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Our Mission Statement
The mission of K- 9 Placement and Assistance League, Inc. (K-9 PALS) is to promote adoptions, provide humane care, act as advocate for the dogs of the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, and to eliminate euthanasia so that every adoptable dog will have a chance for a loving forever home.
History and Accomplishments
K-9 PALS is the non-profit volunteer based organization working on behalf of the dogs of the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter.
The organization was incorporated in December of 2001 and received tax exempt status in July 2002. Our volunteers provide nearly 14,000 hours of service annually at the shelter and in the community, which is equivalent to almost 5 full time employees.
K-9 PALS seeks homes for adoptable dogs abandoned at the shelter. K-9 PALS volunteers provide shelter dogs with high quality daily care that includes exercising, training, and socializing, bathing, counseling for prospective adopters, assessing dog behavior, and cleaning and maintaining exercise yards and work areas. Volunteers organize and participate in fundraising events and off-site adoption awareness events.
K-9 PALS provides high quality medical care, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic treatments, and surgical care that would otherwise not be available for the shelter dogs.
K-9 PALS has constructed several areas at the Shelter: the Visitor's Garden where prospective adopters can meet dogs for adoption, a large fully fenced dog training area with dog agility equipment, several exercise/play yards for the dogs, and a storage building for supplies.
K-9 PALS made a substantial donation of $146,500 for the renovation of the Shelter's main kennel building in 2007. This donation was provided by funding from the estates of John J. Phelan and Susan M. Camusi.
K-9 PALS gratefully receives donations and funding from individuals, groups, organizations and local businesses, and grant awards from foundations and charitable trusts.
The Board of Directors of K-9 PALS is comprised of a group of people who have great compassion and interest in working for the welfare of abandoned dogs, and some have been volunteering or working with the Santa Barbara Shelter going back as far as 1994. Current K-9 PALS Board members:
Janelle Ward, President
Debbie Deem, Vice President
David Caffo, Treasurer, Secretary
Sally Cushman
Barbara Hershberg
The County Shelter takes in an average of over 1,200 stray and abandoned dogs per year. Owner relinquished dogs also may be taken under special circumstances. With the help of K-9 PALS, the Shelter will return more than 50% of the dogs to their owners and find homes for all adoptable dogs. |
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