Woods Adoption Fees June 6
On Saturday, June 6, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Woods Humane Society will join animal shelters across California in offering fee-waived adoptions as part of the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day, hosted by the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), and the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
“We are thrilled to be a part of this important awareness and adoption event that will help bring much-needed attention to homeless pets across the state,” said Woods CEO Emily L’Heureux in a news release. “Woods Humane Society has seen enormous success in placing animals in loving homes during the past two years of this event, and we can’t wait to see the impact we can have this year with our community’s support.”
The third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day builds on two consecutive years of record-breaking results. When the event launched in 2024, 3,609 animals found loving homes in a single day, far exceeding its initial goals. In 2025, 148 animal welfare organizations across 212 event locations helped find homes for 4,979 pets. This year, organizers are aiming to surpass 5,000 adoptions for the first time. To date, the event has placed 8,588 animals in homes over its first two years.
The ASPCA is providing grants to underwrite adoption fees at most participating organizations including Woods Humane Society and shelters across the state. In 2025, 46 percent of California Adopt-a-Pet Day adopters were doing so for the very first time.
On June 6, Woods Humane Society will be joined by fellow Central Coast shelters participating in California Adopt-a-Pet Day, including San Luis Obispo County Animal Services, Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Santa Barbara Humane, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/D.A.W.G., among others. Animals of all breeds, ages, sizes, and energy levels are available at participating shelters. Most shelter animals are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption. Shelter staff will help ensure adopters are matched with an animal who is the right fit for their lifestyle.
The event comes as animal shelters across California continue to face capacity pressures. In 2025, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. animal shelters and rescue organizations nationwide. Only about 30 percent of California households currently adopt their pets from shelters or rescue organizations. California Adopt-a-Pet Day was created in part to address these challenges, removing cost as a barrier to adoption and connecting more animals with loving homes.
Woods Humane Society is located at 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo, and at 2300 Ramona Rd., Atascadero, and is open to the public daily from 12-5 p.m., with adoption hours from 12-4 p.m. For more information about Woods, visit www.WoodsHumane.org or call (805) 543-9316.
Three Cal Poly Faculty Awarded Fulbright Awards
Three Cal Poly faculty members have been awarded the highly competitive Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the 2026 academic year, with an additional faculty member named as an alternate. These honors recognize excellence in teaching, research and a shared commitment to advancing global collaboration.
Natasha Neumann, associate professor and co-coordinator of the M.S. Educational Leadership and Administration Program (ELAP) in the School of Education, Bailey College of Science and Mathematics, was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Spain. She will be hosted by Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera in Valencia, where she will conduct a project on “Multilingual Learning in Spain & the U.S.: Educational Policy, Leadership, and Teaching Practices,” examining the intersections of language, education policy and leadership across international contexts, with a focus on advancing educational equity and cross-cultural understanding.
David Askay, professor of communication studies in the College of Liberal Arts, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Japan. Hosted by Ritsumeikan University, his research explores how embracing ambiguity — known as yuragi — can enhance creative team collaboration. In addition to his research, Askay will teach courses in design thinking and learning from failure and will work to build infrastructure supporting future student exchanges between Cal Poly and Ritsumeikan University.
Jasmine Nation, professor in the Liberal Studies Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics, has received an award for Chile. She will collaborate with colleagues at the Universidad del Bío-Bío on her project, “Science Teachers as Researchers: Learning from Place-Based Science.” Her work will include co-teaching graduate courses, mentoring teacher-led research, and advancing cross-cultural science education through the University–Community Links network, reflecting a sustained commitment to global partnership and educational innovation.
In addition, Clay McKell has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar alternate to Austria. His proposed project, “Game Theoretic Protocol Design for Energy Efficient Multi-Hop LoRa Networks,” investigates how game-theoretic approaches can improve the performance and energy efficiency of communication in Internet of Things (IoT) systems. His project will be in collaboration with the University of Klagenfurt.
“These awards highlight the exceptional caliber of Cal Poly’s faculty and their dedication to addressing global challenges through research, teaching and collaboration,” said Cari Vanderkar, assistant vice provost for International Programs and Cal Poly’s senior international officer. “We are proud of their achievements and the impact their work will have both internationally and within our campus community.”
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is one of the nation’s most prestigious international exchange programs, supporting faculty and professionals as they engage in research and teaching abroad to foster mutual understanding between nations. Since 1946, it has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/.
For more information about Fulbright opportunities at Cal Poly, contact Nishi Rajakaruna, nrajakar@calpoly.edu or Cari Vanderkar at civander@calpoly.edu.
SLO Libraries Open Extra Hours for Summer 2026
Select County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries locations will open for additional hours during the summer months of June and July.
Because of summer heat, two North County locations will be open extra hours as places to cool off. Shandon Library will be open an extra day, Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:30 – 1 p.m.). San Miguel Library will add Fridays, 1 – 5 p.m.
Some South County locations will offer extra hours to accommodate additional summer traffic related to the temporary closure of the Arroyo Grande Library. Oceano Library will add Fridays, 1 – 5 p.m., and Shell Beach Library will be open Thursdays, 1 – 5 p.m.
Visitors can find hours for all 14 County of SLO Public Libraries locations at SLOLibrary.org.
Grover Beach Photographer Named to National List
It’s that time of year to start booking senior portraits for school yearbooks for the class of 2027. Amy Marlan Photography, based in Grover Beach, was named to SeniorMUSE magazine’s “50 to Follow ‘26’” list, a nationally recognized honor identifying the top senior portrait photographers across the country. The competition draws thousands of entries annually, making the final list a significant achievement in the senior portrait industry.
For families with high school juniors, senior portraits should be on the planning list now. In fact, most area high schools require senior portraits for yearbook submission by late fall.
Amy Marlan offers full-service studio and outdoor photography around the Central Coast and on location. She encourages having a relaxed mindset throughout the portrait experience
“This is a rare opportunity for your senior to be the sole subject of a portrait session. Having time to plan and get creative without a deadline leads to better results,” said Marlan.
Marlan’s process begins with a creative consultation in which she learns about the student’s passions, personal style and future plans to ensure every portrait is as individual as the senior it celebrates. If the student isn’t sure what they want, Marlan will help them find their artistic direction.
“Choosing a professional photographer who knows lighting, posing and composition helps the most reserved subjects feel at ease and confident in the outcome,” said Marlan. “Senior portraits are a huge milestone.”
To book a session or learn more, visit amymarlan.com/seniors or follow her on social media @amymarlanphotography.
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