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Rescue Me: an Incredible “Journey” Page 7 The coop S Winter 2015 Rescue Me: An Incredible “Journey” Page 7 25 Years of Saving Lives Page 8 Community Interest Maddie’s Legacy Saves Countless Lives Visitors to ARF enter through the Maddie’s Animal Care Center doors. Maddie’s Fund® (www.maddiesfund. org) is a family foundation endowed by 2890 Mitchell Drive Walnut Creek, CA 94598 the founder of Workday® and People- (925) 256-1ARF Soft, Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Adoption Hours Maddie’s Fund is helping to achieve and Wed - Thu: Noon - 6 pm sustain a no-kill nation by providing so- Fri: Noon - 7 pm Sat - Sun: Noon - 6 pm lutions to the most challenging issues facing the animal welfare community the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer ARF Thrift Store through its grant giving, hands-on ani- 1950 Market Street, Suite H who passed away in 1997. Concord, CA mal care, research, and education. Mad- Follow Maddie’s Fund at Facebook. Mon - Sat: 10 am - 4 pm die’s Fund and its signature Maddie’s Pet com/MaddiesFund and @MaddiesAdopt Board of Directors Adoption Days, America’s largest no-cost on Twitter and Instagram. Tony La Russa, Chairman pet adoption event, are both named after Gregory L. McCoy, Esq., President Jennifer Hall, Vice President Bradley N. Blake Last Revision: March 23, 2014 William A. Blase, Jr. Kara Carter Glenn Colacurci Timothy Krisch Bianca LaRussa Neal Mitchell Coming Steven C. Parrish Soon! John Schiavo Marsha Servetnick ARF’s Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic John Steiner Amy Trask ARF is expanding affordable spay/neuter services! A custom designed Mobile ARF Executive Staff Spay/Neuter Clinic will soon be completed and on its way across country to ARF. Elena Bicker, Executive Director Our new Mobile Clinic will allow us to spay and neuter more local dogs and cats, Bobbe Bartlett, Development Director help pet guardians in underserved areas in Contra Costa County access spay/ Lindsey Dohlman, Animal Programs Director neuter services, and deliver needed pet wellness clinics to veterans as part of our Elaine Durkin, Finance Director Stephanie Erickson, Operations Director Pets for Vets program. Sponsorship of ARF’s Mobile Clinic will ensure stronger Gaye McDuff, Volunteer Services Director community outreach and reduce the number of unwanted litters. Contact Sally Wortman, Clinic Director Bobbe Bartlett at (925) 296-3149 or [email protected]. www.arflife.org Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, which receives no local, state or federal fund- ing. Life-saving services and programs are made possible through the generosity of caring people. Sara Bragg, Scoop Editor Ashley Thiry, Art and Production We love feedback on The Scoop! Contact [email protected] On the cover: Yukon Rescued September 2015 - Adopted September 2015 facebook.com/tlrarf twitter.com/ARFtweets youtube.com/tlrarf instagram.com/tlrarf Page 2 www.arflife.org Winter 2015 A Message from the Executive Director Rescued cats from Butte Fire on the way to ARF approached the kennels with caution, curious as to what Hospital to help replace their diminished supplies. Animals they would reveal as I peered around the corner. One are resilient and we took comfort in helping ease their pain. I gentleman was busy tending to an older Mastiff mix Our days are rarely typical, but our focus is consistent with a cage card, “I am a grumpy grandpa, staff only.” The as we embrace ARF’s mission of “People Rescuing Animals… man stood up when he saw me, and I introduced myself. Animals Rescuing People®.” ARF was able to rehome “Aren’t you from Walnut Creek?” he asked. “Why are you all more than 2,600 pets last year, an all-time record, and our the way out here?.” The Butte Fire in Northern California innovative programs brought love to 319,903 people in had destroyed more than 70,000 acres and we witnessed need. The Pets for Vets program we launched in 2012 has the devastation first hand on our 150+ mile approach. “We since placed more than 300 shelter animals with veterans for came to help, to show our support. We want you to know invaluable emotional support. you are not alone in this tragedy.” He extended his hand and Whether the day brings deployment, rescue runs, or Pet we shook, as his eyes welled up. “Thank you. Thank you for Hug Pack visits, we are invigorated to say “yes” and respond. caring.” We never stop looking for ways to improve what we can do The cyclone fencing kennels housed displaced animals in for the animals and communities who need us. Our spay/ a random assortment: the Mastiff caged next to three cats, neuter clinic is one of only two affordable cost clinics in the then a pit bull puppy, all in harmony. We began to unload county, and our sought-after sterilization services book up weeks in advance, delaying surgery and potentially resulting Whether the day brings deployment, in litters. We purchased a mobile spay/neuter clinic, and as we gain financial momentum, we will target regions with a rescue runs, or Pet Hug Pack visits, we are high surrender rate and low-income residents who want to invigorated to say “yes” and respond do the right thing, but cannot access services. The mobile clinic will also provide health and pet wellness checks for VA the crates, food, and other pet supplies we had brought. veterans. Calaveras Humane Society’s original message stated: “We Thank you for playing a crucial role in ARF’s success these have 35 dogs in need of temporary shelter and only 17 past 25 years and continuing to energize our life-saving crates” and we responded in force, alongside members work throughout the next 25 years. I hope you will consider of the community. ARF’s staff and volunteer team split up a gift this holiday season so ARF may continue to deliver to assess the cats on property, and then travel to the dog outstanding medical care, save lives, and match those in holding at Calaveras County Fairgrounds. With the team in need with the unconditional love that only a pet can provide. place, I departed with the excess items not need for the Butte Together, we can change lives! Give today. Fire victims, and drove another 150 miles west to the Valley Fire. The ARF team rescued 19 pets who had been living Happy holidays, in the shelter prior to the fire, in order to make room for resident pets displaced. The Valley Fire destruction received similar ARF support and we delivered fluids, antibiotics, burn cream, bandages, and other items to Middletown Veterinary Page 3 www.arflife.org Winter 2015 Connecting Hearts Buster Boo and Leo Adopted July 2015 Adopted June and July 2015 “We waited all this time to adopt a dog after our dog “Two weeks after we adopted Boo, we adopted a sec- died nearly eight years ago. We’ve dropped by ARF a few times ond cat from ARF, Leo. He and Boo have very similar laid back, this year, just to have a look. We were very lucky to see Buster, social personalities and things are going very well. They hang and then, after having a family meeting that evening, decided out together most of the time, and play together and sleep in to adopt her. I have six children, and it was going to be a family the same perch. Boo plays fetch just like a dog - we throw her decision to bring a dog back into the family. It has been ab- a little furry toy mouse, she tears after it, brings it back and solutely wonderful. Teaching the children how to “potty train” drops it at your feet and we throw again, over and over. They and how to teach the puppy commands has been fun. She’s really do seem to like each other and we are thoroughly enjoy- been such a wonderful addition to the family.” ing both of them. We are very happy.” Sparky Adopted September 2015 Unlike most people, Michael didn’t come to ARF look- ing for a new family member - he was a photographer sent on assignment to capture a few photos of the staff and grounds. As he was looking around and getting acquainted, a small, scruffy black dog caught his eye. By the end of the day, Mi- chael was back at ARF with a leash and collar and brought Sparky home. Now Sparky’s a picture-perfect subject for her dad, and has brought joy to her new home. “Sparky is a won- derful companion and goes everywhere with me. She loves to go on my photoshoots and when I pick up my camera gear she really gets excited. The other wonderful trait she has is getting along with our other dog, Isaac. Seems like they have been buddies forever.” Page 4 www.arflife.org Winter 2015 Event Highlights December January February Check arflife.org for holiday mobile Wine & Whiskers Pet Loss Support adoption event locations and dates! Redbird Club, Group Busch Stadium ARF 15 St. Louis, Missouri 9 Volunteer Information Session Community Service ARF 12 Grades 6 - 12 16 - 18 20 ARF Basic Manners classes begin Cardinals Care/Winter Warm-Up ARF U Hyatt at the Arch, 16 See classes at arflife.org St. Louis, Missouri 30 Save the Date! Winter Camp begins ARF 21 See camps at arflife.org March, 2016 The Business of Saving Lives ARF 25th Anniversary! May 22, 2016 Animals on Broadway Check arflife.org Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek for details! This is a sampling of ARF classes, workshops, camps, and events occurring December 2015 - March 2016.
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