Dear SCAA supporters,

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! As SCAA turns 5 years old this month, we can hardly believe it's been half a decade of helping companion animals and animal lovers in Shanghai - learning from our mistakes and celebrating our successes. We look forward to your support in helping needy companion animals for many more years to come.

Some initiatives we're pursuing now to get us off on the right foot (or paw) include:

Quiz night at Cuvée – with the latest in a string of fun and challenging SCAA quiz events in March raising RMB 4,000 for SCAA animals, we look forward to more healthy competition on Tuesday 13 April.

PayPal account – we're pleased to announce that SCAA finally has our PayPal account up and running again. Many thanks to our global support base for requesting (and using!) such a convenient way to help companion animals in Shanghai.

Discounted 2010 SCAA calendar – now 50% off: RMB 40 each or an even better bargain: 3 for RMB 100. Available at: Colabo; Mian Jiu Fang Japanese Restaurant; Pantry Magic; PAW; The Living Room Cafe; online at MTO123.com; and at all SCAA events. All proceeds benefit SCAA animals.

Adult Cat Adoption Day – April 25 isn't just one day set aside for our amazing adult cats, it's the foundation for a hopefully successful campaign to highlight the benefits of giving these often overlooked animals a chance.

One season that SCAA doesn't celebrate is "kitten season" and it has definitely arrived. We recently took in a pair of week-old foster babies (thankfully nursing from rescued mother) but sadly couldn't help other abandoned newborns too small and fragile to survive.

In addition to some short-term pleas for bottle-feeding foster parents, watch for details on a de-sexy spring event - raising spay/neuter funds to help control the pet population.

Regards,

The SCAA Team

SCAA Project update

SCAA Project cats rush to some available laps courtesy of BEAN volunteers

Speaking of milestones... SCAA volunteers, donors, sponsors, and directors (too many to mention here), should pause to pride themselves on 4 years of supporting a local hoarder who has followed our strict Project guideless. The SCAA Project, with 175+ cats and 7 dogs, requires over RMB 12,000 a month in donations to cover expenses including rent, food and litter, as well as yearly vaccinations and ongoing PAW care for sick animals.

It's now time to spring into cleaning mode (pardon the pun) throughout April and May. We have the brooms, brushes and even a wet/dry vacuum and high pressure cleaner thanks to some generous donors. We just need some 'people power'!

Donations of antiseptic cleaner (e.g. Walch or Dettol) are also most welcome and can be dropped off at PAW or at Adoption Days. To donate funds or other items for the Project, please contact donate@scaashanghai.org.

Sunday Project visits are usually organized twice a month and SCAA can accommodate 4 - 5 volunteers. Larger groups (10 people max.) are kindly requested to organise their own transportation. For information on Project visits, please contact foster@scaashanghai.org. School groups please contact education@scaashanghai.org.

Generous sponsor fonduemental to our success!

Quizzers enjoy being challenged by the Quizmaster (a.k.a. "Dr James") for a good cause

The latest in a string of popular SCAA Quiz Nights at Cuvée Wine Bar raised RMB 4,000 for SCAA animals. We can't think of a better way to contribute to needy companion animals than by getting together with some friends and rising to the Quizmaster's challenge, while indulging in fondue, croque-monsieur, and a bottle (or two) of nice wine from such a supportive venue. We're also grateful for the fabulous sponsored raffle prizes from hotel stays (Island Shangri-la Hong Kong; Crowne Plaza Chengdu) to professional cookware (Pantry Magic) and Tibetan antiques (LuShan Framing & Interiors).

Congratulations to the winning teams who took home bottles of wine and slabs beer courtesy of Cuvée and Just Beer. Who would have guessed knowing that a snail is a hermaphrodite and being able to list the entire series of Harry Potter titles could come in so handy!

As for the rest of us... better luck next time: 13 April. To register or book your team of 4, please contact paw.james@gmail.com. Thanks for your support and look forward to seeing you again.

Foster care investment profile: Snowflake

Each month, SCAA will feature the investment needed to get just one of our many foster animals healthy and adoptable. As financial times get tough for everyone, we hope this feature not only accounts for where donations are going, but underscores the critical need for the donations we request on foster care intake and adoption.

Snowflake is an outgoing and affectionate cat. Since her rescue as an abandoned, pregnant cat, she just can't get enough attention from her foster parents. Being held in your arms, snuggling on the bed (at or on your feet!), and chasing the laser pen halfway up the wall are just a few of her favorite things.

SCAA Adorable Adult Cat – Mei Mei

Cat Stats
Name: Mei Mei
Age: About two years
Temperament: A curious girl who usually comes when she is called and always talks back when you speak to her. Mei Mei is gentle, loving and gets along well with other cats (as long as she's in charge!).
Funny habit: Swinging her tail around and resting it on her back!

From street life to lap of luxury...

Found with her three-legged brother San Jiao as abandoned older kittens, Mei Mei has blossomed into a wonderful girl. Her ginger coat and bright eyes make her a joy to look at but her real beauty lies inside. Mei Mei is particularly friendly and pounces into an available lap whenever she can find one.

Mei Mei – making friends with cows and cats alike!

...this "little sister" offers big adoption benefits

When not enjoying her human companions, this pretty little lady spends her time exploring boxes, peeking around corners, and chasing the laser pen like a possessed kitten. Mei Mei is very patient with kittens and is happy to teach them all about how to give a good head rub and when to run into the kitchen for a treat.

Mei Mei on her fashionable 'Year of the Tiger' pillow

Fluffy pillows are a favorite sleeping location during the day but when her foster parents are tucked in for the night, Mei Mei happily joins them at the foot of the bed.

As with most cats, Adoption Day is a bit stressful and prospective adopters don't get to see the real Mei Mei. Once home and settled, her personality will shine through and her adoptive family will be so glad they gave her a chance!

Treated for fleas, mites, worms, vaccinated and spayed, Mei Mei is ready for you...

For more information on Mei Mei, please contact foster@scaashanghai.org

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

• SCIS Pudong 3rd grade class: over RMB 8,500 (in SCAA calendar sales)
• Adrienne and Tom Urbanec: HK$8,000
• Nigel Holder and Ros Holder: RMB 3,500
• Winnie Lee: RMB 3000 (again!)
• Chris Lomason: RMB 2,320
• BEAN Shanghai: RMB 2,000
• Julia & Carolyn and Grade 7 SAS students: RMB 1,300
• Elizabeth Wilson of Pantry Magic: RMB 1,000
• Jaime and Sam: RMB 300
• Regina Brauckshulze: RMB 200
• Larisssa Spaet: US$25 via PayPal
• Angeline and Harco: RMB 200
• Sabrina Tan: cabinets for SCAA's project
• Nilfisk-Advance: high-pressure cleaner for SCAA's project
  (special thanks to Janus Grimnitz and Marieke Kraaijevled for their coordination with Nilfisk)

Legal Beagles (and other safe Shanghai Dogs)

Licensing may sound like a technicality, but it is deadly serious for your dog! March marks the date every owner must renew their YEARLY dog license with their local police station. An unlicensed dog is at risk of seizure and destruction irrespective of size or temperament. There is no 'dog pound' in Shanghai and no second chance; to keep your dog legal is to keep him safe.

As a first step, ask your compound management office if they assist with licensing. If they do not, gather these documents and go to the police station with photocopies A.S.A.P.:

Passport
Residence permit
Work permit
Lease
1-inch color photo of you AND 3-inch FULL BODY PROFILE color photo of your dog
Proof of building management's consent
Proof of neighbor's consent (ask your compound or police station if this is needed)

If you live within the ring road in Puxi the fee is RMB2000
If you live in Pudong and in suburban areas the fee is RMB1000

Please don't overlook this "detail"; it means everything to your dog.

Instead of just wishing there was something that she could do to help, Elizabeth Wilson figured out how to make it happen. The owner of Pantry Magic Shanghai and Singapore took a look around her fabulous shop on Taojiang Road and made an inventory of items and activities that could better the lives of animals. This up-market emporium is filled with inventive gadgets, state-of-the art cookware, kitchen necessities and SCAA calendars, too!

Additionally, Elizabeth has donated a much needed wet/dry vacuum for SCAA's local projects, accounting software, event raffle prizes, and advertising sponsorships on SCAA's website and in the calendar. So often people wonder what they and their business can contribute to support needy companion animals but this amazing entrepreneur instead asks herself, 'what else can I do?'....

Putonghua Pet Tips

Cat got your tongue when it comes to explaining your pet care needs in Chinese to ayi or communicating with well-meaning neighbors or other animal lovers?

SCAA Putonghua Pet Care Tips are here to help. Thanks to foster mom, adopter, and generous donor Winnie Lee for her vital input!

Animal Funnies

Bambi and the Beagle

Look what wandered through the doggie door of an unsuspecting dog owner's home in Maryland recently! This dog puts the "companion" in "companion animals" and shows we can all get along.

Thanks to Angeline Lok for sharing.

653 Adoptions to Date!!

Kittens 400
Cats 124
Puppies 48
Dogs 78
Bunnies 3

Help Support SCAA Today!

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