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Crofton, from southtown stray dog to 2016 dog Fiesta medal model

Crofton: Neglected Dog, Dumped in King William, to Pampered Pet [video]

Crofton’s story starts on August 31, 2015, the day he was found, in terrible condition, at Constance-Crofton Park in King William. The miniature poodle mix was cowering behind a trash can, filthy, covered in heavy mats embedded with burrs, fleas and ticks, dejected and alone. A wonderful King William family (who are serial dog-rescuers) on a walk saw him and knew he needed help. He had no collar and no microchip. After food, water, four baths, and a three hours of grooming from the two girls in the family and neighbors, he started to look and feel much better. A week later, with help from The Cannoli Fund’s programs, Crofton was neutered, fully vaccinated, and vetted. He was pronounced healthy and about a year and a half old. Under all the dirt and matted fur was a dog who a few days later revealed he was a young, and very energetic, pup! His natural personality is best described as “exuberant.” Crofton now enjoys a life inside with two large rescue dogs who tolerate his antics, daily walks, lots of playtime, and a stay-at-home mom. And to top it off, he was selected for a star turn as this year’s Cannoli Fund Fiesta medal model! If you haven’t picked up his medal yet, visit our Fiesta Medal Shop! All proceeds go to fund our programs for King William and Lavaca cats and dogs in need.

2016 fiesta dog medal — *Crofton, just after his rescue (left), his Fiesta medal, and Crofton today!*

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Our 2016 Fiesta Medal Cat Model: Screwy, Lavaca Community Cat

The star of our 2016 Fiesta cat medal, the affectionately-named Screwy, is a resident of an established colony of community cats in Lavaca. Screwy was given his name because of his corkscrew tail and a head that’s always in a tilt! Screwy is the most outgoing member of the group, and is very demanding when it’s time to eat. Note the top of his left ear has been “tipped,” to indicate he has been fixed and vaccinated.

We approached these cats’ caretaker when we noticed a large number of cats along one Lavaca sidewalk. The Cannoli Fund worked with the colony’s caretaker to TNR — trap, neuter/spay, (and vaccinate) Screwy and his fellow ferals. The cats took our Community Cat Carpool to the spay/neuter clinic. We provide this service since many people don’t have the time off work or access to transportation to deliver and pick up their cat from a clinic. Since spaying and neutering this colony, its population has remained stable, with no new kittens. We now also provide their caretaker with supplemental cat food via our La Cocina de Cannoli, or Cannoli’s Kitchen, program.

Order Screwy’s 2016 Fiesta medal online at The Cannoli Fund’s fiesta medal shop or at eBay for immediate shipment! Locally: Medals are for sale at the King William Association office, at Pig Liquors on S. St. Mary’s, Villa Finale Museum and Gardens on King William Street, Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa’s downtown location, and at Clothesline Cleaners on S. St. Mary’s. Both our cat and dog fiesta medals will also be for sale at the Urban Pet Fiesta on April 9, 10 am – 1 pm; Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo, Thursday, April 14, 5 pm until dark; and at the Ilse’s Attic booth at the King William Fair on April 23, 8 am – 6 pm. You can also buy our 2016 Fiesta dog medal at each of these locations and events.

Medals are $8 each and all proceeds from medal sales benefit The Cannoli Fund’s many programs for cats and dogs living in the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods. The Cannoli Fund (tax ID 45-2476260) is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Dog Spay/Neuter Reimbursement Rates Increased

san antonio spay neuter reimbursement program nonprofit — *Rescue a cute puppy or a purebred dog through a south Texas rescue or shelter and save a life.*

The Cannoli Fund, serving the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods, has seen an increased need for the use of private veterinarians for dog spay and neuter surgeries. The wait time for a pet spay/neuter at the low cost spay/neuter clinics have become longer. This is most likely due to an increased need and a decreased number of clinics. Often it is not possible to get an appointment to fix a dog for several weeks!

Maximum reimbursement for neutering of a male dog is now $180 and for spaying a female dog is $200. This is an increase of $80 per dog. The details are on the spay/neuter reimbursement program page of this website.

Spay/Neuter is The Cannoli Fund’s central mission. It is the most humane way to control pet populations and to reduce needless suffering. We are able to increase these rates thanks to our volunteers and donors.

Our sixth annual cat and dog Fiesta medals help us raise funds while spreading the important “Spay or Neuter Pets” message. See and buy this year’s medals at our 2016 Fiesta Medal shop or at Southtown businesses, Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta Fiesta at Alamo Plaza (April 14) and The King William Fair‘s Ilse’s Attic Fair Merchandise Booth (Saturday, April 23). Check this website or our Facebook page for details about when medals will hit neighborhood stores for in-person purchase.

The Cannoli Fund's 2016 Fiesta San Antonio Medals cat and dog

Our cat and dog 2016 Fiesta medals have arrived!

Our sixth annual cat and dog 2016 Fiesta medals are now available in our medal shop. Each medal proclaims “Spay or Neuter Pets,” which is the central mission of our all-volunteer nonprofit organization.

The star of this year’s dog medal is Crofton, a miniature poodle mix. Late last summer, a family found this small dog dejected and alone, hiding behind a trash can at Constance-Crofton Pocket Park. Clearly neglected for many months, he was filthy, flea- and tick-ridden, his fur heavily matted with burrs. He had no tags and no microchip. A handful of neighbors spent three hours bathing him (four times!) and cutting off all of the mats. After vet care and neutering with help from The Cannoli Fund, Crofton has blossomed into a loving and energetic companion in his adopted home. Look out for an article on each one of our medal models featuring “before and after” photos coming soon to this website!

The cat 2016 Fiesta medals features a gray tabby affectionately named Screwy, a resident of an established colony of community cats in Lavaca. Screwy is the most outgoing member of the group, and is very demanding when it’s time to eat! Note the top of his left ear has been “tipped,” to indicate he has been fixed and vaccinated. The Cannoli Fund worked with the colony’s caretaker to TNR — trap, neuter/spay, (and vaccinate), and return—these cats. The Fund now also provides their caretaker with supplemental cat food via our La Cocina de Cannoli, or Cannoli’s Kitchen, program.

Each medal costs $8 and can be ordered now in our 2016 Fiesta Medal shop and via thecannolifund on eBay. Medals can be purchased in person after April 2 at: Clothesline Cleaners (1006 S. St. Mary’s)  - The King William Association office (122 Madison Street)  - Pig Liquors (712 S. St. Mary’s)  - Villa Finale Museum and Gardens (401 King William Street)  - Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa’s downtown location (937 S. Laredo). We’ll be selling the medals at Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta Fiesta at Alamo Plaza on April 14 and at the King William Fair on April 23, Ilse’s Attic booth by King William Park

All proceeds from the sale of these medals support our all-volunteer nonprofit organization that benefits animals in the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods. Our programs include the Community Cat Carpool, Cannoli’s Kitchen, Spay/Neuter Reimbursement, Cannoli’s Canteen neighborhood water bowls, microchip scanning, and Cannolicare vet bill assistance. Follow us on The Cannoli Fund’s Facebook page for updates and news!

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These kittens, pulled from a feral colony in Lavaca, enjoy pet food.

La Cocina de Cannoli Provides 4,658 Pounds of Pet Food to Date

Hundreds of pounds of cat and dog pet food are delivered each month — *Hundreds of pounds of pet food are delivered each month.*

La Cocina de Cannoli, or Cannoli’s Kitchen, provides pet food to residents in our service area to help feed their cats and dogs.

As of February 2016, The Cannoli Fund has contributed 4,658 pounds of cat and dog food to King William and Lavaca neighbors since the program began. Every month one of our board members delivers several hundred pounds of food to 11 animal-loving households within our one-square-mile service area.

Most neighbors participating care for feral cat colonies, although some dogs also benefit. Often animal caregivers are on a limited income, are elderly, or are disabled. Prior to the start of this program, some big-hearted neighbors were putting their own needs aside in order to feed their animals. We provide pet food to those caring for cats and dogs only after the animals are fixed and are no longer able to reproduce. Many of the pets fed participated in our Spay/Neuter Reimbursement or Community Cat Carpool programs.

The Cannoli Fund understands the financial commitment that comes with feeding a companion animal or a feral cat colony. This program depends primarily on contributions from our community and from our donors. If you, or a neighbor in our service area, would like to be part of our La Cocina de Cannoli program, or would like help fixing pets, please email us through our contact page.

We appreciate your help to spread information about this program to neighbors who may not be online.

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Diva the dog was the beneficiary of a Cannolicare grant for medical treatment for heartworm disease

Cannolicare Grants for Medical Care Increased to $400

Diva the dog was the beneficiary of one of our Cannolicare medical grants for treatment for heartworm disease — *Diva the dog was the beneficiary of a Cannolicare grant to treat heartworm disease.*

The Cannoli Fund’s board of directors has increased the maximum amount for Cannolicare medical grants for critical vet care for King William and Lavaca cats and dogs from $300 to $400 per pet.

The Cannoli Fund believes that all cats and dogs, companion or “community,” deserve a high quality of life, free of suffering. The Cannoli Fund’s Cannolicare medical grants program provides financial assistance to King William and Lavaca residents and business owners (and their employees, if caring for an animal found in our service area) to help pay for critical medical expenses for cats and dogs in their care. Additionally, The Cannoli Fund may pay for euthanasia of animals in our service area that a veterinarian deems unlikely to benefit from treatment or unable to be saved, with the goal of relieving the animal’s suffering.

Cannolicare will provide up to $400 per animal for medical care necessary for the health of an animal. Types of medical care for cats and dogs include, but are not limited to, services such as surgical or other treatment for broken bones or umbilical hernias, mange, heartworm disease, or other illness with a positive prognosis. Examples of items not covered include flea medication, baths, nail trims, and other services part of standard care.

Visit the Cannolicare page of this website for the details of the program and how to apply for a grant to improve the life of a neighborhood cat or dog.

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