Picture This...SVPP's Dynamic Mother and Son Duo!

Nancy Hong and her son, Ryan, are the talented team and dynamic duo who are shooting heartwarming photos for SVPP.  These sweet and compelling images of our rescue pets are helping us find their forever homes. We interviewed Nancy about how she and Ryan became photographers and how they became part of SVPP's life-saving efforts.

When and why did you start photography?  

In 2003, I got my first camera.  I started taking pictures of everything and signed up for a photography class a few months after that.  The instructor allowed me to join despite not having a film camera! I joined a local photography club and also volunteered as a photographer for an animal rescue. When friends started growing their families, I got my feet wet in newborn photography.  Then, because of work life and family balance, photography then took a back seat for a while.

How and when did Ryan become interested in photography?  

In January of this year.  We were at the Oakland Zoo. I had my DSLR camera with me and he asked if he could take pictures, too.  Taking his first pictures of the giraffes got him excited, and he ended up taking pictures of almost every animal he saw at there. After that, he started taking pictures of our friend's two cats whenever we visited. We visited a friend who has 12 pets, including rabbits and parrots and we had fun photographing them together.  That friend suggested that we volunteer for a rescue organization as photographers.

How did you and Ryan join up with SVPP?

The suggestion of volunteering as photographers sounded like a great idea.  It was a way for me to get back into photography and contribute to a good cause at the same time. Ryan could take as many or as few pictures as he wanted and I would fill in the rest. He was happy at the thought of getting to see dogs and cats, since we don't have pets of our own.  I searched around and found SVPP. Working with SVPP has helped further Ryan's interest in photography. We started volunteering for SVPP in March. Since then, the quality of his photos has really grown. He's excited each time we go to an event.

What do you strive for when photographing rescue animals?

I think ultimately to show what beautiful animals they are. 

How do you think this has positively impacted your relationship with him?

It's been wonderful to be able to share something I enjoy with my son.  We spend a lot of time together outside of work and school, but it's great for both of us to do something we enjoy together and knowing we're also helping a good cause.

6. Do the two of you have one favorite SVPP photograph? 

We both like this one: Kitten Photo.  Ryan took this.  He says it's his favorite because it shows how cute and cuddly the kitten was and both the person and kitten are so relaxed and comfortable.  I love the lighting, the angle and the colors. 

Want to see more of Nancy and Ryan's beautiful photography? Follow them on Instagram: nancy.hong11 and ryan_loi_photography.

You can find more information about joining our amazing team of volunteers here.

Enjoy the Summer Safely with Your Pup

By Ayako Lainez

Summer is in full gear and it’s time to have some outdoor fun!  To keep our pup friends safe, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Hydration — Just as we humans need water, our pup friends do too.  Make sure your pet has access to clean, fresh drinking water, and carry a collapsible bowl and water if you are taking a longer walk or traveling.  At home, adding an ice cube to their water is a good way to keep it cool.

Heat —Dogs do not sweat as much as humans do and rely on panting to cool down.

If you have a flat-faced animal such as a pug or bulldog, be aware that they may be more susceptible to heat stroke because they do not pant as well. Some signs your pet may be having a heat stroke are: heavy panting, body feels warm, dehydration, red gums, seizures, unconsciousness. If they are showing any signs that arise concern, consult with your veterinarian immediately.

Exercise — Dogs need exercise as we all know, but on hot days, it may not be the best idea to take a walk outside.  Asphalt soaks up the sun and becomes very hot, and may burn your pet’s paws as they walk. One way to check if you should consider walking is to place your hand on the

asphalt for 7 seconds.  If it is too hot for you to keep your hand down, it is too hot for your dog. If walking, try to stick to early morning or evening times when it is cooler. Natural grass is a better place to walk than asphalt or artificial grass.  You could also look into boots as a way to protect their sensitive paws.

Cars and Swimming Pools — Never leave your pup unsupervised!  Leaving your pet in a car in the parking lot can lead to heat stroke and other problems that can be fatal.  If you have a swimming pool, be aware that all pups do not know how to swim. In addition, try to keep them from drinking pool water as it may contain chlorine.

BBQ’s —It’s grilling season! Human food may not be the best choice for your pup.  It is tempting to give a bone to your furry friend, but bones may break and become a choking hazard.  Keep trash containers and leftovers out of reach to prevent pets from getting into the foil, chewing on a kebab skewer or getting sick or injured.  Also keep insect repellant and citronella candles out of reach as they can be toxic.

Hiking — Keep your pup on the trail to keep them away from dangers such as snakes and plants that, if eaten, may be toxic. Also be sure to bring enough water with you to keep the both of you hydrated. 

ID tags/microchips — In all circumstances, be sure that your pup has an ID tag and your microchip information is up to date in case of emergency or if they get lost. SVPP is offering a low-cost microchip clinic at Pup Plaza on August 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. No appointment needed.  

Stay safe, happy summer adventures!

Source: https://www.nutrenaworld.com/blog/bbq-safety-for-pets

Source: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/do-dogs-sweat/

A Leap of Faith

My husband, Jeff, and I adopted Frankie in July 2012.  It was a leap of faith that changed our lives.

We weren't looking for another cat. In fact, we already had three older tuxedos in our small Redwood City home. Rather, we were staffing a fundraiser for San Jose Animal Advocate — a "yard sale" in a public school parking lot. Event staffers chatted near us and I overheard a conversation that was meant for me.

“I’m worried about Frank,” said a San Jose shelter volunteer. Frank was a middle-aged and somewhat scruffy tabby that had been adopted twice from the shelter but returned both times.  The volunteer was not sure he would find another home; he was “at risk” in the shelter. “We are returning him because he doesn’t get along with other cats,” his previous owner noted on Frank’s surrender card.

Frank tugged at my heart.  For a week, the worried voice inside me would not subside and I we knew we had to rescue him.  We didn’t meet him; we had SJAA pull him from the shelter and took him home site unseen. Literally, a leap of faith.

Given Frank’s surrender card, we didn’t know what to expect.  We didn’t want to create chaos in our home or upend relationships our tuxedos had created with each other and us. We gave Frank lots of time and space to feel safe, and gave everyone the room to get acclimated.

It turned out to be the perfect fit.

Frankie is one cool cat. For the seven years we’ve had him, he’s been amazingly content. He's perfectly happy to observe feline drama from afar and let others hash it out.  He’s friendly with the other cats, but is not interested in a joust. He’s easy going and follows us around the house like a dog. He rouses a crazy loud purr for an ear rub or a treat.  He bathes in the sun, lays up against any warm body part and lets us know when it’s time for bed. He’s dogged (pun intended!) when it comes to meals and is adamant about breakfast time. Even at 5:30 a.m., I still find the soft wake-up tap on my nose disarming.

Frank’s intense and beautiful almond-shaped eyes become almost round when he wants something. His ears attest to his past. One clipped ear shows a shelter neuter when he was a stray; another soft, jagged edge recounts time in a feral colony where he was dumped by a previous owner. You would never know he has physical or emotional scars. Even through his recent and serious medical problems – diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and a slower pace hampered by arthritis – our Frankie boy is always ready for a Greenie and a hug.  

Early on, Frank did have a behavioral issue with which we had some expert (and celebrity) help.  He could be quick to bite, for example, when hands were unexpectedly too close to his face.

“He was probably tormented or hurt by someone’s hands when he was young,“ Jackson Galaxy told us at a Best Friends Conference.  “The biting is a defense mechanism. Don’t ever tease him with your hands and don’t use your hands as something he should play with. Most importantly, always let him know that he’s safe.”

We did exactly as Jackson recommended and Frank’s behavior issue softened over years filled with love, affection and security.  

Our experience with Frank has inspired us to love and adopt other homeless and unwanted at-risk pets.  It’s the new norm in our home and a practice we advocate broadly. For information on adopting at-risk pets from the San Jose shelter, please go to the San Jose Animal Care Center’s website at www.sanjoseanimals.com. Click on Adoptable Pets, and when you are on the cat or dog page, click on Special Needs animals.

Karen Zamel is a long-time SVPP volunteer and is now a member of the communications team.

That One’s Mine!

Okay, so who hasn’t had that reaction at least once when seeing a newborn kitten?

That one's mine!

I’ve been having that reaction pretty frequently lately.

We are in the midst of kitten season and SVPP is taking in more kittens than ever.  I’m copied on “intake” emails and see photos of every adorable, helpless, barely out-of-the-womb felines that SVPP rescues for foster care.

Kitten season — traditionally spring and summer — is the when animal welfare facilities are flooded with newborns who need rescue. SVPP has helped with kitten season since its inception in 2015.  But, this year is different. The San Jose Animal Care Center has discontinued its kitten care program, so SVPP and other local rescues are expecting to tend to up to 1,000 additional kittens in the next three to four months.

While the shear numbers are overwhelming, the kittens with the greatest need – bottle babies – are at the greatest risk.  These neonatal kittens, often separated from a nursing mom too soon, require skill and resources to just survive. SVPP is beginning to collaborate with other local rescue organizations to help address this tremendous need, but we need your help.

Please consider one of these many ways to help save a life!

o   Attend one of our fun adoption events or fundraisers.

o   Donate to SVPP directly.

o   Purchase something on our wish list from Amazon.

o   Complete a foster application.

o   Adopt!

o   Spread the word!

o   Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Maybe, before it’s all over, you’ll say, “That one’s mine!”

Karen Zamel is a long-time foster, volunteer and now member of the communications team at SVPP.

Meet Our Newest Pup Plaza Dog Blogger, Pipsqueak

Pipsqueak beaming and waiting for
her forever family!

It’s amazing what some medical care and TLC can do for a homeless pet. In our newest Dog Blog on the Pup Plaza website, Pipsqueak will tell you all about it! Pipsqueak is our first featured guest contributor and we hope this canine influencer inspires future blog posts from her four-legged friends.

Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP) rescued Pipsqueak from the San Jose Animal Care Center after the shelter reached out to SVPP for help. This dog had been surrendered to the shelter due to a hoarding situation and had complex medical issues that needed to be addressed. Thanks to community support, donations, a loving foster parent, and tremendous veterinary attention, SVPP was able to provide Pipsqueak with the three surgeries she needed to be adoptable and to thrive. She now is healthy and happy and ready for her forever home. See her debut video below:

Pipsqueak and her loving foster
parent, Angie.

This bubbly little five-pound Chihuahua literally bounces around with joy. She loves good walks and a warm cuddle, dances for her dinner, and (unlike me) loves her fresh vegetables.

We are working to find her forever family…and hope that it might be you! If you are interested in more information, please email adoptions@svpetproject.org and consider completing an adoption application here.

Expanding Your Cat Family: How to Facilitate Success

Troubleshooting (part three of three)
By Karen Zamel

Note: Interested in adding to your feline family? SVPP is offering a "Meet Your Purr-fect Match" Special. Adopt a cat 6 months or older for a reduced adoption rate of $50! These special kitties are spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and tested negative for FIV/FELV. This special adoption promotion is available February 11 to March 15.

This is the last part of our three-part blog addressing important steps of successfully integrating new cats or kittens with resident cats. With the help of expert Jessica Char, founder of Feline Engineering, we are examining potential causes of kitty conflict and how to address them. (Click here for part one on Matchmaking; click here for part two on Introductions.)

Q: What do you do at the first sign of trouble, like what we experienced in our home with our newest rescue taking possession of a water fountain – and trouncing others for using it?

Jessica: Make sure there are plenty of resources for all the cats in the home to avoid competition. This includes feeding stations, water bowls (or water fountains!), litter boxes, scratching posts, sleeping spots (particularly the good sunny ones), and places to perch up high. Spread these things throughout the home so each cat has a chance to get what they need without having to wait in line. This removes the opportunity for one cat to prevent others from getting to something.

You can also use furniture, cat trees, or cat shelves to create multiple pathways through the house; this lets the cats avoid each other as they want to. The cats are more likely to be comfortable living together when they have more control over when or if they want to interact.

Look for ways to reward the cats for being relaxed or polite around each other. For example, two cats calmly sharing a cat tree might get treats. You can help them out even more by encouraging the behavior you want. If your new cat is blocking others from the water fountain, you can call this cat away and give him a treat when another cat approaches.

Finally, but no less important, play is always good for cats. A routine of interactive play followed by meal time will set the stage for better behavior and happier, healthier cats all around.

Q: Lastly, how do you identify the true source of the issue and what it will really take to address it?

Jessica: It’s important to mention that sudden behavior change is definitely a reason for a vet visit as it may indicate pain or illness. Don’t skip this step!

Once we know the cat is medically cleared, my first step is addressing the home environment. Many caring cat guardians are unknowingly depriving their cat of important natural needs. Cats need to “hunt” by playing, they need spaces to perch up off the ground, they need to scratch, and they need social interaction. Cats aren’t dogs and we need to provide for their unique needs.



After that, if there are still issues, I look at the cat’s emotional state and what might be motivating their behavior. It's well understood now that animals experience many of the same core emotions as humans and that these emotions greatly influence behavior.

Fear and stress have to be addressed first before any other behavior change can be expected. A fearful cat isn’t thinking through its behavior carefully; the cat is acting to protect itself.

Finally, I determine if there is something motivating the behavior that we can change. If the cat is getting attention for some unwanted behavior, how can we use that attention to reward more appropriate behavior? If the behavior is about the cat is trying to avoid or escape a situation, we can work to change its feelings about that experience.

~ ~ ~

If you have additional questions for Jessica or experiences you would like to share, please post them here. We can all benefit from the dialogue!



For information on our Purr-fect Match Special to adopt cats at least six months old, click here.


Karen Zamel is a communications volunteer, foster parent, and adopter with Silicon Valley Pet Project and San Jose Animal Advocates.

For more information on Jessica Char and Feline Engineering, follow her on Facebook and Instagram:
www.facebook.com/felineengineering
www.instagram.com/felineengineering

SVPP Celebrates 1,000 Lives Saved

By Karen Zamel

Last month, Silicon Valley Pet Project reached a remarkable milestone – 1,000 pets rescued and 1,000 pets saved! In honor of this pawsitive achievement, we interviewed co-founder and President Melissa Lisbon to get her perspective on the impact of rescuing animals and next big steps for SVPP.

Who has the distinction of being the 1,000th pet rescued and what was his/her circumstance? 

Ena, our amazing little special needs kitten, was our 1,000 rescue. She came to SVPP’s attention after one of our dedicated volunteers was alerted to Ena’s unusual movement. After rescuing this kitten, it was determined that she has cerebellar hypoplasia, a condition that makes her motor skills different than other kittens.

Ena: Adopted January 2019

was recently adopted to a loving family!

Fortunately, she is not in pain, and pets with this condition can live long, healthy and happy lives. We are happy to report that this special needs kitten was recently adopted to a loving family!

How quickly did you think SVPP would get to 1,000 pets rescued?
In the first year of operations in 2015, we set a goal of rescuing 100 animals, and we happily exceeded that goal. We couldn’t image at that time how quickly we would get to 1,000 pets! We are proud of this milestone because many of these pets required a lot of time and resources— medical and foster care— to heal.

What impact does rescuing animals have on the shelter and the community?
Here’s the bottom line: the impact of rescuing animals in our community helps the shelter minimize the number of pets that are euthanized. We are grateful for the efforts of the San Jose Animal Care Center and their staff and volunteers who help so many pets, and work with SVPP and other groups to rescue pets that cannot thrive at the shelter and need more resources to heal. We are proud to be part of the network of groups and shelters in Santa Clara County that have met the highest standard of life saving, a 90-plus percent save rate of pets.

What’s been the most inspirational about SVPP’s rescue work?
Seeing a pet who was ill or painfully shy gradually blossom in a loving home. That is truly one of the most inspiring and motivating aspects of our work. It is also inspiring to see people becoming engaged in this effort — to help animals and our cause by volunteering time and helping us in every aspect of our business.

What’s next for SVPP?
Our long-term goal has always been to create a Pet Community Center that is inviting, inspirational, and educational, and that celebrates our relationships with cats and dogs. We were thrilled to help bring The Dancing Cat to the community, and now we are excited to offer Silicon Valley's first dog community center, called Pup Plaza. Creating unique spaces where we can invite the public to celebrate pets while supporting homeless pets and continuing to save lives is our vision for the future.


Find information on fostering at svpetproject.org. View the celebration video here!

Karen Zamel is a communications volunteer, foster parent, and adopter with Silicon Valley Pet Project and San Jose Animal Advocates.