|
 The new year brought a picture perfect ending for Leonardo. Discovered this past fall locked in the bathroom of an abandoned house, the plight of this 108-pound Mastiff/Shar Pei mix generated intense public interest after ARF publicized his story on New Year’s Eve.
Saturday, January 2 brought a flurry of activity to ARF as adopters lined up outside the Maddie’s Fund Adoption Center, not just for Leonardo, but other animals as well, many with stories just as compelling. Forty-four dogs and cats went to loving new homes over the weekend, almost double the usual amount.
Leonardo’s new family includes another dog for him to play with, and the family cat, to whom he’s already been introduced. (Those following Leonardo’s story may remember that he was found with a kitten and a small dog.) He’s as happy as can be, and his adopters are thrilled to have him.
 It was very heartwarming to see people’s response to Leonardo’s tale, some of whom just wanted to make sure he found a home. But with Leonardo safe and sound, the work continues. There are many more dogs and cats awaiting their chance at a new life with people who love and care for them.
 ARF depends on your support to continue the lifesaving work that aided Leonardo on his journey from abandonment to adoration. There are many ways you can make a difference in the new year, by adopting an animal, donating, or volunteering. Help ARF paint more happy endings today!
| December 2009 |
Cats |
Dogs |
Total |
| Intake |
62 |
105 |
167 |
| Adoptions |
63 |
110 |
173 |
| |
|
|
|
| Year to date |
|
|
|
| Intake |
707 |
1,200 |
1,907 |
| Adoptions |
699 |
1,147 |
1,846 |
Back to Top
If “adopt a cat” isn’t on your list of resolutions for 2010, you might want to think about adding it. Thanks to a generous donor, adoption fees on all adult cats (6 months and older) have been waived. Through Sunday, January 10, 2010, you can take home the love of your life for free. Standard adoption criteria apply. Here’s to a whole new mew!
Back to Top
Light up the night this January with ARF’s benefit concerts! Join Tony La Russa and friends at Lesher Center for the Arts for Prodigies for Pets on Friday, January 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. and Stars to the Rescue XIX on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 7 p.m.
Talented young artists Charlie Baggett and Roberto Granadas, plus finalists from ARF’s youth talent search, will perform alongside the Doobie Brothers’ Marc Russo at Prodigies for Pets, donating their performances to support ARF’s lifesaving programs.
This year’s fabulous Stars XIX lineup includes Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes, and California Transit Authority, featuring Danny Seraphine of Chicago fame and Tower of Power’s Larry Braggs. Also appearing are 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, with special appearances by the “Prodigies.”
Tickets for Prodigies for Pets are a family-friendly $25 per person. Stars XIX offers tickets from $50 to $250. Call 925.943.SHOW to purchase yours today. Don’t miss these all-star events!
In Missouri:
Stars to the Rescue St. Louis brightens the night on January 17, 2010 at 6:30 pm with Lovehammers, Dierks Bentley, Kathleen Madigan and David Nail at the Chaifetz Arena. Tickets priced at $35 and $50 are available through Metrotix at 314.534.1111. Proceeds from this show will benefit ARF as well as several animal rescue organizations in the greater St. Louis area.
Back to Top
 When ARF put out the call, the community opened up their hearts and stepped forward to fill the bellies of dogs and cats with financially-strapped guardians. Collection bins were soon overflowing with pet food—more than 8,000 pounds in all—quickly exceeding the goal set for ARF’s first Holiday FoodShare Drive. A large pet food donation by Safeway more than doubled the final tally.
Tremendous thanks go to our partners KTVU, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and the Salvation Army for their invaluable promotion, collection, and distribution efforts, as well as those individuals who sponsored collection bins. ARF also extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who donated—your generosity is helping families keep their pets at home where they belong.
Back to Top
You won’t want to miss this special evening showcasing adorable dogs, hosted by the Concord Hilton and Grissini Trattoria & Wine Bar to benefit ARF. The fifth annual Winemaker’s Dinner and Canine Fashion Show will be held Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Concord Hilton in Concord, California.
 Come watch the cutest canines strut down the runway during this evening of haute couture. Trophies will be awarded to winners in several categories, including Best in Show, Dog and Owner Most Alike, Best Dressed Under One Year Old, Best Dressed Ten Years and Older, Most Original Outfit, and Most Creative Outfit. 100% of the $25 entry fee goes directly to ARF. If your dog would like to participate in the fashion show, please fill out the entry form and return it to the Concord Hilton.
Following the fashion show and silent auction will be a cocktail reception and sumptuous dinner prepared by Grissini’s, featuring the wines of Rombauer Vineyards. Dinner is $75 per person, with $25 benefiting ARF.
Hurry, seating is limited! To reserve your seat at the Winemaker's Dinner and/or Canine Fashion Show, please contact the Concord Hilton at 925.827.2000.
Back to Top
For those you will never forget, pay tribute with an On-line Pet Memorial. For a $25 tax-deductible donation, ARF will display your pet’s photo and a 150-word remembrance for one full year on our special memorial web page.
Click the button to donate now. You will receive instructions on providing your pet’s tribute and picture in your acknowledgement e-mail.
Each life has value, meaning, and purpose. Remembering your pet today will help ARF continue its life-saving work into tomorrow.
|
May 1995 - April 2009
Rescued from abuse when he was 7-months old, Rudy's greatest happiness was being at my side. He loved to fetch, run free and swim. Rudy was the most devoted dog I have ever known and he helped get me… Read more |
|
2000 - 2001
Fawn was a very special little bunny who was rescued from the euthanasia room at the local animal shelter when she was just three months old. She had a wonderful year with me and her best friend, Lucy the cat … Read more |
|
Back to Top
 Get new wheels for Christmas? If you’re trying to figure out what to do with the old ones, consider a vehicle donation to ARF. We could really use them! You’ll give a lot of mileage to our lifesaving programs.
Not only will you make room in the driveway for your new “baby,” you’ll get a great tax write-off. The old car, truck, RV, or boat will be towed off for free, and you don’t even have to worry about cleaning it up or having it smogged.
Make your donation in the way that’s easiest for you:
- Call Car Donation Services toll free 1.888.6TO.GIVE (686.4483) or 925.229.5444
- Complete this easy online
form
- Download and complete the
 Vehicle
Donation Form and fax to 925.229.5446 or mail to 4971 Pacheco Blvd, Martinez, CA 94553.
 * If you don't have a copy of Adobe Acrobat, you can click the Get Acrobat icon to download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A version of Acrobat is necessary to view the Vehicle Donation form.
Back to Top
 You can support ARF just by paying your bills when you use pet checks. Pet checks carry the ARF logo in the upper left-hand corner and help spread the word about our organization to every place you write a check. Choose a standard animal picture, or customize your checks with a picture of your own pet!
 Pet checks are sold through Checksmart, who donates a portion of the proceeds back to ARF. To place your order, fill out, print, and mail the on-line form with payment, or call 1.800.784.2800. Be sure to select CA15 D89 Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation as your animal welfare organization of choice!
 Bring ARF what’s left of your BART tickets! ARF’s Tiny Tickets program can take your old five- and ten-cent BART tickets and turn them into cash.
It doesn’t matter how you got them. Maybe you went to San Francisco to see holiday shows. Maybe your cousin took BART from the airport because you couldn’t pick him up. Maybe you just turned up a few tickets while cleaning out your drawers at year’s end. Every little bit adds up to help ARF’s lifesaving programs!
Visit our Tiny Tickets page to find out how you can donate your unused fare, and keep on ridin’!
Back to Top
|
Whether you are a longtime collector of bobbleheads or new to the game, you won’t want to miss out on ARF’s specialty Tony La Russa bobblehead, circa 2007. There are a limited number of these wobbly bobbly dolls—each autographed by Tony—available now for $49.95 at ARF’s Lou Russa Boutique or online.
Better hurry, these bobbleheads won’t last long!
Back to Top |
 Talk about bringing your work home with you! In December, three ARF All Star Volunteers adopted three very lucky kitties whom they had socialized and grown to love. Darby, Rosemary and Lewis certainly found homes with excellent pet caretakers.
The ARF All Stars® Volunteer program is for pre-teens and teens grades six through twelve. Volunteers go through about twenty hours of training, including basic animal care, reading cat and dog body language, understanding potential pet dangers, and ethics of responsible ownership. ARF People Connect Specialist Kristen Breyer teaches program participants everything they need to know to be successful in their role. “I am so proud to know these young people who have an awareness and sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate creatures in our community,” says Kristen.
 Whether they fall in love instantly or form a special bond over time, the All Stars can provide wonderful and educated homes for ARF’s shelter guests. Nica was first attracted to Darby when he stuck his nose under the door, trying to say hello before they had even met. During her volunteer sessions socializing Darby, Nica discovered him to be a sweet and gentle cat. Now Darby sleeps on top of Nica’s chest every night, purring.
Carol Johnson
Carol Johnson is an admitted “cat person” who spends at least eight hours a week giving TLC to ARF’s feline friends. Since 2005 she has invested 750 volunteer hours working with cats and kittens: feeding, socializing, cleaning condos, and scooping litter boxes. Carol’s knowledge and commitment make her an indispensable partner in Animal Care!
Why did you start volunteering at ARF?
Planning ahead before I retired from teaching, I knew I wanted to work with animals. One summer I walked into ARF and asked what kind of volunteer jobs were available. The receptionist pointed to a volunteer petting a cat in a condo, and said that volunteers kept the cats company while they awaited adoption. I was sold!
What do you like most about volunteering at ARF?
There are many things I like about working at ARF, especially being around people who love animals as much as I do. The volunteers and staff are so friendly. We have many conversations about which cats were adopted, wondering how we can help a certain cat become more adoptable, telling funny stories about the cats' antics. I've had cats all my life, but I'm still learning new things from the staff. They always take time to answer questions. I am impressed by their dedication to the animals.
What is your most memorable experience?
When I first met Milkshake, a terrified little tortoiseshell cat, she was always alone, hiding in the corner behind her cubby, hoping no one would see her. I spent months visiting her; eventually she started to trust me.
One day Milkshake got a kitten for a roommate. When I came in, she was so excited. She kept meowing, going back and forth from the kitten to me, as if to say, “Look what they brought me.” From then on Milkshake was the ultimate "hostess," making her feline roommates feel welcome.
Milkshake’s final roommate, a very large white cat named Sochi, became her permanent friend; they were adopted together. As I have found when I've worked with a cat for a long time, the adoption was bittersweet for me. I still think about Milkshake and hope she is doing well, as I move on to the next frightened cat that needs help.
What is your motto?
"One cat at a time..."
Carol is a special woman giving “purrfectly meowvelous” care to each cat she encounters at ARF. Thank you for giving each one such special care!
Back To Top
Jaina |
Jaina is one big sweetheart! Though she is hearing impaired, it doesn’t slow her down one bit. This quick learner is practicing her hand signals. She loves to be around people and just wants someone to play with. She is looking for a family that is active and willing to do a lot of training. Jaina is an eight-month-old, 21-pound Australian Shepherd mix that is rated for children five and older. |
Alisdair is seven years young and full of love! He will charm you with his gentle personality as well as captivate you with his gorgeous golden eyes. This handsome boy would love to find a quiet home with a nice window where he can look out on the world. Alisdair is a medium-sized Personal Assistant, and sweet as can be. |
Alisdair |
Meet Jaina and Alisdair 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
Ralph Malph
Many visitors and volunteers will remember cool cat Ralph Malph, who was adopted from ARF in November. He is doing well with his new family. Adopter Tom B. reports that Ralph Malph is friendly with everyone and sums things up very neatly, saying, “Ralph Malph is an outstanding cat. We are delighted to have him.” Many at ARF would agree!
|
Vaughn
Adopter Shirley S. took time to share some pictures of Vaughn, the little terrier mix her family adopted from ARF last summer. “He is a great friend and companion,” she writes, “He’s happy and healthy! Vaughn is amusing, always busy and nosy. We love him!” |
Back to Top
We are stuffed to the rafters and making room for more merchandise! New items put out every day including stylish shoes and warm winter clothing. Don’t forget to check out the January sales on wicker baskets, pictures and frames. All 50% off!
Shop ARF's Thrift Store and save lives!
Proceeds benefit 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.
Back To Top
Back To About ARF
Back To Home |
