Making a Difference By the Numbers Wedding Presence Emergency Training at ARF Purina ONE's Be My Hero Campaign Wag More Bark Less® Your Legacy for ARF Put ARF on your Back to School Shopping List At ARF U, School is Cool Meet the Volunteer Adoption Stars New Beginnings ARF Thrift Shop

Making a Difference — It Takes a Village

On a recent trip, the ARF rescue team placed an urgent call for a second rescue vehicle. They hoped to save thirteen puppies from a Central California shelter, in addition to the adult dogs they were bringing back. One of the puppies had been hit by a car, which is normally a death sentence in public shelters who are stretched for resources. All these lucky puppies were still alive because the shelters knew the regular rescue run was on the way. They had been able to stave off the decision to euthanize by enlisting a dedicated foster home to care for several large litters of puppies until ARF arrived. Even if there had been room in the truck, the puppies’ lack of immunity meant they shouldn’t make the drive back to Walnut Creek with the big dogs, or spend time anywhere they could be exposed to doggie diseases. Sweltering triple digit heat posed an added challenge to keep all the dogs comfortable.

An ARF volunteer offered to make the 3-1/2 hour drive each way to Visalia. Crates were assembled and the volunteer was quickly on his way. ARF foster families mobilized to meet the incoming puppies upon their return, enabling them to go directly into homes until ready for adoption. What could be more inspiring than all these people working together — unless it is the miracles they work week after week?

Thanks to the devotion of so many wonderful people along the way, each of these puppies will now have the chance to grow up and lead a healthy and happy life.

Help ARF save more lives — please donate today or become an ARF foster home.

By the Numbers

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Wedding Presence

Newlyweds Tami and Tom Fumoto began their union as husband and wife with a generous donation to ARF. A custom in their religion calls for the pair to choose a non-profit organization to receive their donation, which becomes their first major decision as a married couple.

What made them choose ARF? Tami originally heard Tony La Russa and several Oakland A’s discussing an ARF fundraiser on the radio many years ago. Tami explained,“Their compassion and commitment for helping the animals was so passionate, it really impressed me. When our Reverend explained to us the meaning of our donation, my first thought was of ARF. I’m a huge animal lover. It was definitely a "win-win" situation, we were able to help a wonderful charity and the happiness that it gave us added to the happiness of our wedding.”

ARF is honored to be the recipient of this very special gift and to be included as part of their wedding ceremony. Best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Fumoto.

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Emergency Training at ARF

ARF is delighted to partner with the City of Walnut Creek Citizen Corps Council to host the fall 2009 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Classes will be at ARF on Thursday evenings, September 17 - October 15, followed by a hands-on exercise at Larkey Park the morning of Saturday, November 7, hosted by the Buena Vista CERT Team.

CERT is a FEMA-approved 20-hour training to teach people basic disaster preparedness, utility control, disaster medicine and light search and rescue. Classes include lectures and hands-on exercises.

The course is open to Walnut Creek residents (although most towns have similar classes), and individuals may register by contacting cert@walnut-creek.org.

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Purina ONE's Be My Hero Campaign

Pledge your support for ARF's cats and dogs! In return The Purina One Hope Network will donate $5 for your good deed.

It's easy! Create your volunteer profile at www.bemyhero.com to get started. Through Purina ONE's Be My Hero campaign, when you pledge to volunteer, ARF and participating shelters across the U.S. receive $5, up to a total of $500,000. Purina ONE is counting pledges, not volunteer hours, so please pledge even if you can’t volunteer at this time.

Would you like Purina ONE to make a $5 gift to ARF? What are you waiting for? Create your volunteer profile at www.bemyhero.com to get started.

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Wag More Bark Less®

Wag More Bark Less® bumper stickers are now available in the Lou Russa Boutique at ARF.

These durable vinyl stickers resist fading and come in two colors, white or dark blue. Only $1.25 each.

Afraid of commitment? ARF has you covered – your bumper that is! The boutique carries the same design in a magnetic decal in a variety of colors, white, dark blue, light blue and pink. Not having a Bark Less kind of day? Simply remove the magnet until you are back to your Wag More self.

Magnets are available for $2.50.

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Your Legacy for ARF

Join ARF’s Circle of Compassion by remembering ARF in your estate plans and you will have the satisfaction of knowing your generosity will improve the lives of countless animals and people in need for years to come. Your legacy will ensure ARF continues to expand and grow innovative programs celebrating the special bond between companion animals and the people who love them.

For more information, or if you have already mentioned ARF in your estate plans and wish to be included as a member of the Circle of Compassion, please contact ARF at 925.296.3149 or email bbartlett@arf.net.

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Put ARF on your Back to School Shopping List

Shopping for back to school supplies? Since it’s that time of the year again when there are big sales on school materials, perhaps you can even pick up a few extras for ARF!

Materials needed include:

When you're circling those aisles, please don't forget ARF!

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At ARF U, School is Cool

• Spotlight Trick: Targeting
  Spend a fun hour teaching your dog how to use his “nose-iness” to Turn on The Light or Choose the Cup with the Treat!
  Monday, August 31, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

ARF U is also offering seminars for people only, no dogs!

• Thinking about getting a buddy for Brutus? Multiple Dog Households can help guide your decision.
  Saturday, August 15, 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• Safety first! ARF offers Red Cross certification in Pet First Aid
  Thursday, August 13 and 20, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

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Meet the Volunteer

Melanie Norris

As a new volunteer in 2004, Melanie offered to do “whatever ARF needed in connection with dogs”. As a devoted Dog Care volunteer, coach/mentor to other volunteers and a vital member of the 2008 Dog Care task force, Melanie has made good on that offer and more!

Why did you start volunteering at ARF?
A lot of tough things happened all at once in my life so I was dealing with the proverbial empty nest and looking for a new direction. I got involved with several different volunteer activities, but ARF is the place that has my heart.

What do you like most about volunteering at ARF?
I get to try new things, learn new skills and make a difference for the animals. There’s also the true fact that animal lovers are the best people! So many of my good friends now are people I met first at ARF.

What is your most memorable experience?
I work a lot with dogs who have been here for awhile, helping to keep them happy and active while they wait and teaching them things so they’ll be more adoptable. Knowing they were hours from euthanasia when ARF intervened, seeing them walk out the door with someone who’s fallen in love with them and being a big part of their journey in between is a very emotional experience, exhilarating and bittersweet all at once.

Melanie, thank you for your amazing work at ARF!

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Adoption Stars

Nadine	Nadine is a lively 7-month-old Wirehaired Terrier mix. This little girl is hoping to find adopters who will provide her with plenty of outlets for mental and physical exercise and also take her to training classes. Nadine is rated for homes with children five years and older and likes most other dogs.
Crystal is a 1-year-old Calico with an outgoing and affectionate personality. She is a social butterfly and wants nothing more than for everyone to give her lots of attention. Crystal is a Sidekick, is suitable for a first time cat owner, children of any age, and likes most other cats.		Crystal

Meet Nadine and Crystal 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.

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New Beginnings

Here at ARF we love hearing from you about life with your new cat or dog companion. We'd like to share a few updates from ARF adopters:

Waiting patiently at a horse show

Rita “Here is Rita (formerly Bess) relaxing, no action shots — though she is full of Action! We absolutely love her. So does the #1 old dog. Truly a perfect fit for our family and she seems to be really happy too! She is so sweet and affectionate. And she really learns fast! She's still needing to do a lot of chewing — so we have to keep her stocked with good chew toys, Kongs, etc She is VERY HAPPY and SO ARE WE!”

Fun!

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ARF Thrift Shop

It's that time of year again - looking for good deals on school supplies? Drop by the ARF Thrift Store and see our wide selection of back to school items, and while you're there take a tour through our store. We have a tremendous variety of useful and fun items, including kitchenware, clothing, tools, furniture and jewelry!

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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