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In January, ARF collaborated with a local public shelter and several other adoption groups to rescue more than 90 Persian-type cats living in sad neglect. ARF brought 16 of these precious cats back to the shelter and directly into volunteer foster homes while special care was needed.
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Mattitude in her new home |
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Despite being dehydrated and severely matted (with names from Mattitude to Matteo and Mattie Jo) all of these adorable flat-faced love-bunnies were easy-going and remarkably affectionate, even while receiving their extreme makeover haircuts and medical treatments. Their wide, innocent eyes and talkative mews instantly won the hearts of all they met. That’s when we discovered, even in the midst of ill health and upheaval, they were also all utterly transformed by toys. No toy was safe and no self-respecting dog could rival one of the ‘Matt’s’ tug of war games, complete with head shakes and strategic foot planting for positioning!
 Now, their fur is starting to grow back, they are exploring life in their loving new adoptive homes and the games are just getting started. You can help transform the lives of animals just like these through fostering, adopting, or donating to help ARF provide vital care for cats and dogs in need.
| January 2010 |
Cats |
Dogs |
Total |
| Intake |
59 |
95 |
154 |
| Adoptions |
64 |
114 |
178 |
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 On Thursday, February 4 the Purina ONE Tour for Heroes stops at ARF for a day-long event. Join us from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a free bag of dog or cat food, extended ARF adoption and boutique hours, and special Pet Hug Pack appearances. Visitors between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. can take a special tour of ARF’s facility.
If you can’t attend you can still help pets by sharing adoptable animal profiles on Facebook. Search for a pet in your area and click to share his or her profile with your friends. Every time a photo is shared, Purina ONE will donate $1 – up to $50,000 – worth of food to help pets in local communities. Profile sharing is available until March 31, 2010.
Also watch for Tony La Russa’s special appearance Thursday on the Martha Stewart show to kick off the tour. The Martha Stewart Show airs at 11 a.m. PST on KNTV (NBC cable channel 3). The tour for heroes will continue around the country until February 26, stopping at local animal shelters and helping pets in need through emergency food banks and adoption events.
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 True to their selfless nature, ARF’s dogs and cats aren’t looking for extravagant gestures this valentine season. They are happy to receive a traditional paper valentine from you.
Why does this mean so much? Each paper heart means not only are they loved, but you showed that love by providing life-saving rescue and rehabilitation, essential care, food, shelter, spay or neuter, medical treatments, and - most importantly of all – time for each cat and dog to find a loving home for life.
For a donation of $20 or more, ARF will place a valentine on the condo of the ARF dog or cat of your choice (your Furry Valentine) with a personal Valentine’s Day wish from you.
Apricot asks, “Will you be my Valentine? Help furry friends at ARF like me…donate today!”
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It’s Time to Let Everyone Know: “I’m walkin’ here!”
Plan now to put those Paws On Parade on Sunday, May 2, at the one-mile fundraising dog walk at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. Have a great time for the animals! Help ARF raise badly needed funds to save the lives of abandoned cats and dogs when you create your very own webpage and give your friends and loved ones a chance to share their support. It’s an easy way to get involved today and be as creative as you like – challenge your coworkers or club members to form a pack and walk together as ARF takes over the street! Stay and play at ARF's 10th annual Animals on Broadway featuring the all new Pet Wellness Fair.
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Save the date for ARF’s sixth annual Business of Saving Lives conference, coming March 20 & 21, 2010. The weekend conference offers an exciting agenda of workshops on animal behavior as well as shelter business and program practices.
Conference registration is offered to the public as well as animal welfare professionals. Saturday features a morning plenary session with Jean Donaldson, award-winning author, dog behaviorist, and founder of The Academy for Dog Trainers at the San Francisco SPCA; and an afternoon plenary session with Dr. Stacy Fuchino, veterinarian, author, and television personality (Animal Planet’s Housecat Housecalls). Sunday breakout sessions include topics such as “Reading Pet Food Ingredient Panels” and “Feline Friends: Keeping Them Happy & Healthy in Impurrfect Environments.”
Early registration is encouraged, with discounts for registering by February 15. Conference fees start at $25 for Saturday only (early bird) and include materials, continental breakfast and box lunch. See the full agenda and speaker information online. Don’t wait – register today!
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 Be part of the first Mutt Mugs Event to benefit ARF with Jules Bianchi Photography on February 27, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 5772 Thornhill Road, Oakland, CA 94611.
International award winning photographer Jules Bianchi is a huge pet lover; she adopted her cat Abigail from ARF seven years ago. Jules documents the life of her pets Olive and Abigail every day on Olive's own blog, An Olive a Day, and wants to document your furry family members, too.
 On February 27, Jules Bianchi Photography will be hosting a day of photography for your four-legged family members. The mini-sessions cost $199, which includes a set of 25 blank greeting cards featuring your pet or a product credit of $100. Each participant will also receive a gift card from Glamour Paws, a local pet spa & boutique store!
$10 from every session fee, plus 5% of all collections from Mutt Mugs will be donated to ARF. Appointments are limited. To book your appointment, call 415.347.5697 or email joy@julesbianchi.com.
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 Throw a line to pets in need by becoming an ARF Lifesaver. Lifesavers support ARF with monthly contributions of $5 or more. These regular monthly donors help ARF plan more effectively by providing a continuous, dependable source of income.
$20 per month for one year will rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home an entire litter of kittens! ARF will send you an end-of-year update showing how your donations were used to rescue abandoned animals and find them wonderful new families. Lifesavers also receive ARF’s Celebrity Pet Calendar and The Scoop newsletter.
Please email giving@arf.net or call 925.256.1273 with questions.
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(That’s high school and middle school, thank you.) Love to dig into a good book? Want to help cats and dogs in your community? Looking for a creative way to earn community service experience for school? Mark your calendars for ARF’s first ever Teen Read-A-Thon, Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As a teen reader, you’ll raise money for ARF's furry shelter friends by asking your friends, family, and classmates to sponsor your reading experience. The more money you raise to help abandoned cats and dogs, the more goodies you will receive the day of the Read-A-Thon. Stretch breaks and pet viewing are worked into the day’s agenda. Healthy snacks will be provided to keep your brain energized, and Pet Hug Pack animals will be on-hand for constant snuggles during your five-hour reading slam. Visit www.arf.net for more information and to get started!
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You’ve heard of Christmas in July… well, January is time to register for Camp ARF, coming June 21! If you’re tired of burnt marshmallows, mosquitoes, and poison oak, join Camp ARF for fun, fun, fun!
Designed for animal-loving children of all ages, Camp ARF includes lessons, crafts, and games. Kids learn about their furry four-legged friends, make new human friends, and interact with ARF’s Pet Hug Pack therapy animals. Camp sessions fill up quickly, so register early!
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ARF has a new baseball cap for all you fans out there! Signed by Tony La Russa, these new red caps sport the classic ARF logo in front with the web address embossed on the back. Now you can show your support for ARF while rooting for your favorite team. Signed caps cost $25, unsigned caps are $15; both are available in the Lou Russa Boutique as well as online.
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Take shelter from winter at ARF U, where your dog's nose is the only thing cold and damp! Minimizing Barking is back by popular demand. Join us February 7 at 4 p.m. to find out why dogs bark and what can be done to control unwanted barking. Reserve your space in this seminar by contacting ARF U at 925.296.3111 or dogtraining@arf.net.
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 ARF was well-represented in the Concord Hilton’s fifth annual Canine Fashion Show & Winemaker’s Dinner on January 21, 2010. Walking down the aisle - and stealing the show - was ARF’s own Foster Coordinator Erika Kleoni, with her fiancé Sean Barr. Accompanied by fashionable canine companions Allegra and Hudson, the look-a-like competitors were dressed as bride and groom (and bride and groom!). Allegra, Erika’s adorable Chihuahua mix, wore a hand-stitched custom gown that Dad-to-be Sean purchased at an ARF auction. Hudson, an ARF therapy dog, sported a basic black tux (as do all high-fashion doggie grooms).
Many thanks to the Concord Hilton and Grissini's Trattoria for hosting the fashion show and dinner. Erika, Sean, Allegra, and Hudson joined many other entrants in raising funds for ARF, but they clearly stole the show. Congratulations to all!
Susana Cereghino and Fievel |
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Susana Cereghino
Susana became an ARF volunteer in March 2002 and has given over 1000 hours at the ARF Thrift Store. She focuses her time on sorting and pricing donated clothing and gains a lot of joy from the knowledge that her work makes a difference for cats and dogs in low income families.
Why did you start volunteering at ARF?
My love of animals brought me to ARF. I like that the money raised at the Thrift Store goes to the care of animals.
What do you like best about volunteering at ARF?
Working and interacting with the best volunteers. I enjoy seeing the results of our hard work and raising money at the ARF Thrift Store for the animals.
My Motto
Enjoy being kind and happy; say hello to others since you never know when some one may need positive contact. Store customers tell me they like my positive attitude because it inspires them.
Susana, your attitude and your energy inspire so many people, and your commitment has made life better for so many dogs and cats. Thank you!
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Ant |
Ant is an itty-bitty Chihuahua mix who is as sweet as sugar. She loves to nuzzle with her people. When she gets in playful moods, Ant nibbles her stuffed animals or wrestles her Kong toy to get the tasty treats inside. This cuddle bug is around one year old; she is rated for families with kids age ten and older, because she’s a little nervous about being stepped on! Ant is a microscopic 11.7 pounds. |
Puffin is an outgoing, confident fellow who enjoys the company of his people. He adores being held, and purrs up a storm when greeted. A busy three-year-old, Puffin is curious, talkative, and playful. This Personal Assistant would be great for a first-time cat owner, in a home with children over the age of ten. |
Puffin |
Meet Ant and Puffin 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 - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.
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Esther
Sweet Esther found the quiet home she was looking for in the big city! Now Chloe, she lives with adopters Greg and Jonathan and couldn’t be happier. They enjoy her sweet and loving nature. Says Jonathan, “Often on our walks outside she will look up at me like she is the happiest dog.” Esther also likes to run alongside him when they’re out together. She sleeps in the bed at night, and she’s been pretty good about chewing on her toys when she’s home alone! |
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 You can always count on the ARF Thrift Store for a “sweetheart of a deal.” This month you’ll find seasonal valentine items at low prices. Fall in love with the best little Thrift Store in town! Here are a few of the February specials:
- Men and Women’s pants - $1.50 each
- Music CDs - $1.00
- Bedding and Towels - 50% off regular price
Remember, shopping at ARF’s Thrift Store saves lives! Proceeds benefit the ARF Emergency Medical Fund®
Thrift Store 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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