Credit union takes up cause for animals


PAW-FECT—Send your pennies and help out a pal, says Logix Federal Credit Union in it latest push to assist area animal charities.

PAW-FECT—Send your pennies and help out a pal, says Logix Federal Credit Union in it latest push to assist area animal charities.

Logix Federal Credit Union’s Paying with a Purpose: Pennies for Pals campaign recently raised $20,000 to benefit five area nonprofits that champion the connection between people and their animal companions.

From May 1 to 15, each time a member used their Logix Mastercard credit or debit card, the credit union donated two cents to support one of the following nonprofits: PawWorks Veterinary Hospital and Apollo’s ARC in Conejo Valley, Wildlife Care of Southern California in Simi Valley, Carousel Ranch in Santa Clarita, and Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue in Antelope Valley.

“Last year, our members embraced our Paying with a Purpose campaign to give back to local food banks and hospitals—organizations that were on the front lines during the pandemic. This year, we wanted to recognize those nonprofits who helped us feel connected during a time we needed it most,” said Ana Fonseca,

Logix president and CEO.

“Two cents really adds up, and these dollars will be used for services related to bringing together people and their pets, support animals and the wildlife in our communities,” she said.

One of the nonprofits supported by the campaign, Paw Works, offers myriad animal-related services.

“The support we’re receiving helps us to provide low-cost veterinary services to families in the Conejo Valley,” said operations manager Brittany Vizcarra.

“Having just opened earlier this year, it’s a crucial time for our clinic. Affordable healthcare for our pets can often mean the difference between a long, healthy life together and having to give up a member of our family. We’re grateful to Logix, as this donation will touch so many lives,” said Vizcarra.

Established in 2014, Paw Works transformed Ventura County’s animal shelters to “no kill” status in its first month and has since formed an active animal rescue operations in Southern California, saving about 2,500 abandoned animals each year.

Paw Works also offers an adoption center and boutique in The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks, a rescue facility in Camarillo and a nonprofit veterinary hospital serving Ventura and northwestern L.A. counties.

Also started as an animal rescue, Apollo’s ARC is a grassroots organization based in Thousand Oaks. It relies on volunteers and foster families to provide for the nearly 150 animals they rescue each year.

In addition, through its Homeless Hounds Project it provides care kits for people experiencing homelessness or loss of income so they can continue caring for their pets. In extreme cases, it can take in pets being given up by owners, preventing their entry into already crowded shelters.

“The donation we’re receiving from Paying with a Purpose is going to go a long way toward funding our efforts,” said Cara Dallamora, Apollo’s ARC president, who founded the organization two years ago after losing her dog Apollo during leg surgery.

“We also established a Hero Hounds Project, which matches dogs with veterans so that they can provide companionship and emotional support to each other. The contribution from Logix and Paying with a Purpose will go toward these programs,” said Dallamora.

Wildlife Care of Southern California, which takes in ill or injured animals in the wild, also benefits from the Logix Paying with a Purpose campaign. The Simi Valley-based nonprofit was founded in 1994 by a group who saw that wild animals were increasingly becoming victims of urbanization and needed experienced wildlife rehabilitators.

“We often are overlooked as a nonprofit because we’re not working with pets or companion animals,” said Anna Reams, director of Wildlife Care. But “many people, when they encounter an animal who is suffering, feel grief for not knowing how to help. Our organization is a resource for those to call upon. . . . The donation from Logix will help us continue to provide this invaluable assistance for our communities.”

Chartered in 1937, Logix Federal Credit Union offers financial services and surcharge-free access to 30,000 ATMs nationwide. It is the largest credit union headquartered in Los Angeles County, with more than 210,000 members and $8 billion in assets.

The credit union operates 18 branches in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Newbury Park in Conejo Valley and on Cochran Street and Tapo Canyon in Simi Valley.

Logix has been named one of the best credit unions in California by Forbes for the past three consecutive years. Savings are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. Logix is an equal housing lender.

For more info, visit lfcu.com.