Ursula Schwarz wore the “cone of shame” with pride this week.
Three facts make this significant: Schwarz is a human, not a canine; she wore the hard plastic cone (also known as an Elizabethan collar or pet cone) while riding her bike for 20 miles; and the feat has become a fundraiser for Pima Animal Care Center.
“There was a dog named Maurice at PACC several weeks ago who had to have his leg amputated and afterward he was wearing one of those horrible cones. He was just miserable. Dogs can never get comfortable in them: They can’t sleep comfortably or eat or drink, so I found him a soft collar and he was so much happier. I thought, ‘We should really get the money to buy soft cones for all the dogs.’ That gave me the idea for the cone ride,” said Schwarz, an avid cyclist who has been a PACC volunteer since November 2017.
Schwarz’s idea became reality through a Go Fund Me called “Help PACC Dogs Recover Comfortably” that has raised more than $1,400 toward a $2,000 goal to buy 100 soft cones for dogs who must undergo surgery at PACC.
“Dr. Wilcox, who is the director of the clinic, said when she fosters dogs, she always gives them soft cones because the pets recover faster and more comfortably, but plastic cones are cheaper and there just isn’t enough money in the shelter’s budget,” said Schwarz, who has used cycling as a fundraising vehicle in the past.
She is a member of Ride With the PACC, a group of volunteers who raise funds competing in the Tour de Tucson, which she has ridden in 12 times.
“It is a fun way to combine two things I love: Cycling and volunteering for PACC,” said Schwarz, a retiree who spends at least 24 hours weekly walking dogs and caring for PACC rescues.
Schwarz is also a member of Friends of PACC, the nonprofit group that supports the shelter and enhances its efforts to save the lives of pets in need. It provides both volunteer and financial assistance for PACC, which takes in over 18,000 pets in need every year, more than 25% of whom require serious medical care.
“It is a wonderful group of volunteers. They are constantly spending money and going the extra mile for dogs that might otherwise be euthanized due to behavior or health reasons; somehow they magically seem to find homes and families and help support the outstanding medical care that PACC provides for pets,” said Schwarz, who has made two rescue dogs, Slick and Annie, part of her family.
Ultimately, Schwarz hopes the unique fundraising effort, which she completed on the Rillito River bike path “Loop,” will help bring awareness to the plight of the animals that PACC serves in the community.
Meet Theo, a bulldog who loves metal bowls more than just about anything.
As she anticipated the 20-mile ride during trial runs over the past several weeks, she recognized firsthand the significant challenges that homeless pets experience post-surgically and beyond.
“I have no peripheral vision, but I will be on the Loop so I don’t have to worry about traffic and another volunteer will ride with me for safety. It is uncomfortable, but that is the whole point. I can take the cone off after the ride, and the dogs can’t,” said Schwarz.
Gallery: Tips for protecting your pets this summer:
6 tips for protecting your pets in Tucson this summer
Keep them hydrated
Updated
Provide clean, cool drinking water in an easily accessible, spill-proof container.
Stay inside
Updated
Just like us, pets prefer the AC. Keep pets indoors on hot days: there’s no better place to avoid the heat.
Never leave them in the car!
Updated
Don’t leave a pet inside a vehicle: even with the windows cracked, the interior temperature can become deadly within just a couple of minutes.
Prevent paw burns
Updated
Walk your pet in the early morning or in the evening when the asphalt has cooled down. Place the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
Provide shade
Updated
Ensure your pet has all-day access to a shaded spot with good air flow. For dogs with longer coats, even shaded spots can be too hot in 100-degree weather.
Know the warning signs
Updated
Some signs of heat-related illness include: being lethargic, not eating high-value treats like chicken, excessive panting or difficult breathing, excessive drooling, bright red gums, rapid pulse, muscle tremors, dry nose, nausea, and vomiting.
Pets that are overweight, old or are of a short-nose breed are more prone to overheat.
