C.A.N.-do attitude

Amy R. Spurgeon

NEWPORT BEACH -- Many people in the community are commended for their

outstanding work with children, the homeless or at-risk youth. But what

about individuals who sacrifice time, money and sleep for lost or

abandoned pets?

Newport Beach resident Di Anna Pfaff-Martin has been working day and

night to place lost or abandoned pets in loving homes since starting the

Community Animal Network, or C.A.N., in Newport Beach last year. The

local business is dedicated to helping find lost pets, placing abandoned

pets in loving homes, educating the public about pet ownership

responsibilities as well as identifying the dangers local animals face.

“I do what I do because I really want to make a difference,” Pfaff-Martin

said. “And I believe we could do more than what we are currently doing.”

Years ago, Pfaff-Martin and her 15-year-old son took in an stray cat that

was meowing at their backdoor. But their hearts were soon broken after

the lovable animal was taken by a coyote.

The period of grief following Butterscotch’s disappearanceprompted

Pfaff-Martin to write an article for neighbors about the dangers local

pets face. The article eventually turned into a monthly publication and

later became the Community Animal Network.

Pfaff-Martin, who also runs an executive training business, is familiar

with 14-hour work days.

“She is the only one who has actually put her words to work,” said

Newport Beach Animal Shelter coordinator Maggie Thigpen. “In the end, it

is every man for themselves. But she is true to her word.”Pfaff-Martin

spends endless hours and money organizing local pet adoption days,

picking up abandoned animals and helping inconsolable owners find their

missing pets.But while working to help pets, she has discovered the dark

side of local and county-run animal organizations. Endless voice-mail

recordings, chronic lack of space and high rates of pet euthanasia have

forced Pfaff-Martin to become obsessive about helping animals while

simultaneously getting the word out about existing conditions.

“These are the things people don’t know about until you are trying to get

help,” she said.

In 1998, more than 18,554 cats and dogs were put to sleep -- an increase

from 1997, according to Pfaff-Martin. And 195 were euthanized at the

Newport Beach Animal Shelter, a pro-humane shelter. The holidays only

spell trouble for many unwanted shelter animals.Contracted city shelters,

including the Newport Beach shelter, offer boarding to residents during

the holidays. Long-term shelter animals are either moved to another

shelter or euthanized to make room for holiday boarders, according to

Pfaff-Martin.

But despite these depressing statistics, Pfaff-Martin continues to fight.

Her goals for 2000 include the installation of a countywide missing-pet

Web site, which would educate the public about the dangers animals face.

There are already 50 volunteers in the Community Animal Network.

“I want the community to take action and adopt a local pet in need,”

Pfaff-Martin said. “Adopting a local animal in need this Christmas will

help save lives.”