Shelters full of senior animals

July 13, 2008: Recently the Santa Cruz SPCA was begged by a Central Valley Animal Shelter volunteer to rescue three older dogs that the volunteer staff had fallen in love with: purebred boxer, Etta, purebred Brittney spaniel Sweet Pea, and Sasha, a beagle mix.

New general manager helps Animal Services rebound

July 11, 2008: Lucky for him, Henry Brzezinski can bring his two dogs, Cody and Danny, to work every day, and they can continue to loaf around his office much as they did in Placerville, their previous home.

Man arrested in SPCA puppy burglary

July 13, 2008: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's department arrested a man Friday on suspicion of stealing a 12-week-old puppy from a local animal shelter.

Stolen 12-week-old puppy found in Capitola

July 6, 2008: A Capitola woman found a 12-week-old puppy, stolen from a Santa Cruz animal shelter, behind Fresh Choice on Clares Street Friday night.

Burglar breaks into SPCA, takes 12-week-old puppy

July 5, 2008: A man -- possibly a disgruntled would-be customer -- broke into a Santa Cruz animal shelter early Friday morning and stole a 12-week-old puppy and several pieces of computer equipment, officials said.

Cats flounder in midst of owners economic troubles

06/07/2008: Along with their owners, cats are being hit hard by the recent economic downturn. Animal Services authorities report a large number of cats are being abandoned or surrendered by their owners due to the onslaught of home foreclosures in the area. The shelter has 78 cats, three times as many as usual.

Summit Fire: Hundreds of animals rescued from flames

May 23, 2008: Cassie Belmont decided about 10:30 a.m. on Thursday that she needed to evacuate the 30 horses at Monte Vista Christian School.

Red Cross salutes community heroes

May 22, 2008: Santa Cruz resident Leslie Maas was on her way to visit Jerry Hooper in March when she saw the Santa Cruz SPCA on fire across the street from his house.

Santa Cruz SPCA makes temporary move during fire repairs

March 28, 2008: The Santa Cruz SPCA will vacate its Seventh Avenue location, but the change is temporary and the animal rescue group will be allowed to return after the fire-damaged building is repaired, county officials said Thursday.

SPCA's future on Seventh Avenue uncertain after fire

March 26, 2008: Following a recent fire, homeless pets might not be able to stay at the Santa Cruz SPCA's headquarters Live Oak anymore, though it's unclear if the change is permanent.

Santa Cruz Animal Shelter overflows with economic slowdown

March 22, 2008: Local animal shelters and rescue organizations are urging pet lovers to adopt and help stem the overflow of abandoned animals.

Fire forces temporary closure of Santa Cruz SPCA

March 22, 2008: The Santa Cruz SPCA is looking for a foster home after a fire damaged the rescue group's building Thursday night and displaced almost two dozen pets.

Evening fire erupts at Santa Cruz SPCA

March 21, 2008: A small fire broke out inside the Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals late Thursday, filling the structure with smoke and triggering the sprinkler system.

Santa Cruz SPCA rescues two canines from Nevada feral dog ranch

February 24, 2008: By Saturday, Honora was walking loops around the gravel side yard at the Santa Cruz SPCA.  It was a big step -- her tail wasn't tucked between her legs and she seemed intrigued, albeit still nervous, when other dogs in the yard pestered humans for attention.

Capitola Police forcing cleanup of land where man fell into fire pit

February 17, 2008: An abused and neglected dog was found in the backyard. The Rottweiler mix named Bear had a tumor and open sores on his ears due to "fly strikes," said Chad Keane, the city's animal control services officer. "And he was staked to the ground and was dragging feces around. It was one of the worst cases I've ever seen."

Farm Sanctuary Provides Haven

February 15, 2008: Orland’s Farm Sanctuary took in another ”rescued’’ calf and its mother Monday after they were taken from a Santa Cruz County ranch last week.

Dying calf rescued from field, reunited with mom

February 10, 2008: When animal control officer Todd Stosuy found him laying deep in mud on the edge of a field, the 3-day-old calf had shallow breath and didn't respond to petting.

Cupid Calf to Spend Valentine's, Every Day at California Shelter

January 24, 2008: Move over winged cherubs and blushing sweethearts, there's a new heartbreaker in town! Newly-arrived in time for Valentine's Day, Cupid the calf has everyone at our California Shelter swooning- especially staff and volunteers.

Calf 'Cupid' rescued in Merced orchard, finds home in Santa Cruz

January 21, 2008: It's quite the incongruous scene.  There’s been a little bit of "mooooing" these past few days alongside barking dogs and meowing cats at the Santa Cruz County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Endangered tortoise found prowling Eastside neighborhood

October 8, 2007: Tummy, a 5-year-old Chihuahua terrier, pressed his nose against the paw-print-smudged glass door of the Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, barking at the unusual stray that arrived Sunday.

Stray Eastside tortoise reunited with family

October 9, 2007: Just when you think you know your endangered African spurred tortoise.  The Kirksey family of Santa Cruz, which was reunited Monday with its beloved pet, Panga, always assumed the 10-year-old sulcata was content crawling around the waterfall, koi pond and tree house that make up their fantasy-land backyard.

County shelter coping with deluge of kitties

September 16, 2007: The roar of meows must have been close to deafening in late August when two separate men came into county Animal Services around 5:30 p.m. on the same day and dropped off a total of nearly 50 cats.