Helen Woodward Animal Center

HWAC's Pet of the Week: Denver! Every great athlete can be defined by their unwavering love of the game and no one at Helen Woodward Animal Center, embodies that passion quite like Denver! Denver is an incredibly playful 9-month-old Labrador Retriever-Collie blend who has both the talent and drive to become a generational talent in the game of ball. Denver’s enthusiasm for play knows no bounds, and he adores spending time with his human "coaches," cherishing every moment they share. While he thrives on connection, Denver is also eager to learn how to become an independent and confident teammate. To ensure a perfect match, we require any resident dogs to meet Denver before joining his future forever team. This superstar will need a home equipped with a secure, fenced yard where he can practice his moves and enjoy all the running and playing his heart desires. Denver would love a coach who understands his breed and can help him channel his enthusiasm into greatness. Full of love and energy, Denver is ready to join a family that will help him grow into the MVP he’s destined to be. Are you ready to draft this all-star into your home and create a legacy together? ???? Stop by the Center today from 12 to 6 pm to meet him!

Is your HWAC Alumni a Star??? Enter our Alumni Yearbook for a chance to see your pet on LIVE TV! Here are some of the pets that entered last year for inspiration ?? Enter your pet at https://lnkd.in/gWGASf8U! ?? You have until December 1st at 5 PM PST to sign up. Don't forget to join us for the HOPE Telethon on Sunday, December 8th LIVE on KUSI News as we share Center updates and heartwarming stories and you have the chance to win prizes and support our pets and programs! Please note: These pets are NOT available for adoption, they are supporters of the Center!

The best part of Thanksgiving is spending time with those we love, sharing what we are thankful for, and showing our gratitude. We are thankful to have you as a supporter and are grateful to be able to provide care for pets like River. #GivingTuesday Last week, we told you a little bit about River, a nearly one-year-old tuxedo kitten who was found in a Southern California River. A kind man found and rescued River and she made her way to Helen Woodward Animal Center from one of our partner organizations. The first thing the Center’s team did when River arrived was give her a thorough medical examination. It was during this exam that Dr. Alexis Siler, the Center’s veterinarian, suspected something may be amiss. “Her heart rate was coming in a little high for a kitten her age,” Siler said. “We didn’t know if it was from the excitement of her being in a new environment or if it might be something more concerning.” Siler diagnosed River with a grade three heart murmur and ordered an echocardiogram for the brave survivor. An echocardiogram is a procedure that uses sound waves to look at a cat’s heart. It’s a procedure the Center can only afford thanks to the generosity of people like you. The diagnostic showed River’s heart condition would be manageable with maintenance and care. The adoption team placed her in foster care and prescribed regular checkups to make sure she could live a happy and healthy life. After a month, they determined River’s heart murmurs wouldn’t affect her quality of life and made her available for adoption. Four days after debuting on the adoption floor, River found her forever family where she’s living happily ever after. Because of donations from caring people like you, we are able to provide the medical care animals like River need before making them available for adoption. We still have dozens of orphan pets who need your help. We are thankful for people like you and we wish to share our gratitude during the season. Right now, thanks to True North Charity Fund, your donation will be DOUBLED up to $100,000, giving twice the help to orphan pets in need like River. Will you give them hope today? Donate now at https://lnkd.in/gQ5kZMWi

A Candy Cane that saves lives! ??? Raising Cane's Plush Puppies are here! Starting today until January 5th, you can stop by any of the 8 San Diego Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers locations and get your very own limited edition, Candy Cane Plush Puppy for $9.99. 100% of the proceeds from all locations will benefit the pets and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center like Kevin! These super cute plush toys are perfect gifts for the Caniacs in your life or dog lovers who would love to receive a gift that gives back to save more pets! The next time you visit your local Raising Cane's make sure you take home a Candy Cane Plush Puppy!! You can find them at any of the San Diego locations: Vista | San Marcos | Escondido | Mira Mesa | Santee | Rancho San Diego | Chula Vista | Imperial Beach! ?????

A tale of two sisters - Annika & Luna find their happy endings ??? At the start of 2024, Annika (8-year-old Borzoi) and Luna (12-year-old Doberman) found themselves at Helen Woodward Animal Center after losing their beloved owner. Thanks to our Pet Bequest Program, these senior sisters had a safe haven where they could begin their journey toward healing. Though scared and uncertain at first, Annika and Luna quickly became favorites among staff and volunteers, enjoying daily walks, cuddles, and VIP treatment. But what they truly wanted was a place to call home and in late summer, their dreams came true! ?? Annika (now Anna) was adopted by a devoted man, Robert, on August 16th. Anna has blossomed into a joyful companion. She loves car rides, prances on walks, and charms everyone with her long snout and quirky habits. When it’s bedtime, she covers her face with her paws, and when she wants belly rubs, she rolls over with irresistible flair! ?? Luna’s new dad, Jeff, specializes in giving senior dogs the love and comfort they deserve in their golden years. Now living in Oregon, Luna has an older dog brother and a big family to dote on her. Jeff drove her to her cozy new home, where she is surrounded by love, trees, and plenty of snuggles. These two seniors remind us why we do what we do. Every animal deserves a happy ending, no matter their age. ???? Learn more about our Pet Bequest Program and how you can support animals like Annika and Luna at https://lnkd.in/gcbAcssf #AdoptDontShop #SeniorDogsRock #ForeverHome

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A huge thank you to Weatherly Asset Management for volunteering at The Center this week. Angela Kelly McCaddin and team supported our Orphaned Objects Resale Shop for the afternoon and wrapped up their day with some well-deserved puppy cuddles! ???? We truly value our volunteer groups and appreciate all the time and effort they dedicate to helping the Center. If you're interested in getting involved, visit https://lnkd.in/g_5Sifpa

A huge thank you to Fit City Adventures for volunteering at The Center this week. Angela Minardi and her team supported our Education and Development departments for the afternoon and wrapped up their day with some well-deserved puppy cuddles! ???? We truly value our volunteer groups and appreciate all the time and effort they dedicate to helping the Center. If you're interested in getting involved, visit https://lnkd.in/g_5Sifpa

The 2025 Calendars are here!?? We are excited to show off all the amazing pets that participated in this year’s Pet Photo Contest. Each pet entry helped the Center fulfill its life-saving mission and each calendar purchase will continue the support in the coming year. Need to start your holiday shopping? These calendars will make a wonderful holiday gift for the animal lovers in your life, and all proceeds support all pets and programs at the Center. Plus, they are adorable to look at and will brighten your day. Why not order a second one for you too? Order yours today at https://lnkd.in/ergUceTW

Yoki, a 9-year-old Australian Shepherd, arrived at the Center on September 16 with dermatitis, a skin condition caused by stress or food allergies. It left her itchy, uncomfortable, and prone to infections. Treating dermatitis takes time and care, and Yoki’s foster family provided both with so much love. Thanks to their dedication and her regular medicine, her skin has healed, and she found lasting relief. Through it all, Yoki kept her sweet smile, charming everyone she met. Now, she’s thriving in her forever home, and we couldn’t be happier for her. Yoki’s story is proof that every pet deserves a second chance at health and happiness! You can continue to help pets like Yoki by helping us at animalcenter.org/donate ??