2015

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

P22014 YEAR IN REVIEW

P3WOODS UNIVERSITY

P4VOLUNTEER CORNER

P5 THE WOODS HUMANE ALLIANCE

P6-7SAVE THE DATE

P8

Inside this Issue:

Our Mission:

To serve, protect and shelter homeless companion animals;

To place animals in humane environments;

To promote responsible pet ownership, provide humane education

and reduce pet overpopulation;

To celebrate the human-animal bond.

Woods Humane Society

SHELTER TAILSSometimes It Takes A Village

We’d done everything we could for Robin but she wouldn’t eat. We knew her mouth bothered her – she’d hardly allow our veterinary team to even take a peek. We cleaned her teeth and gave her something to help with the inflammation in her gums. We provided her with a special diet, monitored her weight daily, and gave her lots of love and attention, but still nothing helped.

Our shelter’s veterinarian determined that she was suffering from an inflammatory condition called stomatitis and while it may sound extreme the best option for Robin was to remove all of her teeth. Although we have the ability to perform most dental procedures in-house at Woods, a full mouth extraction like this required the help of an outside veterinary clinic. Thanks to the help of Dr. Max Conn in Pismo Beach, Robin’s surgery was performed right away.

Almost immediately Robin felt better! She spent a few weeks at home with a foster family while she recuperated – and everyone there, including the three resident Chihuahuas took excellent care of her. Pain-free and eating like a champ, Robin was on the road to a full recovery.

Happy and healthy, Robin returned to Woods ready to find her forever family. And she did! It took just days for Robin to meet her match and before we knew it she was leaving Woods once again…this time with a loving family of her very own.

Sometimes it takes a village! Thanks to the generosity of folks like you we had the resources to go the extra mile for a special girl like Robin. Thanks to our veterinary staff we had the expertise to properly diagnose her condition. And thanks to the generosity of our local veterinary community we were able to get her in to surgery in no time. It all came together for a very happy ending!

Robin and her new person

Scooter made sure Robin got her rest

Board of DirectorsLenny Jones President

Jon Ansolabehere Vice President

Simone Michel Secretary

Lisa Adams Treasurer

Kevin Dye Past President

Jimmy Roberts Stacy Gregory Melanie Morgan DVM Dan Lloyd

Woods Humane Society StaffCory Karpin Executive Director

Steve Kragenbrink, CVA Director of Marketing & Community Programs

Serena Martinez Operations Director

Denise Reynolds Business Manager/HR Representative

Joy Miller Development & Outreach Manager

Susan Powell, DVM, PhD Director of Shelter Medicine

Heather Harris, DVM Elizabeth Noppinger, DVM Marcella Roan, DVM Part-Time Veterinary Surgeons

Rebecca Mundy, RVT Surgery Coordinator

Irene Hasen Erin Elder Surgery Assistant

Casey Martinez Veterinary Assistant

Robin Coleman Volunteer Coordinator

Kiersten Anderson Humane Education Coordinator

Michelle Rizzi Behavior and Training Coordinator

Melanie Myerscough Development & Outreach Assistant

Heather Massoni Shelter Manager

Kristin Youngberg Intake Coordinator

Chantalle Little Chris Williams Animal Care Team Leaders

Caitlin Amaral Shelle Clark Ruth Gomez Hayley Lawless Linsey Milligan Colleen Reed Patrick Regan Animal Caregivers

Baleigh Fox Customer Service Supervisor

Rebecca Brizendine Braeleigh Doble Pauline Polk Customer Service Representatives

From the Director’s DeskDear Friends of Woods Humane Society,

I’ve learned countless lessons during my time at Woods, but none more important than those taught to me by the animals themselves. Priceless life lessons, like always seeking out adventure, finding excitement in everyday things, trusting those around you (even if they may have let you down before) and, perhaps most important of all, making the most of every day! Our guests at Woods have been left behind, abandoned or even abused. Yet every morning when our staff and volunteers arrive they’re greeted with wagging tails, purrs and kisses. That’s the kind of person I want to be and the example I want to set for my kids.

This month, after four wonderful years as Executive Director of Woods Humane Society, I’ll say goodbye. The decision was one of the most difficult I’ve ever made. I truly love this organization, our passionate and talented staff, our amazing volunteers and our visionary Board of Directors. But since having our first daughter almost 10 years ago, my wife Michelle and I have dreamt of offering our children an extended adventure on my wife’s family farm. Of allowing our kids to live more closely with nature, to take on the responsibility of caring for animals on their own and to experience firsthand the very things we work so hard to teach our community’s children through the many humane education programs at Woods Humane Society.

Reaching a decision to take this adventure was a process. Michelle and I panicked over the financial implications. We worried about pulling our kids out of school. And we fretted over the many details and logistics. But in the end we decided to seek out adventure, find excitement and make the most of this special opportunity because, well, that’s what the animals at Woods have taught me to do.

It’s been an honor to lead this great organization for the past four years and to work with so many of you to improve the lives of homeless animals on the Central Coast. Together we’ve expanded our services, created vital new programs and, most importantly, impacted the lives of more animals than ever before. Thanks to each of you for supporting the work of Woods Humane Society. With our talented staff and Board of Directors at the helm I know things will only get better.

In the spirit of adventure,

Cory Karpin Executive Director

2 Shelter Tails

Shelter Tails 3

• Found loving Forever Homes for 256 cats, 138 kittens,

559 dogs and 25 puppies

• Our medical team performed 3,294 spay and neuter surgeries

and 115 dental procedures

• Our expanding Humane Education Program served 2,377 children county-wide

• Celebrated a 99% live release rate

• We opened Woods University, a dedicated behavior and training center committed to the Positive Reinforcement Method of dog training

• We continued our partnership with SLO County Animal Services,

transferring in 369 dogs and cats and performing 1,235 low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for unaltered animal adopted from our County Shelter

Thanks to your support 2014 was a huge year for the homeless dogs and cats of San Luis Obispo County! Below are just a few examples of the many wonderful things you helped make possible:

Thank you for making a difference in 2014! We’re excited to work together to have an even bigger impact in 2015!

2014

Year In Review

Welcome to Woods University, a new behavior and training space committed to the Positive Reinforcement Method of dog training! Thanks to the generosity of the Animal Charitable Foundation of Santa Barbara County, Woods University opened in October 2014 with two simple, but vital goals:

1. To rehabilitate shelter dogs exhibiting behaviors that make them difficult to adopt

2. To provide affordable and effective training classes that strengthen the human-animal bond and keep dogs out of the shelter and in their homes

The Positive Reinforcement Method of dog training is a reward-based method that allows dogs to learn free from stress and fear of retribution. It trains for success, not failure, so that training is fun, fast and fair.

In addition to working with our canine guests in the shelter, Woods University is home to a full range of training classes for the public. Whether you’ve recently added a puppy to your family or have an adult dog who… well… could benefit from some manners. Woods University can help!

To learn more about Woods University and see a complete listing of our training classes visit www.woodshumane.org/woodsu or call (805) 543-9316.

4 Shelter Tails

Woods University: Effective, Compassionate, Positive

Jack, a Woods U Success StoryJack arrived at Woods Humane Society in June. His family loved him but knew they couldn’t meet his needs and it was making everyone, including Jack, unhappy. Jack’s need for play was insatiable and he didn’t do well being left alone most of the day - in fact he destroyed the yard, broke through the fence and to make matters worse he was reactive towards other dogs while on walks.

But there were many wonderful things about Jack, too. He was playful and always happy. And despite his energy he calmed down quickly and was gentle and sweet with those he knew.

After just two weeks at Woods Jack found his way into an adopter’s heart. But those same behaviors that led him to Woods in the first place brought him back a second time. This time we knew we had to do more. So before entering our adoption program a second time Jack spent a couple of weeks in our newly opened Woods University.

The first thing Jack needed was to regain his confidence so our trainer worked with him on basic obedience. Well, he mastered that in no time. So we moved on to more advanced training and as his confidence grew he began to relax and warm up to everyone around him. We even introduced him to other dogs and over time his reactivity began to fade.

Jack reentered our adoption program and quickly found his perfect forever home! He now shares his life with a wonderful family and his new best buddy – an eight pound Yorkie. But most importantly, thanks to the time he spent at Woods University the challenging behaviors that brought him into our shelter, twice, are gone!

“Training has been shown to be the single most important thing that keeps a dog in his or her ‘forever’ home.” ~ Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Shelter Tails 5

Volunteer Corner Although they just turned 14, twin sisters Abby and Haley have found many ways to make a huge difference for the animals at Woods Humane Society. Along with their mom Brenda, they began volunteering a couple of years ago. They attended training classes so they could take our dogs out of the shelter for much needed relaxation and fun. During our Wiggle Waggle Walk for Woods, Holiday Open House, Kids Holiday Workshop, and Family Movie Nights they were there to lend a hand. When the opportunity came along to learn how to take professional quality pictures of our animals they signed up – almost all of the portraits in this newsletter are their work.

But it’s not enough for these two to just give their time. They’ve also done some serious fundraising. In 2012, they were part of a Girl Scout

Troop that created colorful paintings and raised money for both Woods Humane Society and SLO County Animal Services. Then they came up with the idea of providing safe parking in Pismo Beach on the 4th of July. For the last two years they’ve spent the holiday working from 7 am – 10 pm and their efforts paid off…they were able to donate almost $1,000!

When asked why she volunteers Abby said, “I just love being able to help! Giving an animal a second or even third chance just makes me feel like a good person.” For Haley it’s all about making a difference. “I just love being around the animals and knowing that I’m helping them. I also enjoy all of the thanks I get from the staff at Woods!”

Robin Coleman, our Volunteer Coordinator, gets to work with many amazing volunteers, but even she said there’s something very special about Abby and Haley. “Staff refers to them as ‘The Dream Team’ and we look forward to the days when they’re in the shelter. It’s great to see this family spend quality time together in such a fun, creative and giving way. They found something they love and it’s making such a difference. It’s a win-win for everyone!”

Pictures that capture the spirit and personality of shelter animals help drive adoptions!

Abby, Haley and Girl Scout Troop #40566 presented a check to Cory

The Dream Team

Ahmanson FoundationASPCACharter MediaEdwin and Jeanne Woods Family FoundationEthel Frends FoundationBert and Candace ForbesHarold Miossi CharitableTrustHenry W. Bull FoundationLaurence C. Gaebe Family FoundationGazin FoundationJeanne and Ellery Conely Endowment FundLenny JonesDean and Mildred MiyazakiMOCA FoundationMorgan Family FoundationJohn and Prudence NoonJamie PalmerPG & E Campaign for the CommunitySammy PineauPorter ConstructionPrecision Polishing SephoraSophidion Foundation IncThe Peter and Mary Russo Family FoundationThe Summerlee Foundation

Henry BellCal PortlandMargaret Collier and Raul CastroJim and Carlen EckfordSusan Gates and Cody GatesDouglas HankinsLaura HopkinsSue KerckhoffThomas and Kathy McLaughlinNancy MellenRobert RistelhueberLaura Slania and Aaron Avila

Tiffany and Jimmy AluisiStuart AtkinsNathaniel BairJamie BarlettLinda and Gary BeatsonBodega de EdgarDebbie BoydBrown Family FoundationCalifornia WestCarmel & NaccashaFelicia and Jack CashinCharles ColeDr. Zorus and Judy ColglazierJohn CollinsMary CookDiana CrothersCarol DanielsConstance DykhuizenEllen and Daniel GaverLee GulliverHeart to Heart Real EstateFred HindlerJohn and Frank Sparacio Charitable FoundationDaniel and Denise KanefieldKarin KappenKathy Kuretich and James O'MearaBernice LacksDon and Barbara LagrandCoral and Ron LevinRichard and Yvonne MaciasHamish and Jill MarshallJuanita and Ernest McMullenMcNamara RealtyJeanette and Larry MeekMichelson Family FoundationBetty MonroeDiane and Kerry MorrisMarybeth and Peter OppenheimerPacific Eye CareSteph PurvisBrian and Jeri RobertsScott and Jane RobinsonKent Rogers and Pamela KramerSandra SerraGlenda ShupnickSLO County Golden RetrieversJoseph and Erica Spellacy

Gail and Roger SteeleStraight Up SportsSunset North Car WashTish and Robert TefftThe Nara FundThe Thom GroupThrivent Financial for LutheransRoberta WallaceJack Witter

Homer and Josephine AlexanderCarrie AndersonDonald AntonelArsenal Rental EquipmentElizabeth and John AshfordAbby and Haley BartenettiVirginia BassBeary Cute Bears & MiceEdward BowieStephen BrehmDiane and Russ BrownVirginia BunnellJulie ButlerFred and Joan CarringtonCentral Coast Roller DerbySkye and Craig ChristakosE.M. ClarkSandra Clement and Matthew HallSally and William CookSusan CuttsWendy DalyNancy DavisMimi and Mark DitchieCynthia DouglasMarion ErlingDarlene and Len EssigSharon FitchRichard FlemingJim GentilcoreJerry and Sandy GotheRandy GravesMichael GrovesHarvestMoon PresentsRobin HaywardKathlene Henry-GormanBrenda and Jules HockIan HooverTerri and Vard Ikeda

Janis and Dave ImmelAlva Jahnes-SmithDonna JohnsonMaryalice JonesJudith and Martin KaliskiChristy KeelingAnne and Gene KellerJane and William Kneeland"Godiva" KrupJames LandrethMarcella LindberyBarbara Marcum and Dale JonesLawrence MathewsRandy and Marina MatthewsPatrick and Shirley McCulloughCarol McDanielsBrian McHughAnn MartelJay MelnickDavid MillikenBarbara MooreDarline MurphyKermita MyersLynn NashElizabeth NelsonEileen OrbackWilliam and Linda PierceEvelyn PlemonsCarrol and Joan PruettKenneth and Darlene RameyGeorge and Sharlene RasmussenLaura RomeroSunrise Rotary Club of Paso RoblesSusan and Timothy RuedaMike and Linda SimsAnne SinsheimerMike SpanglerCheryl StoltenbergJoanna and Garland SumrallJohn SwiftMargaret SwigartDiane TempusSteve and Sarah TomasettiBill and Trudi TravisTumblerootDavid and Joan VanLinda VealeRandall and Jamie VossVirginia WalterChristopher Waterbury

WOODS HUMANE ALLIANCE

We would like to express our sincere

appreciation for this group of

generous donors who provide major

support for the homeless dogs

and cats of the Central Coast.

Protector $5,000+

Guardian $2,500 - $4,999

Advocate $1,000 - $2,499

Partner $500 - $999

January-December 2014

6 Shelter Tails

CARING COMPANIONS: ENSURING A LIFETIME OF LOVE AND CARENobody likes to think about it, but what would happen to your pets if you died or became unable to care for them. Who would provide a loving home? Who would know their daily routines, favorite treats, medical needs and what makes them feel safe and loved?Every year bewildered animals whose owners have died are brought to Woods Humane Society by caring family and friends. They want what’s best for the animals but know little about their needs, unique personalities and disposition. Suddenly the pet is in an unfamiliar environment without the comfort of their beloved human companion.For this reason Woods Humane Society has created the Caring Companions Program. If you choose Woods Humane Society as the future guardian of your pets, we will make every effort to rehome them with the best possible human companions. Our caring adoptions staff will use your detailed Pet Profile Form to match your pet with an adopter who is prepared to provide for their unique physical and psychological needs. We will work closely with our trained fosters to provide temporary, loving, in-home care while we search for the best possible forever home.To ensure the resources necessary to provide the highest quality of care for your pet, a financial commitment is required. To learn more about the Caring Companions Program, please visit www.woodshumane.org or call (805) 543-9316 ext. 19.

Shelter Tails 7

WOODS LEGACY CIRCLEWoods Humane Society’s Legacy Circle is a passionate group of farsighted individuals who help to ensure the future of Woods Humane Society and, in turn, a brighter future for all homeless companion animals on the Central Coast. We would like to acknowledge the visionary members of our community who remembered Woods Humane Society in their estate plans. These gifts are providing life-saving resources for homeless animals in our community.

Gifts received January 1, 2014 – January 15, 2015

Aileen BernardGrace DoubekRamona FletcherBarbara Goldman

Margaret JonesTim O’KeefeDoris PetersenRuth Sheffer

Weyrick ConstructionDavid and Cheryl WieczorekDavid Zwarg

Joan Aberle  Abundance Thrift ShopLisa AdamsAnn and Ron AlersMarsha and Ira AlpertChris and Kate AndersonSharon AnglesJon and Catherine AnsolabehereChristina AntonoplosGeorgie ArnoldJosephine AvilaMelissa BachmannMargaret BalduckiSusan BarrettMargie BeamanMonica BeckerSteven BeerfeldtJeffrey BiselyShelia BlakeBarbara and Bill BochnerNorm BorinLucille BowenJohanna BrownJosephine BrownConnie BrownCarol BrownBen Burgoa and Elizabeth WillFrank CalderoneKaren and Jack CarsonDawn and Doug CerfCharles and Adeline ChapmanJackie and Izzy Chen-EvensTerry ChildersTiphanie CimolCoast National BankCold Canyon Landfill Katherine ColeJeff ConnerCheryl and Jim ConwayMel CottrellKathrine CoullBeth and Kevin CraneDave and Jan CrowtherJim Cruce

Lynn and Nancy CutlerBurke Dambly and Rena Gunnare-DamblyDexter DanielsIndia D'Avignon and Ignatios VakalisDebbie DavidsonDan and Sue DavisValeri DavisCathy DeAlvaDavid and Julie DelfinoDaniel DeutschePhillip DillonVivian DiltsMaureen DrespMark Du FreneRobin DunnNorma and Ray DyakonVirginia and Jerry EvansLeon and Sandra FairbanksJacquie ForryDorothy and Paul FountainRobert FournierLynne FrankFrank's Lock and KeyIrwin FriedmanDonald and Barbara FullertonJohn and Anita GallagherEdward and Katherine GarnerBob and Marleta GarnerHarold and Shirley GilbertJennifer GillMary GrecoGene GreenRobby and Frank GussmanMorgan HallMarjorie HanksBarbara HassonGeorge HauserDoris HendersonTheodore HensonDeborah HernandezPeggy Hernandez and Gregory PowerArylane HillKurt HoffmanIlse HoppePatrick HowlettDori HughesJames and Anita IkedaScott and Amy JacobsJacqueline J. Bryant Properties

Thelma JohnsonLuanne and James JohnsonLester and Karin KatzEarl and Jean KellerPatrick KellyBetsey and Frank KeltonSharon KennedyBerta and Steven KerrAndrea KesselKing Group AdvertisingEd and Bernadette KurtzJanet LaRueJeffrey and Lara LehmerBrian and Beverley LouwDiane and Roger LudinJohn LyleDara MankerDavid and Amy MarshallRay MartoranoCarol and Norman McAdamsBrent and Suzanne McCaslinTiffany McInerneyPhyllis McIntyreGene and Ann McKeehanPatricia McNamaraCharlotte MeadeSusanne MeltonBarbara MelvinJoan MensonidesF. Stuart MillerJohn MillerJoy and Michael MillerKathy MillerDebbie MitchellAnna Moloney and Robert WelbornJohn and Diantha MooneyhamBarbara MummeyMartha and John MurphyJames MurphySusan Murray and Catherine BianchiTom MyersPeter and Suzanne NelsonEric and Kelly NelsonJohn and Lorie NoblePennie OakesDoree O'ConnellDennis and Charlene OdekirkJon O'HareMatthew ParrottVirginia and Frank PekarLinda Perkins

Joanne and Daniel PetersonEthel PettShellie and Dennis PhilbinMartin and Joan RafterLarry RatnerKathleen ReddenBruce Richard Stephen and Michelle RichardsonThomas RiderDebra RobertsonKelly and Terry RobinsonCarolyn and John RobisonSherstin RosenbergSandra RowleyKim RyanMichael and Nan SalmonMary SchwartzAshley and Will SelfShawn Pierce EngineeringErnest and Diane ShervemRoberta and Jerry SilbertCarmen SimpsonLouisa SmithSuzan SmithMelanie SowdenAnna and Drew SquyresCharles and Maggie St. VincentAllen and Jo Ann StanfieldAl and Barb StevensRennie StoltenbergMarcia StricklandDaniel StubbsMarco SturkenPatricia TaylorMichael TerryThe DocuTeamEvelyn TolinRuth TonkinMarcia TorgersonLouis and Lynette TornatzkyMarie Trapesonian-ShawKe-Ping and Susan TsaoRick TullossUnited Voluntary Services Thrift StoreSean and Terry VaheyArnold and Diana VolnyLauren WallravinJames WatsonDoris WatsonLuann WelliverKaren and Harold Westbrook

Friend $250 - $499

SAVE THE DATE

July Woods Humane Society Turns 60!

October 17th 23rd Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk for Woods

December 5th Holiday Open House

875 Oklahoma Ave.San Luis Obispo, CA ph: (805) 543-9316f: (805) 543-9524

Woods Humane Society

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8 Shelter Tails

Visit WoodsHumane.org for all the details

April 25th & 26th 7th Annual Wine 4 Paws Calling all wine lovers! The seventh annual Wine 4 Paws weekend will be held at 70 pet-loving wineries throughout San Luis Obispo County on April 25th and 26th. All weekend long participating wineries will share their proceeds with Woods Humane Society and many will host special events - a great time for a great cause.

To view the full list of participating wineries and get your map and passport, visit www.wine4paws.org.

May 2nd2nd Annual Chihuahuas de Mayo The goal is to find families for homeless dogs, raise awareness about overpopulation…and crown the fastest Chihuahua in SLO County. Join Woods Humane Society, SLO County Animal Services and other local rescue groups in a day to celebrate the human-animal bond.