Salinas woman starts lost and stray dog help page

“My cat was the love of my life. I got her on the first day of first grade from a tree in Spreckels,” Nia Casad said.

Casad has been surrounded by animals her entire life. “We had three guinea pigs, five cats, (and) two dogs growing up. It was crazy.”

This was a love for animals that turned into a passion. For the last few years she has been assisting with stray and lost animals groups.

“I would pick them up and transport them wherever they need to go,” Casad said.

With the encouragement of others, Casad started her own Facebook page – titled 831 Pawdyguard. She created the group last month, and has nearly 200 followers and multiple posts a day with people asking for help. She is on the move overnight and out of pocket, with occasional donations.

“(I have received) Extra blankets or if they have extra dog collars. Or muzzles or leases. Sometimes I get gas money.”

She says the night hours are often the toughest, sometimes with no place to go.

“Not going to name any names, but certain organizations have just told me to release the stray animal back on to the streets. As an animal lover, that just doesn’t feel right for me.”

Casad, like many local rescue groups are gearing up for the busy 4th of July holiday.

“Our adoption center will be closed for the day, but our intake center will be open for emergencies,” Dawn Fenton, Education and Outreach Manager of SPCA for Monterey County, said. “If there are emergencies if people do need to call us, you can still call us.” She said they will take calls overnight on July 4th.

This is because fireworks are a big problem for animals.

“Animals have sensitive hearing. And their noses are sensitive,” Fenton said. “Keep them in a nice quiet room. Maybe play some music. Make sure they have treats and their favorite toys.”

There is a risk of keeping your pets outside when the fireworks begin.
“If you can help it, keep your pets inside, because when they are outside it is a really great opportunity for them to get scared and maybe hop a fence and get lost,” Fenton said.