Your Gift to AFRP -Matched Dollar for Dollar!

There's still a few days left to make your year-end gift to AFRP through the Monterey County Weekly Community Fund. Thanks to their matching grant, your donation will make double the difference for homeless animals. Send in $10, $25, $50, $100, $1,000 or more, and it will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 total! Simply print out a donation form and mail on or before December 31 to be eligible for the matching grant.

As a bonus, The Monterey County Community Fund is also donating $1,000 to the group that receives donations from the largest number of readers, and $1,000 to the organization that has the most contributions from readers under the age of 35.

What a great time to make a charitable contribution to AFRP, knowing that it will make a big difference in the lives of animals, and lower your tax bill come April 15. Click here to print out a donation form, and remember to mail it on or before December 31!

Help Win $10,000 for Homeless Animals!

In November, Care 2, the largest online community of people passionate about animal welfare and Adopt-a-Pet, one of the country's largest pet adoption charities joined together to create America's Favorite Animal Shelter Contest.

The animal shelter or rescue organization that receives the most online votes will win a grand prize of $10,000! In addition, each week a shelter is chosen at random to win $500. What a wonderful holiday gift for the homeless dogs and cats counting on AFRP for medical care, food, shelter and adoptive homes.

It's easy to help AFRP win! Just cast your vote for Animal Friends Rescue Project at Care2.com - you only need to vote one time and it only takes a minute of your time. You can help AFRP get even more votes by telling everyone you know about the contest. Feel free to forward this information to your friends, family and coworkers.

Currently the Saint John Animal Rescue League of Nebraska is in first place with 5038 votes. Let’s see if we can give them a run for the money!

Please cast your vote today at Care2.com, the contest ends December 16!

Goin' 2 Da Dogs (and Cats) Benefit Concert

Join us Saturday December 5 for a very special Christmas concert to benefit Animal Friends Rescue Project. The Jon Rubin Group with Deanna Lynn will be playing their original acoustic fusion sound combining folk, rock, blues, celtic, bluegrass, jazz and classical influences to support a cause very close to their hearts.

This accomplished string trio (guitar, bass, viola) has been performing regularly from Monterey to San Francisco since May. Don't miss this very special evening of great music for a great cause!

Time: 7:30 pm, Saturday December 5

Place: The Works, 667 Lighthouse Ave in Pacific Grove

Info: All ages welcome, $10 cover charge. 100% of the artists' after-expense proceeds will benefit AFRP.

AFRP Howliday Party - Please Join Us!

Kick up your paws and enjoy a purr-fect evening, Sunday December 6 at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey. Our Annual Howliday Party is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and now more than ever we are counting on the proceeds to help us save the lives of the dogs and cats that need a helping hand.

Join us at the Hyatt Regency Main Ballroom December 6 from 5-9 pm. You can dance to the sounds of the C Monkeys, enjoy comedian Collin Moulton, and sample a delicious selection of wine, hors d' oeuvres and decadent dessert buffet. Bid on silent auction items or join our exciting live auction! All proceeds benefit AFRP dogs and cats waiting for homes of their own.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $55 at the door, $400 for a table for ten. To make a reservation, please call 831-333-0722 or purchase your tickets online.

Can't make it to the party but still want to support AFRP? Why not purchase some Howliday Raffle Tickets (need not be present to win) or get an early start on your holiday shopping with our exciting online auction, open through December 3.

We appreciate your support so much!

Joey the Flying Aussie: A Successful Rescue!

He was an old dog, and needed some medical care.  His family left him at an overcrowded shelter in Southern California when they could no longer care for him. His chances of making it out of the shelter alive were not very good. But Joey the Australian Shepherd had a network of angels looking over his shoulder.

 When a plea from Southern California Aussie Rescue was sent to AFRP’s Sue Trapp, it set into motion a series of actions that led to Joey’s salvation. AFRP volunteers Polaris and Taven felt an instant connection when they saw Joey’s photo and read his story. They felt compelled to help, and forwarded Joey’s story to their friends and coworkers. If nobody stepped forward, they committed to fostering him themselves--not an easy decision for a busy working couple with a small house and four cats to care for. But then Taven’s coworker Delinda, who had recently lost her canine companion of many years, stepped forward. After reading his story, she knew that Joey was somehow destined to be her dog.

 Joey now had a place to go, but would help come in time? Delinda lived in Monterey and Joey was far away in Riverside. The clock was ticking. That’s when another piece of the rescue puzzle fell into place. National Brittany Spaniel Rescue and Japanese Chin Rescue had transport plans in place for three of their dogs to go to Northern California with Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit organization connecting private pilots all over the country with shelter animals in need of transportation. There was room on the plane for Joey to go too!

 Sunday afternoon, September 27, pilot Dave landed his small plane at Monterey Airport with his four canine passengers. There to meet him were AFRP volunteers Polaris and Taven, Santa Cruz Adoptions Manager Sue Trapp, and Joey’s adopter, Delinda. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful homecoming.

 Joey arrived with a case of kennel cough and is desperately in need of some dental work and blood work. He also needs to have a suspicious mass tested and possibly removed. To donate to Joey’s medical fund or to help another dog or cat in need, please visit the AFRP Medical Donation page. 

AFRP Photos Honored by American Humane Association!

AFRP was recently honored by the American Humane Association with two winners in the 2009 Pets & Pals Photo Contest. Out of over 1,800 entries in the Shelter Life Category, the photo of Nolan the Terrier/Dachshund wearing the e-collar was a finalist, and the photo of Gizmo the senior Yorkshire Terrier was the Grand Prize Winner, earning a whopping $1,000  for AFRP! 

Congratulations to AFRP Adoptions Manager Linda Wilsey for taking the winning photos!

You can view all the contest winners on the American Humane Association website. 

Happy Update on Penny the Pit!

Penny was found abandoned on the side of the road with two broken front legs when she was only a few months old. When her story went public, dozens of generous donors made it possible for Penny to get the orthopedic surgery she needed. Many of her fans and supporters followed Penny's progress on her blog, and were so happy when she found her forever home with Katie and Cora. 

We wanted to share the most recent update on Penny, shown above with her best pal Simon the cat. Penny is now a star pupil in her BADRAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls) pit education class, and is about halfway through. When she's done with that, her parents plan to enroll her in Canine Good Citizen classes! 

Bully for you Penny! Keep up the good work being a good ambassador for your breed. Thank you Katie and Cora for being such wonderful doggie parents!

Cast Your Vote for AFRP!

The Animal Rescue Site together with Petfinder.com is announcing their new $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge! This means that beginning today, and each day through December 20, you can cast your vote for Animal Friends Rescue Project and help us win one of three big prizes, including a $20,000 Grand Prize grant! 

Think how many more animals we could help for $20,000!

Help us win! It only takes a few clicks of your mouse to vote in the Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge. This is absolutely free! You can vote once a day, every day from September 14 through December 20, 2009. Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for animals in need. Please Vote Today!

AFRP Featured on "Pets Around the Bay"

On September 7 we were thrilled to be featured on "Pets Around the Bay" a televised segment on KPIX that is sponsored by Pet Food Express. If you missed the segment you can click this link to see the video. 

Tiki, AKA Gretchen, the little pup with the broken leg featured in the video, is all healed up and now ready for adoption. You can read more about her on the AFRP web site. If you can't adopt but are interested in helping one of the sick or injured dogs or cats in our care, please consider making a donation to help with their medical expenses. You'll be making a world of difference in the life of a dog or cat in need. Click here to visit our medical sponsorship page. 

A Great Week of Adoptions!

Was there something in the water? Were the stars in alignment? Whatever the reason, we just had to share the good news: over 20 AFRP dogs and cats found their forever homes in the past week, including some of our long-term residents and animals with special medical needs!

Tate, the black lab we rescued from Louisiana after Hurricane Gustav is now at home in the hills of Santa Cruz with two boys to toss him an endless supply of tennis balls; Beau the senior Pomeranian now has a lap of his own; Tiki the Chihuahua mix has a little girl to adore; and Bitsy, the little dog with divergent strabismus is happily at home with Mary of Pebble Beach and her new doggie brother Fergus, also an AFRP alum. Keno the Pug and Lily the Tibetan Spaniel mix were adopted before even hitting the web site!

Samba, our special kitty with cerebellar hypoplasia, found her forever home with the Hilliker family, (they adopted April last year, a calico who had lost her ears to skin cancer). Tiki, a black cat who had been with us over a year, found a loving home with Mary in Monterey; and Eva, a sweet Siamese mix who raised a litter of kittens, found her home when the Love family stopped by to adopt a cat. Frisky kittens Lincoln, Henry, Hayden, Mischief and Farfle are now whooping it up in homes of their own!

It's not over! Rachel, the black Chihuahua mix who had been with us nearly a year made a love match with our volunteer Mary; Chance the Cattle Dog mix puppy who had recovered from hip surgery found a wonderful family; Brownie the shy lab mix was adopted by a lovely couple looking for an older dog; Donnie the Australian Shepherd went to a new home in Reno; and Sparky our bouncy terrier mix is now at home with a young couple who will keep him busy. Kelly the senior terrier is the new companion of the Wongs in Monterey; Charlie Brown the Dalmatian/Pit mix pup found an energetic young family in Santa Cruz; and Lucy, the partially blind Chihuahua mix who had been the victim of a dog attack has found happiness with a nice couple in Carmel. 

Many thanks to all the foster volunteers who opened their hearts and homes to these dogs and cats, and to the wonderful families who made the decision to adopt this past week. They have not only given their new pet a second chance, they have also made it possible for us to rescue more shelter animals in need of help. 

Interested in adopting from AFRP? Please take a look at the dogs and cats we have available for adoption. Can't adopt but still want to help? Consider sponsoring a medical animal or becoming a Lifeline Donor. 

Mahalo Mondays at Hula's!

Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room in Monterey is helping raise money for AFRP throughout the month of August! Every Monday, Hula's is giving back 10% of their total sales to help the animals. 

So leave the cooking (and the dishes) to Hula's and treat yourself to a fantastic dinner each Monday in the month of August. (Their sweet potato fries are to die for!) Hula's is open for dinner Mondays from 5:00 p.m. until closing. 

Hula's is located at 622 Lighthouse Ave in Monterey. They are happy to take reservations for parties of six or more, 831-655-4852.  Hula's is a participant of Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program. 

Hope to see you there!

Tupper Was Found!

Many thanks to all of you who helped look for Tupper. 

He is now safely back with his foster mom! 

Lost Dog: Help Us Find Tupper!

AFRP foster dog Tupper was taking a walk at Jade Park in Capitola today when he pulled out of his collar and harness and took off running. 

Tupper is a small white and red Terrier/Pug mix with a curly tail. He weighs about 12 pounds. Tupper is a very sweet but shy dog and it is not likely he will approach a stranger for help. 

If you spot Tupper, let him come to you. Speak softly, offer a treat, and look to the side instead of staring directly at him. Kneel down to make yourself small. 

Please call 831-601-3350 or 831-262-9658 if you have seen Tupper.

Help us by posting Tupper's Lost Dog Flyer in the Capitola/Santa Cruz area, and by forwarding his information to anybody you know who lives in the Capitola/Santa Cruz area. 

Sometimes it Takes a Village . . .

Fourteen kittens were the focus last Thursday, a chaotic, fun, crazy day where volunteers, staff and local vets pulled together to get a big group of kittens neutered, vaccinated and ready for adoption. 

Many thanks to the kitten foster volunteers who brought their kittens to the adoption center; to volunteer Doris, who transported eight homeless kittens from the Salinas Shelter; to Craig for transporting foster kittens from the AFRP Adoption Center to the meeting spot at the Walmart parking lot; to Mia for transporting kittens and helping process them at the AFRP Adoption Center; to Ingrid for efficient planning and numerous phone calls; and to board member Kelly for transporting the whole group of kittens up to Santa Cruz and back! (And for serving as a vet tech while the neuter procedures were being performed!)

An extra big thank-you goes to Mt. Madonna Mobile Vet Clinic who graciously cleared their schedule Thursday morning and gave AFRP significantly reduced fees for the spay/neuter procedures. 

If you are interested in helping homeless kittens, please consider becoming an AFRP Foster Volunteer. Can't volunteer but still want to help? Donating to our Feline Family Fund can save the lives of cats and kittens that need your help. 

A New Way to Support AFRP!

Here's a new easy way to raise money and awareness for Animal Friends Rescue Project. Just start using the new Animal Friends Rescue Project Visa Platinum® Rewards card for your everyday purchases. The first time you use it, the bank will donate $50 to Animal Friends Rescue Project and we'll continue to receive a percentage of all future purchases--all at no cost to you.

Plus, you'll be earning accelerated points (up to 15 points per dollar) at hundreds of national merchants, which can be redeemed for merchandise, account credits and Free tickets on over 175 airlines, with no blackout dates!

Please join us today in choosing and using the only card that supports Animal Friends Rescue Project and earns you valuable rewards at the same time. Go to http://www.cardpartner.com/app/afrp to request your card today.

Birthday Party Helps Cats and Kittens!

Talk about someone who understands compassion at an early age! Mira, a feline-loving first-grader at Carmel River School, recently celebrated her birthday. But instead of expecting to receive birthday presents for herself, Mira asked her party guests to give donations to help homeless animals.

Soon after her birthday party, Mira stopped by the AFRP Adoption Center With a hand-written card to AFRP and nearly $125 tucked inside. She stayed to visit with the cats and kittens that would benefit from her generous gift. Here's what her note said:

Dear Animal Friends-

Please use this mony to hlep sick kittens because I really like cats. I raised this mony from my 7th birthday party for AFRP. 

Sincerely, 

Mira M. 

Mira -- from all the animals at AFRP, thanks so much for your compassion and generosity!

 For more ideas about how kids can make a difference in the lives of homeless animals, please click here. 

Michael Gaither Concert Saturday July 11!

Join us at the Ol' Factory Cafe, 1725 Contra Costa in Sand City, at 8 pm Saturday July 11 for a wonderful evening with singer/songwriter Michael Gaither and help celebrate the release of his new CD, "Dogspeed." 

Not only is Michael a talented musician, he's also an AFRP foster volunteer and wrote the song, "Unconditionally" for  AFRP The Movie. 

We hope to see you Saturday night! You'll be in for a very special evening of wonderful music, and you'll be supporting AFRP at the same time. $10 admission, half the door proceeds benefit Animal Friends Rescue Project!

Keep Your Pets Safe on the Fourth of July!

Many animal lovers in our area breathed a sigh of relief when the city of Monterey announced that there would be no fireworks display over the bay this year due to budget cuts. Fireworks are fun for humans, but extremely frightening for many animals. 

Even though big fireworks displays have been cancelled this year in many cities, there will still be noisy firecrackers and bottle rockets going off in neighborhoods. The Humane Society of the United States recommends the following safety measures to protect your pet on July 4th:

• Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
  
• Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects—even death—in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
  
• Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
  
• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
  
• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
  
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
  

Adorable Adoptable: Molly the AFRP Office Cat

Meet Molly, our new AFRP office cat. It's her first day in the office, and already she is rubbing against legs and making friends with everyone. Right now she's curled up on the big fleece dog bed next to Ingrid's desk taking a little nap. Molly is a 3-year-old longhaired Manx with a cute little stub of a tail and a thick, soft coat. 

Molly came to us through the AFRP Compassionate Surrender Program. A family found her as a stray and took her in. They wanted to keep her but Molly did not like the other cats in the home AT ALL! In fact, Molly does not like the other cats at the adoption center either, and that is why she is back here in the office. She feels much more comfortable with humans than felines. 

Sadly, at some time in Molly's past an owner decided to have her declawed. Not only that, she also had her canine teeth filed down - we're assuming to make it impossible for her to bite anyone. Little Molly is pretty much defenseless now, and will need to be an indoor-only pet for her safety. If you are looking for a special girl to be your one-and-only cat, please stop by the AFRP Adoption Center, 560 Lighthouse Ave in Pacific Grove and ask to meet Molly!

P.S. Blackberry Jam, our previous office kitty, is still available for adoption and can be seen at the Posh Pets adoption site, 160 Fountain Ave in Pacific Grove. She'd love to meet you!

Dine to be Kind - Thursday June 25!

Treat yourself to a wonderful meal and help the animals at the same time . . . what could be better? This Thursday, June 25, you can take part in Dine to be Kind, a fundraiser for Animal Friends Rescue Project. Simply dine out at our participating restaurants, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to AFRP. 

This year Peppers Mexicali Cafe and Lattitudes at Lover's Point are generously donating 10% of their proceeds to help AFRP's homeless animals. Leave the cooking to them this Thursday, and enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner in beautiful Pacific Grove. We hope to see you there!

Thank You Sarah Adams and The Raw Connection!

After experiencing amazing results from feeding her own dogs a raw food diet, Sarah Adams wanted to help other owners switch their pets to healthy diets too. She opened The Raw Connection at 26549 Carmel Rancho Blvd. in April, 2006. Quietly, without fanfare, Sarah has since raised over $12,500 for AFRP's dogs and cats through the AFRP Dedication Wall in her store. 

The Dedication Wall allows you to honor and celebrate your beloved animals by sponsoring an adobe brick with your animal's name painted on it by local artist Leigh Diggory. Sponsorship levels begin at $50, and go up to $500 to have your animal's name painted in 14c gold leaf. Animals that have passed away have a halo painted above their name. 

There are approximately 150 adobe bricks in the Dedication Wall still available. What a great way to honor or remember a special animal friend in your life or in the life of a friend or family member. Click here to download an AFRP Dedication Wall Sponsorship Form. 

On behalf of the hundreds of homeless animals whose lives have been changed due to Sarah's efforts, we are truly grateful. Thank you so much! 

Kittens, Kittens, Everywhere!

L.G. (short for Little Guy) was willing to don a silly hat to champion the cause of all the adoptable kittens available right now at AFRP Adoption Locations! Raised in foster care, AFRP kittens are healthy, well-socialized, fun and frisky bundles of furry love. The $150 adoption fee for kittens includes their spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, virus testing, Advantage for fleas, de-worming and a free well check with a participating vet. What a bargain! 

L.G. hopes you'll stop by the AFRP Adoption Center, 560 Lighthouse Ave in Pacific Grove, or one of our satellite adoption locations to meet the sweetest kittens in town. You can also meet adoptable kittens at our upcoming Offsite Adoption Events at the Sand City PetsMart, June 13, and the Grand Opening of Pet Food Express on June 20. If you can't adopt but would like to help us rescue more kittens in need, please consider making a donation to our Feline Family Fund.

Get Down for the Dogs!

Join us Saturday June 13 for Om Oasis Yoga and Spin Center's 4th annual fundraiser for Animal Friends Rescue Project! There will be Yoga, Spin and Boot Camp Classes available for all fitness levels. Not into exercise? There will be a cooking demonstration at noon, and a silent auction at 1 pm. There is a $10 minimum donation per class, all proceeds benefit AFRP! 

Om Oasis Yoga & Spin Center is located at 484 Lighthouse Ave #100 in Monterey. Classes begin bright and early at 9am! Click here for a full schedule of classes. We hope to see you there!

Does your adopted pet want to be a star?

The beautiful images that grace the walls of Pet Food Express stores are all dogs and cats that have been adopted by shelters and rescue groups. Bingo, a handsome boy adopted from AFRP in 2007 had his poster gracing the Pet Food Express store in San Francisco!

With a brand new Pet Food Express now open at 300 Crossroads Blvd in Carmel, you have the opportunity have your pet professionally photographed and have his/her poster displayed locally for 10-12 months. You'll be able to admire your superstar pet every time you shop! Best of all, your $250 My Mutt donation will directly benefit AFRP animals. For a donation of $500, you can keep your poster after it has been displayed! Download a My Mutt application now!

Farewell, Sweet Arlo

Thursday was a bittersweet day at the AFRP office. We said tearful goodbyes to our dear, sweet Arlo, who had been with us since January after coming to us from the Salinas Animal Shelter.

A young terrier mix with some neurological problems, Arlo's goofy, cheerful and gentle personality won the hearts of everyone who met him. He was undaunted by his poor vision and lack of coordination, and he met every challenge with enthusiasm and tenacity.

Sadly, as the months passed, Arlo's health deteriorated. His diagnosis was grim -- he had untreatable Lymphoma. Many thanks to foster mom Christine Derr who invited Arlo to spend his last few weeks in her loving home. Thanks also to Dr. Jen Wernsing and the AFRP staff and volunteers who surrounded Arlo with love Thursday evening at the AFRP office as he made his final peaceful journey from this world into the next. He will be missed.

Feral Fridays at the AFRP Treasure Shop

Pat and Jane at the AFRP Treasure Shop have amassed a spectacular display of cat-related books, art and collectibles just in time for "Feral Friday" May 29!

Help feral cats by shopping at the AFRP Treasure Shop every fourth Friday of the month. All proceeds from sales on Feral Fridays go into our Feral Fund to help pay for our Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) efforts to reduce the number of feral cats in Monterey County.

The AFRP Treasure Shop is located at 154 17th Street in Pacific Grove, and is open Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am - 4 pm. For information about donating items or volunteering at the Treasure Shop, please call 831-333-0419.

Brownies and kittens . . . what could be sweeter?

Wednesday we were treated to the silly giggles and proud grins of ten busy Brownies from Troop 33162 from Toro Park School. The girls had decided to use the proceeds from their Girl Scout cookie sales to help AFRP animals.

Turning Samoas and Thin Mints into cat toys, dog harnesses, chew toys and kitty litter, how cool is that? Best of all, the girls presented AFRP with a check for $750 earmarked for the Feline Family Fund to sponsor a mamma cat and litter of kittens. (In photo standing left to right are: Rachel Roberts, Olivia Robledo, Gillian Horak, Cienna Kennamore and Renee Ortega. Kneeling left to right are Alexandra Clark, Grace Parker, Sarah Flynn, Jillian Wilcox and Lindsey Meeks. Back row: Michael Kirch with Butterscotch, Alexandra McCabe.)

Thanks to the girls, we were able to rescue Izzie and her litter of four adorable orange tabby kittens from the Salinas Animal Services on Thursday. Izzie is an ultra-friendly polydactyl (extra toes) calico and three of her four kittens are polydactyl too! (We counted SEVEN toes on the front paws of one of the kittens!) This darling kitty family will spend about six weeks in their foster home and then will be available for adoption. Stay tuned!

Moms and kittens are arriving at the shelters daily this time of year. If you would like to help us save these precious lives, please consider making a donation to our Feline Family Fund.

Welcome to our new blog!

Stray Thoughts is a place where Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) volunteers, supporters and admirers can come to learn about what is happening in our organization. We hope you consider it YOUR blog too; a place you can share your ideas and experiences. We hope you find this blog useful and informative!

A little background information:

Animal Friends Rescue Project is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 1998 in Pacific Grove, California by four individuals who were passionate about making a difference in the lives of abandoned, stray, injured and abused companion animals. AFRP is led by an active Board of Directors, a dedicated staff and an incredible team of volunteers, who are the heart and soul of our organization.

AFRP has a reputation in the community for taking the "least adoptable" animals from shelters, giving them the time and medical attention they need, then finding them good permanent homes. As of this posting, AFRP has found loving homes for over 13,000 dogs and cats!