I wanted to share with you a very special place that I visited last week--The East Valley Animal Shelter in Van Nuys! I had heard that most of our City Shelters cannot afford to buy bedding for the animals they take in. The dogs and cats have to sleep on concrete! They need community donations of clean blankets/towels/bedding type materials and even newspaper. So, Benji and I took a bunch of old blankets as well as some new towels that we bought to the shelter. It was soooo sad to see the beautiful animals shivering in their cages on the concrete floor. I just wanted to put them all in my car and take them home, but I know I can't do that. Pound puppies have a special place in my heart---my family rescued a beautiful mixed dog from the pound one Thanksgiving weekend and "Sweetie" has been a blessing to our family for many years since. It made me cry to think that some of these loving little faces might not be around in 2009 if someone doesn't come to adopt them. If you are looking for a pet, you can check out a few furry friends here: http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_eval.htm
All of these animals are looking for someone to love them and care for them—why not make a great start to the new year with a new friend? ☺

here is one of the beautiful dogs I saw:

and some pics:

Benji with an adorable doggy!



I can only hope that my small contribution will help to make their stay at the shelter a little more comfortable! If you want to help the shelters, keep reading! No matter where you live, I am sure that there is a shelter in your area that needs your help!
Animals in the Care Centers may not always enjoy the comforts of home. Until the right adopter comes to find his or her perfect match, we try to make all the animals as comfortable and as happy as possible. Your donations of the items below help us to give the animal a warmer, more playful, environment. You can drop these items off at the Care Center any time during our regular operating hours.
Blankets
Newspapers
Gallon jugs of white vinegar
Small and medium-sized rectangular litter boxes
Wood stove pellets
Jingle cat toys
Towels
Cat & Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Grooming combs and brushes, blow dryer
Got some extra cash?? LA Animal Services gladly accepts your donations to help us care for animals, increase adoptions, and make our LA a more humane City. Most donations are made to the Animal Welfare Trust Fund, which is a trust account set up to enhance the quality of life for shelter animals by funding animal supplies, medical equipment and improvements to animal care centers. Donations to the "Big Fix" (Spay/Neuter Trust Fund) help provide low cost spay/neutering services for pets in low-income households and funds our mobile spay/neuter clinics. Two additional special funds that accept donations are the Foster Program, which trains volunteers to provide temporary homes for neonates until they are old enough for adoption, and the STAR (Special Treatment and Recovery) program which provides medical treatment to severely injured, abused, and neglected animals rescued by Animal Services. Donations made by mail or directly at an animal care center can also be donated specifically for use at one of the animal care centers.
All donations are tax-deductible under IRS Code 170(c)(1) because LA Animal Services is a department of a municipal government. You may donate by cash, check, or credit card by visiting one of our local animal care centers, or you can mail a money order or check to the Administrative Office, payable to LA Animal Services, 221 N. Figueroa Street, 5th floor, LA, CA 90012.
Better yet, if you wish to use a credit card, you can donate right now on-line: http://www.laanimalservices.com/donation.htm


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

Happy Holidays,

Zoe