Author: Alicia Pensarosa

Interests: advocating for animals, volunteerism, sewing, vegan cooking, motorcyles, spin, and spending time on the ocean. Assistant Director, Ocean Alliance M.S. Animals and Public Policy, Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine Former Advertising professional

Shop Local & Support Local

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

The Bookstore of Gloucester will be carrying copies of Ella’s Adventures in the Great Barrier Reef. Pictured here is owner Arwen Severance with the book. Proceeds from the sales of Ella’s Adventures supports Ocean Alliance’s research expeditions.

The Bookstore of Gloucester is open for browsing and is following COVID-19 Protocols. The Bookstore is located at 61 Main Street and is currently open Sun-Thurs 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm. Stop by to purchase from a selection of great books and stationary items.

Ella’s Adventures in the Great Barrier Reef follows the adventures of a rescued sea turtle and her friends, and is based on a true story.

Ella’s Adventures is written by Ocean Alliance’s good friend and SnotBot Expedition photographer Christian Miller. Christian is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer, a photo artist and a filmmaker. The book is dedicated to protecting the oceans. A portion of the proceeds of each copy will be supporting carefully chosen conservation projects, like Ocean Alliance’s SnotBot expeditions!

Pet of the Week- Aporia

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Hi, my name is Aporia! I made my way to Cape Ann Animal Aid through the Feline Rescue Transfer program.

I have beautiful blue eyes, soft cream-colored fur, and probably have some Burmese in my family tree. I would love a quiet adult home where I can take some time to open up and explore on my own time. I am cuddly, loving, and adore being pet by the staff here and sitting in laps. I don’t seem extremely fond of the other cats though, so I would probably do best as the only pet in the home.

I am considered a special needs adoption due to ongoing digestive issues and inconsistent litter box usage. I am currently on a special diet food which has helped me with these issues, and it would be recommended to keep me on it. If you’d like to take in a sweet cat like me and don’t mind me being your one and only, please send in an application to meet me on video and learn more about me.


Visit the following section of our website if you are interested in adopting Aporia:https://www.capeannanimalaid.org/adopt.html

Pet of the Week-Pumpkin

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

pumpkin

Pumpkin here. I am a beautiful 5 year old lady looking for a home where I can spend my days. I love being pet and loved by my human companions, but I am not very fond of the other cats here so I would be best as an only pet . If you’re in the market for a sweet and fun adult cat and don’t mind me being your only pet, I could be a perfect fit! Please send in an application if you’re interested in taking me home.
Visit the following section of our website if you are interested in adopting Pumpkin today:

Pet of the Week- Pearl

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Hi, my name is Pearl. I am an independent lady who enjoys the quieter side of life. I do love to be pet gently and get chin scratches, especially on my own terms. My ideal person would be someone who can respect my boundaries and is able to speak “cat language” – someone who can tell when I may not want to cuddle and would rather nap, for example. I may take a bit to warm up in a new environment, but if you take it slow, I am sure to be a great companion. One more thing you should know about me is that I am not the easiest patient at the vet, and may need to be sedated for things like routine exams because I get so stressed. This is definitely something your vet should have experience with and can be discussed before you even bring me in, so don’t worry too much. My ideal home would be one where I can be your one and only furry friend. If you are ready to open your home to a sweet soul, please send in an application so that we can meet on video. I am sure to be grateful for a safe loving home!


Visit the following section of our website if you are interested in adopting Pearl today:https://www.capeannanimalaid.org/adopt.html

Tino’s Corner

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Mary Lou Marganis, founder of the Gloucester Dog Park shares the Tino’s Corner plaque with us. The plaque illuminates one of the founding principles of the dog park. Tino’s Corner is a special area of the dog park for dogs not ready for the park, dogs that need special training, or dogs that need time to adjust.

Tino's Corner

And Tino’s Corner exemplifies injustices to both animals and humans.

Mary Lou writes, “Tino was needlessly killed by the very shelter that was supposed to be there to protect and care for him. Many of us fought the injustice but it fell on deaf ears. However, the movement in rescue has been reform from ignorant, antiquated thinking. There is a New Age of Sheltering whereby killing is no longer accepted as the first option. And finally, and long overdue,  there seems to be a New Age of transformation for humans as well.”

The message on the plaque is a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., and rings very true today,

“Never, never be afraid to do what is right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

As an animal lover, a rescue dog owner, this rings true for me and I aim to live my life this way.

Alicia P.

Pet of the Week-Oreo & Lucy

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Oreo cat.Oreo and his girlfriend Lucy wanted to share that while the shelter is still closed for visitors, the Cape Ann Animal Aid is busy caring for animals.  We are doing virtual meet and greets and hands free adoptions. Oreo and Lucy are affectionate and sweet, a pair of adorable seniors looking for someone to share their love and lazy days with.  These two are great friends and eager to settle in with you!   All adoption applications are submitted by visiting our website and using a form specific for the individual animal.  Learn more at https://www.capeannanimalaid.org/adopt.html  If you can’t adopt but still want to help please consider a monetary gift or check our wishlist  https://www.capeannanimalaid.org/wishlist.html

Oreo_LucyLucy1

 

Light Up the Night For Earth Day – A Facebook Live Event-Wednesday Evening

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

LuminArtz is partnering with Ocean Alliance to bring you “Light up the Night” – Part 4 on their Facebook Live Page, Wednesday night at 9:00 PM.  

Here’s a sneak peak!

OA light up the night

With social distancing, we are all feeling a bit scared and lost. Covid-19 is touching each one of us and the request to stay at home keeps getting extended. But that doesn’t mean we can’t come together!

LuminArtz is partnering with Communications, Ink and other local organizations to launch “Light Up the Night” — a project that will project messages of hope and inspiration. Every week they will project from an undisclosed location in Essex County and stream it live to their Facebook page.

Check out last Sunday evening’s installment of “Hope is a Thing with Feathers”, the work of JennyMae Kho at a Historic Beverly location. Amazing work!

luminartz feathers

Check their events page for the next date and time. Stay safe & stay home!

 

Pet of the Week- Jazzy

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Jazzy 1

My name is Jazzy! I am a pretty girl about 5 years old. I made my way to Cape Ann Animal Aid when my family couldn’t keep me due to some allergies. Change can be tough but I am putting my best paw forward and excited for an opportunity at a family to love me forever!

Jazzy 2

In my previous home I was playful and affectionate. I loved being pet or bird watching out the window. I would do best in a quiet home as your one and only! 
To learn more about me or other animals waiting for homes, please come visit our shelter at 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester or check us out online at www.capeannanimalaid.org.

Pet of the Week- Mother Cat

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

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What I want most for the Holidays is a home of my own. Please help my Holidays wishes come true! My adoption fee is that funny number because it is 50% off as a Holiday Special to help get me more attention….maybe it worked and caught your eye?

Hello Mother Cat here. I am one of the lucky kitties to be rescued from the Virgin Islands after the hurricanes. With the collaborative effort of Sweet Paws Rescue, Humane Society of St. Thomas and Cape Ann Animal Aid I am here safe and just waiting for my forever home.

I am 4 year old cat who loves attention and affection but need someone who understands that I have been through lots of changes lately and will need a slow start. If you would like to visit with me and are looking for an additional feline companion please consider giving me a forever home.

https://www.capeannanimalaid.org

 

 

Pet of the Week- Brewster

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Brewster

Hello! My name is Brewster. I am a lucky guy who was found all the way in Puerto Rico and rescued with several other lucky kitties and moved up this way thanks to Wags 2 Riches Rescue. I am now looking for my shot at finding a forever home! I would do best in a home with another friendly confident cat, I enjoy the company of another feline companion and hopefully they will help to teach me the ropes of what life is like indoor living. I much prefer the quiet side to take things at my own pace, I would do great in a low traffic home with older children that can respect my space. I love tasty treats especially tuna & playing the day away chasing wand toys.If you are looking for a laid back guy stop by and meet me today!

To learn more about us or other animals waiting for homes, please come visit our shelter at 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester or check us out online at www.capeannanimalaid.org.

Pet of the Week- Lita

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa
Lita
Hello there, my name is Lita. I am one of the lucky kitties to be rescued with my litter of 5 kittens and transported up north to be adopted. Now that my kittens are on their own and ready to find homes of their own, it is my turn to have a loving home of my own.
I am just over one year old and I am a sweet loving little girl. I love all people and would make a great addition to any home. If you are looking for a kitty to add to your house hold and just don’t want to do the kitten thing than I am the girl for you. I haven’t been a big fan of the other cats here at the shelter, I seem to like my space from them. Just sayin’!
Please stop on by and spend some time with me and see if I pick you to be my new family.
To learn more about me or other animals waiting for homes, please come visit our shelter at 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester or check us out online at www.capeannanimalaid.org.

Pet of the Week- Alina & Caesar

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa
Alina & Caesar
Hi, my name is Alina and the big guy next to me is my best bud, Caesar.
Can you believe this is our second go around at finding our forever home? Change can be tough but we are hoping someone will have it in their heart to adopt us both as a bonded pair. We have been together for awhile now and we really believe that life is better together!
I am about 6 years old and tend to be the more reserved one. I like to take my time getting to know you, but once I do, I love attention and especially being brushed! The folks here always tell me how cute I am when I ‘give paw’ or run and do zoomies around the play yard.
Caesar is about 5 years old, and is the more outgoing one. He loves everyone he meets (dogs, people, you name it)! He is a great balance of energy and chill. He keeps me moving and makes me feel young and also safe.
We love exploring outside and resting in some snuggly beds . We are both crate trained, know ‘sit’, love car rides, and are just awaiting your arrival. We’d love to start our next chapter with you! We know that many people are looking to adopt puppies, but there are a lot of positives to adopting adult dogs, too.
In our previous home we lived with children and well…we have decided we prefer the attention on us , because of this we are looking for an adult only home. Because we are members of the extended stay club, our adoption fees have been reduced to help us find a home more quickly. Please consider coming to meet us. We’d love to meet you!
To learn more about us or other animals waiting for homes, please come visit our shelter at 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester or check us out online at www.capeannanimalaid.org.

Pet of the Week- Auggie

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Auggie 1

My name is Auggie and I am a special needs pup! Who doesn’t love an adorable pup?! I am a terrier mix just about 3 months old.

I have never met a toy I didn’t like, and I think running around and playing outside is pretty much the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have made many new dog and human friends here at the shelter, so that’s a lot of fun some have even taken me offsite and I loved It! What I think would be even better is having a home and family of my very own. Maybe you can help me out?

I’m what’s called a special needs adoption because I have a heart condition called pulmonic stenosis. I take medicine called atenolol every day and there are possible surgical procedures and continued diagnostics that we could explore together if we decide that is the route we want to take but for now I am enjoying being a puppy and hoping you will take a chance on me. The doctors estimate that without any correction of the defect I could start showing clinical signs, typically fainting at 5-7 years but it is hard to predict the future so I plan on enjoying every day to the fullest!

Please visit Cape Ann Animal Aid to learn more! https://www.capeannanimalaid.org

 

Open House this Saturday

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Visit the Paint Factory site this Saturday for Ocean Alliance’s Open House! We are celebrating World Oceans Day by demonstrating some of our drones for whale research program. Stop in to learn about our Robotics Club and kids under 16 will get a free glider plane!

June 8, 2019
12pm-3pm
Ocean Alliance
32 Horton Street, Gloucester MA

World Oceans Day 2019 Open House

 

 

 

Pet of the Week- Mr. Buddy

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Mr. Buddy

Mr. Buddy here, and I’m a handsome shepherd mix guy. I made my way to CAAA all the way from Texas where someone had dumped me. Luckily some nice people found me and took me in and fostered me until I was ready to make the journey north. I’m a social guy and I love people, and my foster says I get along well with other dogs. I wouldn’t do well in a home with cats because I want to play with them and that tends to freak them out. Other than that I’m pretty darn perfect. Don’t just take my word for it though, come find out for yourself!
To learn more about me or other animals waiting for homes, please come visit our shelter at 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester or check us out online at www.capeannanimalaid.org.

World Oceans Day – Saturday, June 8th

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

World Oceans Day 2019 Open House

https://www.facebook.com/events/407231313338793/

Ocean Alliance will be holding an open house next Saturday to celebrate World Oceans Day. Stop by to learn more about our whale conservation programs, watch SnotBot in action, and sign up for our Robotics Club. We’ll be giving away free glider plane kits and even testing out our new Epilog laser cutter! 

If you haven’t been to the Paint Factory in awhile come check out the new restoration work that has been done.

We look forward to seeing you there!
Alicia

 

 

Pet of the Week- Lady Gaga

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa
Are you happy in this modern world? Or do you need more? Perhaps a kitty worth coming for? That’s me, Lady Gaga.
pet of the week lady gaga
I am more than ready to find a family who will let me settle in and love me forever. I promise with a little time I am sure to be a great companion I would do great in a quiet, low traffic home. I am still young at just over a year old and have plenty of personality to share. Come on by and meet me to see if I would be a good fit for your family!
To learn more about me or other animals waiting for homes, please come visit our shelter at 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester or check us out online at www.capeannanimalaid.org.

Watch Ocean Alliance on CBS News…

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

The last few weeks have been pretty exciting at Ocean Alliance hosting a number of television crews.

Two Saturday’s ago, Ocean Alliance had a CBS News shoot for a national news feature on SnotBot®. Host Tom Hanson interviewed Iain Kerr for the segment and filmed SnotBot® in action on Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. We had really great weather and experienced a feeding frenzy of seabirds, dolphins, finback and humpback whales. Ocean Alliance collected great behavioral footage along with a robust snot sample from a Finback whale that will be analyzed  for hormones, DNA, and microbiomes. The news story is planned to air on CBS News affiliated stations today, reaching a minimum of 5 million viewers!

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Tom Hanson, CBS News interviewing Iain Kerr

 Fin whale lunge feeding on Stellwagen Bank

This past weekend actor/comedian Sir Billy Connolly spent three hours at the Paint Factory with Ocean Alliance filming a segment for Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail television show. The show will be broadcast on ITV in September 2019 and then worldwide. The production team was interested in filming in Gloucester because of the whaling history, wildlife, and Ocean Alliance’s new developments in whale research. Billy was able to test out our thermal imaging drone FLIRBot, and even fly a drone himself! It was a lot of fun hosting Billy and the production team at our Paint Factory headquarters. We’ll keep you updated on when the show will air.

Billy Connolly talk
Filming at Ocean Alliance for Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail

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Iain and Billy using FLIRBot

Last September, while on a Parley SnotBot expedition in Gabon, Africa the Ocean Alliance team filmed an episode of  BBC’s Equator from the Air.  For our UK friends the first episode will air on Sunday 26th May, on BBC Two at 20:00/8pm BST. The series will air at the same time each week for an additional three weeks. Look for it on BBC streaming in the near future.

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SnotBot® collecting humpback whale blow in Gabon

 

To learn more about Ocean Alliance’s work and what is going on at the Paint Factory visit https://whale.org or follow us on social media.

 

Pet of the Week – Sonny & Cher

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Sonny And Cher 1

Super duo, Sonny and Cher, here pleased to meet you! We are a sibling pair just over 11 months old. We are looking for a family to call our own! Are you in the market for two kitties? We love to play, sleep and spend time with one another so we are insisting on a home where we can stay together as a bonded pair. We are excited to spend our days in a cozy home, enjoying worry free living being pampered and played with, we sure love to investigate and play with toys. Did we mention no mouse will dare take up residence with us in the house? Stop by and meet us today!

https://www.capeannanimalaid.org

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