Please help ARF fill a prescription of “Hope”. Your generous gift to the Hope Fund is the only way can ARF help shelter animals with medical needs. Your donation truly makes the difference between life and death. Please help provide hope for ARF’s dogs and cats in need of special medical treatment by donating to the Hope Fund today.
ARF rescued a 13-week-old kitten from the Martinez shelter in need of medical care and TLC. She had been abandoned at the Concord BART station, where a Good Samaritan found her in a cardboard box. She had minor wounds, but her ears were badly damaged, possibly burned by a chemical or other incendiary agent. They were so stiff, we feared they would break off! Fortunately this amazing kitten could still hear, and was remarkably affectionate, purring like a diesel and engaging anyone willing to pet her.
Named Valentine because of her outpouring of love, this sweetie was actually adopted around the love holiday, following her recovery with a foster home. Now in a good home with an adopter who adores her, the Hope Fund helped this remarkable kitten was to heal and find a caring family for her to return the love.
ARF’s rescue team discovered Rasmussen at a municipal shelter where his physical condition put his very life at great risk—he was running out of time. When the team brought Rasmussen back on the transport van, the scraggly dog limped into ARF a bit like a shipwreck. His hind legs had atrophied around an old, poorly-healed injury in his hip. Chronic skin disease left him splotchy and matted. His old sea dog look was completed by a protruding broken tooth and his appearance told of hardships like those seen by the historic polar explorer of the same name. Yet Rasmussen’s friendliness and clear intelligence revealed a spirit that transcended his body’s many afflictions. How had this affectionate 4-year-old Giant Schnauzer mix been abandoned like so much jetsam?
It required all hands on deck to get this easygoing canine back on his feet. ARF’s clinic started with x-rays and dental surgery, and medicated baths eased his itchy discomfort. Realizing that Rasmussen required surgery the ARF clinic couldn’t provide, ARF drew on the Hope Fund to bring in a surgical specialist to fix the pain in his hip. After surgery, the resilient dog faced a lengthy recovery to regain strength and muscle mass in his hind legs. Thankfully, his treatment would all but erase the painful signs of his former harsh life.
Seeking rehabilitation services to complete Rasmussen’s healing, ARF contacted Muller Vet Hospital, who warm-heartedly offered to donate hydrotherapy and laser treatments. Things went swimmingly—watch the video! Rasmussen was placed in foster care to recuperate, where his couch potato tendencies were revealed. He placidly tolerated the foster’s family cat hissing and swatting him. He has discovered a love of riding in cars and being brushed.
Sweet Olivia was at a public shelter for quite some time suffering from a painful medical condition they were unfortunately unable to treat. Upon her arrival at ARF, and thanks to The Hope Fund, Olivia finally had major surgery on her knee to repair a torn cruciate ligament. Olivia recuperated in foster care for two weeks after surgery, however she was not to exercise at all for two more months. Early in her recovery, this happy go lucky and fun loving 3-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix couldn’t go up or down stairs, run, jump, or play. As she got better, she still needed someone to make sure she didn’t overdo her activities (especially as she loves car rides and playing with other dogs) and so needed to find a patient family to help her heal.
Thanks to the Hope Fund, Olivia’s wish came true when she joined a new family during the Holiday season. She is now fully healed, loving and friendly, and has brought absolute joy to her new family.
Julian, a cuddly three-year-old Chihuahua, is one lucky dog. Julian was fortunate to take a trip back to ARF with ARF’s rescue team on one of their visits to the Central California SPCA located in Fresno. Julian came to the Central California SPCA as a stray. During Julian’s physical exam at ARF’s headquarters, Dr. Heather Coburn noticed that he was holding his right rear leg up and limping. Dr. Heather Coburn assessed Julian’s leg to find that he had a grade 3 luxated patella that needed surgical repair. If Julian did not have surgery, the luxated patella would cause limping that would eventually lead to long term arthritis. Julian’s luck held; a surgeon from the Veterinary Surgical associates came to ARF to perform his MPL. Julian recovered well from the MPL and after 6 weeks of restricted activity, his knee was in working order and he was adopted into a new loving family that adores his personality! Thanks to the Hope Fund, Julian was able to have the surgery he needed rather than facing a slow decline.
“Moxie the Doxie”, is an adorable 6-year-old Dachshund rescued by ARF’s rescue patrol from death at a public shelter. It was obvious to the rescue team that sweet, friendly Moxie was experiencing severe pain in her hind area and was unable to even use her back legs. ARF staff, however, looked past Moxie’s disabilities and saw her strong display of love and affection. Knowing Moxie would eventually become an exceptional companion for a lucky family, the rescue team brought her back to ARF.
Moxie was immediately placed in foster care for some much needed rest and rehabilitation to heal her ailing back legs. Unfortunately, Moxie’s needs required much more to end her suffering. ARF’s medical staff discovered that Moxie’s ongoing severe pain prevented her from moving her neck from side to side. The initial prognosis was that Moxie had a disk problem in her neck. Moxie required a full neurological workup in order for ARF’s medical staff to determine the correct surgical path needed to repair the disk. Without this neurological workup and surgery, Moxie’s condition would have worsened to the point that her remaining years would only offer excruciating and debilitating pain.
Moxie is now in a home where she is lavished with attention by her new guardians who are committed to making sure she has a long and happy life.
Cleo’s story is hard to believe. She was a badly injured Collie/Terrier puppy rescued by ARF. Attacked by dogs and left abandoned on the streets of Richmond, California, she had little chance of surviving her cruel and terrifying ordeal. But through the kindness of strangers and the dedication of ARF’s Hope Fund, this young terrier mix received the extensive medical care she so desperately needed.
Her early days were a frightening journey for this courageous little dog. After she was rescued by a Good Samaritan and rushed to a veterinary hospital, Cleo’s future still looked uncertain. The hospital could not keep her, and though the time had come to turn her over to Animal Services, the busy shelter could not provide her the intensive medical attention she would need. Sue Underwood, a volunteer with Animal Services, knew that Cleo might not survive in a shelter environment with the chance of infection to her open chest cavity. Determined to save her, she called ARF.
The sweet little dog had many months of surgeries and procedures ahead of her, incurring substantial cost. “Sometimes we see animals that are not only physically hurt, but also emotionally traumatized by their abuse and neglect,” explained Elena Bicker, Executive Director of ARF. “Cleo will need a lot of patience and a lot of love but her spirit remains strong. She is a very sweet girl. Everyone has fallen in love with Cleo.”
Cleo received the multiple surgeries needed and recovered from her wounds. She was adopted by a wonderful family who enjoy morning and evening walks together and Cleo especially enjoys playing catch with the Frisbee.
If you want to help gentle dogs and cats, like Olivia or Murphy and the many others who are rescued by the ARF rescue team, but need extraordinary medical care, please make a tax-deductible gift to the Hope Fund.
ARF rescued a 13-week-old kitten from the Martinez shelter in need of medical care and TLC. She had been abandoned at the Concord BART station, where a Good Samaritan found her in a cardboard box. She had minor wounds, but her ears were badly damaged, possibly burned by a chemical or other incendiary agent. They were so stiff, we feared they would break off! Fortunately this amazing kitten could still hear, and was remarkably affectionate, purring like a diesel and engaging anyone willing to pet her. 
ARF’s rescue team discovered Rasmussen at a municipal shelter where his physical condition put his very life at great risk—he was running out of time. When the team brought Rasmussen back on the transport van, the scraggly dog limped into ARF a bit like a shipwreck. His hind legs had atrophied around an old, poorly-healed injury in his hip. Chronic skin disease left him splotchy and matted. His old sea dog look was completed by a protruding broken tooth and his appearance told of hardships like those seen by the historic polar explorer of the same name. Yet Rasmussen’s friendliness and clear intelligence revealed a spirit that transcended his body’s many afflictions. How had this affectionate 4-year-old Giant Schnauzer mix been abandoned like so much jetsam? 
Sweet Olivia was at a public shelter for quite some time suffering from a painful medical condition they were unfortunately unable to treat. Upon her arrival at ARF, and thanks to The Hope Fund, Olivia finally had major surgery on her knee to repair a torn cruciate ligament. Olivia recuperated in foster care for two weeks after surgery, however she was not to exercise at all for two more months. Early in her recovery, this happy go lucky and fun loving 3-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix couldn’t go up or down stairs, run, jump, or play. As she got better, she still needed someone to make sure she didn’t overdo her activities (especially as she loves car rides and playing with other dogs) and so needed to find a patient family to help her heal.
“Moxie the Doxie”, is an adorable 6-year-old Dachshund rescued by ARF’s rescue patrol from death at a public shelter. It was obvious to the rescue team that sweet, friendly Moxie was experiencing severe pain in her hind area and was unable to even use her back legs. ARF staff, however, looked past Moxie’s disabilities and saw her strong display of love and affection. Knowing Moxie would eventually become an exceptional companion for a lucky family, the rescue team brought her back to ARF. 
Cleo’s story is hard to believe. She was a badly injured Collie/Terrier puppy rescued by ARF. Attacked by dogs and left abandoned on the streets of Richmond, California, she had little chance of surviving her cruel and terrifying ordeal. But through the kindness of strangers and the dedication of ARF’s Hope Fund, this young terrier mix received the extensive medical care she so desperately needed. 
