The 2012 Love 'Em 13-month wall calendar features homeless dogs and cats that found homes while at the SLO County Animal Shelter. All proceeds of the sale of the calendar will go toward continuing community eduction to reduce the number of dogs and cats coming the shelter.

1. 2012 Love ‘Em Calendar Celebrating SLO County Animal Services’ Dogs & Cats

2. Star-crossed in love, Patches was a consistent runner-up for adoption at the SLO County Animal Shelter. Patches’ enthusiasm for life radiated from him. In his kennel, Patches danced & spun at the gate hoping someone would notice him. Once outside, he’d bound joyfully after a tennisball and carry it back – though his head was hardly bigger than the ball itself. Star-crossed in love no longer, Patches finally found his life-long home. Help all of them shine -- become a volunteer.

3. Sleepy came to the shelter with her litter of four kittens. Everything – her affectionate nature & comfort at being held –indicated she’d once been a well-loved cat, but no owner came to claim her. In 2010 -- with 2,331 stray cats & 1,576 stray dogs coming to the SLO County Animal Shelter -- only 3% of the cats & 46% of the dogs were claimed by their owners. Fortunately, after being altered, Sleepy & her kittens all found homes. Save lives -- spay & neuter.

4. Because of his magnificent coat & laid-back personality, Auggie, a golden retriever/Chow mix, had all the necessary skills to be an excellent footwarmer. Sadly, he was overlooked at the SLO County Shelter because Auggie just lay at the back of his kennel like a sleepy lion. Be a best friend -- adopt. Fortunately, Auggie would showed his true colors when someone approached; he’d slowly lift one of his big front paws as an invitation to rub his belly. Today, Auggie & his favorite people are regulars at a local café.

5. Besides dogs & cats, the SLO County Animal Shelter sometimes houses goats, horses, emus, iguanas, potbellied pigs, & more. Polydactyl cats are one of the unique types of cats that occasionally come to the shelter. Polydactyl means extra toes & Millie is one sweet, big-footed cat. Sadly, the odds are poor even for an outstanding cat such as Millie. In 2010 only 65 owners came to claim their cats out of the 2,331 stray cats that came to the shelter that year. Fortunately, Millie’s winning ways secured her a place in an adopter’s heart. If you lose your pet, check the shelter right away.

6. Gracie came to the shelter as a stray with an injured knee & no ID tag to help her get back home. Gracie, like so many homeless pets, had to rely on the generosity of strangers if her surgery was to happen. Many generous donations to the shelter’s Animals Requesting Friends fund (ARF) made Gracie’s surgery possible. Now she’s a loved dog, living life to the fullest with her adoptive family. To help other homeless pets, tax-deductible donations can be sent to: SLO Animal Services – ARF Fund PO Box 4110 SLO, CA 93403 Donations save lives.

7. Every summer adorable homeless kittens, like Bridget & Dottie, come to the SLO County Animal Shelter. To reduce future unwanted litters of kittens & puppies, all shelter pets -- eight weeks old & older -- are spayed or neutered. Bridget & Dottie are now adult cats -- enjoying life in their new homes -- & not contributing to cat overpopulation. Adopt a shelter cat or kitten.

8. Tank training Hayden with his 1st responder Lily with her 1st responder From Rescued to Rescuer. Sometimes dogs are not cut out to be pets -- they have too much energy & drive. Often these dogs end up at the SLO County Animal Shelter. Tank, Hayden & Lily were all such dogs & were unlikely to find homes. However, they were perfectly suited for National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Now all three are trained, living with 1st-responders & ready to search for survivors of natural or manmade disasters.

9. Spencer & Squeak were among the 3,907 lost pets that came to the SLO County Animal Shelter in 2010. An additional 1,302 dogs & cats were turned in by their owners. If you or someone you know can no longer keep the family pets, act early to find those pets another home. Place ads, contact rescue groups, check with friends & family. The County Shelter is a humane option, but it should be the last option. If you can’t keep your pet -- rehome.

10. If You Love ‘em, Tag ‘em. Visible identification -- with phone number or address -- is the best & cheapest insurance policy you can have for your pet. Because Mak & Scout have ID tags, even if they should become lost, they won’t contribute to shelter overcrowding because their tags make it possible for anyone to return them home.

11. When there are more adoptions than there are animals coming to the shelter, SLO County Animal Services can bring pets in from counties with high euthanasia rates. In 2009, there were enough open dog kennels that homeless dogs were brought in from a Bakersfield County Animal Shelter where overcrowding is a continuing problem. Lulu, a little Lhasa Apso mix, is one of the lucky dogs that came to our county and found a home. Adopt one & make space for another.

13. Foster families make a huge difference. They open up a kennel when the shelter is full. They give a dog or cat a place to recover from surgery or from the stress of shelter life. Both Zoe & Pippin found their forever homes while with a foster family. SLO County Animal Services needs cat & dog foster families. Contact Terry at 805-489-0689 or [email_address] for more information. Change your life, become a foster.