There was some work being done at the house this morning and I left as soon as they arrived. It was a little before 8am and the temperatures were already heating up. My first stop was at Fairmount Park. I was hoping to see 'Scamp' there and I did. There was another dog there as well. Unfortunately, she was bred and pregnant so all I did was give her a few treats and a bully stick. My next stop was son Massachusetts. I visited with seven different pets as I made my way from one end of the street going towards the other. I ran out of waters and other supplies, before I could make it any further so I left the area. When I go back on Monday, I will start on the end of the street I missed. That is usually what I have to do, because I seem to run out of time and/or supplies before I can get to them all. When I left there, I headed over to the MSRPAC Spay/Neuter Clinic. I was back there yesterday but my paperwork was not ready yet. I was about to take care of that and help them transfer some boxes from the adoption center to the clinic, when the contractor texted to say he had completed the job. I had to head home, in order to pay him so he could leave and so I could get some baking done. Nestle Pure Life waters, body wipes, socks, wet dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, chicken jerky, Flys Off repellent, bully sticks, kabobs, tennis ball, 20-pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company and squeaky pet toys were shared.
During the Month of July, we provided 'the works for 18 pets. Only six of those were dogs. There were four males and two females. The twelve cats consisted of seven males and four females. This was not the most cats we have ever provided services for in one month but it was definitely a large number, considering the number of dogs we had…..The only pets at the Motel6 today were there for 'Summer On The Streets' and not because they were recuperating from spay/neuter surgery. That meant that I did not need to drive out there and check on any of them. The cats we spayed/neutered were released and the dogs were being taken care of indoors. I was supposed to meet with a couple of people at the MSRPAC Spay/Neuter Clinic and pay for yesterday's surgeries but I decided to look for 'Kawasaki' first. I did not see her when I was out looking the other day but I did find her this morning. From there, I went to run an errand and made a quick stop by Low Park where I visited with 'Duke' before heading to the clinic. The dog that was supposed to get 'the works' today was under the minimum weight for surgery. He was actually scheduled for yesterday but arrived so late that they could not take him in. I wish we had known yesterday that he was too small as it would have saved on motel room expenses. I just hope they can make it back in a few weeks. The other pet I was meeting was there for her second set of puppy vaccines and a second dose of strongid. When I left the clinic, I went home. My daughter came over and we spent the afternoon together which is always nice. Nestle Pure Life waters, canned ravioli, body wipes, socks, toilet tissue, wet dog food, wet cat food, dry cat food, dry puppy food, Jones Natural dog treats, Inaba chicken and tuna fillets for cats, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, chicken jerky, Repel pump bottle, bully sticks, kabobs, tennis ball, Zippy Paws pet toys and a Zippy Paws safety vest were shared.
This turned out to be an extremely busy day but it was productive which made it all worthwhile. We had 7 pets scheduled for 'the works' today. We had four dogs and three feral cats. One of the dogs was coming from out of town and they got stuck in traffic. They arrived far too late for surgery today so he was moved to tomorrow. They will still be staying in a motel room tonight so they are in town for their appointment on Thursday and then they will spend another night at the motel, after the dog is neutered. After I left the clinic, I ran home to put the dogs out for their morning break and then I headed back out to Fairmount Park. For the past few months, I have been working with a production company that is going to be doing a series about people and their pets. Part of that will be about the homeless and they decided to feature one of the homeless gentleman from the river bottom. He had been there for nearly 30 years but when he came down with cancer, he was told he needed to move indoors. Where he was going meant giving up his dog. He has had her for quite some time and has been caring for others for many years as well. One of those dogs was a dog we have posted many times named 'Bonnie'. His dog is/was 'Shila'. She is pictured with me in our cover photo. A few months ago, Mutts In Need took in both 'Shila' and 'Bonnie'. The film crew came that day to the river bottom to capture this. They also went to the rescue when 'Shila' was groomed for the first time. She is up for adoption and the film crew decided they wanted to continue her story with that. They met 'Tony' and myself at Fairmount Park and spent a couple of hours filming us there. I don't know how much more they will add to his story but I was happy to have a small part in helping him and the dogs move forward. When I left the park, I received a call from an AC Officer. She went back to the river bottom again and was able to get the person with the dog he found and tethered to relinquish him. She called to give me the Impound#. I also received a call from a Council Member regarding my concerns for the 'new rules' Animal Services has with picking up stray dogs. By the time I was done speaking to him, more than half the day had passed but it was a good day for getting things done! "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter".
My morning began in Jurupa Valley where I delivered supplies, dropped off a trap and visited with a couple of pets. When I left there, I was headed to the freeway but turned on to Mission out of habit. As I was driving down the street, I spotted a dog I had not seen in quite some time. She was with her companion and another gentleman so I Pulled over. From there I drove through Fairmount Park on my way to meet someone out on the East Side. They are on University Avenue. As I drove through the park, I saw a couple of vehicles there and knew they had pets so I pulled in to the parking lot. When I left that location, I drove out to University Avenue. Not only did I meet with the pet and companion I was planning to visit but I had an unexpected visitor as well. She is a puppy we provided 'the works' for back in December. I had not seen her since, because one of her companions was in and out of the hospital. I was able to visit her and give her supplies which included her one-year license tag that I had been holding on to. I needed a few things from storage so I decided to head in that direction. I picked up what I needed, made a stop at our PO Box and then made my way home. Nestle Pure Life waters, cracker packs, cookie packs, body wipes, pet wipes, stainless steel and other pet dishes, collapsible pet dish, chicken jerky treats for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, bully slices, cows ear, kabob chew sticks, simply cesar chicken dog food, wet dog food, Inaba churu for cats, Inaba chicken and tuna fillets for cats, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, dog collars, Zippy Paws and other squeaky pet toys including a tennis ball were shared.
I spent the morning on the Eastside. I was there on Massachusetts this past Friday but spent so much time with the micro chipped stray dog that I never made it to the other end of the block. Today I started on the end of the block I missed. I visited with 9 pets but was unable to get to the rest. It is getting more and more difficult for me to visit with all of the pets in the area now. Some are in the kennels there, some are in the pods and some are with people in tents. I just do my best to get to as many as possible, each time I am there. I had a couple of 'phone meeting' today so when I left the Eastside I just made one last stop at our PO Box and then headed home. At lunch time, I went to meet Christine Ramirez to have dinner on a patio outside a local Mexican Restaurant. She used to ride with me nearly every Saturday or Sunday for years but that all stopped about the time the pandemic hit. She was actually sick before it hit so I had not seen her since February. It was so nice being able to sit and chat. I have really missed our days on the street and look forward to when she can safely join me again. Nestle Pure Life waters, ARCO fuel card, cracker packs, cookie packs, body wipes, chicken jerky treats for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, bully slices, kabob chew sticks, simply cesar chicken dog food, wet dog food, pet bowl, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, squeaky pet toys and a Zippy Paws safety vest were shared.
At 9am, I arrived at a location in Jurupa Valley. I was there to visit with pets and to drop a trap. Someone wants us to start spaying/neutering a large number of cats in a field where they have set up camp. When I arrived, there was just one person there with her pet and the woman who needed the trap was not around. I was told she showed up a few minutes after I left so now I will have to make time to drive back out there next week. When I left that location, I drove to an area where I usually find 'Kawasaki'. I went to all the spots I have visited them before but they were not at any of them. I did run into 'Angel' and her companion so I spent some time there. I was told where I might find another dog I have not been able to catch up with but the parking lot was empty and I did not find them when I drove up and down nearby streets. At that point, I had been out for a couple of hours and decided not to look anymore. I ran a personal errand and then called it a day.
I only visited six pets this morning but it was still a busy day. At 7am, I ran out to buy baking supplies. I spotted a truck in a parking lot that I knew belonged to the companions of a dog named ‘Roxy’. I had seen them there the day my dog ‘Sox’ died but just couldn’t handle stopping. I was happy for the distraction today. When I left them, I went to the store and then home before going back out to meet someone at one of the river bottom outlets. While I was there, I visited with the companion of a cat and dog that are at that location. I did not see the kitty but did notice there was a new dog tied at the bottom of the hill. He looked like a husky mix. I was told he was found two weeks ago roaming the parking lot of a nearby church. I was frustrated that nobody called me to check him for a chip but I was able to do so today. Unfortunately, he did not have one and he was unaltered. I call AC Officer Shirley Rivera to find out if we could get the dog picked up. She was kind enough to call dispatch and have that done. He was a sweet dog but clearly needed lots of exercise which he was not getting. I will keep an eye on his impound photo. If he is not returned to his owner, I will try to find rescue. I drove through Fairmount Park next but did not see anyone with pets so I headed out to meet ‘Jake’ and his companion in Jurupa Valley. They needed supplies and I was picking up a trap that had been borrowed from Lupe Alcala. There is a field in Jurupa Valley with a homeless encampment that is filling up with cats and their litters. I am hoping to start working on that problem. They have one trap and I am going to meet there tomorrow with a second. There are probably over twenty cats and kittens now and even though it is overwhelming, it is doable with cooperation. We did close to 50 on another property, with the help of a few people out there. All I can do is try and if these people will work with me then we can eventually get them all done. After I dropped off supplies and picked up the trap, I went to our PO Box. There is a nice young man who always helps me unload boxes and load donations in my vehicle. I brought him cookies once and he really appreciated it so I tried to drop some off yesterday. It was only 11am but he had already left for the day. They told me to come back today at 10 so I arrived at 9:45 but sadly they said he had already left. I had banana chocolate chip bread and a variety of my cookies in the gift bag and I wound up leaving them for the employees who were there, because they are not going to stay fresh until Monday. I did try but will have to make a better plan for the next time. I was going to go home right after that but decided to make a quick stop at Dollar Tree to look for stainless steel pet bowls. As I was starting to park, I saw a little furry head pop up from behind a stroller so I visited her as soon as I paid for the bowls. Nestle Pure Life waters, cloth masks, cracker packs, cookie packs, canned ravioli, cup of noodles, body wipes, toilet tissue, kitty litter, dog bowls, Jones Natural dog treats, jerky treats for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, Inaba tuna fillets for cats, Inaba Churus for cats, 17 pound of cat food from the Star Milling Company, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, small bag of kitten food, wet dog food, wet kitten food, wet cat food, Tiller Tugs collar, tennis ball, bully slices, kabob chew sticks and pet toys were shared.
This day did not exactly go as planned but I was still thankful for what transpired. I stopped at Fairmount Park on my way to the Eastside. A woman brings oatmeal for the homeless on Friday mornings and often times there are people there with pets. There was only one pet this morning and that was 'Scamp'. I am always happy to see him. When I left the park, I drove to Massachusetts and parked on the far end of the block closest to Kansas. There are usually six or more dogs there so it seemed like a good place to start. I never did make it to the middle of the block or the end closest to Chicago due to a dog that I found wandering on its own. When I parked my vehicle, I started asking some of the homeless if they recognized the dog. He was very friendly and came right over to me. One of the women said that a couple had found him a couple of weeks ago at Fairmount Park. I put a slip leash on him and we began talking, I asked if anyone checked him for a microchip. She said she told them to but did not think they had done so. I got one of my chip scanners and it detected an Avid chip. I was going to call Avid and see if I could actually get the dog back to his owners but then the young man who found him came over and said he wanted his dog back. I called AC Officer Westbrook and told her the dog needed to be picked up. It was going to do nothing but cause more fighting if it stayed there while I tried to track down his owner(s). The women helping me took the dog into their tent and I told him the dog was not his and was actually chipped and licensed to someone else. He did not care and kept insisting the dog be given back to him. There were police all over the block and I told him I was going to get one but he did not care. He kept trying to go in the tent and take the dog. At one point the gentleman in the tent next to where we were coming out and told him to leave. They nearly got into it. Thankfully, other people came over and took a stand saying no as well. I told him the dog would be on a ten day hold and if the owner(s) did not come for him then he could try to adopt the dog but that was the only way he could think about having him. He asked for my card and I gave it to him. Officer Westbrook showed up around that time and even though I felt sad that this sweet dog was being impounded, I was thankful he would not be the cause of anymore fighting. This dog was adopted from RCAS within the past year and I just hope someone is missing him. By the time Officer Westbrook left, I was running a little late and could not make it to the clinic to take care of some business there so I made a quick stop at our PO Box and headed home. Nestle Pure Life waters, cracker packs, cookie packs, body wipes, jerky treats for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, small bag of dog food, wet dog food, leash, tennis balls, bully slices, kabob chew sticks and a Zippy Paws pet safety vest were shared.
We did not have any pets to check on at the motel this morning. I really didn't have anything planned, other than going to the MSRPAC Clinic at 10am to meet someone for a well check and to pay yesterday's invoices. I decided to just go looking in a few areas to see which pets I might be able to find. I found one dog and her companion near Arlington and Van Buren and then I drove to Low Park where I found a few more. I left that location and went straight to the clinic. They were very busy as usual. My 10am well check was a no show and they there was so much going on that I told them to just charge me later in the day. My last stop of the day was our PO Box where I found a donation of kitty litter waiting for us. Nestle Pure Life waters, cracker packs, cookie packs, body wipes, jerky treats for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, wet dog food, doggie waste bags with leash clip, pet bowls, leash, tennis balls, pet toys, kabob chew sticks, cows ears and bully slices were shared.
#1307, #1308 and #1309 Get 'The Works' 7-22-2020....Every Wednesday is spay/neuter day for us. We have six standing appointments. Four are for dogs and two are for cats. Some weeks we use all of them and run out of appointments and other weeks we give the unused appointments back to the clinic so they can be filled by others in need. I spend so much of my time on and off the streets, trying to get pets scheduled, helping people figure out how to get to and from the clinic, reserving motel rooms and trying to make sure the people with pets have rides from the motel back to wherever they normally stay. Sometimes it all goes relatively smoothly and other times it is chaotic from start to finish. Today, the work was almost for nothing as none of the pets I had scheduled bothered to show. One of the companions called me a couple of hours after I had already left the clinic. Yesterday, we agreed on what time they had to be at the clinic this morning but they said they overslept. I don't understand people having commitments and oversleeping. I know some have trouble as they have no way of telling what time it is but we make arrangements far enough in advance for them to make sure they are doing what they need to….Thankfully, the person bringing in the kittens for Room8 Memorial Fund was on time and I was able to check out the kitties we were going to help out with. They had two females and the male 'Sonny' that they took for us, after a homeless woman found it as a stray. "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter".
My first appointment of the day was supposed to be with someone in Rubidoux who has a dog scheduled for 'the works' tomorrow. She needed food for her kittens/cats and she also wanted to have a cat neutered tomorrow. When I went to meet her, the road was closed so I drove a couple of blocks over and tried to call her. There was no answer so I texted but got no response. I tried all morning and early afternoon with no response. I already filled the appointment for the male cat with a kitten Room 8 Memorial Fund is taking for us but I still wanted to confirm that the dog was coming. She/they were no shows last week. I guess I just have to wait and see if they make it and if not then I will most likely not be trying to help anymore. When I left that location, I drove to another area of Rubidoux. I came across the companion of a dog I have been trying to help spay for quite some time and another woman with three dogs that need spayed. The woman with the three dogs has told me numerous times she wants them spayed but she never follows up so I did not try to speak to her. I did speak to the woman with the one dog and was hoping she would call me to set up a spay appointment for tomorrow but that did not happen. When I left there, I drove out to the Salvation Army in downtown Riverside. Nobody was there with pets so I kept driving and went to Reid Park to distribute supplies and visit a few pets, before heading over to the MSRPAC Clinic. I had told the homeless woman who found the kitten that I would meet her there at 10am to have the kitten checked out. We already had rescue lined up but we needed to get his weight and start services. We were able to do that and he made weight which means he can get neutered tomorrow. He had a bit of an URI but he received antibiotics for that and is well enough for surgery. Nestlé Pure Life, Arco fuel card, doggie waste bags, case of wet cat food, Inaba Churu cat treats, chicken jerky for dogs and Inaba chicken fillets for dogs were shared.
I spent my morning on the Eastside of Riverside going up and down Massachusetts Avenue. I visited with ten of the dogs that are in that area but did not get to the rest of them. I was trying to figure out how to help a kitten that was found there last night. The woman caring for her can't keep her and did not have any supplies. I gave her some wet kitten food and treats to get her started but I told her I would work on finding rescue. Nestlé Pure Life,body wipes, collar, harness, collapsible pet bowls, wet dog food, Simply Cesar chicken dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, doggie waste bags, wet kitten food, eye wash for pets, Inaba Churu for cats, Inaba tuna fillet for cats, chicken jerky treats, cows ears, peanut butter chew sticks and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I was planning on making my first stop a visit with 'Kawsaki' but when I went to the location, I thought she/they might be I did not find them. When I took my dog to the vet the other day, I saw a couple of people with pets nearby but I was too upset to stop so I went looking for them today. I found one of them and was able to leave needed supplies with them and a few people that were sleeping there. I drove around a few of the neighborhoods where I was told I might be able to find the other dog and her companions but they were not around. I had to pick up a few things from storage and as I was headed in that direction, I spotted the wagon I had given to the companion of 'Kawasaki'. I did a u-turn so we could have a visit. From there it was a stop at our storage units. I picked up what I needed and still had some free time so I drove back to where I had seen a group of people with pets. They were still there and so were the three dogs. I spent the rest of my morning there and then I called it a day. I made one last stop to pick up some veggies and meatless patties before going home to do some housework and give some attention to my personal pets. Nestlé Pure Life, cloth and disposable masks, toilet tissue, body wipes, lotion, cracker packs, cookie packs, Vetericyn wound care spray, squeaky tennis ball and regular tennis balls, leash, Zippy Paws and other squeaky pet toys, collapsible pet bowls, wet dog food, Tiller Tugs collar and leash combo, small bag of dog food, 20 pound of dog food from the Star Milling Company, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, bully sticks and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I did quite a bit of driving today but only made a few actual stops to visit with pets. My first stop was in Rubidoux where I visited with one pet and distributed supplies for others too. When I left there, I drove through Fairmount Park. There used to be feedings on Saturdays but it was pretty empty today. From there I drove over to Reid Park where I visited with three pets and spoke to a woman who has pets that need their vaccinations and flea/tick treatments done. My next stop was at Hunter Park where I visited with two more pets, before heading home with one last stop to our PO Box. Nestlé Pure Life, body wipes, lotion, cracker packs, collapsible pet bowls, wet dog food, small bag of dog food, 20 pound of dog food from the Star Milling Company, small bag of cat food, 17 pound bag of cat food from the Star Milling Company, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, wet cat food, Inaba tuna fillets for cats, Inaba churu for cats, chicken jerky treats, bully sticks and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I wasn't sure if I was going to feel up to being on the streets today. I had a quick personal appointment I had to go out for and I figured I would decide when that was done. I wasn't too far from Low Park so I headed in that direction. When I left, I drove to Fairmount Park. There is a woman who brings oatmeal to the homeless and I thought I might catch some of the people with pets but they had already left so I continued on to Massachusetts Avenue on the Eastside. I did not go to one end of the street which meant not visiting as many pets as usual but I spent about an hour or so at that location. I got to spoil some pets and gave their companions needed supplies. I even made a new friend whose companion has a bed in the shelter. When I left there, I drove out to our PO Box and received a great donation of people and pet supplies. I went home after that. I have been doing this street work for over eight years. Sometimes people were in the house during that time but usually the dogs have been spending most of their time alone. It felt a little weird today, because I know the other two dogs are looking for 'Sox' to return, whenever I walk in the door. They seem fine without him but it definitely feels different to me so I am sure it does to them. I did try to explain what happened but who really knows how much they grasp…..Nestlé Pure Life, body wipes, cracker packs, puppy pads, leash, collar, collapsible pet bowls, wet dog food, small bag of dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, chicken jerky treats, Zippy Paws pet toy, doggie waste bags with leash clip, bully sticks and kabob chew sticks were shared.
The Motel6 in Jurupa Valley was my first stop of the day. I visited two of the pets that received 'the works' yesterday. Two that received 'the works' last week were in a room with one of them so they came outside as well and we had a visit too. 'Midnight' received 'the works' about four years ago and is often times in the area. Her companion was visiting someone in one of the rooms so I was able to visit with her. When I left the motel, I drove to our PO Box and then to Van Buren Animal Hospital. I had to pick up nausea meds for one of my own dogs. My final stop was at the MSRPAC Spay/Neuter Clinic where I paid all five of yesterday's invoices. Our motel and clinic bills ran us $980.00 this week. Once again, it was money well spent. …All three of my own dogs are Seniors ranging between 13 and 14 years of age. The oldest is 'Sox' and he had a battle with Vestibular disease back in February. A little over four weeks later, he seemed to be back to his 'old' self. He basically sleeps most of the time but seems comfortable. That is not the case today. It looked as if he might be dealing with a second bout of what he had before. I picked up nausea meds and Pedialyte for him while I was out and about. Late this afternoon, he was deteriorating quickly and I ran him to the vet. I did not have an appointment but I knew he had to go. I had no idea he would pass within moments of walking in the door. I am so going to miss that little guy…Nestlé Pure Life, cracker packs, leash, wet dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, chicken jerky treats, cows' ears and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I stopped to get fuel on the way to the Spay/Neuter Clinic this morning and met a homeless couple with a kitten they were bottle feeding. I gave them my card and asked them to call if they needed any assistance. I had a can of KMR that was meant for an older kitten but I figured it was better than what they had. I also gave them some cans of kitten food that they could liquify. They said there are about 18 cats, where they live in the river bottom. If the people call me, I will try to figure out a way to get them trapped and fixed. In the meantime, I was expecting 8 pets for spay and neuter today. Four of them were no-shows but one of the people who brought a cat with an appointment had a male cat that needed some facial wounds cleaned as well as needing to be neutered. After everything was organized, we had a total of five pets. We had 1 female dog, 1 male dog, 1 female cat and 2 male cats. "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter".
I was at my local post office as soon as they opened this morning so I could ship a few packages of baked goods. From there, I drove out to Low Park. I did not find the person and pet I was looking for but did visit with another. My next stop was the Salvation Army in downtown Riverside where I was surprised to find a couple of familiar faces with their companion. Reid Park was my next stop. I visited with seven pets and their companions before heading over to Fairmount Park. I did not find anyone there so I ran a personal errand and then headed home. Nestle Pure waters, body wipes, simply cesar chicken dog food, wet dog food, chicken jerky for dogs, Jones Natural dog treats, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, Inaba chicken/tuna fillets for cats, Inaba churu for cats, wet kitten food, dry kitten food, dry dog food, kabob chew sticks, bully sticks, doggie waste bags,cat toy and a Tiller Tugs tug toy were shared.
I spent my time on the Eastside this morning on Massachusetts Avenue. I am thinking it might have been the heat but there were not as many people up and about with their pets. I only visited with seven. Two of those have dogs with appointments for grooming on Thursday and I was able to remind them. When I left that location, I had to take care of some personal business. By the time I was done, there really wasn't time for me to drive to other location looking for people with pets. I just made a stop at our PO Box and then called it a day. Nestle Pure waters, body wipes, simply cesar chicken dog food, our Last Small Bag of dog food, wet dog food, chicken jerky for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, cows ears, kabob chew sticks, squeaky toy, bully sticks, collapsible pet dish and doggie waste bags with leash clip were shared.
I scheduled a meeting with a couple of pet companions out in Jurupa Valley. One has two dogs and the other has one. I recently spayed/neutered two of them and picked up their RCAS dog license tags, thanks to a Grant from the ASK Foundation. We had an opportunity to visit and in addition to distributing supplies, I was able to give the dogs their tags. I was just about ready to leave, when 'Midnight' and her companion happened to show up. Their bike had a flat tire and they were stopping to put air in it. That gave me a few minutes for a visit. When I left that location, I drove a few miles to a freeway ramp and headed toward Fairmount Park. There was nobody there with pets nor was there anyone in the downtown area or Rubidoux. I was only out for about an hour and a half. Because I could not find anyone else and it was already heating up, I decided to call it a day. I made it home right about the time it was hitting 90 degrees but before the triple digits arrived. I spent the next thirty minutes re-stocking my vehicle for tomorrow. I was thankful to be able to spend the rest of the day indoors where there is central air conditioning. I have been doing this work for more than eight years and still wonder how the homeless survive the weather. I am not sure how long I would last. As it is, I can't wait to get back in my vehicle and put the air on between stops. Nestle Pure waters, toilet tissue body wipes, crackers, wet dog food, chicken jerky for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, cows ears, kabob chew sticks, tennis ball and collars including two from Max and Neo Dog Gear were shared.
I drove out to a parking lot in Jurupa Valley to meet my 9am appointment but she texted me that she was stuck in traffic. I had a 9:30 appointment not too far from there so I told her to just go to that location but she never showed up. The person I was supposed to meet at that time did show and I was able to give her needed supplies. When I left there, I drove through Fairmount Park and downtown Riverside but did not see anyone with pets. I decided to keep driving to Magnolia Center and look for the dog I had posted as 'found' the other day. When I arrived at Low Park, there was only one person there with a pet and it was not who I was looking for. When I left the park, I drove out to where I thought I might find 'Kawasaki' and I did. She was wide awake and full of smiles. By the time that visit was over, it was already time to call it a day. Nestle Pure waters, Large Bag of Recyclables, crackers, fruit snacks, cookie packs, body wipes, toilet tissue,Repel, Jones Natural dog treats, small bag kitten food, wet kitten food, 17 pound bag of cat food from the Star Milling Company, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, Temptations cat treats, doggie waste bags and leash clip, Inaba tuna/chicken fillets for cats, wet dog food, chicken jerky for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, cows ears, kabob chew sticks, tennis ball, Zippy Paws pet toy and bully sticks were shared.
I spent half of the morning at Fairmount Park and the other half up and down Massachusetts Avenue on the Eastside. I visited pets, distributed supplies, made a grooming appointment for a couple of dogs for next Thursday and gave a dog her RCAS license tag. That tag was from a Grant by the ASK Foundation. After a couple of hours, I drove home to give my dogs their morning break, stopped at the MSRPAC Clinic to take care of invoices and then met a couple of people at our storage units. One was a friend there to return an item she borrowed and to pick up something I had for her. The other was Christine Langdon. She went out to Perris and picked up our monthly donation of pet food and then delivered it to us. Thanks Again Christine! Nestle Pure waters, body wipes, Repel, collapsible pet dish, puppy pads, small bag kitten food, wet kitten food, Inaba tuna/chicken fillets for cats, Inaba churu for cats, small bag of dog food, wet dog food, simply cesar chicken dog food, chicken jerky for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, peanut butter chew sticks, kabob chew sticks and bully slices were shared.
On my way to the Motel6 this morning, I stopped to visit 'Jake' the kitten and give his companion a few supplies. When we were done, I went across the street where I visited with the two dogs that were in a room there. They were at the clinic yesterday and one was recuperating from his neuter surgery. As I was leaving the motel, I spotted 'Midnight' and her companion so I did a u-turn and went back for a visit. From there, it was a stop at our PO Box to pick up eye drops sent from Mutts In Need. While at the Post Office I checked my emails and found one from Nestle Pure Waters. They had extra waters to donate, if we could do a pick up tomorrow. Unfortunately, I cannot schedule something like with short notice so I had to decline. My final stop was at the MSRPAC Clinic. I was there to pay the invoices from yesterday as well as those for the pets coming in for a variety of things today. Those included flea treatments, flea/tick treatments, first vaccinations, strongid and an office visit. They were shorthanded and my paperwork is usually time consuming so I was unable to take care of the payments in person. We have to do catch up now and then but it always works out. Nestle Pure waters, cloth masks, disposable masks, $15.00 Taco Bell gift card, $15.00 Burger King gift card, crackers, cup of noodles, fruit snacks, collapsible pet dish, ceramic cat bowls, wet cat food, small bag of dry cat food, wet kitten food, cat toys, Frontline for cats, Inaba tuna fillets for cats, Temptations cat treats, Inaba churu for cats, 17 pound bag of cat food from the Star Milling Company, large bag of puppy food, wet dog food, dog toys, chicken jerky for dogs, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, peanut butter chew sticks, cows ears, kabob chew sticks and bully slices were shared.
At my last stop yesterday, I ran into the companion of our #900. He now has another dog as well and asked if we would provide her with 'the works'. I had a female opening for today so I took down all of his information, scheduled a well check for #900 and made a motel reservation for after surgery. Not only did they not show up but they did not bother to text or call either and I was unable to reach them by phone. I was also supposed to get a male cat neutered but the people trying to trap him were unable. That left us with just two dogs. Both are Seniors. One needed 'the works' and the other needed a 'well check' to update vaccinations and flea/tick treat. Thankfully, they did show up so the morning was not wasted. I am hoping for more considerate people and better luck next week but Grateful for the two we were able to provide services for this morning. "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter".
My first stop of the day was in Rubidoux where I visited with two pets and distributed supplies. From there I drove through Fairmount Park and the parking lot of the downtown Salvation Army but there were no people with pets at either place. I still had a little time before I was scheduled to meet someone at the MSRPAC Clinic. I decided to take a drive and look for 'Kawasaki'. I never made it that far, because when I was going through Magnolia Center, I saw a few people I knew and they had their pets with them. I stopped and found out one of them needed 'the works' so we agreed to do that tomorrow. There was another dog there that they said was left tied to a tree. I checked him for a microchip but he did not have one. I told the guy caring for him that if I see the dog on any lost and found pages, he will need to surrender it. For now, the dog is safe and seems to be enjoying the people he is around. Even though the dog was left tied to a tree, we can't be sure someone is not missing it which is why I try to share photos of all new dogs that show up unexpectedly. When I left that location, I went to the Clinic, updated appointments for tomorrow and then headed home. My daughter came over for lunch and a visit which is something I always look forward to. Nestle Pure Life, body wipes, crackers, cookies, fruit snacks, wet dog food, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, dog collar, tennis balls, Zippy Paws and other pet toys, chicken jerky treats, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, bully slices and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I arrived at Massachusetts Avenue on the Eastside around 8:45am. It was already hot and is expected to hit triple digits this afternoon. I stopped at three different areas and walked from tent to tent as well as by the pods. I visited with and/or distributed supplies to a dozen pets. When I had visited everyone, I was there to see, I ran a personal errand, before driving to the Department of Animal Services to pick up a few tags and the paperwork I had left last week. We have finally used up nearly all of this year's Grant from the ASK Foundation and will be needing to begin paying for all of the licenses through the end of the year. My final stop was our PO Box and then I headed home. Nestle Pure Life, body wipes, Zippy Paws collapsible pet bowl, wet dog food, dog collar, squeaky tennis balls, chicken jerky treats, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, bully slices, bully sticks and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I was really tired this morning and my dogs were a bit out of sorts so I decided to keep my time on the streets at two hours or less. I was at the store by 7am, went home to unload my purchases and then headed out to the Eastside. My first stop was for 'Scamp'. While I was visiting, a call came in from homeless outreach. They were asking if I might be able to help a gentleman whose senior dog passed away last night in one of the kennels at the homeless shelter. I told them where he could take the dog and offered to have her cremated if he so desired. My second stop was at Hunter Park where I visited with seven more pets and distributed a variety of people and pet supplies, before calling it a day. Nestle Pure Life, socks, cup of noodles, cracker packs, fruit snacks, cookie packs, toilet tissue, body wipes, small bas of dog food, wet cat food, chicken jerky treats, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, Inaba tuna and chicken fillets for cats, Inaba churu treats, bully slices and kabob chew sticks were shared.
I made three stops today to visit pets and a fourth to pick up supplies from storage. My first stop was in Jurupa Valley for a kitten named 'Jake' and to leave supplies for a dog in the area. My next stop was at one of the river bottom outlets and the third was at Fairmount Park. I only visited six pets, because I wanted to be sure to get home within a couple of hours. My three dogs had a rough night last night and I gave them each some Acepromazine to calm them down. Two of the dogs are approximately 13 years old and one is 14. It is the first year they have ever been bothered by fireworks. The oldest seemed a little out of it this morning and because he is the one who suffered from Vestibular disease a few months ago, I worry most about him. The other two were wobbly last night but he wasn't. He was today so when I left to hit the streets, I decided to cut things short just in case. He was much better when I returned home but due to his being partially deaf, I think I will avoid the meds for him this evening. Nestle Pure Life, disposable face masks, cup of noodles, cracker packs, fruit snacks, canned ravioli, toilet tissue, body wipes, pet wipes, 2-20 pound bags of dog food from the Star Milling Company, dry cat food, dry kitten food, wet cat food, wet kitten food, chicken jerky treats, wet dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, Inaba tuna and chicken fillets for cats, Inaba churu treats, bully stick, kabob chew sticks and Tiller Tugs tug toy were shared.
I went out early this morning to pick up donations that people left for us at the MSRPAC Spay/Neuter Clinic. Afterwards I went home to re-stock my vehicle and give my dogs a potty break. My first stop was bittersweet. One of the pets we had at the clinic for vaccines and flea/tick treatment yesterday has been struggling with medical issues. The dog had been taken to the vet last year, thanks to Feeding Pets of The Homeless but she never fully recovered and then began showing other symptoms. I was asked to find her a rescue but told the person I did not see any way of making that happen. When I was texting Kym from Mutts In Need yesterday, I sent a photo asking her thoughts. She immediately asked if the dog needed rescue. I was surprised and happy that she asked and after a few conversations with the dog's companion it was agreed she would be relinquished. We made arrangement to make that happen this morning. I know it was a very difficult decision for the companion but in the end, she wanted what was best for the dog. I was there when the dog was picked up. It was a rough way to start the day, even though we all know she will be better off in the long run. As I was leaving, I noticed what looked like a homeless gentleman and a familiar fur friend. They were across the street at the AM/PM. When I pulled up, I realized the dog was not the one I thought he was but he does belong to a woman we have provided services for. I spent some time with him and then drove to the East Side. The rescue was kind enough to give us a pet stroller. I knew exactly what dog I wanted to give it to and she was my first stop on Massachusetts Avenue. I visited with five other dogs there as well but because of the time I was unable to visit with more. I will have to look for them on Monday. Nestle Pure Life, Arco gift card, Subway gift card, pet stroller, cracker packs, fruit snacks, canned ravioli, toilet tissue, body wipes, pet wipes, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, dry cat food, dry kitten food, wet cat food, wet kitten food, chicken jerky treats, wet dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, Inaba tuna fillets for cats, Inaba churu treats, dog collar, bully slices, bully sticks, kabob chew sticks, Zippy Paws pet toys, Tiller Tugs tug toy, Jones Natural dog treats and bully sticks were shared.
The cats that were spayed/neutered yesterday had an indoor location to go to so we did not have any pets to check on at the motel this morning. I did however agree to help some people get 'well checks' for their pets, while I was there paying yesterday's invoices. Before I went to the clinic, I made a stop at Van Buren Animal Hospital to pick up some tranquilizers for my dogs. Last night, one of them jumped off of our high bed two different times and then ran underneath. The fireworks weren't even bad but she got frightened. I prefer not to give them the drugs but I will if it will help them all feel a little less stressed…We had a total of four dogs and one kitten receiving a variety of 'well check' services ranging from vaccines, nail trims and flea/tick treatments. We found out that the kitten named 'Elsa' is big enough for a spay but we are going to wait three weeks to give her time to grow a little more and so she is ready for her next set of vaccinations. When I left the clinic, I went to our PO Box to pick up packages and then headed home. Nestle Pure Life, cracker packs, fruit snacks, body wipes, pet wipes, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, chicken jerky treats, wet dog food, Inaba chicken fillets for dogs, Inaba tuna fillets for cats, Inaba salmon cat treats, Inaba churu treats, dog collar, dog leash and bully sticks were shared.
First, I would like to share some Gratitude as we have begun a new month and reached our #1300 today. None of our dogs arrived but we did have three cats. We provide 'the works' for far less cats than dogs but today it was all about the felines. What almost made me forget to be grateful for another milestone was the fact that I had a very disappointing no-show that included six wasted appointments. Three days ago, I met a woman with a few Chihuahua's in her vehicle. She told me she actually had a total of nine, although they were not all with her. There were males and females ranging in age from a few months to ten years. I know that ten is far too many pets, but I thought it would be best to begin with spaying/neutering. The companion did too. We spent quite a bit of time on the phone as I scheduled four females and two males for today and was going to do the other three next week. She was looking for someone with a non expired ID so we could reserve a room in the motel. That was two days ago and I never heard a word since. I texted and called and the phone rang multiple times which means it is on. Unless it is lost or stolen, she got my messages. I guess I should be used to people not keeping their commitments but I really thought she would show. She had her own vehicle which I was going to give her an ARCO fuel card to get some fuel so transportation was not an issue. As frustrating as all of this was and is, I can't let it discourage me from continuing to offer the spay/neuter services. Over the past eight years we have provided these services for 1300 pets, even with the long list of no-shows. I know that is an accomplishment to appreciate. "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter".