About Us
California Canine Cuties Animal Transfer Program
Update July 8, 2010 - All of the adorable dogs that arrived from California on June 25th have been spoken for!
We thank everyone who supported our life saving mission once again! Watch our website for future transfers into our shelter from California and other companion animal organizations across Alberta and Canada.
Rescue mission on June 25 celebrates expansion of popular animal transfer program
Edmonton Humane Society adds new partner to life saving “California Canine Cuties”
Edmonton, Friday, June 25, 2010 - With continuous support from a generous Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) donor, the popular California Canine Cuties Animal Transfer Program has expanded. The EHS added another partner to the life saving initiative with the transfer of a new group of small breed dogs to Edmonton on Friday, June 25, 2010.
Major EHS donor and “Orange Dog” company owner, Jan Folk once again made it possible for small-breed dogs to be transferred to Edmonton from central California. On June 25, The Orange Dog sponsored the latest “Freedom Flight” by arranging for a private Gulfstream III jet to bring the 60 dogs direct from Los Angeles to the Edmonton International Airport. Half of the dogs were once again transferred from the Central California SPCA (CCSPCA) and the other half came from a new member of this highly successful program, the SEAACA animal control facility in Downey, California.
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(Above, the arrival at the Edmonton International Airport on June 25. (upper-left) Jan Folk with one of the dogs; (upper right) Jan Folk with EHS Executive Director, Stephanie McDonald; (lower left) Getting a hug at the airport before being transferred to the EHS shelter; (lower right) playtime at the EHS shelter when the dogs settle in)
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE ARRIVAL (CLICK HERE)
The CCSPCA, and SEAACA deal with thousands of unwanted small-breed dogs each year due to a severe overpopulation problem in that area. Although staff members at both organizations do everything possible to prevent euthanasia to make room for others, long term residents like Dottie, a Brussel Griffon cross (shown below) face that ending in order to make room for newly admitted animals. Dottie was rescued from a home where there were major overcrowding and sanitation issues but now has a new chance of a happy life in Alberta.
When approached by Jan Folk to join the program, the California organization jumped at the chance. “These transports truly save lives and we are so grateful to the kind souls like Jan Folk who have the means and heart to help,“ says Aaron Reyes, SEAACA Director of Operations. “We are always try to do whatever we can to get homes for the large number of dogs in our care.”
“We are thrilled that the program has expanded and that we are able to give yet another group of adorable small-breed dogs from another fantastic California shelter a second chance here in Alberta. Also, this time there will even be more variety of dogs instead of mostly Chihuahuas,” says EHS spokesperson, Shawna Randolph.
The EHS first launched the initiative in October of 2008 to encourage people to turn to the Society first when looking to bring one of the extremely popular small-breed dogs into their family. The Society finds that more people are willing to wait for the California dogs because they know that many of those sold in newspaper or on-line ads, or in pet stores may come from puppy mills or brokers where they often live in horrible conditions; and are often bred without considering the dogs’ welfare.
Including this new group, about 340 dogs have been brought to Edmonton from California and placed in loving Alberta “forever homes.” The program also has fringe benefits for the Alberta native animals already in the Society’s care. The EHS notices that many people visit the shelter interested in a California dog, but fall in love with another dog, or even a cat which they bring into their home instead.
This latest group will be available starting this Sunday, June 27. They will be made available in groups of 10 to 15 or so a day, over the next week. This is to ensure that people have ample opportunity to adopt one. Unfortunately, no holds will be permitted.
The public is advised to keep checking this website in the adoptable animals section for when the dogs will be available. Their profiles will indicate that they are from California.
NOTE: Due to the anticipated high demand for these dogs, unfortunately they cannot be reserved prior to being put up for adoption.
Media Coverage:
Operation California Canine Cuties The "Love is in the Air" Flight
Tiny hearts hoping to meet their Alberta “love match”, here in time for
Valentine’s Day
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(Above top left - Jan Folk of The Orange Dog coming off the plane in Edmonton on February 12; top right - two of the cuties warm up in the EHS vehicle before going to the Edmonton shelter; bottom left - unloading the plane; bottom right - one of the cuties coming out of her kennel in the EHS shelter - notice the "heart shaped" mark on her head!)
VIDEO OF ARRIVAL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI5FGsSr8Q0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHhsQNpLFZo
Edmonton, February 12, 2010 – More Edmonton-area homes will soon be warmed with the love of homeless small-breed dogs in the Edmonton Humane Society’s extremely popular life-saving animal transfer program, “California Canine Cuties.”
Generous EHS donor and “Orange Dog” company owner, Jan Folk is once again making it possible for small-breed dogs to be transferred to Edmonton from the Central California SPCA. On Friday, February 12, a private Gulfstream III jet is bringing the 112 dogs direct from Fresno on the “Love is in the Air” flight (largest group of dogs yet in this life saving operation). During similar trips in the past, volunteers and the dogs endured an eight hour drive from Fresno to Los Angeles before the adorable animals were loaded onto the plane for a three hour flight to Edmonton.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlisGLAyL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOPnO0fVU8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBYuvLLzzYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty4sOTPbJUc&
Since the flight is direct from Fresno this time, Folk will be able to personally thank the dedicated volunteers in that area for their unbelievable hard work to arrange each dog to be spayed or neutered, receive all necessary vaccinations, and have medical exams and testing before their trip.
The heart of this program’s success has been largely because of the dedication from loving volunteers on either side of the border. It is estimated that 18,000 volunteer hours have been committed to saving these small creatures with this group alone. It’s unbelievable how much love goes into this.
It has also created new friendships across the miles. The EHS recently set up a Facebook page to link former foster parents with new Alberta owners and the popularity of that page grows daily.
Staff at the Central California SPCA and other animal shelters in the area continuously deal with large volumes of admitted and stray animals each day, and feel that they would have no other choice but to eventually euthanize the dogs if they were not transferred. There are so many homeless animals there that the CCSPCA actually features about 150 dogs on their website available for adoption at one time!
The EHS first launched the initiative in October of 2008 to encourage people to turn to the Society first when looking to bring one of the extremely popular small-breed dogs into their family. The Society finds that more people are willing to wait for the California dogs because they know that many of those sold in newspaper or on-line ads, or in pet stores may come from puppy mills or brokers where they often live in horrible conditions; and are often bred without considering the dogs’ welfare.
Including this new group, 278 dogs have been brought to Edmonton from California and placed in loving Alberta “forever homes.” Folk has committed to arranging a few flights per year to ensure that this operation continues regularly.
The program also has fringe benefits for the Alberta native animals already in the Society’s care. The EHS notices that many people visit the shelter interested in a California dog, but fall in love with another dog, or even a cat which they bring into their home instead.
This latest group will be available starting this Sunday, Valentine’s Day. They will be made available in groups of 15 or so a day, over the next week. This is to ensure that people have ample opportunity to adopt one. The public is advised to keep checking the adoptable animals section of our website for when the dogs become available. Due to the high demand for these dogs, we are not able to put any on hold. Anyone interested must come to the shelter in person and go through the regular adoption process. (click here for shelter hours)
Watch the media coverage:
Fresno Bee, in Fresno, California - great video!
KMPH Fox TV Fresno, California
Here is a wonderful letter that we have received from a former foster parent of one of the dogs in Fresno:
Jan and all glorious Canadians,
In all the sadness and cruelty that goes on in the world, I was brought to tears because of your generosity. You could do anything else: shop, travel, even choose other well deserving charities- but you chose us.
The Central Valley has two extremes of people: those who believe a dog is only property, and those who believe a dog is family. Thank you for thinking about the Central Valley and our thousands of well deserving animals.
They didn't choose to be born or bred. But they do want to be loved. Now they have that opportunity because of you and other loving Canadians. It's people like you who inspire me to do more for others, especially for those for-legged friends who don't have enough humans to stand up for them and to say, "These dogs matter."
With my air miles, I have a free round trip ticket to anywhere in the US or Canada and would love to travel to Edmonton and help you unload on a future trip. Plus, I think I would love Canada if it's filled with people like you!
Sincerely,
Robyn CardwellHere are just SOME of the California Canine Cuties part of THIS transfer:
|  Snickers |  Jasper |
 Molly |  Huey |  Buddy |
|  Panda Bear |  Marco |
 Blaze |  Neil |  Bree |
We have developed the Edmonton Humane Society's "California Canine Cuties Paws Connection" Facebook Page for new adoptive owners to connect with the adorable dogs' former foster families in California.
Chihuahua mix abandoned in dumpster part of life-saving EHS initiative
Danny and more than 80 other small-breed dogs have been flown to Edmonton as part of
Operation California Canine Cuties Phase 3
October, 8, 2009 - The California Canine Cuties have arrived in Edmonton today! 85 adorable small-breed dogs have been transferred from Central California SPCA to the Edmonton Humane Society. Check out the pictures and video of their journey from California to Edmonton:
California Canine Cuties are transported to the airport . . . .
. . . . waiting to be loaded onto the airplane
A heartfelt goodbye from a California SPCA Foster Parent (Above)
And the California Canine Cuties are ready for take-off!
(Photos Courtesy of Laurette Bourassa from Jordan Films)
More fantastic pictures of the journey and of the dogs settling in from our
volunteer professional photographer, Byron Wong of Simply Light Photography - Click here
Check out this news story from KMPH Fox 26 News in Fresno, California - click here
The Edmonton Humane Society has launched the third phase of a successful and very popular initiative to save dogs’ lives and to put a dent in the puppy mill and puppy broker industry. “Operation California Canine Cuties – Phase 3” kicked off on Thursday, October 8, 2009 with the transfer of 85 adorable small-breed dogs from the Central California SPCA to Edmonton.
As with the second phase “Freedom Flight”, generous EHS donor, Jan Folk of “The Orange Dog” once again arranged for a jet to fly the dogs to Edmonton on October 8. These dogs have recently been living in foster care in Fresno because there is no space for them in the local animal shelter. Staff at the Central California SPCA continuously deal with large volumes of admitted and stray animals each day and feel that they would have no other choice but to eventually euthanize the dogs if they were not transferred.
Some of the dogs coming to Edmonton have terribly sad starts to their lives, like Danny, the Chihuahua mix. The 7 month old was found starving in a dumpster, shaking and terrified. He was dumped there, unwanted and left to die. He was brought to the CCSPCA, treated for Parvo and survived the deadly disease, but unfortunately his time was up after being overlooked on the adoption floor. Thanks to this initiative, he has another chance at life, here in Alberta.
Danny is one of more than 80 more California dogs coming up to
Edmonton on October 8th - Danny was found starving in a dumpster in Fresno, shaking and terrified. He was dumpted there, unwanted and left to die!
The EHS first launched the initiative a year ago in order to have a constant supply of the extremely popular small-breed dogs to encourage people to turn to the Society first when looking to bring one into their family. The Society finds that more people are willing to wait for the California dogs because they know that many of those sold in newspaper or on-line ads, or in pet stores may come from puppy mills or brokers where they often live in horrible conditions; and are often bred without considering the dogs’ welfare.
So far during the first two phases of the transfer program more than 80 dogs have been brought to Edmonton from California and placed in loving Alberta “forever homes.” With this next phase, the EHS will have helped a total of about 160. It’s a large number, but doesn’t pale in comparison to the thousands of animals facing euthanasia in central California animal shelters. Especially during this season of thanks, the EHS is so appreciative of the hundreds of hours that volunteers down in California have spent gathering up the dogs, having them vaccinated and spayed or neutered, and then driving the dogs 8 hours from Fresno to Los Angeles for the flight. It’s an amazing operation to get the dogs to us.
The first two phases have also helped many “Alberta native” animals find homes. Many people have visited the EHS shelter interested in a California dog, but instead went home with another dog, or a cat. The Society predicts the same will happen when the California dogs go up for adoption once again this time.
This latest group will be available much earlier than during the first two phases because they are already spayed or neutered. The EHS will make them available in groups of 15 or so a day over the next week, starting during the Thanksgiving long weekend on Saturday, October 10. This is to ensure that people have ample opportunity to adopt one. The public is advised to keep checking the adoptable animal section for their profiles. It is updated four times a day.
The adoption fee for each of these dogs will be $50 more than others to cover the cost of the vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and caring for the dogs before going up for adoption.
NOTE: Due to the anticipated high demand for these dogs, unfortunately they cannot be reserved prior to being put up for adoption.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM FRESNO, CALIFORNIA OF CCSPCA STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS GOING THROUGH THE "HEALTH CERTIFICATION" PROCESS OF SOME OF THE CUTIES THAT ARE PART OF THIS PHASE (CLICK HERE)
Here are pictures from the massive process down in California by countless volunteers and CCSPCA staff members during the "health certification" process:
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Just SOME of the profiles of our California Canine Cuties (phase III) October 2009:
Athena (profile written by a foster parent in California:) Athena was turned in by someone who didn't want her anymore. She is a Chihuahua mix. Athena is not shy with strangers and loves to sit in their laps. She is a very calm dog. She loves to be carried around too. Athena knows how to walk on a leash but walks slowly. She has a tendency to run out the front door through our legs so whoever adopts her needs to be very careful that she is not near the door when they go outside. She is Ok around other dogs but rather be by herself. She doesn't like big dogs who pant. Currently, Athena lives with 2 other small dogs who don't bother her. She is very well behaved in the house and doesn't scratch or chew on anything. Athena sleeps through the night on the bed and is very calm and hardly ever barks. She has been introduced to cats and tries to avoid them too. I hope she can find her 'forever home' in Edmonton. |
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Smiley (profile written by a foster parent in California:) Meet our Little Mr. Smiley!! What a fantastic little pup!! He is so affectionate & has been fostered by a loving family in Fresno, CA for the last four months...so he knows what family life is like!! Smiley is so affectionate loves to "play ball." This little guy gets along great with his "big dog" playmates & even gets along with the family kitties!! This little guy is a true winner!!! |
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Read more about past phases of this program:
This major new initiative is intended to save dogs’ lives and to put a dent in the puppy mill and puppy broker industry. “Operation California Canine Cuties – TINY hearts needing a BIG life-saving Alberta welcome” is an extension of our animal transfer program. This new phase was launched as a "pilot project" on Friday, October 31, 2008 with the development of a new donation fund to cover the estimated $10,000 needed for these transfer programs. (see below how to contribute to this great cause)
During the first week of November, between twenty and thirty small-breed dogs such as Chihuahuas, Yorkies and various small cross-breeds started traveling from Fresno, California up to Edmonton. An EHS volunteer has been flying with the dogs up to Edmonton during a few trips over the course of the week. These dogs have most recently been in foster care in Fresno. The Central California SPCA continuously deals with large volumes of admitted and stray animals each day and feels they would have no choice but to euthanize the dogs if they were not transferred.
This life-saving mission benefits not only those dogs that would otherwise be euthanized in California, but the large number of Alberta families that are searching for hard to find, and very popular small-breed dogs.
The EHS encourages the public to turn to them first when someone is looking to adopt any animal. Few people realize that many dogs sold in newspaper or on-line ads, or in pet stores may come from puppy mills or brokers where they often live in horrible conditions; and are often bred without considering the dogs’ welfare. It is the responsibility of the Edmonton Humane Society to do this pilot project and educate the public, so that something is done to address the serious problem of puppy mills.
Note: No current Edmonton Humane Society operations funding is going toward this mission. It is being supported only by public donations through the new fund.
Special thanks to EZ-Rock 104.9 FM Radio for being our media partner in this. EZ-Rock ran an on-air informal "donate-a-thon" to assist with fundraising in early November, 2008.
This initiative is a branch of the EHS Animal Transfer Programs. The programs are aimed at finding homes for pets from other animal organizations; or animals admitted from the City of Edmonton Animal Services Department (City Pound) or outlying bylaw facilities
If successful, this transfer program will be expanded to California trips every few months, and may even include other animal organizations in other areas without room for their small-breed dogs.