Pet lovers, start your engines! All adoptions will be free at Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) during a Clear the Shelter event Feb. 28 through March 4.
The event is being sponsored by the Alameda Support Foundation. For every adoption, ASF will donate $125 to FAAS. The more adoptions we complete during the event, the bigger the grant we will receive, so if you’ve been thinking of adding a new pet to the family, mark your calendar.
During the event we will be open our usual hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. All adoptions include vaccinations, a free vet visit, six weeks of free canine training and unlimited post-adoption phone support.
The Alameda Support Foundation (asfcharity.org) helps Alameda nonprofits and individuals in need, focusing on animal, education and environmental initiatives. This isn’t the first time ASF has lent a hand to Alameda’s homeless pets. Over the years ASF has donated the proceeds from its garden tours, plant sales and other charitable efforts to FAAS. We’re thrilled to welcome ASF as a new adoption partner.
Small animals: Our pets of the week are Rhea and Cloud, two small female rabbits that are best friends. They are both friendly little white bunnies with gray spots. Rabbits make great pets, and two are twice the fun. Come meet these girls and take them home for a trial adoption. We have eight other rabbits waiting for homes.
Another dynamic duo, Panda and Squirrel, is wondering why they’re still at the shelter. Do you know a child who needs an adorable guinea pig to cuddle?
Dog Alley: Chandler and Joey are back at the shelter through no fault of their own. These sweet young Chihuahua-dachshund mixes are besties that want to stay together. They will be your friends and will always be there for you!
Sixteen other dogs are available, with 24 more being readied for adoption. We recently received several new German shepherds. They range in age, including two 6-month-old puppies. Also new to the shelter is Stella, a perky 7-year-old dachshund; Holly, a black Patterdale terrier (who joins Hawk, our brown Patterdale terrier); and two cairn terriers.
Our longest resident is April, a tan Staffordshire terrier, who is nearing her one-year “shelter-versary.” April has now spent almost half her life in a shelter, and we want to see her get a home soon. Although she is afraid of other dogs, she loves people. Here’s what her foster family had to say about her:
“April is a love bug. She enjoys snuggles on the couch once she’s settled in a home. An ideal home would be a house with a yard because she has tons of energy and needs room to play and do her business. She’s mostly house-trained but needs daily long walks to explore and stretch her legs. She will stay in a crate as long as the bed is comfy and she has toys to play with. When in public, April likes the attention she gets from strangers; it makes her happy. She’s good with older kids and loves to play!”
Cat Lair’s Special Delivery: Occasionally, strays arrive at FAAS in the family way. Lately, they seem to land at our door just in time to give birth on a major holiday. Martha the dog had pups on Christmas. This time it was Valentine’s Day when a new kitty decided to have her babies. We’ve named mama cat Valentina. She and her little ones — Cupid, Beau, Arrow, Sweetheart and Rose — will be available for adoption in May. The whole family will be neutered.
Ten cats are available. Come meet our sweet seniors, which have had a difficult time finding a home because of their ages: Marie, 12; Betsy, 13; Mia, 10; Luca, 13; and Mr. Black, 11. Among the younger set, 4-year-old Freddie is a shy female tuxedo with a cute black nose; and Max, 6, is a laid-back gray guy with a white bib.