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Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) Rescues 5000th Animal!

Animal Friends Rescue Project (www.animalfriendsrescue.org) is proud to announce the rescue and adoption of Tappy, its 5,000th companion animal -- a major milestone for the group. A relatively young nonprofit animal rescue organization based in Pacific Grove, California, AFRP is committed to rescuing animals from local shelters that are most at risk for euthanasia. The group is also dedicated to finding quality permanent homes for abandoned, stray, and abused companion animals (dogs and cats), and to ending the problem of pet overpopulation through aggressive spay/neuter programs. Now in its landmark 5000th adoption, Tappy, an 18 year-old orange tabby cat, was rescued from the Salinas Animal Shelter, where he was surrendered when his lifelong family moved and could not take him with them (unfortunately, a common reason for families who give up their pets to shelters).

Pacific Grove, CA (PRWEB) July 26, 2004 -- For younger animals, such a stay at a shelter may be short, and they are most often re-homed to a loving family. For senior animals like Tappy, however, the shelter may be their last stop: Animals that are surrendered to a shelter aren't required by law to be kept for any length of time if it's known that they are not lost and no one will come looking for them. For animals like Tappy, this means two strikes against them right away, as senior animals often have a difficult time getting adopted -- especially during 'kitten season' when the shelters are overcrowded with adorable kittens and young moms.

Fortunately for Tappy, the staff at the Salinas Animal Shelter always goes the extra mile for every animal in their care, and routinely stays in daily contact with AFRP to help save the lives of animals like Tappy. The cat was rescued by AFRP and spent a few weeks in a 'kitty condo' at one of the AFRP adoption centers (each condo is sponsored by a member of the public for $300 per year to help pay for living expenses for the cats that spend time in the Center). Eva and Dave Matthews sponsor a condo, and regularly visit the center to meet the kitty they are currently sponsoring. In Tappy's case, it was love at first sight.

"We're so pleased to announce Tappy as our landmark 5000th adoption. And his adoptive family, the Matthews, are truly special people," comments AFRP Executive Director Carie Broecker. "They have a soft spot for older cats and fell in love with Tappy." The Matthews joyfully adopted Tappy, renamed him Prince William, and report that he is doing fabulously in his new home.

If not for the work of AFRP and their cooperative efforts with local shelters cats like Tappy would seldom make it out of the shelter alive. With the successful rescue and adoption of its 5,000th companion animal, AFRP has not only rescued thousands of dogs and cats from local shelters, but it has also helped the community spay or neuter over 2,200 of their animals through its successful Prevent-A-Litter (P.A.L.) program.

"As a relatively young nonprofit animal rescue organization, we're very proud that AFRP now consistently rescues over 1,000 animals each year," adds Broecker. "Yet 5,000 animals were still euthanized in Monterey County last year. We believe it takes the entire community to put an end to euthanasia as a means of pet overpopulation control, so we continue to work with a variety of local agencies and organizations in Monterey County and individual volunteers to achieve success. Our vision is to ultimately create a community where no adoptable dog or cat is euthanized."

AFRP fills a vital niche in the community by rescuing the "least adoptable" animals from the shelters, providing medical care and finding them good permanent homes. Local animal shelters now often call upon AFRP to rescue animals that would not otherwise stand a chance of survival in the shelter environment. These animals are most often shy, abused, senior, or underage -- for whom a loving and caring environment can work wonders. Other rescues are often animals in need of minor and major medical attention, as well as pregnant or nursing animals.

"AFRP works closely with all other animal welfare agencies in the county in a joint effort to rescue as many animals as possible," adds Broecker. "We have formed mutually respectful and supportive relationships with the City of Salinas Animal Shelter, the Monterey County Animal Shelter, the City of Marina Animal Shelter, and the SPCA of Monterey County.

Happy Tails -- AFRP Adoption Success Stories
(Please contact us for fantastic photos of these Success Stories, as well as 5000th Adoption Tappy/Prince William!)

* Lady -- A 3 year-old poodle taken into protective custody by animal control after severe abuse and neglect, turned over to AFRP. Had her leg amputated due to injuries, yet is now healthy and happy in a loving home.

* Miss Puffy -- A 10 day-old orphaned kitten found on the side of the road, brought to AFRP and successfully placed for adoption.

* Solo -- A 4 week-old Shar Pei puppy found in a plastic garbage bag in a dumpster, brought to a local vet, turned over to AFRP -- and successfully adopted to a good home.

* Gidget -- A one year-old Chihuahua, born with deformed legs, and rescued from the Salinas animal shelter. AFRP bought her a cart to help her get around -- and found her a home.

* Heffy and pups -- A 2 year-old Dalmatian who entered the Salinas shelter pregnant, she gave birth to eight Dalmatian puppies in the shelter. AFRP was able to take them all into a foster home, and they were adopted a few weeks before Christmas.

* Kingston -- A sweet and loving 2-year old Siamese found as a stray, and who came to the shelter with three legs. A family from Seattle saw him on the AFRP website, and some volunteers flew him to Seattle to his new home. He is now a blissfully happy cat who assists in educational therapy for local elementary schools.

* Miracle Charlie -- A 5 month-old Shepherd mix who was hit by a train and taken to the Salinas Animal Shelter. He suffered two broken legs (one broken in three places) and a broken pelvis. AFRP named him Miracle, and thanks to a community that rallied around him (and paid his medical bills), he made a full recovery and is now a happy and healthy 2 year-old adult dog.

* Una - A 6 week-old puppy, who was being used as bait in dog fights. She was severely malnourished, badly mauled and left for dead. A good citizen found her, and brought her to the Salinas shelter, who immediately turned her over to AFRP. She made a full recovery -- and found a good home.


About AFRP
Based in Pacific Grove, California, Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding good permanent homes for abandoned, stray, and abused companion animals, and to ending the overpopulation crisis through aggressive spay/neuter programs. The group's website, located at www.animalfriendsrescue.org, provides a wealth of information on the group including the many deserving animals currently available for adoption. The site also provides valuable information on how people can support the group and its efforts through volunteering, donating, or participating in upcoming events.

AFRP operates on a "space available" basis. Since the group does not have a kennel facility of its own, they use its own extensive network of volunteer foster homes to take in animals until they can be placed in permanent homes. The group has a lifetime commitment to any animal that comes into its care, and never puts animals down just because they have been with the group too long or need medical attention.

Animal Friends Rescue Project provides the following services:

* Placement of homeless animals into good permanent homes
* Temporary care for homeless animals in foster homes or kennels
* Necessary veterinary care for the foster animals
* Education about the proper care of companion animals and education to promote compassion towards animals
* Spay/neuter program and education about the problems of overpopulation
* Behavioral guidance and referrals
* Assistance to people needing help placing a stray they have found or in placing their own pet in another home

AFRP primarily rescues animals slated for euthanasia from the City of Salinas Animal Shelter, the Monterey County Animal Shelter, and the City of Marina Animal Shelter. They also rescue animals from the following agencies when called upon to do so: the SPCA of Monterey County, local Animal Control agencies, the Monterey Peninsula-Salinas Emergency Veterinary Clinic, and other veterinary clinics that have injured stray animals in their care.

Some of AFRP's adoptable cats can be adopted from their permanent Adoption Centers, which are located at Posh Pets or Rabbits N More in Pacific Grove, Pets and Ponds in Seaside, PETsMART in Sand City, Salinas and Santa Cruz, Critters Corner in Los Gatos, Animal Tracks Pets Supply and Collier Feed and Supply in Salinas. They also hold regular Adoption Days throughout the community, advertise in local newspapers, celebrate 'adoptables' on their web site and newsletter, and work with other rescue groups and shelters to successfully find homes for many of their animals. All potential adopters are thoroughly screened to make sure that each companion animal finds the right home.

AFRP also recently relaunched its successful Prevent-A-Litter (PAL) Program in order to encourage members of the public who cannot otherwise afford to have their pet altered. The original PAL program ran from 2000-2002 and resulted in the spay/neuter of over 2,200 cats and dogs -- stopping countless litters of unwanted kittens and puppies from being born.

But there is still more to do. The group works to ensure that all companion animals who need a home in Monterey County are spayed and neutered and placed in good homes. Their ultimate goal is to end euthanasia as a means to control the pet overpopulation problem in Monterey County -- and to provide a model for other similar groups nationwide.

Upcoming AFRP Events

AFRP also takes this opportunity to invite the press and public to the following events:

"How AFRP Saves Lives" Presentation
Date: August 10
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Where: Monterey Senior Center, 280 Dickman, Monterey
Info: A heart-warming and informative evening where you can learn more about AFRP programs and how you can get involved.

Pet Adoption Day
Date: Saturday August 7 Time: 11am-3pm
Where: PETsMART in Sand City
Info: AFRP will offer information, merchandise and pets available for adoption.

For more information on Animal Friends Rescue Project, please email e-mail protected from spam bots or call (831) 333-0722. For PR information or photos, please contact publicist Angela Mitchell at e-mail protected from spam bots.

Meanwhile, to write about the group, or for more information on AFRP and its successes, please e-mail Carie Broecker at e-mail protected from spam bots or call (831) 372-5169. Read more about them by visiting the AFRP website, at www.animalfriendsrescue.org.

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Source :  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/7/prweb144132.htm