It’s Raining Cats & Dogs & Rabbits! A look at some local pet-protecting organizations Most pets have a pretty good life—lives that most humans are quite jealous of. Many of these animals are lucky enough to find a happy home, but others don’t have it so easy. Here’s a look at two local organizations who put the pets first. “Our job is to re-home animals who have been orphaned, abused or surrendered by their owners,” says Julie Wong, Assistant Program Director of FurEver Animal Rescue. “We are also a medical rescue—anything from an upper-respiratory infection to needing surgery to recovering from a bullet wound— we very frequently take them in as well.” FurEver is a foster-based rescue with fosters in Pinole, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Richmond, Albany and Dixon. They are looking for a building donor, but currently do mobile adoptions at select pet stores in West Contra Costa County. At the PetCo in El Cerrito Plaza you can find their Enchanted Kitty Forest, a large, glass, forest-themed room. “It’s better than sitting in a cage,” Wong says. “We always have cats there for adopting.” Compared to a shelter, FurEver Animal Rescue is a no-kill facility. “Every animal that comes into our care will stay with us,” Wong says. “If they get adopted in one day, one year, whatever it is, they are safe with us until they get adopted.” FurEver is always looking for volunteers. “We’re a 501(c)(3) so we can provide letters documenting community service hours as a lot of high schoolers need to do that now to graduate,” says Wong. “And if anyone has a building they would love to donate—we’re listening!” ADOPT: All animals come neutered, spayed, microchipped, vaccinated and all. There is a questionnaire and an interview to ensure your home is a good fit for that particular animal. Most of the time the animal can be taken home that day. To adopt or get involved visit www. fureveranimalrescue.org or call (510) 418- 8602. Make sure to ask about their Senior and Military Programs, as well as their upcoming Cell Dog Program. FurEver does take in other animals besides cats and dogs, but right next door is the House Rabbit Society, specializing exclusively in rabbits. “Rabbits are the third most surrendered to animal shelters after cats and dogs,” says Anne Martin, Executive Director for House Rabbit Society in Richmond. “We pull exclusively from the euthanasia list at the shelters in the Bay Area—we don’t take rabbits in from the public—we have room for between 30-40 rabbits (depending on how many are in pairs) and are at full capacity all year round.” There are some misconceptions about what great pets rabbits can be. “They’re fantastic companion animals,” says Martin. “They don’t By Matt Larson
Contra Costa Marketplace - Nov 2014
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