, veterinary care, in-house spay/neuter clinic, community cats, outreach and partnerships with other animal welfare organizations. 

“We are enthusiastically looking forward to the talent, expertise and leadership that Angela will bring to our Animal Services division,” said Paige Batson, deputy director for community health at the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. “Her years of experience in the animal welfare industry and strong collaborations with community partners are key elements that will contribute greatly to our efforts of achieving innovation and best practices.” 

Yates successfully managed an organization of eight staff members and 250 volunteers to provide the highest level of shelter and foster care for 1,000 felines annually. Yates has been a successful agent of change both within ASAP and in the broader Santa Barbara County community to raise the standards of care and best practices for animal welfare organizations and agencies. 

“I’m honored and excited to join Santa Barbara County Animal Services, especially during a time of such innovation and change in animal welfare, not only in California, but across the nation,” Yates said. “Santa Barbara County has been my home for the past 17 years, and I’ve built strong relationships in our community and have a deep commitment to working collaboratively. I find inspiration in our community’s passion and advocacy for the welfare of animals, and I’m looking forward to working together to meet the needs of animals and humans alike.” 

Yates officially joined the Santa Barbara County Animal Services team on Monday, Oct. 5. 

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Will you be the purr-fect Valentine? During February, the month of love, pet owners can show their furry feline Valentines how much they mean to them by providing them with the gift of health. 

This month, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is holding a special “Cat Nips N Chips,” event where owners can get their feline friends a fee-waived spay or neuter and, as an added bonus from cupid himself, a $14 microchip. 

Each spring during “kitten season”, animal shelters across the nation are inundated with far more animals than there are potential adopters. By spaying or neutering kittens and cats, it helps prevent the birth of thousands of unwanted litters. 

“The Santa Barbara County Animal Services Project PetSafe Team is committed to saving lives through spaying and neutering,” says Animal Service public information assistant Jessica Wiebe. “Being able to offer such promotions to help reduce the overpopulation of pets is a crucial piece of the animal sheltering puzzle that we are proud to offer our community. Do not miss the chance to get in on the “Cat Nips N Chips” promotion and call for an appointment today–space is limited, and our appointment book fills up fast!” 

Santa Barbara County residents who wish to take advantage of these fee-waived surgeries should contact the Project PetSafe Team at 805-934-6968. Vaccines are also available at an additional cost. Be sure to follow Santa Barbara County Animal Services on Instagram (@sbcanimalservices) and Facebook for announcements of future promotions. 

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A puppy taken to an emergency pet hospital has undergone surgery for a severe wound to its muzzle, raising questions about how the injury occurred.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services staff posted about the plight of the puppy, since named Koa, on social media Thursday, asking for information about the dog’s past and donations for its care.

The dog was taken to PETS Hospital in Orcutt on Tuesday night.

“The person who took her there was very vague,” said Jennifer Adame from Animal Services.

The woman claimed the dog was found in Lompoc, but provided apparently false information since no one at the address was familiar with either the woman or the puppy.

“She’s a lovely little dog,” Adame said. “In any case, we’re happy that she’s with us and she’s getting the care that she needs now.”

The veterinary staff realized the dog’s wound stemmed from a rubber band that apparently had cut into the top part of her muzzle.

“It was so deeply embedded that its little nose was super swollen and they couldn’t even see the rubber band. They knew it was a ligature injury,” Adame said.

Once the dog received pain medication, veterinary staff looked in her mouth, saw the rubber band and were able to remove it.

To help with healing, the dog underwent surgery to remove the dead tissue and close the wound at the Buellton Veterinary Clinic.

“She’ll likely going to need multiple surgeries,” Adame said. 

A badly docked tail, likely done at home and not by professional staff, also required medical care, she added.

The puppy has received pain medication, antibiotics and tender loving care, but is eating well.

“It’s hard to tell at this point what the final outcome will be but everybody’s hopeful about it,” Adame said. 

Animal Services staff believe the dog is around eight to 12 weeks has old and some sort of mixed breed including terrier and, based on her coloring, possibly Queensland heeler. 

“She’s a sweet and precious dog,” Adame said. “She is so loving. You would think that with this painful injury and everything she’s been through she would be scared, timid, maybe even snap, not want people touching her.

“All she wants to do is snuggle and give you kisses and love. Her personality is just absolutely wonderful,” Adame added. “She’s adorable.”

Animal Services staff hope members of the public might recognize the dog as belonging to a neighbor or even know what litter it came from in an effort to track down how the dog became injured.

“We don’t have the whole story and we’re looking to the public to fill in the blanks for us,” Adame said.

Anyone with information about the puppy’s past can contact Animal Services by calling 805.934.6119, ext. 7. 

“Our team saves lives every day but we will never get used to seeing an animal that has been abused! We need your help to ensure whoever did this is held accountable,” Animal Services staff said in a Facebook post.

To help with complicated medical cases, the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation accepts donations to help pay for costly care of shelter animals. Tax-deductible donations may be made by clicking here.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com.

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Santa Barbara County Animal Services is reporting an alarmingly high number of cases of parvovirus in dogs in Northern Santa Barbara County, and officials are urging pet owners to check their animals’ vaccination status.

The Santa Maria Animal Center has seen nine confirmed case of parvovirus at the shelter in the last two weeks. The infected dogs have ranged in age from six weeks to five months. Local veterinary practices are also reporting a significant increase in parvovirus being brought in.

Parvovirus is most commonly seen in young puppies but can affect an unvaccinated dog of any age. It is spread from direct dog-to-dog contact, contaminated feces, or contaminated environments. All county residents are urged to keep puppies safe by not letting them outside of a fenced yard until they have received their vaccinations and are protected from the virus.

Unvaccinated dogs should avoid dog parks, beaches, pet stores, and other public places where other dogs may frequent.

Parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system and prevents the dog from being able to absorb nutrients. Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases, dehydration, shock, or death can follow.

Officials advise puppy owners to contact their veterinarian to receive the canine parvovirus vaccination series. Adult dogs should receive the parvo vaccination as part of their yearly vaccination package.

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Halloween can be the spookiest night of the year, but keeping your pets safe doesn’t have to be tricky. Santa Barbara County Animal Services wants to help you have a Happy Halloween by reminding you about the Halloween dangers for pets. SBC Animal Services suggests that pet owners take the following steps to ensure their pet’s safety.

1. Keep pets safe inside your house or garage. This will ensure that pets won’t become frightened or feel threatened by costume clad children or adults.

2. Be sure all pets are wearing collars with ID tags. Check to make sure microchip information is up to date. Frequently opened doors can provide a perfect opportunity for escape. A license tag is your pet’s ticket home!

3. Keep candy out of your pet’s reach. Candy can be harmful and in some cases fatal to pets. Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs. Sugar free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. Candy wrappers may have tasty leftovers on them and if ingested can cause serious injury to your pet’s digestive system.

4. Use Halloween decorations with caution. Make sure that pets cannot become entangled in cords or other hanging decorations. While a carved jack-o-lantern is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. The flame from a jack-o-lantern or candles can singe, burn, or set fire to your pet’s fur. It is recommended that you use artificial flames to decorate your home.

5. Leave Fido at home. Dogs may become difficult to handle during the noise and confusion of the Halloween festivities. A dog may run away or bite out of fear which will quickly end the Halloween fun for all.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services wishes you a safe and happy Halloween and reminds you state law requires all dogs over four months of age to be licensed. Should your pet get lost this Halloween be sure to stop by your local animal shelter in Santa Maria, Lompoc, or Santa Barbara so we can help them get back home.

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Spaying or neutering one’s dog, significantly reduces licensing fees, improves his or her quality of life, and reduces the risk of mammary and testicular cancers.

Appointments are expected to fill up quickly, so dog owners are encouraged to call one of the following organizations to schedule an appointment:

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Project PetSafe, 934-6968
• Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, 349-3435
• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, 688-8224
• Santa Barbara Humane Society, 964-4777
• C.A.R.E. 4Paws, 968-2273

The Santa Barbara County Responsible Pet Ownership Alliance is a collaboration between Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, C.A.R.E. 4Paws, VIVA, and the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation.

The partners work to help Santa Barbara County pet owners be responsible by ensuring affordable spay-neuter services are available countywide.

For more information, contact the Project PetSafe Team, 934-6968.

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