BirchBark

05/02/2025

When you're just a tiny Frenchie-boxer baby like Chewy, a little fall can mean big problems. Last week, Chewy accidentally fell out of his dad's arms, and his fragile puppy elbow was fractured ... a scary situation for a family looking forward to a long and happy life ahead with their new baby! Chewy needed surgery, and fortunately, our supporters were there to help! Thank you to everyone who helps ensure that pets like Chewy receive the care they need!

04/02/2025

This extremely handsome orange boy named Petey is usually indoors, often working on jigsaw puzzles (or keeping the puzzles warm, as seen here). However, on a recent outdoor excursion, he came home with a tail injured badly enough that it needed to be amputated. His mom needed some assistance in getting Petey that care, and - thankfully - BirchBark and its supporters were there! With your help, Petey will have many more happy days completing jigsaw puzzles with his family!

29/01/2025

Sometimes tears just need to flow ... but when we can make them happy tears instead of sad, it's been a good day! Thank you for helping handsome Dovahkiin access the care he needed for a urinary blockage this week, and for helping turn a scary day into a hope- and love-filled one for his mom!

27/01/2025

From a tiny bottle-fed puppy to a cherished companion of ten years, Hennessey has always been the center of her dad's world. A few weeks ago, however, their bond was put in jeopardy when a larger dog attacked Hennessey, leaving her badly injured and in need of surgery. While Hennessey's dad has always been by Hennessey's side, he needed some assistance to keep her by his.

Thanks to our supporters, we were able to step in and help her receive the surgery she needed.

25/01/2025

With the wildfires in LA and the recent battery fire in Moss Landing, we thought now might be a good time to re-share this 2023 BirchBark webinar on disaster preparedness with your pets. Wanda Vollmer, owner of Peace of Mind Prep offers valuable tips on how you can set yourself and your pets up to respond swiftly and safely to unexpected and frightening events.

https://bit.ly/DisasterPreparednessWithPets

BirchBark Educational Webinar, Feb. 21, 2023Speaker: Wanda Vollmer, Owner of Peace of Mind PreparednessPresented by BirchBark Foundation

24/01/2025

Thanks to the SPCA Monterey County loaning their beautiful Learning Center space to our normally remote staff, we were able to convene today for a strategic planning meeting. The SPCA was kind enough to allow some staff-adjacent personnel (aka a foster pup) to attend, too! Some of us worked harder than others ...

23/01/2025

As his ear clip attests, this gorgeous boy with the blue and green eyes was once a feral cat. However, when the opportunity arose for him to become an indoor family cat, Draco weighed his options and decided he preferred a cushier lifestyle. Draco's family describes him as their "baby." They say he brings joy and warmth to their hearts and brightens their home with his silly, loving, and caring personality. He recently was feeling a bit lethargic and was suffering from some tummy troubles. His family was able to pay for a vet exam, but needed some help covering the cost of all the diagnostics that Draco needed. Today, with your support, Draco and his family were approved for PetAid Financial Assistance. We all hope he is feeling back to his silly self soon!

22/01/2025

Today is National Hugging Day, so we happily share with you this glorious hug! Teddy (the super cute ball of fluff) recently had a very bad day when he was attacked by an off-leash dog while he was enjoying his (leashed) walk on the beach. His family was horrified and when they finally were able to get Teddy released from the other dog's mouth, they feared Teddy had been killed. Fortunately, he was alive, though badly injured. Your support helped Teddy receive the care he needed to start him on the path to recovery ... and a lifetime full of hugs!

16/01/2025

This very good boy is Willian. This past week his family became very concerned when they saw he was struggling to urinate. A vet visit showed that he had a bladder stone and blockage causing his bladder to be painfully full. Willian is a deeply loved member of his family, and they were willing to go so far as to sell their car to ensure he got the care he needed. With your support, he was able to have surgery and his family keep their car.

15/01/2025

The fires raging in southern CA have been deeply distressing and for all of us, and we are pained at the thought of the lives lost, property destroyed, and habitats made uninhabitable. We think with profound sympathy of the families who are separated from their pets and of the pets who are displaced or unsheltered. We also think, with gratitude, of those who are finding a measure of solace and normalcy in the companionship of their animal family.

We know many of you want to support the people and animals impacted by the fires, as well as those who are working directly in relief efforts. Some of the organizations you might consider a donation to include: World Central Kitchen, The Salvation Army Southern California, California Community Foundation, CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation, Pasadena Humane, and Best Friends Animal Society.

09/01/2025

Sometimes the sheer joy and gratitude in a thank you note from a PetAid Financial Assistance recipient are undeniable. This note came in from Ozzy's mom, after we were able to provide support for Ozzy's treatment for a urinary tract infection and bladder stone this week. Her love for Ozzy is palpable!

"YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUSLY GUARDIAN ANGELS!!!!!!! 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I can’t say thank you enough. He means so much to me. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Wow!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!! ❤️"

07/01/2025

The loss of a pet can be deeply painful - not only due to the void a pet leaves behind, but also because the process of grieving - especially grieving an animal - can be intensely lonely work. Our weekly pet loss grief support offerings alternate between one-on-one meetings and group sessions, the latter of which can be especially useful in helping to ease the loneliness of grief. There are a couple of spots open in tonight's grief support group, which meets at 6 pm Pacific. Register for one of those spots here: bit.ly/BirchBarkPetLossSupport

01/01/2025

✨ Starting 2025 with a story of hope ✨

Not long ago, Drax went missing shortly after his family moved to a new home. For five long weeks, his family searched, hoped, and waited. Then, miraculously, Drax found his way back. His littermate and guardian were overjoyed!

But Drax's journey left him malnourished and ill. After everything he had endured to return home, we knew we had to help. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we provided the support Drax’s mom needed to help on his path to recovery.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with health, happiness, and second chances—for Drax and all of us!

01/01/2025

Happy New Years from BirchBark! As we get ready to ring in 2025, we’re reflecting on all the lives we’ve touched together this year—like Kiki, a sweet pup who injured her teeth and needed dental care. Thanks to your support, BirchBark approved her treatment this week, giving Kiki the chance to start the new year healthy and pain-free.

There’s still time to make a difference for pets like Kiki! Just over 2 hours remain ofMonterey County Gives! or Santa Cruz Gives! Every gift you make tonight will go further with partial matching funds to help sustain the bond between families and their beloved pets.

Let’s make 2025 even brighter for pets in need! Donate now and share your love for pets this holiday season.

Monterey County Gives!: https://montereycountygives.com/birchbark
Santa Cruz Gives: https://santacruzgives.org/nonprofit/birchbark/

Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Monterey County Weekly Good Times Santa Cruz

31/12/2024

The clock is ticking on 2024 ... and on our MC Gives! and SC Gives campaigns!

In 2023, 230 members of the community ended the year with a gift to BirchBark. Because of them, nearly 300 pets' lives were saved and just as many families were given the gift of hope during trying times. Each of you has experienced the special bond that we share with animal family. By making a gift before midnight today, you will help to sustain that bond for someone in our community.

Monterey County Gives!: https://montereycountygives.com/birchbark
Santa Cruz Gives: https://santacruzgives.org/nonprofit/birchbark/

Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Monterey County Weekly Good Times Santa Cruz

28/12/2024

This pretty lady, currently fostered by BirchBark staff, has a suggestion and some good news to share with you.

First, her suggestion: An excellent way to guarantee that 2025 is full of pet-love is to purchase a 2025 BirchBark calendar! Each month features a PetAid Financial Assistance recipient, along with heartfelt testimonial from their families.

Second, her good news: You can purchase a calendar with a 20% discount now using the code PETLOVE. Your order supports pets and their families all year-long. Supplies are limited!

Order your calendar at: support.birchbarkfoundation.org/calendar2025

26/12/2024

This week has brought a wonderful confluence of holidays! We hope that everyone celebrating Hanukkah enjoyed a beautiful first night last night - filled with love, light, and the company of furry friends!

24/12/2024

All of us at BirchBark wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! As you gather with your loved ones, we know you are appreciating the joy and warmth that pets add to our lives. In a season full of magic, pets share a special love that makes every moment brighter.

Wishing you a season filled with love, connection, and cherished memories.