BirchBark

23/08/2024

Wonderful news from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine! Thanks to a generous, $6 million grant from PetSmart Charities, they were able to instate their first-ever Endowed Chair in Accessible Veterinary Care. The cost of veterinary care has risen drastically in recent years ... a situation that causes many loving pet families, including those we serve, tremendous stress. This new position at the veterinary school speaks to their commitment to making veterinary care accessible to all. Well done!

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/endowed-chair-accessible-veterinary-care-named-uc-davis?

Dr. Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA has been named the inaugural PetSmart Charities Endowed Chair in Accessible Veterinary Care at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. The role has been permanently funded by a $6 million grant, the single most sizeable grant in PetSmart....

22/08/2024

🎉 Get Ready to Paw-ty! 🎉

Dear BirchBark Family,

You're invited to the most PAW-some event of the season – Fall in Love with BirchBark!

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Folktale Winery & Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, 93923

Join us for a howling good time as we celebrate BirchBark's lifesaving mission and the wonderful community that makes it all possible! 🌟🐾

Indulge in scrumptious gourmet treats, sip on wines that'll make your tail wag, and bid on fantastic items at our Live Auction and Silent Auction. 🍷🎉

Tickets are $150 – RSVP now through our website or email Marci Bracco. And don't forget your remit envelope for those extra special donations! 💌

Purchase Your Tickets: https://paybee.io/quickpay.html?handle=birchbark&ppid=29

21/08/2024

A couple weeks ago, sweet Punchy found herself with a laceration on her leg. Her mom, who has loved Punchy since her kittenhood, was committed to providing Punchy with the veterinary care she needed, but she needed just a bit of help to make that happen. Our supporters and veterinary partner at East Lake Animal Clinic came together to ensure that Punchy could have her injury treated. Thank you, all!

18/08/2024

We're having so much fun and keeping cool in the puppy pool at the Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival! Stop by and say, "Hi!"

18/08/2024

Today is the Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival's Dog Day Sunday! We'll be present at the event, and hope to see you! There will be a variety of contests, prizes, and opportunities to hang out with other animal-loving friends! The first contest of the day starts at 11:15! See the schedule here: https://www.svartfestival.com/dog-day/

16/08/2024

Jock means the world to his family, so when he injured his leg last week, they were desperate to help him feel better. "Thank you!" BirchBark's supporters, who were there to provide Jock's family just the bit of help they needed to ensure that Jock was able to be treated.

16/08/2024

This is your FINAL chance to sponsor and maximize your sponsorship value for our highly anticipated "Fall in Love" event! Individual tickets are now on sale, and the event is sure to sell out quickly. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of something truly special.

Sponsor Fall in Love: https://bit.ly/3W1YQre

Dr. Merrianne Burtch, founder of BirchBark; Executive Director, Donna Odryna; and BirchBark's Board of Directors invite you to join us for an elegant celebration dedicated to protecting and honoring the human-animal bond. Your support saves lives and will provide crucial financial assistance to low-...

14/08/2024

Today we want to share with you a story that exemplifies the power of the human-animal bond. Mink is a kitten with an important job serving the community. When he was just a baby who needed constant care and attention, he accompanied his mom to work at the Santa Cruz Art League. It wasn't long, however, before it became clear that being at work wasn't just good for Mink; it was good for everyone. He greets guests and plays with the kids. People come to the gallery just to say "Hi!" His ability to brighten each person's day and to help draw people to the arts has earned him the title of "Guest Service Associate."

Recently, Mink was attacked by a dog, and the community he serves turned around to offer him aid. BirchBark, along with a host of Mink's friends and fans, came together to ensure he would receive the veterinary care he needed. The love and support between pets and people goes both ways. It is the heart of the human-animal bond.

13/08/2024

🎟️ Have you bought your event tickets yet? Don’t miss out on the Birchbark Fall In Love Event – it’s going to be an unforgettable experience! Secure your spot now through the link below and join us for a fantastic time. See you there! 🌟

Get Your Tickets Here

Dr. Merrianne Burtch, founder of BirchBark; Executive Director, Donna Odryna; and BirchBark's Board of Directors invite you to join us for an elegant celebration dedicated to protecting and honoring the human-animal bond. Your support saves lives and will provide crucial financial assistance to low-...

08/08/2024

Get ready for an evening of compassion and celebration at Fall in Love with BirchBark on October 9, 2024, at the picturesque Folktale Winery & Vineyard Wine Gardens!

We're on the hunt for generous donors like YOU to help make our Live and Silent Auctions a smashing success! Your contributions, whether it's a product, experience, or service, can make a world of difference in saving animal lives.

What can you donate?
• Gift certificates
• Products or gift baskets
• Vacation homes or travel experiences
• And anything else that can make hearts flutter!

Let us know how you'd like to contribute and we'll make it happen! Simply print and fill out the donation form with your details or complete the form online and let's create magic together. https://bit.ly/4bjvJE2

02/08/2024

Join us for a night filled with magic and merriment as we celebrate BirchBark's incredible journey of saving precious animal lives!

Indulge in gourmet delights, sip on award-winning wines, and embark on an adventure through our Live Auction and Silent Auction.

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Folktale Winery & Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, 93923

Purchase Tickets: https://bit.ly/4eYRDiU

31/07/2024

If ever there were proof that a dog's size bears no relation to his importance, Bossua might be it. This diminutive Chihuahua mix has been his guardian's most steadfast and devoted companion. Through health and housing struggles, Bossua has remained a source of love and an inspiration to keep going. We are so grateful that when he recently needed treatment for severe dental disease, BirchBark's supporters allowed us to offer assistance. Bossua may be little, but he is the whole world to the person he loves. And we love him for that.

26/07/2024

We love our community partners! Keep your eyes open as you visit local businesses throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, and you might see a BirchBark donation box! By hosting one of our donation boxes, many local businesses - including vet practices, pet shops, bakeries, and more - take an active role in uplifting their pet-loving neighbors, friends, and family. Thanks, Coast Veterinary Services, for being one of our donation box partners!

25/07/2024

Thank you to the Pacific Grove Animal Hospital for supporting our "Fall in Love with BirchBark". We appreciate your invaluable support witch helps in making this event a success.

Considering becoming a sponsor? There's still time to become a sponsor and contribute to this incredible cause! By choosing from our various sponsorship levels, you can make a significant impact and enjoy exclusive benefits. Whether you're looking to gain visibility for your business, support a meaningful cause, or be part of a wonderful community event, there's a sponsorship opportunity that fits your goals.

Together, we can make a difference! Learn more about our sponsorship levels and how you can get involved here: https://bit.ly/3W1YQre.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment!

24/07/2024

What does your pet mean to you? If you answered "Everything. Literally everything!" then you have a lot in common with Mozzy's mom!

Today is Parent Appreciation Day, and we are appreciating all the pet parents who love their furry, feathered, and scaly children. That includes parents like Mozzy's mom, who was looking out for her best boy when she sought assistance in treating his urinary blockage. And it includes pet parents like each of our supporters, who rally together to ensure that pets like Mozzy can continue to enjoy the loving relationship they have with their families. We love you, pet parents!

23/07/2024

🌟 Have you bought your tickets yet? 🌟

Join us for our Fall in Love 2024 Gala! 🎉✨

🗓️ Wednesday, October 9, 2024
🕰️ 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with elegance, entertainment, and so much more Don't miss out on the event of the season!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now: https://bit.ly/4eYRDiU

19/07/2024

We deeply appreciate everyone who has already sponsored our "Fall in Love with BirchBark" event happening on October 9, 2024. Your support is invaluable in making this event a success. There’s still time to become a sponsor and contribute to this incredible cause!

By choosing from our various sponsorship levels, you can make a significant impact and enjoy exclusive benefits. Whether you're looking to gain visibility for your business, support a meaningful cause, or simply be part of a wonderful community event, there's a sponsorship opportunity that fits your goals.

Don't miss this chance to support "Fall in Love with BirchBark." Together, we can make a difference! Learn more about our sponsorship levels and how you can get involved here: https://bit.ly/3W1YQre. Thank you for your generosity and commitment, Sequoia Wealth Advisors & Investment Management, Inc., Debra and George Couch, Animal Cancer Center, OneSource Compounding Pharmacy, Sharon Naraghi Farms, Dr. Anita Dunsay, Alyssa and Pat Plicka, Animal Internal Medicine Consultants, CoCo and Pepe, Russ and Jackie Menk, Kate DeSalvo and Steve Schumann, and Donna and Charli Odryna!

17/07/2024

Not long ago, this handsome, two-year-old kitty was brought to the vet by a good Samaritan. He had been hit by a car and was in extreme pain and unable to walk. Fortunately, thanks to a post on Nextdoor, his owners were able to be identified, and BirchBark was able to assist with providing him the surgical care he needed for his broken bones. This was not the first time this cat had been injured outside. Just last year, his family had brought him to the vet because he had bite wounds from a wild animal he had encountered outside. We are grateful that when we provided help with his broken bones, his family agreed to keep him indoors.

We understand that many people feel they are enhancing their pet cat's quality of life by allowing him or her outside. However, relative to an indoor cat's life, the life of an outdoor cat is nasty, brutish, and short. Outdoor cats are exposed to a host of dangers, including toxins, cars, predatory wildlife, pet dogs, rival cats, parasites, and disease. It is sadly unsurprising that outdoor cats live an average of only 2-5 years, compared to 10-20 years for an indoor cat. Additionally, outdoor cats are one of the primary threats to birds, including threatened and native species. The Audubon Society estimates they kill up to 3.7 billion birds every year.

You can give your pet cat a wonderful life inside the house! Google "How to catify your house" to find tips on how to enrich your indoor cat's quality of life without compromising his safety or the safety of wildlife.

*Note: This post is about pet cats - not outdoor, feral colonies.

17/07/2024

"Family." That is how Thanos's guardian describes him. That word encapsulates it all - the love, the companionship, the depth of the relationship shared. When Thanos was bit by another dog and his wound needed treatment, Thanos's person needed just a little help to ensure that Thanos got the care he needed. Our partner vets at Westside Animal Hospital worked with us, and Thanos was able to have his wound treated. Thank you to everyone who plays a role in keeping pet families together!

15/07/2024

We are honored to announce that BirchBark was one of 100 organizations nationally to be awarded a grant from The Grey Muzzle Organization this year! With Grey Muzzle's support, we will be launching a pilot program offering preventative care to senior dogs whose guardians are low-income seniors. We are very grateful to help senior dogs receive routine care that maintains their health and happiness, while also alleviating some of the financial stress that veterinary care can represent for older members of our community.

Keep an eye open for stories of some of the dogs and families that, together, we'll serve! Thank you, Grey Muzzle!

13/07/2024

One look at this cute little dude's ears, and it's not hard to guess why his family named him "Dumbo!" Sweet Dumbo is just a youngster, but already, he has suffered twice from re**al prolapse. His guardian is a college student, who was struggling to pay for repeat surgery after the first re**al prolapse surgery failed. Thankfully, with your assistance and the support of our partner vets at VCA All Pets Animal Hospital Salinas, he was able to be treated again. Not only that, we were able to assist in getting Dumbo neutered at the same time! French Bulldogs, as cute as they are, are predisposed to re**al prolapse, and we are glad to help reduce the risk of any accidental breeding with a dog who has this issue.

11/07/2024

Dear BirchBark Family,

We are thrilled to announce that Barbara De Groodt, owner of From the Heart Dog Training in Salinas, California, will be our distinguished honoree at BirchBark's 2024 Fall in Love Gala.

Barbara has dedicated over 60 years to the field of animal behavior and training. Her compassionate and effective methods have helped countless pet owners develop strong, positive relationships with their animals. Barbara's expertise has earned her induction into the International Association of Canine Professionals Hall of Fame and the prestigious title of Trainer of the Year at Westminster. Her lifetime commitment to improving the lives of pets and their families makes her a truly deserving honoree at this year's gala.

Purchase your tickets today: https://bit.ly/4eYRDiU

09/07/2024

Best Of Monterey County® Readers Poll 2024 nominations are happening now!
This is a two-step process. Now through July 14 you can nominate the businesses you think deserve to be “Best of.” The top nominees will be pushed through to the final round (August 1-23) when voting will take place.

We hope you will think of BirchBark in the “Around Town" Group, in the category of:
• Best Local Nonprofit

Thank you for your support!

1. To Nominate go to https://2024-best-of-monterey-county-nominations--mcweekly.contest.vote/
2. Click on the Group Name to begin and all of the categories and nomination fields will start to present.
For each category, write in your favorite.
3. Click Submit and Continue to move on to the next section. Once you move on from one section, you can't return to it.
4. When you're done, select Finalize Ballot.
Be sure to share the ballot link with your friends, family, colleagues, and followers to encourage participation.

Rules:
• You must vote in at least 20 categories.
• There is no final submit button, once you hit "nominate" on each page, that nomination has been cast.
• One nomination ballot per email address - you can return to vote in the final round from August 1 - August 23.

08/07/2024

Sweet Garfinkie loves his mama, and she loves him. However, Garfinkie recently was suffering from a urinary obstruction, which, for a full-time student like Garfinkie's mom, represented a major financial burden. BirchBark's supporters and our partners at Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists made it possible for Garfinkie to have the emergency surgery he needed, while also allowing his mom to keep studying and keep loving her furry little boy!

05/07/2024

✨ Auction Donations ✨

We are seeking live and silent auction donations for our Fall in Love with BirchBark event scheduled for October 9, 2024. Your generous contributions will have a tremendous impact!

Thank you for supporting BirchBark Foundation's mission to save lives and make tails wag! 🐶❤️

Donate here: https://bit.ly/4bjvJE2

04/07/2024

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July!

04/07/2024

One of the beautiful things we are able to witness time and again at BirchBark is how our community rallies together to restore one's faith in humanity. This adorable snuggler, Pepper, was shot in the tail with a BB gun and, due to the severity of his injuries, needed his tail amputated. At a time when it would have been easy for Pepper's family to have felt an overwhelming sense of the cruelty that exists in the world, instead, BirchBark supporters surrounded Pepper and his family with love and helped Pepper receive the surgery he needed. Thank you.

02/07/2024

With the 4th of July just around the corner, plan ahead to ensure that the holiday is not only enjoyable for you, but also safe for your animal family! Between the loud fireworks, outdoor activities, and the general commotion that may distract us, more pets are lost on the 4th of July than on any other holiday.

Scary fireworks are often a main concern for pet guardians, but there are other dangers associated with the holiday, as well. Check out these infographic slides from the Veterinary Information Network, and stay safe!

01/07/2024

Starting this month, we are starting a new schedule of Pet Loss Grief Support, as well as welcoming a new counselor, Tina, from Shine a Light Counseling Center. We are now offering free, weekly grief support groups on Mondays from 6 -7:30 pm, alternating between one-on-one and group sessions each week. There are a couple of open spots in tonight's sessions.

If you or somebody you know is struggling with the loss - or anticipated loss - of a pet, you may sign up for a pet loss grief support session here: https://airtable.com/appONxPEATvLUt4XI/shrRRKWKnTmOeV5ig