This community cat took The Cannoli Fund's Community Cat Carpool to be spayed and receive vaccinations.

The Cannoli Fund Receives King William Association Grant


This community cat took The Cannoli Fund's Community Cat Carpool to be spayed and receive vaccinations.
This community cat took the Community Cat Carpool to be fixed thanks to the KWA. Her left ear was tipped after the surgery.

The Cannoli Fund recently received a grant from the King William Association (KWA) to help fund its Community Cat Carpool program in the King William Historic District.

This program assists area residents in trapping and transporting feral, also known as community cats, to low-cost clinics where they are fixed and vaccinated, and then returned to the site where they were trapped. The practice of TNR (trap-neuter-return) is widely agreed to be the most humane and effective way to control and assure the health of stray or feral cat populations. After a cat is fixed, the very top of its left ear is removed, or tipped, to mark it as sterilized.

The grant from the KWA allowed our organization to purchase four additional humane traps, and will pay for spay or neuter and vaccination of approximately 22 cats trapped in King William. The KWA grant helps The Cannoli Fund meet our internal goal of providing spay/neuter services to 100 cats in the two neighborhoods in our service area during our calendar year. If you know of cats needing this service in the neighborhood, please send an email via our contact page.

Earlier this year, The Cannoli Fund received a grant from The San Antonio Area Foundation to support the Cannolicare program which provides financial assistance for medical care necessary to save,  or dramatically improve the quality of life of, King William and Lavaca cats and dogs.

Frank, a stray dog who had running around King William for two weeks, is being helped by The Cannoli Fund for Dogs and Cats. He is being treated for heartworms, fleas and ticks, getting neutered, receiving all of his shots, and being fattened up!

Support The Cannoli Fund During The Big Give S.A. on May 6, 2014


Frank, seen here the day he was rescued, was hot, tired, and hungry living on the streets of King William for several weeks. Frank, seen here the day he was rescued, was hot, tired, and hungry after living on the streets of King William for several weeks. Frank, seen here the day he was rescued, was hot, tired, and hungry after living on the streets of King William for several weeks.On Tuesday, May 6, 2014, San Antonio will come together for 24 hours of nonprofit giving during The Big Give S.A. It’s San Antonio’s first ever giving day, and it’s your chance to make a real impact on The Cannoli Fund. Your gift will help us become eligible for prize money and matching dollar opportunities that will fund spay-neuter programs and emergency medical assistance for dogs and cats in the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods. To date, we have helped 214 animals in the two neighborhoods.

Your donation will help animals like Frank. Frank, a sweet and sociable one-year old stray, was found wandering in King William on Monday, April 28. Hungry, thirsty, and covered in fleas and ticks, Frank was immediately taken to the vet where he was diagnosed as heartworm positive but otherwise healthy. The vet explained Frank would not make it until age two without treatment for this fatal disease. As a King William stray, this lucky dog was eligible for The Cannoli Fund’s Cannolicare program and Frank began the first round of treatment the next day. After his two-month-long treatment ends, he receives all of his shots, a microchip, and after being neutered, Frank will be ready to find his forever home. Without support from donors like you, Frank’s prognosis would have been very poor. But with your support, Frank will live a long and healthy life!

Giving is easy! Just visit The Cannoli Fund’s Big Give S.A. Donation Page. The Cannoli Fund will only receive donations through The Big Give S.A. website on Tuesday, May 6.

Thank you in advance for your support and for joining us in our efforts to reduce the number of homeless animals and to improve the lives of cats and dogs in San Antonio. Your gift will make our city a better place for all its residents . . . feline, canine, and human!

This May 6, Support The Cannoli Fund for Dogs and Cats via The Big Give SA

Tabby kitten sitting on a stool in his forever home.

Meet The Cannoli Fund’s 2014 Fiesta Medal Cat Model: Jaime


An emaciated kitten, rescued from the streets, after his first bath
Jaime, exhausted, starving, and sick, after being picked up from a puddle in a Southtown street.
A sickly kitten curls up in a warm towel after being rescued during a rainstorm.
Jaime, now safe, cuddles up in a warm towel.
A formerly stray kitten eating.
Two weeks into Jaime’s recovery, he can now eat a little by himself.

Driving down a Southtown street during a July 2013 rainstorm, a construction worker spotted a tiny, drenched tabby kitten just sitting in the middle of the road. He stopped, picked up the helpless kitten, wrapped him in his shirt, and drove to the house he was working on. The owner of that home knew about The Cannoli Fund and called one of our board members. That evening, after a bath to remove his fleas, some kitten milk syringed down his throat, and lots of additional TLC, the kitten, named Jaime after his rescuer, slept in a warm box in a bathtub. It was not clear if he would make it through the night. First thing the next morning, he was taken to the vet.

Jaime was the smallest, scrawniest kitten even our experienced kitten-rescuers had ever seen. The vet agreed, describing him as “emaciated.” Jaime was so terribly underweight, his body temperature was extremely low. He also had a skin condition, an upper respiratory infection, eye discharge, and ear mites. The vet sent Jaime home with medicine, instructions to keep him warm and to feed him very small amounts of high-calorie food as often as possible, via a syringe. No one was sure Jaime would make it. A heating pad was added to Jaime’s bed, and he spent the next week eating and sleeping–and surviving.

Tabby kitten sitting on a stool in his forever home.
Jaime in his forever home, now eight months old.

Little by little he grew stronger, eventually climbing out of the bathtub and starting to explore the bathroom and beyond. Thanks to The Cannoli Fund’s Cannolicare program, he’s also been neutered and has all his shots, and is a healthy cat. After spending about six weeks alone, recuperating, Jaime was introduced to Harold and Mary, two other formerly sickly kittens who were also being fostered by a Cannoli Fund volunteer. They soon became fast friends! Today, he is the liveliest young guy you’d ever want to see. Jaime had the amazing luck of finding a forever home who adopted him along with his best buddies, Harold and Mary. He wrestles with his adopted siblings and plays with manic energy, yet Jaime is also very fond of human snuggles! The Cannoli Fund was thrilled to be able to help save Jaime’s life and thinks he makes a wonderful medal model this year. You can purchase Jaime’s medal at The Cannoli Fund’s medal shop and at a variety of local businesses.

Viola, a senior dog, looks to the future as she leaves the Brackenridge High School parking lot.

Meet The Cannoli Fund’s 2014 Fiesta Medal Dog Model: Viola


A stray dog finds shelter under a temporary classroom at Brackenridge High School in King William.
A cautious Viola peeks out from her den under a classroom at Brackenridge High School.
Viola, a senior dog, looks to the future as she leaves the Brackenridge High School parking lot she had made her home for many weeks.
Viola leaving Brackenridge High and looking forward to a bright future.
Viola is the 2014 Fiesta San Antonio The Cannoli Fund's Medal Model Dog
Enjoying being the center of attention at the Fiesta Medal Art Unveiling Party on February 23, 2014 at La Tuna Grill.

If you ran into Viola bouncing along on a walk, her ears held high, obviously enjoying every minute, you’d never guess her history.

A senior female dog, Viola was spotted living under one of the portable classrooms at Brackenridge High School, occasionally coming out in search of food and water. She was thin, frightened, and obviously poorly nourished. She was wearing a collar with a piece of rope (most likely part of a tie out cord) dangling from it. After leaving water and food for her for several weeks and slowly gaining her trust, a volunteer leashed her up and lured her into her car with hot dogs. Viola’s next stop was a complete check up at the vet, compliments of The Cannoli Fund’s Cannolicare program. There she was found to be heartworm positive, have possible mammary tumors and bad teeth—in other words, in very bad shape.

At Viola’s age, the vet didn’t think she would survive heartworm treatment. She moved into a home with four other rescue dogs, who, for the most part, welcomed her. The couple caring for her regarded it as hospice care, and set out to give Viola the best and most comfortable life possible. They suspect she had never been inside a house before and had spent most of her life tied outside, but she made herself at home quite easily!

The good life agrees with Viola. Her bad teeth were removed and that’s when she really came to life. She was soon so healthy that she went into heat! (The vet had thought that she had been spayed because of a scar on her belly! Soon, she was.)

Viola takes two walks a day with her humans and the rest of the pack, including, on occasion, a cat! She is proud to represent The Cannoli Fund and the “Spay/Neuter Pets” motto. You can purchase her medal in our Fiesta Medal Shop.

Fans of Cannoli of King William enjoy The Cannoli Fund 2014 San Antonio Fiesta Medal Party

2014 Fiesta Medal Party Benefits King William & Lavaca Pets


Fans of Cannoli of King William enjoy The Cannoli Fund 2014 San Antonio Fiesta Medal Partyjane_medalsViola is the 2014 Fiesta San Antonio The Cannoli Fund's Medal Model Dog2014 Fiesta San Antonio MedalsThe Cannoli Fund’s Fiesta 2014 Medal Art Unveiling Party raised over $1000 to support the organization’s mission. The event, held on Sunday, February 23, 2014, at La Tuna Grill in Southtown, featured a raffle with prizes donated by area businesses and The Cannoli Fund supporters.

The cat and dog on this year’s Fiesta medals both benefited from The Cannoli Fund’s Cannolicare program. The cat medal features Jaime, who was found as an emaciated, sick, and soaking wet kitten sitting in a puddle on Probandt, while the dog medal stars Viola, a senior girl who had been living under a portable classroom at Brackenridge High School. Both Viola and Jaime required a great deal of expensive medical care which they received thanks to The Cannoli Fund. Each medal, made of enamel and shiny silver metal, hangs from a ribbon and includes either Viola or Jaime and the message “Spay/Neuter Pets,” the central tenet of The Cannoli Fund’s mission.

Medals can be purchased for $8 in The Cannoli Fund’s Medal Shop. A few of the previous years’ The Cannoli Fund medals are also available in the online shop until they sell out! The 2014 medals will be sold locally at businesses including Clothesline Cleaners, Deerfield Animal Hospital, Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa’s downtown location, Pig Liquors, The Popcorn Place, The Villa Finale Gift Shop, at Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta Fiesta and at the King William Fair. All proceeds raised from medal sales benefit the Fund’s programs for cats and dogs living in  The Cannoli Fund 2014 San Antonio Fiesta Medal Party Medal Salesthe King William and Lavaca neighborhoods.

Viola, a senior dog rescued by The Cannoli Fund

2014 Fiesta Medal Art Unveiling Party Sunday, February 23, 2-4 pm


Tabby kitten
Jaime was thrilled to find out he was chosen as this year’s cat medal model. Nearly dead when rescued in the neighborhood, this photo was taken halfway through his recovery.

UPDATE March 21, 2014: The medals are in! You can purchase them now in our Fiesta Medal Shop. Fast shipping!

Be the first to see the artwork for the 2014 Cannoli Fund Fiesta medals at the Unveiling Party on Sunday, February 23! This year’s medals feature a kitten and a senior dog whose lives were saved thanks to the Cannolicare program.

The kitten, named Jaime, was found sitting in a puddle on Probandt Street on the edge of King William. He was severely emaciated, extremely ill, covered with fleas, and shivering. Nearly dead, Jaime was rushed to the vet and was then nursed back to health by a foster family. He has grown up to be a very spunky cat with a huge personality and now lives very happily in Houston.

The dog model is Viola, a senior girl who was coaxed out from under a portable classroom at Brackenridge High School. Viola had part of her former tie-out cord hanging from her collar and it is suspected that she spent most of her life tied outside. After some fattening up, dental work, twice daily walks, and lots of love and attention, Viola has spent the last more than two years living a life most dogs dream of, just a block from where she was rescued.

The party is Sunday, February 23, 2 – 4 pm at La Tuna Grill. Pre-orders will be taken with medals arriving in mid-March. Partygoers will also have the opportunity to purchase some of the few remaining medals from previous years. All money raised from the sale of medals goes to support the mission of The Cannoli Fund, which serves animals in the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods.

Viola, a senior dog rescued by The Cannoli Fund
Viola can’t wait for her big debut at the 2014 Medal Unveiling Party!

There will also be a raffle at the party to include items from Blue Star Brewing Company, The King William Fair, Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa, Madhatter’s Tea House and Cafe, Olmos Pharmacy, Pig Liquors, The Popcorn Place, Rosario’s, Scout Dog Collars, Stella Public House, Stonebridge Stained Glass, The Witte Museum, 22 Salon and Spa, Villa Finale, Zocca Cuisine D’Italia, and more. Additionally, friends of The Cannoli Fund have donated to the raffle 8 admission passes for The San Antonio Botanical Gardens as well as a Dooney and Bourke watch. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 15 tickets for $10. Also a big thank you to Clothesline Cleaners for their sponsorship of this event. Don’t miss it!

La Tuna Grill is a dog and kid-friendly Southtown business.

To order The Cannoli Fund’s Fiesta medals online, visit our medal shop.