Receive the Most Benefits from Your Massage

The best massages often include preparation. These expert tips help you receive the greatest benefits during and after your massage treatment.

1. Just Show Up

The most important thing to do to get ready for a treatment is to just show up. Don’t allow anything to override this time you set aside for yourself. By showing up it sends a powerful message to the universe that you believe you deserve it and are worth it.

2. Plan Ahead

When you’ve made the commitment to a spa or massage day, let that commitment start before your appointment. Don’t party the night before; having residual intoxicants in the system can end up making you feel nauseous, unwell, or lightheaded during or after a treatment. Especially if you will be using steam or sauna pre- or post-treatment. Eat lightly. Having a full stomach when receiving a treatment can be uncomfortable.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate Hydrate

Take it easy and drink lots of clean fluids like room temperature water and warm herbal tea after your treatment. Alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you even more than usual post-massage, which is a reason to imbibe carefully or even cut back. All forms of massage increase circulation throughout the lymphatic system, so you may experience more elimination of fluids, requiring more hydration to rebalance.

4. Soak and Supplement

Your body will be detoxing and readjusting. If you feel body soreness, that isn’t unusual and it can be a good sign. It means something shifted. If you find yourself achey the day after a treatment an Epsom salt bath will help. A big bag of salts can be procured at any drug store for about $7. I tell all my clients to keep Epsom salts in the house as they can reduce swelling and promote relaxation. Increasing your magnesium intake can also assist with any post-massage pain and help you sleep.

5. Restorative Practices

Scheduling in a restorative or gentle yoga class a day or two after a massage can also boost the process of assimilating the positive after-effects. This energetic support is helpful because you may feel more emotional after a massage. Massage is powerful medicine that can unblock stagnant energy so crying also isn’t out of the ordinary. If tears show up let them flow. It’s cleansing.

Lisa Avebury

Lisa Avebury CMT is a massage therapist who has been practicing in Southern California since 1995. She is nationally certified by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and is also a yoga instructor, meditation guide, sound healer, and wellness consultant. When she’s not busy working with her private and corporate clients she loves doing anything to help the plight of dogs in need everywhere: www.circleseeker.com

www.circleseeker.com

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What to Know When Choosing  a Massage

When you’re looking at a spa menu or choosing how to spend your time on the massage table, it can be helpful to understand more about some of the different popular massage techniques and modalities. Here is our guide with the info:

Swedish Massage

This technique includes long soothing strokes, usually with light to medium pressure, on the full body. A Swedish massage is done with oil and should feel like a warm hug. It resembles a dance, with fluid movements that flow and glide from one stroke to the next. I believe that this is one of the best modalities for overall stress reduction.

Firm Swedish

Just like Swedish, but with a firmer pressure. This is often what people who feel they need deep tissue really require. Since deep tissue massages are a higher priced service, many clients may be upgraded when they just need firmer pressure. Be discerning.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue involves locating knots or sources of pain then working intensely and pointedly in an area to break up the stagnation. Often this involves creating manual inflammation so the tense muscle will have a chance to release toxins and repair itself. Sometimes a deep tissue massage will only involve working a certain area of the body for the entire session. And, there are times when you may feel a bit beat up after it. So choose wisely and be prepared.

Sports Massage

Similar to deep tissue yet usually concentrated on an area affected by the repeated use and motion of a sport the client participates in regularly. Like deep tissue, this may not necessarily be a relaxing experience. The intensity can hurt—even after the massage. But, by the third day, your muscles should feel considerably looser and better for having gone through the pain.

Shiatsu

Like acupuncture, shiatsu works specifically with the meridians identified in Chinese medicine. The therapist uses their hands to find particular points that are blocked and applies pressure with their fingers the same way acupuncture needles are used to help move the energy. Shiatsu is a dry massage and no oil is used although the practitioner may use powder in certain areas of the body. A client is generally given loose clothing to wear as many stretches are performed during the treatment. Often the therapist will be stepping on you and it is not unusual to have a traditional Shiatsu treatment on the floor on a mat or futon.

Ayurvedic Abhyanga

This form of massage treatment originated in India and is an integral technique in Ayurveda. Abhyanga includes the use of warm sesame oil infused with specific herbs tailored to your unique elemental or energetic constitution based on a combination of the doshas. Abhyanga can be much like a Swedish massage except oilier! The oils are meant to soak into the body to help balance the constitution so they are used in abundance and meant to stay on after the massage.

Cranial Sacral Therapy

This very specific and gentle form of bodywork is meant to release compression in the head, neck, and spine. Cranial Sacral work is very exacting and quiet as the practitioner is seeking to align the movements of the hands with the pulsations of the body. This can take the form of simply holding the head or laying the hands on a specific area and waiting for the right moment to change positions. It is excellent for people who may be wary of massage or have experienced trauma that has made them skittish or tense.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage is a very light pressure massage meant to gently guide the circulation and flow of the lymphatic fluid from the extremities to the center of the body. After an illness or surgery, there can be lymphatic stagnation and build up in the tissues. Unlike the blood which is pumped by the action of our heartbeat, lymph does not circulate on its own and instead requires muscular movement or massage. By gently guiding the lymph towards the nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin, this fluid can return to the general circulation.

In addition to being relaxing and detoxifying to the tissues, lymphatic draining can support the healthy functioning of the immune system. Because of its strong effects on the fluids in the body, be prepared to be thirsty and to increase your water intake after a lymphatic massage.

Thai Massage

Sometimes called Thai Yoga or Thai Yoga Stretch, traditional Thai massage is done primarily on a futon on the ground. You will be given loose clothing to wear. This type of   massage is basically a series of assisted stretches with also added pressure applied by the practitioner to specific areas of the body. Neither oil nor powder is used. Thai massage can feel (and actually is) a workout! It can be helpful for improving flexibility and mobility.

Reflexology

While most people associate the feet with reflexology, it can also be performed on the hands and ears. Much like Shiatsu, the practitioner will apply firm and directed pressure moving along meridian lines to release stagnant energy. Sore spots found are held until they release to allow the flow of chi (life-force) to resume. Reflexology is more sophisticated than simply rubbing the feet.

Reiki and Energy Work

These modalities are performed clothed with the practitioner placing their hands lightly on or slightly above the person receiving the session. The practitioner then channels energy into areas where they may be detecting physical, emotional or spiritual pain. Since this type of healing work is a direct transfer of life-force energy, it is even more important to go to someone you trust. This work is excellent for anyone with whom touch may be more challenging and can feel very nurturing. Reiki and energy work can boost your sense of well-being and assist the body’s ability to heal itself.

Lisa Avebury

Lisa Avebury CMT is a massage therapist who has been practicing in Southern California since 1995. She is nationally certified by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and is also a yoga instructor, meditation guide, sound healer, and wellness consultant. When she’s not busy working with her private and corporate clients she loves doing anything to help the plight of dogs in need everywhere: www.circleseeker.com

www.circleseeker.com

The post Guide to Popular Massage Modalities appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Expert Tips on Successful Massage: Making Therapeutic Choices

Massage is one of the remedies available to us for many of the challenges of the modern world. Even in a single session, we can experience appreciable reductions in stress hormones, improvement in immune system function, and better overall resilience. Successful massage therapy helps us cope. And in the right circumstances, a successful massage can also allow us to more effectively develop a healthy mind-body-spirit connection.

After all, some of the ailments we experience today can include overwhelming physical and emotional pain, weight gain, frequent illnesses, blue feelings, increased anxiety exhaustion, and inability to rest effectively. The list goes on and on. Uncomfortable symptoms of the fight or flight response may have even come to feel almost normal. The imbalance of our stress hormones, including cortisol, can create a domino effect of symptoms that can have long-term effects on vital organs and functions of the body.

To counteract this imbalance, a therapeutic massage, body treatment, or a spa day can be meaningful self-care. Just knowing that you’re able to schedule some time for a massage may bring on waves of relief. Claiming time for yourself, making the appointment, and devoting funds toward self-care mean you are prioritizing your needs.

Whichever way you book your session, whether you’re using an app or calling for an appointment, bring self-care into every part of the process. Whether you’re a frequent flier in the spa world, or a newbie to receiving massage, it can be helpful to have some success strategies on hand to maximize the benefit you receive from your experience. Use discretion when making a decision about the hands in which you are literally entrusting your body.

The Professionalism of Massage Therapy

Modern massage therapy has become its own healing arts profession with standards for practitioners. I have personally witnessed changes in the landscape of massage therapy and healing change since my early days as a massage therapist and bodyworker in 1995. When I first started practicing, massage therapists had an entertainer’s license (think the seedy side of entertainment). Thankfully, this has been upgraded to the standards of education promoted by the nonprofit licensing body California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). Finding a credentialed therapist allows you to know that someone has fulfilled a set of requirements for the practice of therapeutic massage.

Options for Every Budget and Body

There are places to choose for every budget and every state of mind. You can head to Koreatown where you will find countless Jim-Jil-Bang traditional spas. Or you can venture to a local strip mall where you can find a chain promising deals if you sign up for monthly services. You may visit a massage therapist at your chiropractor’s office. From this source, gyms and fitness centers offer massage therapy services. Another option is to visit one of the famous high-end spas that are as much a part of the Los Angeles landscape as the Hollywood sign. There are also a variety of apps that guarantee same-day service for booking.

Seeking Referrals for Massage

You may have your go-to therapist or you may be looking for someone new to work on you. One of my favorite methods for finding a therapist who is a good match for you is to ask around. Check in with those connected friends who are a good source of advice. Obtain referrals from healthcare practitioners or providers that you trust. See if you connect with someone at a health fair or other venue. If you are at the gym and someone comes out of what they describe as their best massage ever, ask for the therapist’s name.

Choose a Healer

Price alone isn’t a guarantee of good service. The experience level of therapists at even high-end spas can vary. Choose spas or facilities that have respectful relationships with their employees or contractors. Look for practitioners who view their work as a healing art. Whenever you can, take the time to interview or talk to the person who will be working on you in advance.

Use discernment. Would you feel comfortable with someone working on you if they smoke, eat junk food, or have a negative outlook on life? What if there are communication barriers? Whatever your own gender, think about your comfort level with the gender of the person working on you. In addition, ask yourself if it is really worth it if you come out of your massage feeling worse due to a toxic energy exchange or because the person was robotic in the way they approached the treatment.

Ask Questions When Booking

When you call ahead for an appointment, you can request to speak to someone who can both accurately describe the services and can tell you about the providers who may be working with you. Ask the person on the phone if they’ve received a treatment or know a provider or therapist personally. Look for places where there is personalized service. Select places where the people at the front desk or answering the phone have had the treatments so they can tell you in their own words what it is like. Filter out situations where it sounds like the staff might be trained to tell a prospective client what they think they want to hear. The experience you have making the appointment may give you a feel for your in-person experience.

Environment for a Successful Massage

The environment in which your receive a massage can affect your experience. Look for something clean and serene, where you feel at ease. A healing holistic environment from beginning to end is something that many spas are famous for creating. A comfy heated table, spotlessly clean sheets, aromatherapy, a quiet calming environment, high-quality products used during the treatment and nurturing aftercare should be the norm and not the exception. If you’re looking for a more casual setting where treatments are not necessarily done in private rooms, be aware of what promotes your personal relaxation and restoration. In some settings, you may want to be prepared to bring your own oils or lotions if you want to make sure of the product quality.

Even Attention is Healing

Just like any healthcare provider, you want to trust that the person touching your body is fully present and their attention is focused on you. This focused presence and attention has healing benefit. While a lot of attention can be put on the different types of massage modalities, a skilled and intuitive therapist will listen to the body and be guided by it.

Speak Up

One of the most important things you can do is to tell the therapist, prior to them putting their hands on you, as much as you feel comfortable about your current situation. This can, and should, be related to your body, mind, and spirit. Begin a massage with a conversation about how you are feeling and your needs.

Be Aware of Boundaries

During a therapeutic massage, by law, a client must always be draped and covered with a sheet. When working on a specific area of the body, the practitioner will move the sheet to uncover it. At no time or under any circumstances will the breasts or genitals be exposed. If you find yourself in a situation where it feels like the practitioner is getting too close for comfort in any of those areas, stop the session. You always have the right to get up off the table and leave.

What to Wear Under the Sheets

As a massage therapist, clients have often asked me, “Underwear on or off?” During a treatment like Swedish massage, going without underwear can be preferable to allow for a more fluid flow. But, if you are more comfortable with underwear, keep it on. The most important criteria during the treatment is your feeling of safety.

Gain More with Gentle Techniques

There may be a temptation to take the “No pain no gain” mentality into a massage. But people who feel that this is the only way to approach a successful massage may actually benefit more from a calming, gentle treatment. The beauty of hands-on bodywork is the simple act of nurturing, conscious touch can begin to relax and release knots in the body and mind that have been stuck for what seems like an eternity. Along these lines, listen to the messages from your body. Don’t let your mental expectations or preconceived notions talk you into the deep tissue when your body really desires that a successful massage be a more calming experience like a Swedish massage, an Ayurvedic Abhyanga, or a gentle lymphatic drainage technique.

Give Yourself Enough Time to Receive a Massage

In general, the professional hour for a message is considered to be 50 minutes. In many high-end spas, the clock begins when the practitioner picks you up for the treatment. Arrive early so you can benefit from the full time of the treatment, especially if the schedule is for a 50-minute session. You can definitely receive a comprehensive full body massage within 50 to 60 minutes. That being said, make sure to communicate your needs to the therapist to ensure they can cover what you need most. Set up reasonable expectations.

If you don’t have the time to drop in, 30 minutes can be sufficient to address pain in a specific area of the body. But when you can, set aside the 80 or 90 minutes for a longer treatment. This length allows the practitioner to work on any specifics and to cover the whole body in a way that feels complete. In my own practice, most of my clients choose 90 minutes. This is the optimum time to relax, release, and reach that bliss point.

Lisa Avebury

Lisa Avebury CMT is a massage therapist who has been practicing in Southern California since 1995. She is nationally certified by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and is also a yoga instructor, meditation guide, sound healer, and wellness consultant. When she’s not busy working with her private and corporate clients she loves doing anything to help the plight of dogs in need everywhere: www.circleseeker.com

www.circleseeker.com

The post How to Schedule A Successful Massage appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

In 1989, I had been in Los Angeles less than a year. I was fresh out of college, knew only one person, and felt ungrounded. On a particularly lonely day, an old friend showed up — one who, in this lifetime; chose to wear a dog suit.

When his eyes connected with mine I could feel that he had been waiting for me to show up. The people at the store told me he wasn’t well and would need an operation to live a long life. They also mentioned they would “give me a good deal” since they wanted him out. In that moment none of it mattered to me. He was my friend and needed me as much as I needed him.

He was taken out of a cage too small for a six month old dog to be living in to meet me in person and in no time my black pants were covered in white fur. His immediate and exuberant acceptance of me only seemed to confirm my feelings that we were meant to be together and it was the first time since leaving home that I felt a sense of connection to anything in LA. I named him Merlin, and snuck him into my no-pets building telling the manager I was watching him temporarily for a friend. Once the lease was up, I gave notice and we never looked back.

After receiving his operation he lived an additional 16 years and passed peacefully at home with me in 2005. He was my Buddha dog, a wise and old soul who taught me about unconditional love through example. They say children choose their parents and I believe Merlin chose me.

I had grown up with family dogs and always loved them. But I never had one that was my dog—Merlin was my dog. From the moment he came home with me, he began teaching me lessons that I had never received before about joy, gratitude, patience, persistence, forgiveness, spontaneity-the list is really endless. And I was grateful.

Five years later, in 1994, as I was leaving Mrs. Gooch’s Market, I met a woman soliciting donations and support for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. She told me about the sanctuary located in Kanab, Utah; it was the largest no-kill sanctuary in the USA with 1,800 animals living there on any given day. She also explained they were starting a Los Angeles branch of Best Friends and needed help. My relationship with my dog provided me with first-hand experience of the deep and profound connection that can be shared with an animal. I felt I needed to give back as repayment for that blessing. I picked up a brochure, dropped a few dollars in the donation can, and signed up to be on their volunteer list, not really knowing what to expect. Not long after, I received a call.

From that point forward, I became a Best Friends volunteer; I found myself sitting in front of my own local grocery store telling the story of Best Friends—usually with Merlin beside me. At that time, Best Friends didn’t have an office;  it just had a phone  number that reached a voice mail which volunteers took turns listening to and returning calls. Two of the founders, Francis and Silva Battista, would drive into Los Angeles one or more times a month and couch surf while they researched ways to build the program. Eventually, a volunteer donated an apartment for them to use. Francis even learned how to fly a plane so it would be easier to go back and forth from Utah to LA. We would show up at the drop of a hat, ready to do anything, if it meant we had a chance to share with someone the vision that Best Friends had for Los Angeles and beyond: the vision that one day we all could work together to end shelter death; that there will be a time when we could “Save Them All.”

Best Friends’ vision has always been singular and directed, and it inspired me because it never wavered. They planned for the day when they could act as an umbrella organization and help smaller rescues grow their programs. The decision was made to change their name from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to Best Friends Animal Society. Soon after, Best Friends began to sponsor “Super Adoptions.” Any local rescue organization, as well as city and county animal shelters, that wanted to participate was welcome to come and show their available adoptable pets. Eventually, the Super Adoption grew so large that the La Brea Tar Pits was enlisted as its location, and still is used to this day. The family-friendly event was promoted far and wide; people often made a day of it, traveling from outside LA to have the opportunity to meet so many available pets in one place. It was always amazing to see that when an event ended, the many groups who participated would try to take one dog or cat so none would return to a city or county shelter. The spirit of community continues to build; many of the families who adopted their pets at Super Adoption now participate in the annual Best Friends event, “Strut Your Mutt.” Strut Your Mutt started 18 years ago at the Utah Sanctuary as the first fundraising walk-a-thon you could do with your dog. It came to Los Angeles four years later and is now held in eleven cities nationwide.

When Best Friends finally opened an office in Los Angeles, we were able to take on larger projects, including educating the public on the dark side of puppy mills. It was a painful truth to tell, but we kept moving forward and people came on board to help. One was Councilman Paul Koretz; he and his wife had a dog that came from a puppy mill. Like many puppy mill dogs—my own Merlin included—he had a host of health problems stemming from the inhumane conditions. This eventually connected Councilman Koretz with Elizabeth Oreck, the Best Friends National Manager for Puppy Mill Initiatives. In June of 2011, Councilman Koretz introduced the first motion to outlaw the sale of pets from mills. By June of 2013, the sale of these pets became illegal in the city Los Angeles.

Best Friends has become the go-to resource for information regarding animal rights issues. They were one of the first responders when Hurricane Katrina hit, setting up a makeshift shelter in Tylertown, Mississippi, and staying on for nine months. Best Friends also took in 22 of the most badly abused of the 50 pit bulls seized from NFL Quarterback Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels. Renaming them the Vicktory dogs, they were guided with loving-kindness and respect down the path to wellness. One of the dogs, Georgia, whose entire set of teeth had been pulled out so she wouldn’t bite the male dogs she was forced to mate with, became a TV star. Her storyline appeared on the syndicated National Geographic show Dogtown, which ran from 2008 to 2010 and was filmed entirely at the Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah. Georgia’s story was so compelling that she went on to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Larry King Live.

Since 2001, Best Friends has been hosting the Best Friends National Conference. In 2012, over 1,400 people attended from all over the globe. They learned about such topics as Dog Behavior 101, Increasing Cat Adoptions, Fundraising 101, Marketing Matters, and Making Sense of Social Media. This year’s conference will take place in Las Vegas at the Rio Hotel on Oct 23-26.

When Best Friends heard about a new but mothballed shelter in Mission Hills that the city had no money to staff, the proverbial light bulb went off. Best Friends then worked with Brenda Barnette and LA Animal Services to formulate a plan where animals from LA city shelters could be housed and adopted out of the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center. Best Friends spent nearly three million dollars to get the current center up and running. The City of Los Angeles saves close to three million annually by not running the shelter on its own. Best Friends also offers a free spay and neuter clinic for the local community out of the center. In addition, it is the home base for the groundbreaking Pup My Ride program which takes dogs off death row and transports them to out-of-state no-kill rescues that have a shortage of adoptable dogs. Launched in 2007, Pup My Ride reached a milestone this past October with 10,000 lives saved. I know a lot about Pup My Ride, as I have been on the crew out of the Baldwin Park shelter since 2010.

The next logical step towards manifesting their big vision was to employ the “Coalition” approach that had worked in Utah to start a new initiative exclusive to Los Angeles: No Kill Los Angeles (NKLA). Today, 75 coalition partner rescues and welfare organizations based in Los Angeles work together and share resources to end shelter death. And it’s working. In 2011, the number of healthy animals that died in Los Angeles shelters was 17,400. By the end of 2013, that number had dropped to 9,075.

The resources needed to make this happen have come from all avenues. The style and intensity of the NKLA initiative, in terms of branding, web design, billboards, and logo, was masterminded and taken on pro bono by Lee Clow and the team at TBWA/Chiat/Day. This created a buzz early on, even before the NKLA Pet Adoption Center had been launched.

Opening its doors in August, 2013,  and centrally located in West Los Angeles near the 405 Freeway, the NKLA Pet Adoption Center is a purpose-built facility created to showcase the many animals from all over LA looking for homes. The building was provided through the generosity of the Ronald and Catherine Gershman Foundation. Currently, the NKLA Center showcases dogs and cats from its 75 coalition members, along with some from the Best Friends Center. Often described as a “five-star hotel” for pets in transition, the location boasts soundproof kennels, a clean air exchange system, fully wired sound and video, meeting rooms, a store, and a private “meet and greet” room where you can get to know your potential new family member.

More than 50% of the residents at the NKLA Center are dogs and cats rescued by coalition member groups. Most of these organizations do not have shelter facilities of their own; this has allowed coalition members to save more animals. And since the fully staffed center is open daily from12:00noon to 8:00pm, the opportunity to be seen by the public is much greater, decreasing the time it takes for an adoption to happen. Once a new pet space opens up at NKLA, it is immediately filled by another pet looking for a home. The cycle is ongoing.

What you don’t see at the centers are some of the programs NKLA/Best Friends themselves back. Many of NKLA’s coalition partners are now the recipients of “staffing grants,” enabling them to hire individuals who can devote time and attention exclusively to their group’s unique goals. NKLA/Best Friends also provides a $150 subsidy per pet adoption to NKLA Coalition members, allowing coalition members to rescue more pets. In 2013, NKLA/Best Friends donated $100,000 to Downtown Dog Rescue to help build their own new shelter.

Marc Peralta, Executive Director of Best Friends LA/NKLA, says, “Los Angeles has an opportunity to set the mark for the rest of the country. To do this, we have to stay on track, strategize, organize, create goals, and reach them. And, if something isn’t working, we need to look towards how to change it to make it effective. Los Angeles was there for Best Friends Animal Society from the very beginning, and Best Friends will never forget that.”

Having been around for 20 years to witness the commitment Best Friends has demonstrated to saving lives and helping people work together, I am not only proud, but confident, that we are well on our way to making LA No Kill LA by our target year of 2017.

To become involved with Best Friends and NKLA, visit:

BFLA.BestFriends.org

NKLA.org

Below is a detailed list of NKLA Coalition Members who need volunteers! See which organization resonates with you. All kinds of help is needed!

THE DAWG SQUAD

DawgSquad.org

Started in 2001 by Carole Pearson, The Dawg Squad is an all-volunteer organization. Dogs with medical issues and older, large black dogs often make up the bulk of Dawg Squad’s rescues. Black dogs are difficult to capture in a photograph. Their features get lost, especially if they also have black eyes. They often get overlooked solely because their photo does not represent them well. The best way to ensure black dogs don’t get passed over in shelters is to get them out and seen at adoption events. This is what Dawg Squad aims to do. Visit their “How to Help” page if you want to join in.

DOWNTOWN DOG RESCUE

DowntownDogRescue.org

Started 18 years ago in the back of a downtown LA furniture factory by Lori Weise, Downtown Dog Rescue’s mission is to help the underserved in South East Los Angeles, Watts and Compton. Last year alone, DDR assisted more than 3,000 families get their pets fed, trained, spayed, neutered and licensed. In 2013, DDR began the “South LA Shelter Intervention Program” which prevented over 2,000 pets from entering shelters in the first year alone. DDR is committed to serving more families living in poverty with their pets, whether they live on the sidewalk, in their car, a garage, apartment, or house; the goal is to keep pets in their first home/forever home. DDR, with help from a $100,000 grant from Best Friends Animal Society/NKLA, recently opened their own shelter located in South Gate in the center of the communities they serve. See their “Help Us” page for more information.

DOGS WITHOUT BORDERS

DogsWithoutBorders.org

Started in 2006 by Galit Reuben, who, after fostering a dog herself, eventually decided to keep him (in rescue this is called “foster failure” but it should really be renamed “foster success”). When she began making inquiries about her dog Pluto’s history, she found he had been transported from Taiwan and most likely saved from the dinner table. This spurred her into action, and she created Dogs Without Borders. DWB rescues mostly from LA shelters, but still takes in about 5% of dogs from overseas. DWB is in need of foster families for the dogs they rescue. If you cannot have a dog full time, consider fostering. All expenses are paid; you will be giving a dog real-life experience in a home so that the transition is easier once a permanent adoptive family is found. Please visit the “Dogs Needing Fosters” page on their website.

ANGEL CITY PIT BULLS

AngelCityPits.org

Pit Bulls have suffered many prejudices and negative stereotypes. Angel City Pit Bulls is dedicated to promoting positive Pit Bull awareness and recreating the image of the Pit Bull as a loving and dedicated family pet. If you are a Pit Bull lover and want to help, even if you can’t commit to foster, help is needed at adoption events, transport to vet visits, and even taking a dog out for a good hike! Contact volunteer@angelcitypits.org

A CATS TALE

ACatsTale.org

All-volunteer organization A Cats Tale was formed after a man contacted its founder, Darla Schultz, saying his mother had 20 cats and he needed to find temporary housing for them as she was ill and needed to be relocated. The man never did return and Darla was saddled with re-homing all of them. And out of this, A Cats Tale was born. A Cats Tale holds monthly adoption events in Culver City and is always looking for assistance, including fostering, web site maintenance, photography and bookkeeping. Visit their site for a full list of needs.

MUCH LOVE ANIMAL RESCUE

MuchLove.org

Since its inception in 1999, Much Love has placed over 3,000 lost, abandoned and orphaned animals from the streets and shelters of LA into wonderful homes. Their greatest need is for foster families. The more foster families available, the more lives that can be saved. Currently, Much Love has over 100 active fosters in their database; last year they were able to save 244 pets—a record for the group. Visit the “Get Involved” link on their website.

STRAY CAT ALLIANCE

StrayCatAlliance.org

The Stray Cat Alliance likes to think of itself as the go-to source for stray cats. They provide low-income support for cat owners in need, set up free spay and neuter clinics, and work to keep free-roaming cat colonies healthy and stable. One of the ways they do this is through “TNR” or “Trap, Neuter, Return”. Once a cat is caught in a humane trap, it is sterilized and then returned to the colony it came from. If you’d like to get involved and help end cat overpopulation and shelter deaths, email volunteers@straycatalliance.org.

FOUND ANIMALS

FoundAnimals.org

Found Animals was started in 2005 by Dr. Gary Michelson in response to the devastation to animals he witnessed during Hurricane Katrina. Found Animals has spearheaded low-cost microchipping and universal scanners offered to humane organizations. The Found Animals microchip registry is free to everyone.Any kind of microchip brand can be registered online and updated at any time. Once a pet is found, a shelter or vet can trigger an automated alert and the owner is contacted via multiple methods over a four-day period.

Found Animals Adopt & Shop boutiques were created with the idea to show adoptable pets in retail locations that get more traffic than a typical shelter. The newest flagship store will be opening in May in Culver City.

Help is always needed fostering kittens, at mobile events, at the Lakewood Adopt & Shop location (and soon Culver City) and even doing administrative duties. Visit “Get Involved” on their website.

KARMA RESCUE

KarmaRescue.org

Founded in 2003 by Rande Levine after witnessing through her own volunteer work the high rate of euthanasia in LA shelters, Karma’s “Karmic Programs” were set up so anyone can help a dog in need. If you cannot foster or currently don’t have time to physically help out, you can make a monthly donation to Karma’s 10,000 Paws Project which allows you to choose a level of monthly donation and see exactly what your donation can do. You can also sponsor a Karma dog. Choose any available dog on their current list of adoptables and contact Karma for more details at info@karmarescue.org. Karma also needs volunteers to foster and be available for mobile adoption events.

Lisa Avebury is a Wellness Consultant, Bodyworker, Yoga and Meditation instructor based in LA: circleseeker.com 

Lisa Avebury

Lisa Avebury CMT is a massage therapist who has been practicing in Southern California since 1995. She is nationally certified by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and is also a yoga instructor, meditation guide, sound healer, and wellness consultant. When she’s not busy working with her private and corporate clients she loves doing anything to help the plight of dogs in need everywhere: www.circleseeker.com

www.circleseeker.com

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