Paws Press

ARF is pleased to share that the organization has received the highest rating awarded by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,300 of America's largest charities.

In 2006, ARF held a 2-star rating and was upgraded to a 3-star animal rescue group in 2007. ARF is pleased to announce that it was recently elevated to a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator. ARF’s Executive Director, Elena Bicker stated “Only 25 percent of charities reach this 4-star rating, and ARF is very proud to receive this prestigious achievement in support of ARF's life-saving work”.

Long-Term Love / Short-Term Relationship
Curious about fostering? Get the scoop on the joys of caring for dogs or cats, kittens or puppies in your home. Hear about the realities and rewards of short-term fostering from experienced foster parents and ARF's foster coordinator. Bring your concerns and questions to this FREE no-obligation presentation at ARF's shelter.

Date: Saturday, March 8
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

RSVP to volrsvp@arf.net or (925) 296-3118 by March 7 to reserve a seat.

"FUN"DRAISING WALK

Sunday, May 18, 2008
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Ready…set…WALK! ARF’s Paws on Parade fundraising dog walk is off to a great start! Walkers are flocking online to register and create their own fundraising web pages to help ARF raise much needed funds for its life-saving programs. There is still plenty of time to register and kick off your fundraising efforts! As a reward for your good fundraising behavior, you will receive a bounty of great goodies along with a heartfelt thanks from ARF's furry friends.

Get started today by visiting Paws on Parade to create a fundraising page along with current top fundraisers, Fiona Macintosh, Cindy McCune, Danielle Szuch, Beth Brannock, and Judy Bentley or join a “Pack” with the likes of the Pet Hug Pack, the Art Patrol or the Red Cross Club! By registering your friends, family, scout troops, class students, clubs or companies as a “Pack” or registering as an individual, you can walk to save the lives of abandoned dogs and cats.

Questions? Contact pawsonparade@arf.net or (925) 296-3103.

Check out Paws Press next month for updates on our Top Fundraisers and Teams!

Have FUN learning about animals!

Camp ARF is a perfect summer experience for children who love animals and are interested in learning more about them. Camp ARF promotes the values of humane education while strengthening the bond between animals and children.

ARF offers a variety of week long camp sessions for children grades 1-12. Register today before it's too late!

Show your ARF pride and keep your car cool this Spring with an ARF sunshade! These collapsible sunshades are made from silver reflective fabric and fold into a compact size, which can be secured with the included elastic strap for easy storage.

Pat with fosters, Scout and Red Rover

ARF volunteer, Pat Hallberg is an entertainer, whether she is on stage or welcoming guests into her home. She loves music, theatre, cooking and playing hostess to her guests, but her passion is animals. Lately, she has been entertaining some special ARF rescues.

Pat began her volunteer career with ARF in October 2006, and like many she started out as a socializer. One day she overheard someone talking about the need for a foster home for a one-eyed dog, and before she knew it she was a foster mom! After caring for Melissa, the single-eyed beagle, Pat was hooked and she has fostered six more cats and dogs since October 2007. Currently she is caring for Red Rover, a wise and mellow flame point Siamese and Scout, a shy and submissive pup. Pat tells us the two get along beautifully – Scout energetically grooms Red Rover and Red Rover tolerates Scout without a hiss!

Life long animal lovers Pat and husband, Ross, have no pets of their own at this time. Their “grand dog”, Jackson (half Corgi and half Shar-Pei) and two "grand cats", Ezra and Edgar bring them much joy when they visit family in Oregon. Fortunately Pat has room in her home and in her heart "for some special fosters until they are ready for adoption at ARF!"

What do you like the most about volunteering at ARF?
Meeting so many animals and people. I have not met a bad person at ARF.

What is your most rewarding experience?
I like to see the growth and change in the foster animals by putting them in a caring, loving environment. I love to serve them and they communicate their appreciation.

What would you say is your motto?
I love beauty and order and try to create that in the world.

We think you create a beautiful place for the ARF  house guests in your care – Thank you Pat!

For a complete listing of current volunteer needs, please visit ARF's volunteer opportunities page.

Foster Care
Make a difference in the life of an ARF animal.
What: Open your home to an ARF shelter animal too young for spay/neuter surgery, or in need of a little TLC. ARF needs fosters for cats and dogs all year long. In addition, kitten season is approaching and ARF will need fosters to help care for litters of kittens.
When: One week to several months.
Where: Fosters care for the animals in their own home.
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18. Completion of ARF’s volunteer orientation and foster application required.
Contact: Kris at kpartello@arf.net.

Crate Cleaner
Want to help keep the crates used for rescue runs ready to go?
What: Clean and sanitize the crates used to transport cats and dogs rescued from public shelters.
When: Weekly 2-3 hour shifts.
Where: ARF Shelter
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18. Completion of ARF’s volunteer orientation.
Contact: Kristin at kmccollum@arf.net.

Please note, all volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation prior to joining any training classes. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit Volunteering at ARF.

Current volunteers, please use the volunteer central website if you would like to sign up for any of the listed classes. If you do not have access to volunteer central, please call (925) 296-3118 or email volrsvp@arf.net. Be sure to leave your name and number along with the class you wish to attend.

Gypsy Moth	Just a little shy of two years old, Gypsy Moth is a beautiful Australian Shepherd/Collie Mix who is an intelligent girl. She would be a good walking companion, sharing these nice warm days at your side. She is also snuggly and affectionate and will bond quickly to her new family. She is available to families with children of any age.
Rolfe is a very mellow 3-year-old who is looking for a quiet calm home.  He enjoys being groomed and is friendly and affectionate.  He likes other cats and is a great cat for the first time cat owner.		Rolfe

Meet Gypsy Moth and Rolfe at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.

Kaiser (now called Leo Bloom, after the character in The Producers) is doing great. He first fooled us into thinking he was a quiet, mellow cat, but after spending two days in my office, he was set free and boy, did he enjoy it! We briefly considered calling him Whack-A-Mole because as he ran through the house he kept disappearing then popping up here and there.

After some initial hissing by our tabby Nutmeg to establish just who was in charge, the two kitties became fast buddies (the fastest adjustment in the West). They love chasing each other through the house and up and down the kitty condo. Occasionally we'll find them sleeping with his head on her back. Leo's other favorite activities include batting endlessly at the orange ball on the circular track while we're trying to watch TV (honestly, I think he might have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!) and sneaking Nutty's canned food when she's not looking (he already has the tummy to show for it.)

Thanks again for all your help. We're so happy to provide Leo with a home. Be assured he gets LOTS of love here.

Lisa

Dear ARF,

Over two years ago I adopted a wonderful cat named "Ophelia" renamed "Riley". I had an older cat that had been with me for 13 years so Riley needed to get along with her and be the lap cat that I wanted. I quickly realized that Riley was a perfect match. He and my older cat, Selina, got along wonderfully - taking naps together and grooming each other. I later found out that Selina had cancer and about seven months ago she passed away. Riley spent the better part of two weeks crying and searching the house for her. I thought about getting another animal to keep Riley company and knew that ARF was the place I'd go.

A Saturday trip to ARF with my boyfriend led us to a sweet little Chihuahua puppy named "Electric Slide" renamed "Cooper". Cooper with his small stature and great temperament has been the perfect addition to our home. Because he's about Riley's size and has all the energy that puppies have - he and Riley rough house together, chase each other around and even groom each other on occasion.

Both have been so much fun and we couldn't be happier with Riley and Cooper and our experience with ARF.

Sincerely,
Heidi and Tom

Shed the Winter Blahs… Come in and see all of the shiny new merchandise available to make your life brighter without making your wallet lighter. Lots of exciting specials and sales coming up all through March. It will really help to lift your spirits to know that whatever you spend will go directly to ARF's Emergency Medical Fund® to save sick or injured animals. Now, how great is that?

Easter is Early this Year… You don't have to settle for hard boiled eggs! Our shelves are stacked with all kinds of bunnies and chicks, and pretty baskets with lots of stuff to put in them for your dear Little Ones. For your dear Big Ones, we have a terrific selection of jewelry and special gifts they will love to get.

A Special Gift for EMF… For the twelfth consecutive year, ARF's Emergency Medical Fund® has received a $2,000 Mobil Grant in recognition of Dolores McCoskey's volunteer hours. We are most grateful to the Exxon-Mobil Corporation for their continuing generosity.

Have you checked with the company where you work, or retired from, to see if they might also make such grants? Many do and you may be eligible. Please, for the animals, go check it out!

Shop ARF's Thrift Store and Save Lives ...
Proceeds benefit ARF Emergency Medical Fund®!

Thrift Shop location:
1950H Market Street, Concord
Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Saturday
Donations gratefully accepted: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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