For health, happiness

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter and its fundraising arm, Protecting Unwanted Pets Laguna Beach, are celebrating their 30th year of partnership.

PUP President Elizabeth Bauer said she and her staff would like to thank the community for their continued support.

“The ongoing support of Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods allows us to develop programs to provide the highest level of care for our animals,” she said.

Established in 1979, PUP is dedicated to bridging the gap between funding from the city and the special needs of the shelter’s animals. The organization funds all medical expenses for animals that go to the shelter. They are cared for at the shelter on Laguna Canyon Road, where about 150 cats and dogs are placed into homes each year.

Nancy Goodwin, who works at the shelter, said 80% of pets are claimed by their owners.

“Those which remain unclaimed are seen by a veterinarian, bathed and groomed, vaccinated, wormed, micro-chipped, spayed or neutered, and receive any necessary medical treatment,” she said.

Behavioral reinforcement is also provided to pets that exhibit temperamental personalities, as the shelter will place only “safe” animals in the community.

“For this reason, the animals put up for adoption are healthy and have no serious behavior problems,” Goodwin said.

She said a thorough adoption process that aims to place pets with the most suitable families has kept the shelter’s return rate at 5% to 10%, while the national average is close to 50%.

For more information, call (949) 497-3552 or e-mail LBAS@cox.net.