This December SCAA offers animal lovers several opportunities to get together to have a great time for a good cause. Please join us at our annual Christmas party our regular Quiz Night or visit us and our animals at Adoption Day.

	SCAA Annual Christmas Gala Saturday 4 December, 7PM O'Malley's: 42 Taojiang lu Join fellow animal lovers for a festive evening of food, drinks, and over RMB200,000 in Grand Raffle prizes! All proceeds go towards SCAA's monthly RMB25,000 investment in animal care (see poster below for details)
	Adoption Day @ O'Malley's Sunday 5 December, 12 – 3PM O'Malley's: 42 Taojiang lu (near Urumqi lu) Come meet our healthy and social companion animals looking for a forever home or enquire about donation & volunteering opportunities
	SCAA Quiz Night @ Cuvée Tuesday 14 December, 7PM Cuvée Wine Bar: 528 Kangding lu (dogs welcome!) RMB50 entry includes glass of wine or bottle beer. Fabulous raffle prize up for grabs. Email paw.james@gmail.com to register or book your table of 4

Dear SCAA supporters,

It's one of SCAA's most favourite times of the year – not only has kitten season (which spanned nearly 6 months this year!) subsided, but much fun and prizes are to be had at SCAA' annual Christmas Gala on Saturday December 4th.

Speaking of the Holidays, tops on our wish list is something that won't cost a thing - other than spending on meals and entertainment as usual. We need official receipts (fa piaos). Fa piaos can be dropped at SCAA events and at our vet partner, PAW. Our News Update has other holiday gift ideas for our needy project animals.

Other SCAA activities and initiatives include:

Community Events – SCAA volunteers (two and four-legged) have been busy raising funds for SCAA animals and raising awareness of stray and companion animal needs in Shanghai. From meeting Dr Jane Goodall at a Roots & Shoots fair where we showcased our recycling skills sewing catnip pillows from fabric remnants…introducing the joys of animal companionship to disabled adults…to Xmas fairs and school visits, we've been busy!

SCAA 2011 Calendars – Another year on the horizon means another calendar of great photos and stories of healed, fostered and adopted animals. This year's calendar theme is Celebrating Friendship – the bond between people and animals and between animals. 2011 calendars (RMB 70 each or 2 for RMB100) are available at all SCAA events, at PAW and at Colabo.

Christmas Gala – Join us at O'Malley's on Saturday 4 December for food, drink, and raffles amongst friends to raise funds for animal care. Entry tickets (RMB200) and Grand Raffle tickets (RMB100 each or 15 for RMB1,000 are on sale now at PAW and via director@scaashanghai.org

With over RMB200,000 in fantastic hotel packages in China and around Asia, mainly from the Hyatt Group, Grand Raffle tickets sell out. Only 2000 tickets have been printed - so get yours today! No need to be present at the Gala to win, but we hope to see you there.

The holidays also bring with them some special dangers for pets. Dangers lurk in food (chocolate and onions), flowers (mistletoe, lilies, holly berries and poinsettias), decorations (glass ornaments, metal hooks, and tinsel), and in the glass and electricity of Christmas lights.

Last but not least, one of the greatest dangers to pets during the holidays is being left in unhealthy, unsafe or unreliable care while owners travel. After every holiday, SCAA receives emails from distraught pet owners who have returned to find that friends or Ayis have lost their beloved four-legged family member. Some pets are eventually found, but not all are so lucky. Most friendships don't survive regardless.

SCAA's advice might not be popular with travellers but is a simple philosophy – don't book your flights and hotels until you have secured safe and reliable care for your pets.

Wishing you and your pets safe and happy holidays.

Regards,

The SCAA Team

A Busy Roster of Community Events Benefit People and Pets

SCAA Canine Ambassador Ruthie Visits Shanghai Group Home
SCAA volunteers, ably assisted by adopted dog Ruthie, entertained and inspired residents of the Yang Guang Zhi Jia group home and school for disabled adults. Ruthie impressed residents with her gentle and patient temperament, eagerness to make friends, and offering all the chance to show off newfound dog training skills.

Ruthie's owner Mandy demonstrates how easy-going her dog is

Providing the residents with the rare opportunity to experience the human-animal bond, this visit was a rewarding event for everyone involved. SCAA looks forward to the chance to visit again as we know the residents are eagerly awaiting their next companion animal encounter.

Suzhou Zapata's 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off SCAA Surprise Win!

The Culinary Cats, the SCAA chili cook-off team, were as surprised as a stunned panel of judges to take 3rd place in a blind tasting contest among 11 teams of talented chili chefs. Although we had faith in our tasty creation, it seemed an impossible ambition to walk away with recognition for our vegetarian entry (vegan without the jalapeno cheese garnish) amongst the bevy of bovine-heavy entries. Did we mention the judges were Texan?!

The Culinary Cats putting their best ears forward in pursuit of best table theme

We're happy to share our award-winning veggie chilli – no animals were harmed in the making of this dish!

1 chopped red onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 diced yellow pepper
1 diced green pepper
1 large diced carrot
2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans (partially drained)
1 can black beans (partially drained)
1 small tin chopped jalapeno peppers
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 bay leaf
¼ packet chilli seasoning mix (optional)
1 tbsp Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
Salt & pepper to taste
1 package (3 patties) of veggie burgers (Southwest style if available) Jalapeño cheddar

Add olive oil to large pot and brown the finely chopped onions and garlic with chilli powder and add diced peppers, carrots, tomatoes, beans and tin of jalapenos on medium heat. Season with spices and chilli mix and add the Tabasco and Worcester sauce. Simmer, reduce heat and stir. In a separate pan, brown the veggie burger patties. Crumble and stir into chilli and let simmer before serving. Garnish with shredded jalapeño cheddar. Tip: this chilli tastes better the longer it is simmer (on very low heat to avoid burning).

SCAA's Second 10 Kuai Canine Clothing and Accessories Sale

It was a frenzy of canine-crazy shoppers at SCAA's second 10 Kuai Canine Clothing and Accessories Sale. Proof that "pennies make prizes" our fantastically priced export-quality items were snapped up to the tune of RMB 4,700 to benefit SCAA foster and project animals!

SCAA volunteer Leslies helping a customer try on some outfits

Thanks to supporters Jolanda and Sander for opening their home and the volunteers and shoppers who made the event a success.

SCAA Local Project Move

As if we weren't busy enough already, SCAA's Local Project of 150+ cats and 6 dogs were relocated to a new space as the lease on our previous location expired. With some minor renovations and a few wish-list items to go, the animals have settled in nicely. With winter will soon be upon us, SCAA welcomes donations of gently used blankets and pet beds. A special thanks to our friends at BEAN for organizing a donation drive!

As the rent for the new location increased, SCAA is looking for ways to stretch our limited budget without jeopardizing the animals' well being. Since cutting the RMB 1,500 in cash that was used to buy fish and rice to supplement the cats' diet and offer the many cats with a sensitive mouth (dental issues are a frequent problem with aging cats and those in such large populations) we are in need of canned cat food.

To donate for these needy cats, please contact donate@scaashanghai.org or drop off canned cat food at SCAA Adoption Days or at SCAA's vet partner, PAW (722 Xinhua lu, above the Kaixuan lu tunnel).

Cat Adoption Feature – a "Third Chance" for Lance

Looking for a Ginger Shadow? Then Lance is Your Guy

Lance was a scrawny ginger kitten screaming for attention in the pouring rain one cold Sunday in April. He also started to purr loudly the instant his rescuers came over to check out the little ginger guy precariously perched on the back of a bicycle. They didn't hesitate to take him home.

One of the most affectionate, energetic and outgoing SCAA kittens ever, it was no surprise that Lance found an adopter soon after being vaccinated and ready for adoption.

But Lance's happily ever after story hit a small snag when he didn't adjust to being a single cat for a busy single adopter. Growing up with fellow foster kitten friends and in active foster homes, Lance was constantly crying out for attention that his new mom wasn't home enough to give him. With unexpected allergies on top of a busy work schedule, Lance's adopter looked to a home better suited to meet Lance's needs.

So Lance is back in foster care and ready for a more active home with kids or other friendly cats to play with. We're confident Lance has settled into his new foster home with little girl Lily. They've obviously been spending some quality time together if Lily has suggested they call him "lobster-friend"! If Lance could talk to prospective adopters he'd say that he can't have enough of people – and that one person isn't enough!

Up-to-date with PAW vet care (flea and worm treatment, vaccinations and neutering) Lance is waiting for his new family to contact SCAA today. For more information on Lance, please contact foster@scaashanghai.org.

Foster Care Investment Profile: Kiko

Each month, SCAA features 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.

Kiko is a gentle and affectionate cat in foster care for over 6 months, rescued along with his sister Keya from a hard (and short) life in a downtown garden. In addition to the common cold virus that plagues many rescues, Kiko's illness resulted in a complication – an ear polyp. Ear polyps need to be surgically removed to avoid long-term ear damage and thankfully Kiko's surgery was a success.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Our deepest thanks once again to all the animal lovers and supporters in Shanghai, around China, and around the world for their generous donations. Every RMB, Dollar, Pound and Euro counts.

Picking up pet products like Rescue Remedy Pets® drops and Feliway® spray while in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia etc is a great help to the animals in Shanghai who don't normally have access to them!

• Robin Bordie & family: very generous RMB20,000
• Linda Cooper of PetEdge: donation of export-quality sample pet clothes and toys [helping SCAA raise RMB4,700 at our sale event]
• Carolyn Devanayagan: RMB2,000 in memory of cat Frieda
• Paula Taylor: US$200 PayPal donation
• Lisa Claypool: US$100 PayPal donation
• The Whippcats [SCAA Quiz night team]: RMB600
• Wang Fangqing: US$10 PayPal donation
• Francesca Mulazzi: L-Lysine supplement paste from the U.S.
• Marieke Kraajeveld: Dettol cleaner and cat food for SCAA's Local Project

Bottle feeding in October? It was difficult to tell what season we were in when there was a steady stream of abandoned newborn kittens from April through September, but we were unexpectedly busier with the addition of two adorable puppies found discarded in a box on the street in a rain storm. The pups were a day old if that when they were found, eyes and ear canals firmly closed and their umbilical cords still attached.

Jake and Rufus are now 8 weeks old and an impressive 2 kilos each! It's been hard work, with bottle feeding duties shared by 3 foster home, but the boys have been entertaining and a joy to watch grow (and grow and grow).

Jake (brown one with white-tipped paws) and Rufus are curious, active and friendly pups. They love being with people – their little tails wagging to great you. Now on solid food, already taking to some house training, and with a first vaccination, these boys are slowly on their way to being adoptable. We're sure once they're ready there will be good homes ready for them too.

For more information on Jake and Rufus contact dogprogram@scaashanghai.org

O'Malley's has been an integral part of SCAA's mission to re-home our healthy and social recued animals since the Taojiang lu establishment graciously opened their doors to our Adoption Days in 2005.

This year, SCAA is back at O'Malley's for our annual Christmas gala on Saturday 4 December and we couldn't think of a more inviting location that the newly renovated bar.

We welcome all animal lovers to join us for drinks, dinner, music, and over RMB200,000 in festive raffle prizes at a O'Malley's on the 4th.

For those of us back the next morning with our foster animals for Adoption Day on the 5th, we're sure O'Malley's will have a big pot off coffee ready and waiting!

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.

Animal Funnies - Memory Like a Lion?

After finding an injured lion near death in the wild, nursing him back to health in her home, and then placing him in the care of an animal sanctuary in Columbia, the rescuer stopped by for a visit. A surprisingly touching reunion is caught on camera.

Video: Amazing Hug

Thanks to CF Pan for sharing.

686 Adoptions to Date!!

Kittens 419
Cats 137
Puppies 48
Dogs 79
Bunnies 3

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