Paws Press

MAY 2008

Happy Mother's Day By the Numbers Paws on Parade Cat Crates Needed Parent's Date Night Makes a Mother Proud Honor Mom this Mother's Day Camp ARF 8th Annual Animals on Broadway ARF Chrome Keychain Volunteers Honored Volunteer Appreciation Evening Donors Volunteer Help Needed Training Opportunities Adoption Stars ARF Thrift Shop

Vogue, a 1-year-old Cockapoo with two tiny puppies was rescued by ARF from the Martinez, California shelter. The puppies were so tiny that one weighed only three ounces! Once safely back at ARF, a foster family was quickly found for this mother and her litter.

Just two days later, ARF received a phone call from the Martinez shelter. The message referenced that a paper bag filled with five puppies had been dropped off and amazingly, the puppies looked very much like Vogue and her two puppies. ARF’s rescue patrol then made another trip to the shelter to pick up these five new puppies.

ARF’s rescue patrol drove the puppies to Vogue's foster home for a meet and greet with Vogue, who greeted these five new puppies with delight and a good tail wagging. Vogue attempted to carry the puppies out of the crate but before she got a chance to finish the job, all five puppies began to nurse. It was obvious Vogue was their mother. A family re-united, Vogue and her new family of now seven puppies.

Wow, what a tremendous Mother’s Day gift, it just doesn’t get any better than that!

"FUN"DRAISING WALK

Sunday, May 18, 2008
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! – Don’t miss out on one of the most exciting events of the ARF season – Paws on Parade. Time is running out to form your Pack and become involved in this fabulous ARF “FUNdraising” walk - an exciting event for both people and their four-legged friends.

The goal is to raise $50,000 this year and ARF needs your help to meet this goal. Get started today by visiting www.firstgiving.com/tlrarf to create your own FREE fundraising page or join a “Pack.” Your participation will make Paws on Parade a success and help ARF raise much needed funds for its life-saving programs.

Beat the crowds the day of the parade! Pre-register in the Presentation Room at the ARF facility: Friday, May 2 and Monday, May 5, from 3 - 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, from Noon - 4 p.m.

Questions? Contact pawsonparade@arf.net or (925) 296-3156.

Check out Paws Press next month for parade results and a list of top fundraising individuals and packs!

With kitten season under full swing ARF is already using many of its small and medium crates for kittens, leaving ARF in desperate need of crates for its weekly rescue runs and to save the lives of more mother cats and their babies. Please help by donating a small to medium sized crate today!

Crate donations may be dropped off at ARF’s headquarters in Walnut Creek or you can make a monetary gift online today!

Moms and Dads, if you'd like to re-live date night and share a little intimate couples time together, ARF invites you to take advantage of its new Parent's Date Night.

Your children (ages 4-10) will spend an evening of animal themed activities, games, pizza and a movie at ARF for only $25 per child, thus leaving you free to spend some quality time together. Mark your date calendar now for Friday, May 30 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by calling (925) 296-3101 or emailing peopleconnect@arf.net.

In the summer of 2007, Adam VanDeKerchove, a local Boy Scout and member of Moraga, California Troop 34, was in search of a special project with which he could earn his Eagle Scout rank. After visiting ARF with his mother and father, Adam took great interest in educating himself on the needs of ARF and thus, became a member of ARF’s team.

Adam’s project was to construct cat boxes which would provide enriched environments for cats living at ARF. Adam observed a Camp ARF Critter Construction class, secured donations of wood from Piedmont Lumber in Oakland, California and constructed and painted each box with love. The afternoon Adam delivered his cat boxes to ARF he was greeted by a crowd of thrilled ARF staff members. That day, Adam had the pleasure of personally placing one of his many creations into a cat condominium, where it is still being enjoyed to this day.

ARF is pleased to announce that on May 4, 2008, Adam VanDeKerchove will be a part of the Eagle Court of Honor when he will advance to the highest ranking in Scouting. Congratulations to Adam, his commitment to ARF and its shelter guests has become an inspiration to many.

WITH A TRIBUTE GIFT TO ARF!

Looking for the perfect gift for the mom who has everything? Give a gift to ARF in honor of your mom! Tribute donations offer a heartfelt way to honor animal loving moms while providing life-saving support for ARF’s programs that bring animals and people together. Your mom will receive a letter from ARF announcing your personal gift and letting her know how much you care.

Make your tribute donation today!

CALLING ALL GRADES 1-3 CAMPERS

Don’t let your child miss out on a fun-filled summer experience at Camp ARF! Limited spots are still available for Grades 1-3 campers. Each week-long session is filled with lessons, crafts, and at least two games related to the day’s theme, along with hands-on interaction with ARF’s Pet Hug Pack therapy animals as campers learn basic responsibilities of pet ownership. For additional information please call (925) 296-3101 or email camp@arf.net.

Please join ARF in celebrating the joy of animals at Animals on Broadway, a wonderful Spring festival held on Sunday, May 18 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. There’s something for everyone at Animals on Broadway, vendor booths, raffle drawings, kids crafts, live music and dog demonstrations, and don’t forget to bring your best four-legged best friend!

ARF volunteers who have given the gift of their time over the last five, 10 and 15 years were honored in April for their dedication.

Please join us in a big Thank You to the following:

15 Years of Service (from left to right)

Gaye McDuff (Volunteer Services Director), Gwen Preston, Elena Bicker (Executive Director)
not pictured - Ron Siemens

10 Years of Service

Gaye McDuff, Elena Bicker, Birgit Pearson
not pictured – Donna Cadigan, Dana Hertz

5 Years of Service

(front row)
Janet Hendricks, Joan Cunnings, Bob Gangi, Tsuneko Graves, Cathy Ferguson, Lori Ferguson,
Gale Denels, Liede-Marie Haitsma, Phyllis Hankin, Tonya Holtan
(back row)
Gaye McDuff, Holly Belknap, Cynthia Baker, Ted Bentley, Larissa Branin, Sharon Budde,
Pat Brown, Rose Cardinale, Karen Carr, Don De Graf, Elena Bicker

(front row)
 Judy (JJ) Jones, Nancy Kolpitcke, Neal Mitchell, Dan Owens, Barbara Probert, Linda Taylor-Hunt
(middle row)
Pam Rogers, Barbara Stein
(back row)
Gaye McDuff, Mike Kluever, Carla Macknin, Peter McDuff, Chuck Palmer, Donna Young, Janet Williams, Elena Bicker

 Gaye McDuff, Loraine Wear, Elena Bicker

5 Years of Service (not pictured)
Cicily Briant, Jacqueline Cantalupo, Sue Cross, Joanne Edelman, Michelle Fey, John Gardella,
Paul Martina, Andrea Meyer, Andrea Milani, Beth Ringhofer, Darlene Rourke

A special thanks to the following for their generous donations to Volunteer Appreciation Evening 2008. These individuals and businesses provided food, services and raffle prizes in honor of ARF’s wonderful volunteers. 

Bill Muniz and New Mecca Cafe
Brian Fitzsimmons and 21st Century Sounds
American Golf - Tilden Park Golf Course
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
Barbie Balsamo, Stylist at Jarreras Hair Salon
Black Bear Diner
Deborah Tobin Mary Kay Cosmetics
East Bay Nature
Andria Berry – Handcrafted Doggie Pillows
Lunardi's Supermarket
Main Street Postal & Business
Mary's Pizza Shack
Patrick David's Fine Catering
Piatti Ristorante
Pyramid Alehouse Walnut Creek
Richards Arts and Crafts
Sue Cross
The Nail Shop
Tonya Holtan, Licensed Esthetician at Indulge Salon
Trader Joe's
Walnut Creek Ace Hardware

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

Help Behind the Scenes in ARF’s Clinic
Help support the clinic with afternoon cleaning.
What: Clean cages, mop floor, collect garbage and recycle
When: 2 hour shifts available Mondays and Tuesdays:  3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where: ARF Facility - Clinic
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18, able to lift up to 40 pounds, and be comfortable bending to clean at floor level.
Contact: Jennifer at jpeabody@arf.net.

Miscellaneous Animal Care
Help Animal Care staff with a variety of jobs.
What: Learn how to perform all of the tasks in the animal care shelter.  You will be trained on ALL available positions such as restocking, mopping, cleaning dog toys, cleaning crates, dishes, litter pans, laundry and more. Once you complete your initial training, you can work flexible shifts and help where help is needed most that day.
When: 2-3 hour shifts available 7 days a week.  Flexible scheduling.
Where: ARF facility - Animal Care Shelter
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18. Completion of ARF’s volunteer orientation required. Training will be provided.
Contact: Kathleen Huls at khuls@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.

Nancy	Nancy is a Labrador Retriever mix who is just over a year old. She is gentle and sensitive and is looking for a calm and caring home with a predictable routine. She enjoys people and gets along well with other dogs. She is available to families with children of any age.
1-year-old Honeysuckle is a beautiful Domestic Long Hair who would love to spend her days lounging in the sun and watching the world go by. She delights in snuggles and gentle hugs and will reward you with purrs and kisses. She’s available to families with children of any age.		Honeysuckle

Meet Nancy and Honeysuckle 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.

MAY SPECIALS

Lots of Celebrations!
Mothers Day, Graduations, Weddings, Showers, Birthdays and you'll find the perfect gifts for all of them at ARF's Thrift Shop. Terrific selection of collectibles, unique jewelry, crystal, cutglass, antiques, paintings, unbelievable treasures. High quality, low prices.

Sweaters - $1
Another big bunch of beautiful sweaters and sweatshirts waiting to be in your closet. Bundle up in these and save a bundle of cash.

Vacuum Cleaners
Choose from Oreck and other well-known brands, all technically checked out and 20% off ready to make your spring cleaning easier. Priced way too low but we just don't have the room for so many.

Animals on Broadway
Stop by the Thrift Shop/EMF booth on May 18 and check out all of the latest things the hardworking crew has for you. There will still be a lot of your old favorites (merchandise, as well as volunteers) and a lot of hot new stuff too (merchandise, not volunteers).

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. - 2 p.m.

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