Animal lovers of all ages are invited to attend the nonprofit Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation’s first-ever fundraiser: an open house set for June 4.
The Santa Monica Animal Shelter, which is run by the City of Santa Monica, is a city service that receives support from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation (SMASF), an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit with a volunteer board, which works in concert with both the City and the Santa Monica Police Department’s Animal Control arm.
“We want to continue to raise donations so that we can continue to help the shelter have all the resources they need for the animals that are at the shelter,” Elizabeth Noble, a longtime shelter volunteer who is now chairperson of the SMASF board, said. “That includes being able to step in when they have animals that need extra veterinary care, and when they need those specific facility improvements and upgrades.”
Though the shelter has the resources to provide for the needs of all the animals in its care, SMASF works hard to enrich the lives of the animals, but it can’t do it alone. In addition to dedicated volunteers, SMASF raises money and collects other donations for the shelter.
On Saturday, June 4, from noon to 3 p.m., the shelter will open its doors to the public for “a fun afternoon to support animals and help us raise much needed funds for the Santa Monica Animal Shelter,” according to information provided by Noble.
The event isn’t just an adoption opportunity — although there will be a chance to meet the dogs, cats and other animals currently residing at the shelter, located at 1640 9th Street. There will also be live music provided by the School of Rock West LA House Band, face painting by The Magical Telier and a raffle seeking small donations in exchange for the chance to win great prizes like a learning experience with the Santa Monica Police Forensics Department, plus gift certificates and other prizes from local businesses.
The event will also feature tasty treats from Vienna Pastry and the Kona Ice truck.
If scaly critters are more your speed, there’s also a chance to hang out with reptiles from Allan’s Pet Center.
The best part, Noble said, was that all of these local small businesses are donating their time to support the cause, meaning 100 percent of all funds raised at the three-hour event will go to the Animal Shelter.
“The donation that they’re giving us to[ward] a raffle ticket or the donation they’re giving us is actually going to go to the shelter — it did not go to pay for face painting or anything,” Noble said.
The shelter is not just a traditional pound for stray or abandoned pets; it is a part of the City’s Animal Services Unit, which also includes animal control. That means that in addition to pets in need of permanent homes, the shelter is also going out to emergency calls for injured wild animals or other animal-related issues in the city. The more support SMASF can provide, the less stress these emergency calls put on the shelter.
As of last week, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter has six dogs and one cat ready for adoption, plus four bunnies, a duck and a guinea pig. Noble said the shelter usually is caring for additional animals that aren’t quite ready to be placed into homes.
More information about SMASF can be found at www.smasf.org. The website includes resources to volunteer, make material donations, attend next Saturday’s fundraiser and a link to the Santa Monica Animal Shelter website.
emily@smdp.com
