| |
This holiday season, ARF is lending a paw to those in need, warming hearts by filling bellies. In partnership with the Salvation Army and Peet’s Coffee & Tea, ARF is collecting cat and dog food donations to help local pet guardians provide for their families. The Holiday FoodShare Drive runs through December 30, 2009.
Financially strained families are sometimes forced into difficult decisions over the fate of their furry family members. “No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved pet,” says Elena Bicker, ARF’s Executive Director. “Contributions to the Holiday FoodShare Drive will help keep pets at home with their families and out of the already over-crowded animal shelters. People in disadvantaged circumstances need the unconditional love of their pets more than ever during this time of year.”
Help make spirits bright for fellow pet-lovers with a donation of unexpired, unopened, wet or dry cat or dog food. Donations may be dropped off at ARF’s facility, during regular business or adoption hours, or at six different Peet’s locations.
Food will be distributed to Contra Costa County families through the Salvation Army in Concord. Families in need of pet food assistance should contact the Salvation Army directly for information at 925.676.6180.
 You can help ARF rescue dogs and cat throughout the year by becoming a volunteer pet food distributor, providing an item from ARF's wish list, or making a donation.
| November 2009 |
Cats |
Dogs |
Total |
| Intake |
52 |
123 |
175 |
| Adoptions |
58 |
105 |
163 |
| |
|
|
|
| Year to date |
|
|
|
| Intake |
645 |
1,095 |
1,740 |
| Adoptions |
636 |
1,037 |
1,673 |
Back to Top
Make this holiday extra-special by sponsoring an ARF Animal. The purrfect gift for animal lovers! Your tax-deductible gift will help ARF rescue and rehabilitate many animals, providing essential care, food, shelter, spay-neuter, medical treatment, and—most of all—the opportunity for each dog and cat to find a new loving home for life. Thousands of animals just like Cecily and Modesty Blaise are in need of help; there is no greater gift than saving a life.
Your gift of $25 or more will include:
- Certificate and photograph with biography of your sponsored dog or cat, suitable for gift-giving
- Annual subscription to ARF’s newsletter, The Scoop
- ARF’s Celebrity Pet Calendar featuring national hero (and ARF foster) Captain Chesley Sullenberger and other stars with their four-legged friends
- The personal satisfaction of knowing you have helped many dogs and cats find loving homes for life
For more information, or to sponsor an ARF animal, please visit www.arf.net or contact Lynn Takahashi at 925.296.3156.
Back to Top
 Deck the halls and spread the spirit of giving by turning your office greenery (or garland, or cubicles, or doorways) into an ARF Giving Tree. The Giving Tree helps provide toys, treats, and supplies for ARF’s shelter animals and vital programs. You supply the tree, and ARF will provide the ornaments! Each ornament features a much-needed item to support ARF’s lifesaving work—from dog toys and cat treats to dollars for children’s educational programs. Invite your clients and co-workers to select an ornament and fulfill the enclosed wish to assist animals and people in need.
You can also choose an ornament from the Giving Tree in the lobby of ARF’s Walnut Creek headquarters. For additional information or to request an ornament kit to create your own ARF Giving Tree, please contact Lynn Takahashi at ltakahashi@arf.net or call 925.296.3156.
Back to Top
Give the gift of life to an animal when you give ARF's 2010 Celebrity Pet Calendar to your friends and family. Order calendars for a $15 donation each – proceeds support ARF’s lifesaving programs. Order on-line or pick them up right away at ARF's reception desk or Lou Russa’s Boutique inside ARF.
This wonderful 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" calendar is generously sponsored by Purina ONE brand pet food. Celebrities appear in the calendar at the request of Tony La Russa to promote healthy relationships between people and animals.
Due to the exorbitant cost of shipping outside of the United States, ARF is unable to fulfill calendar orders from other countries.
FEATURING
Dierks Bentley
Warren Buffett
Cat Cora
Jenna Fischer |
Holly Madison
Paul Rodriguez
Howard Schultz
Steven Soderbergh |
Steve Spagnuolo
Victoria Stilwell
Captain Chesley Sullenberger
Greta Van Susteren
|
Back to Top
 Save the date for Stars to the Rescue XIX on January 9, 2010. Join ARF at 7 p.m. at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California, for a spectacular all-star event. This year’s fabulous evening of music and entertainment includes Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes, rising country music singer David Nail, stand-up comic Chas Elstner, the Phantom of the Opera’s Tim Martin Gleason, Black Diamond Ballet, and others. Individual tickets, priced at $250, $100 and $50, are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 925.943.SHOW.
 If you’ll be in Missouri in January, save the date for that show as well! On January 17, 2010 at 6:30 pm the Chaifetz Arena, Stars to the Rescue St. Louis will light up the night. Tickets go on sale in late December, and will be available through Metrotix at 314.534.1111. Continue to check the ARF website for updates on performers as they’re announced. Proceeds from this show will benefit ARF as well as other animal rescue organizations in the greater St. Louis area.
Back to Top
  As a prelude to Stars to the Rescue XIX, please join Tony La Russa and the Doobie Brothers’ Marc Russo as they present Prodigies for Pets on Friday, January 8, 2010. This spectacular evening of entertainment will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California.
Talented young artists Charlie Baggett and Roberto Granados, plus finalists from ARF’s youth talent search, will perform alongside Russo, donating their performances to support ARF’s lifesaving programs. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss this rising-star-filled event!
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 925.943.SHOW.
Back to Top
The brisk mornings and wintry weather make this the perfect time to stock up on long-sleeved tees and sweatshirts. ARF has both in a new variety of colors and sizes just in time to stave off the cold. The comfy tees carry the popular cat and dog silhouette in a smaller, more subtle design, and the sweatshirts bear the traditional ARF logo. Items are available online and at ARF’s Lou Russa’s Boutique.
Back to Top
Tune in to ARF on YouTube and watch the excellent adventures of Wade’s World! Friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest updates, news, events, happenings and real-time adoptions.
Back to Top
 Dog Body Language (Wednesdays, December 2-23, 2009)
In this four-part seminar, you’ll learn to hear what dogs are saying. The series includes an overview, emotions and moods, dog-dog communication, and a final class that allows you to practice your new skills. Take one section or take all four!
Want to know what’s happening at ARF U? You can modify your Paws Press account to receive ARF U News! Find out monthly about new classes, drop-in-dates, and read our up-coming feature, “Taro’s Training Tips”.
Here’s how:
- Click the “Update Profile/E-mail Address” link at the bottom of your Paws Press notification e-mail.
- Confirm your e-mail address on the website that pops up; this will generate an e-mail confirmation with a link to your account.
- Click the check box next to “Dog Training” in the Interests section of your profile update and save the profile changes.
Back to Top
Joe Navarro
 |
Joe with ARF adoptee Isadora |
| |
|
A “lifesaver” both figuratively and literally, Joe Navarro works closely with ARF’s rescue team and intake staff transporting dogs from county shelters and welcoming them to ARF. He also teaches and mentors others to work with the new arrivals. Joe goes beyond the call of duty on short notice to help dogs, even if it means long road trips or getting covered head to toe in muck.
Why did you start volunteering at ARF?
In March of 2007, my wife Billie and I adopted a gimpy chihuahua/dachshund mix at ARF. I was very impressed with everyone’s dedication. It was clear that much consideration, time and effort were devoted to ensuring that every adoption represented the best possible match. As we left the building I picked up a volunteer brochure. It led me to a Saturday Volunteer Orientation, after which I knew ARF was a perfect fit for me; I signed up on the spot!
What do you like most about volunteering at ARF?
I'm totally energized by each and every hands-on interaction with the dogs. Whether I'm sitting in a shelter run socializing, romping with a pup in the play yard, or driving the puppy rescue van back to Walnut Creek with 17 little yappers (and 4 moms!!) inside, it's always an incredible high. Every visit to ARF lifts my spirits because the staff and volunteers I meet are invariably focused on the success of ARF's mission. I get to work among a super group of people, doing things which are personally fulfilling—a combination that just can't be beat.
What is your most memorable experience?
At ARF's mobile adoption a woman came to meet cute little Holly Ween. The family had recently lost their longtime canine companion, but she felt an immediate connection with this pup. Right on the spot, the woman called her mom, who said she would come right over from San Ramon! The woman cradled Holly Ween in her arms for the next 45 minutes, very concerned that someone else might adopt the dog before her mom could get there. When mom finally arrived, she immediately fell completely in love with the dog, too—and it was mutual. They said they considered the little pup to be "a gift from God." I can’t find words to describe my feelings as I watched them all walk away together. Of my many memorable ARF moments, this one was absolutely the best.
Thank you for your lifesaving work, Joe!
Back To Top
Franny |
Franny is a loving and playful girl. She loves to fetch her tennis ball! At 4 years old, Franny is a Constant Companion. She is rated for an adults-only home, but would be suitable for a first time dog owner. |
Buffy St. Marie listens with her heart, because her ears don’t work so well. This gentle girl wants nothing more than someone to cuddle with! And she’ll have plenty of time for cuddling, since she must be kept indoors due to her deafness. Buffy St. Marie is an 8-year-old Personal Assistant, and would be suitable for a first time cat owner. |
Buffy St. Marie |
Meet Franny and Buffy St. Marie 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.
Back To Top
 Charo (now Emma)
Charo was renamed Emma for Lady Emma Hamilton, who was the love of Lord Horatio Nelson's life. (Lord Nelson is Emma’s new feline sibling, naturally.) Nelson is almost six years old, and was also adopted from ARF.
Pam C., Emma’s new kitty mom, writes, "Both of our adoption experiences with ARF have been pretty near ‘purrfect.’ Emma is very affectionate and a total lap kitty. She and Lord Nelson tolerate each other, but they’re not good buddies yet. No fighting though!"
|
 Beulah (now Clover)
“I am so lucky to have adopted such a wonderful pup!” writes Clover’s new caretaker, Jennifer M., “My favorite thing is her sweet and gentle personality.”
Take the cat that Clover briefly lived with. She wouldn’t chase her, but sat up tall, wagging her tail and slowly inching closer. As soon as kitty moaned, however, Clover would scoot back and let kitty have plenty of space. She is great with other dogs, and absolutely loves attention from other people. “I was pleasantly surprised by her behavior, as I expected there to be a chase!” writes Jennifer.
Clover is very smart, and has learned to sit, shake, and lie down. And though she was car sick at first when the family took her on rides, it only lasted a few days. Now she loves the car! |
Back To Top
Back To About ARF
Back To Home |
|
