Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, March 28, 2020

9

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, March 28, 2020 

A WORD FROM THE PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY

Dear Friends,

 With the developing news regarding coronavirus COVID-19, I wanted to take a moment to share 
how Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is addressing the concern at our shelter, as well as our community 
programming and events.

 We are taking all the necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of the animals in our care, 
our staff and the community we serve by modifying our services. At this time, our Adoptions Center 
will be closed to the public - but if you are interested in adopting a pet you have seen on our website, 
we will be open by appointment only during our normal business hours. 

 We have also temporarily suspended the following activities:

 Community outreach programs (including our mobile outreach events). If you are a current event 
registrant, we will communicate with you directly regarding any changes, so please watch your 
email. Updates will also be shared on our social media pages and website.

 Humane Education activities which include our Kids Club, Animal Adventure Workshops, Scout 
Sundays, group tours, Sunday Morning Helpers, and Barks and Books program. 

Public spay/neuter and vaccine clinics

Dog training classes 

Pet Boarding, except in case of emergency.

 The following services will also be available by appointment only:

Reclaiming your lost pet AND Relinquishing your pet

Please limit calls to our Field Services Department to emergencies only. 

There have also been questions about whether pets can get sick from COVID-19 or if they can make 
us sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, there is 
no evidence that companion ani-mals such as cats and dogs have been infected or could spread the 
virus that causes COVID-19.

While animals may not be at risk from this disease, we urge all pet owners to have plans for how 
to care for their animals in case of emergency. COVID-19 is no different, and serves as an excellent 
reminder to pull that plan together now if you don’t already have one. Click here for more 
information. 

Right now, more than ever, we need your help. We have a tremendous need for community fosters. 
As the virus spreads, the number of animals in shelters and rescues will continue to increase. At 
the same time, we anticipate de-creased interest and ability to adopt a new pet. So if you’re able to 
foster a dog, cat, or rabbit for the next several weeks, you could help give animals a break from the 
shelter and make room for more animals who are in need. For more information about fostering, 
email foster@pasadenahumane.org. 

Thank you for your support!

2020 U.S. CENSUS MAY BE A CHALLENGE 
FOR OLDER ADULTS

 For the first time in history, the primary way 
to respond to the U.S. Census count will be 
via the Internet, which may be a challenge for 
many older adults who have been accustomed 
to a paper count every 10 years.

 Most households will receive an invitation 
to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census 
questionnaire online. Some households will 
still receive paper questionnaires. Every 
household in the U.S. – citizens and non-
citizens – is required by law to complete the 
form. Households that do not respond after 
multiple reminders will receive personal visits 
at home from U.S. Census workers to help 
the households complete the forms. The U.S. 
Census Bureau does not contact households 
by email or phone.

 A recent U.S. Census Bureau survey found 
that 56 percent of people in America who 
are 65 and older are not comfortable with 
the prospect of an online response due 
to concerns ranging from privacy and 
cybersecurity to lack of experience filling out 
forms on the Internet.

 According to Akila Gibbs, executive 
director of the Pasadena Senior Center, these 
concerns will have to be overcome through 
communication and education if the 2020 
Census is to be a success.

 “This will be a matter of ensuring that older 
adults can embrace this new digital system, 
and the stakes for success are very high,” said 
Gibbs. “We are conducting outreach to make 
sure our members and other older adults in 
Pasadena know there will be Internet-based 
computers available at the Pasadena Senior 
Center where they can fill out the Census 
form in about 10 minutes as well as receive 
technology assistance if needed. This center is 
a vital community resource, now in the 60th 
year of providing programs and services to 
the Pasadena community.”

 Similar public computers will be available 
at other locations throughout Pasadena, 
including community centers and libraries. 
There also will be options for responding by 
phone and by mail, although the U.S. Census 
Bureau will strongly encourage primarily 
online responses to save hundreds of millions 
of dollars.

 The data collected determines the number 
of seats each state has in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, fair boundaries for federal 
and state legislative districts based on where 
populations have increased or decreased, 
and the annual distribution of more than 
$675 billion in federal funds nationwide to 
support local community services ranging 
from health programs and housing assistance 
to education and infrastructure for the next 
decade. An incomplete count means fewer 
federal dollars to boost local resources.

 In Pasadena, more than $400 million 
in funding was received after the 2010 
count for local programs that help support 
this generation of children and adults, 
including senior citizens, and help shape the 
community’s future.

 Gibbs added that older adults should be 
especially cautious about potential scams 
from unscrupulous people who will claim to 
represent the U.S. Census Bureau and attempt 
to prey on this vulnerable populace with the 
intent of stealing identities and money.

 “The most important message I have for 
any person who receives an uninvited email 
or phone call from someone claiming to be 
from the U.S. Census Bureau is this: It is 100 
percent guaranteed that it is a scam, and 
you should not provide any information 
whatsoever, including your Social Security 
number, bank information or credit card 
numbers, and never, ever agree to send money 
in any form,” said Gibbs. “If anyone receives 
such an email or phone call, do not engage 
the sender, and be sure to call the Pasadena 
Police Department to report the scam.”

 For more information about the 2020 U.S. 
Census, visit: 2020Census.gov or call 844-
330-2020.

 For more information about the programs 
and services of the Pasadena Senior Center, 
visit: pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 626-
795-4311.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com