Find some peace by checking out the winners of our third annual pet photo contest. They’re cute! Really cute. Readers from San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties submitted hundreds of images of their fur, feather, and scale babies as part of this year’s competition. A panel of in-house judges narrowed them down to […]
Pet Issue
Posted inPet Issue
Blessed are the beaks: Central Coast-based parrot rescue provides adoption and sponsorship opportunities for local bird lovers
Parrot adoptions at the scenic Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary are few and far between for a flock of reasons, founder and director Jamie McLeod explained. “Unless you’ve owned a parrot before, it’s hard to understand what you’re getting yourself into. It’s a wild animal,” McLeod told the Sun. “You have to realize that when you […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Temporary refuge: C.A.R.E.4Paws will offer boarding for pets living with struggling families
About a year ago, C.A.R.E.4Paws was offering its services to a shelter for the unhoused, when a woman staying at the shelter asked for help to take care of her dog who had become pregnant, and would eventually have 10 puppies. The woman wasn’t in a state to be able to care for either the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Aww factor: This issue features the Central Coast’s cutest pets and a little something extra
Brighten up your day by flipping through the winners of our second annual pet photo contest. Readers from across the Central Coast submitted more than 400 images of their cats, dogs, lizards, chickens, horses, bunnies, and even fish in this year’s competition. A panel of five judges narrowed them to the top three in each […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Santa Barbara County received a state grant to explore ways to keep pet families together
With their unconditional loyalty, big eyes filled with nothing but love, and snuggles that bring endless comfort, pets can be the biggest support system for people going through tough times. But that support system can morph into the biggest barrier when trying to access services to improve their circumstances. “One of the things we talk […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Pets on deck: Check out some of the cutest faces on the Central Coast
Featuring cuddly and captivating photo contest winners, a heyday for reptiles, and foster friends
In Sun‘ first ever Pet Issue photo contest, readers submitted more than 1,000 entries of their dogs, cats, chickens, horses, bunnies, and more. A panel of five judges narrowed the slate of images down to seven winners, who each get a gift certificate from issue sponsor Lemos Feed and Pet Supply, and 11 others that […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Reptile rave
The annual Reptile Expo slithers through San Luis Obispo with exotic creatures, education, and enthusiasm
Weaving through the Madonna Expo Center demanded a level of caution over the weekend of Oct. 14, especially with a roughly 4-foot-long black-throated monitor lizard relaxing on the floor. I had to watch my step—that’s the effect of the annual San Luis Obispo Reptile Expo. Hatched in 2017 under the watchful eye and thorough networking […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Fostered friendship
Animal services providers highlight the benefits of fostering animals
Learn more Visit sbhumane.org/foster to learn more about Santa Barbara Humane’s fostering opportunities, and countyofsb.org/1416/foster for Santa Barbara County’s fostering opportunities. Dori Villalon has fostered kittens, puppies, adult dogs, and other animals recovering from medical treatment or an injury to help get them ready for adoption while working with Santa Barbara Humane. “For me I […]