CAPE Assures That No Animal Is Left Behind

This year marks the 20th anniversary for the Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE) in Scotts Valley and they are proof that people aren’t the only ones with problems in their stress filled lives.

It all started when Executive Director JP Novic, 57, and five other people that included physicians, animal shelter workers, and a veterinarian meet up to discuss the idea about starting an organization to give troubled animals a helping hand. 

Two decades later, CAPE is stronger than ever and Novic still spreads the word to people about doing something as simple as changing a pet’s diet into a vegan one or to remember to neuter or spay after six months by law, unless the owner obtains a permit.

“Our mission is educating people about the issues that animals face in society,” Novic said. “We want people to see all animals as sentient beings.”

Novic grew up in San Carlos, Calif. with a house full of cats and dogs and fell in love with animals since the day she can remember having them around.

Yet, it wasn’t until her college days when Novic really started to think about rescuing animals after reading a book called Animal Liberation written by Peter Singer.

“He (Singer) somehow in his writing was able to help me make the connection to the fact that all animals feel pain and that they suffer,” Novic said. “They feel an emotional quality about their young and their mate. He was able to sort of turn the light on for me.”

And according to Novic, an estimated 6-8 million animals are put down each year due to lack of capacity in shelters and 12 billion farm animals are killed for meat in the food industry.

Although it is impossible for CAPE to rescue each and every animal on the planet, Novic has made a giant step into helping out in a bigger way then she has ever imagined.

She has been working with another organization called the Animal Place Sanctuary and the both of them together will form a 620-acre area called Old Friends Animal Sanctuary in Grass Valley, Calif. that will be open to the public.

“We’re developing what we’re calling a vegan community,” Novic said. “It’s all about the animals and it’s just a wonderful, peaceful place for all beings without ever worrying about being harmed. We want people to come up and kind of experience the whole shebang.”

But before Novic moves on to her big project up north, her and the many volunteers of CAPE will celebrate 20 years of success with an anniversary party on Aug. 18 in Santa Cruz.

The event will have a silent auction and proceeds from the event will benefit CAPE's Veterinary Fund, which provides medical care for animals.

The party will also feature a slide show presentation by Suzi Eszterhas, 36, a professional wildlife photographer from Marin County. Her pictures have been featured on the cover of big name magazines such as TIME and Ranger Rick.

Eszterhas spent some time in Santa Cruz when she attended UCSC and that’s when she hooked up with Novic while working a day job at the Santa Cruz SPCA.

Eszterhas has also participated and worked with many other organizations that deal with wildlife projects, yet, her biggest soft spot is helping dogs and other animal that could be considered a pet.

“I’m a real believer in domestic animal rescue and it’s something that’s very close to my heart,” Eszterhas said. “I wanted to pick an organization to support in the long term that I believe is doing some incredible work, and CAPE is exactly one of those organizations.”

And while most people domesticate dogs, cats, rabbits, and even snakes, Novic takes the prize with her pet turkey, Helen. She was dropped off on the steps of a Watsonville animal shelter over 7 years ago and Novic was the one to take Helen into her home.

What makes the turkey even more interesting is that she’s a favorite amongst children inside the classrooms whenever Novic does presentations about CAPE at local schools. There truly is no animal that CAPE will turn down for help as long as Novic is still running things.

“Most people have not had the experience of hanging out with a turkey. I love her so much, she is so sweet, so funny and full of personality,” Novic said. “And most people don’t get that opportunity because they’re not animals that live inside our home with us.”

“They’re all just wonderful, they’re all characters and they all have their own likes and dislikes and personality quirks. I just love them all.”

CAPE’s anniversary party and presentation by wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas is on Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1818 Felt St., Santa Cruz. For tickets, visit http://photographsbysuzi.eventbrite.com/ or call 831-336-4695.