Rescue Reveal – FORA

Between a complete lack of internet air time and my phone refusing to download photographs, I find myself abysmally late with this post.  

Great staff at FORA, happily sitting on the pile of food and dog baskets delivered

However, late or not, FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals) most certainly deserves a reveal.  They are a wonderful Pro-Life shelter, situated in Luipaardsvlei, Krugersdorp.  They look after 320 dogs and 120 cats at any given time.

One of FORA’s cutie pie kittens, playing silly buggers for the photograph

This beautiful, extremely loving and talkative girl is looking for a wonderful home

I’m just too chilled for a photo shoot

To quote them, their goals are to “provide the very best for all the animals in our care, ensuring they receive food, shelter, medication, sterilization and above all to offer all our animals the chance of a new life in a loving home, and if they cannot find a home, that they are guaranteed a home at the shelter for the rest of their days.”

The grounds at FORA, aiming to give shelter animals the best life possible

Just a gorgeous couple of sweetie pies we are!

Hey, come check out my own personal swimming pool!!

These are goals at which they are succeeding famously well.  Their animals are given exceptional care.  Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide them with the best possible life and opportunities to find loving forever homes.

A FORA volunteer, providing this very loving and gentle dog with a walk and lots of attention

My brother is here as well but he was giving me a hard time, so I’ve become the “office dog”, although I quite like the wheelbarrow as well

On the 24^th October (see, I told you I was painfully late), I slowly (my car was laden with rather heavy food) negotiated my way through the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, to make the delivery.  The staff at FORA are wonderful and welcomed me with open arms.  They gave up their valuable time to show me around every inch of their facilities from arrival areas to sick bays and everything in between, whilst I clicked away at every photo opportunity that presented itself.

 

I came in having lost my eye but FORA fixed me all up and, although it might not look great, I am a happy, sweet, blur of a tail wagging dog (that blur around my bottom really is my tail wagging that fast).

 

Just give me a second, I’m sure I can squeeze out to say “hello”

Hey there, photograph me! I’m sure I’m the most beautiful!

If anyone is thinking of getting a pet, I strongly recommend that you consider adopting your furry friend from FORA.  If you wish to find out more about them, or believe that you can help in any way whatsoever, please hop onto their website HERE.  FORA are currently running at the maximum capacity and, in order to provide space for additional animals in need, current cutie-pies need to be adopted out.  Of course, not everyone is in a position to adopt an animal but you could make a difference by donating money, food, blankets or volunteer time.

And to end off – there’s nothing quite like a cute bunch of kittens

Rescue Reveal – ARK Animal Centre

My most humble apologies for being so scarce of late.  It appears the cell phone companies are quite particular about payment.  Silly really, considering they are making a sweet fortune without my measly little amount. 

Fear not, however, as a small thing such as a complete and utter lack of communication facilities is highly unlikely to stop me.

So, plowing on regardless, I’m pleased to reveal to you ARK Animal Centre.  They are an utterly fabulous organisation with, of course, a pro-life policy for all the animals in their care.  They take on puppies and pregnant moms and work tirelessly to ensure that all are healthy, happy, loved, exercised and receiving any medical care required.

An Ark puppy – most definitely loved (well, who wouldn’t?)

They have recently moved to a new property, purchased by the owner, for the dogs, by selling her own home.  Now there’s someone who definitely puts the welfare of the animals before herself.

Much loved Mom, although she refused to open her eyes for any photographs

Ark Animal Centre are based just passed the Fourways/Dainfern area on a wonderfully large property, allowing them to provide the dogs in their care with fantastic walks and stimuli.  This is definitely a happy bunch of dogs and puppies who, I am sure, are delighted that the owner gave up her home to move them to such a great property.

Such a gentle lass – she’ll make someone a most wonderful pet

This last weekend was far more successful than my previous fundraising exercise and I would like to thank the wonderfully generous Blairgowrie residents, the Blairgowrie Spar, Brightwater Commons Flea Market and the awesome people who donated money and food as well as those who supplied me with items to sell at the flea market.

Some super sized bags of dog food, kindly donated

With the help of everyone above, I was able to deliver cash, dog food and a staff care package (the all important tea and snack break items vital to the wellbeing of overworked shelter staff), to Ark Animal Centre.

Staff Care Package plus extra dog food. When working in these shelters, you’ll not believe how important your tea break is. It’s just as important to keep the staff happy as it is the animals.

The cat items received were kindly delivered to Cat A Holics, by my long suffering father who was instantly put to hard manual labour and general work both over the weekend and today, with deliveries.

Puppy Play Time

I now have a permanent space at the Brightwater Commons Flea Market in Randburg and shall be stationed there every Saturday and Sunday.  My stall is a White Elephant for the Animals affair and I sell anything and everything that is donated.

Running for my cover. Save me from those big bullies

Anyone out there finding themselves in the area over a weekend – I would be utterly delighted to meet you.  Anyone who has been storing goodies in their house, such as books, jewelry, ornaments, toys, stationery (truly, anything cluttering up your home) – we would be eternally grateful for the donation of these unwanted items as, the more we sell, the more we can help the shelters.

Play time sure is exhausting!

Rescue Reveal – Kent Animal Shelter NY – Courtesy of Finn & Charley

If you don’t already know Finn & Charley, I highly recommend that you pop over there immediately!  It’s hard, at the best of times, not to fall in love with Golden Retrievers but these two are truly special.

Phenomenal Finn

They epitomise the generosity and love the makes our Blogoshere so amazing.

Charming Charley

Many of you know about Savannah’s Mom’s efforts to save Leo, a very sick cat.   To help raise funds, the magnificent Mollie & Alfie ran an auction.

The fantastic Finn & Charley chose to bid on an item, not for themselves but for other rescue animals, highlighting a truly wonderful shelter.  How sweet is that!  Of course, Goldens are so sweet by nature that we really weren’t surprised.

Torrey – available for adoption 

They want to highlight Kent Animal Shelter in NY.  They were so impressed by the shelter that they immediately felt the need to gain them more exposure.  Obviously, there’s exposure happening anyway, as the animals are predominantly naked but we are not talking that type of exposure here!

Trooper – available for adoption

Being adopted themselves, Finn & Charley feel strongly about Pro-Life organisations, such as Kent Animal Shelter, who ensure their animals are given as much time as necessary to find their perfect “forever homes”.  No animal in their care will be euthanised unless incurably ill.

Penguin – available for adoption

Kent Animal Shelter has been running for over 40 years, caring for, loving and re-homing thousands of abused, abandoned and homeless animals.  They provide a happy and tranquil place, on a scenic property near the Peconic River.  Animals receive exercise, love and expert medical attention.  They even run Pet Therapy Programs and strive to educate people regarding pet care, leadership and compassion by working with local schools and groups.

Daria – available for adoption

Their vision is greater than the animals in their care, as they reach out into the community, sharing knowledge and providing low cost spay/neuter programs.  They have even gone so far as to start a Retirement Home Program for cats.

Scooter – available for adoption

If you are ever thinking of a adopting a pet, or feel that you can help them in any way, Kent Animal Shelter comes highly recommended and is certainly worth a visit.  They typically have about 100 animals available for adoption.

Abbey – available for adoption

They can be found at 2259 River Road, in Calverton.

Our eternal thanks to Finn & Charley for highlighting this wonderful organisation.  Give them a High Five everybody!!!!

PS – all photographs courtesy of Finn & Charley and the Kent Animal Shelter

Rescue Reveal – Kitty & Puppy Haven

The wonderful children at St David’s Marist School organised a box of food and some blankets for donation.  Bless them!  I took this lot to Kitty & Puppy Haven, a Pro-Life Animal Shelter.  

What a wonderful bunch but good golly, what a difficult time they are going through.

Kitty and Puppy Haven help approximately 3000 animals annually.  Not only do they rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs and cats but they also run a desperately needed Community Veterinary Clinic for the disadvantaged community close to them.  However, bureaucracy has a way of making “doing good” rather taxing. 

“After 6 years of applications regarding the re-zoning on their property, they were … provided with permission to run the community clinic.  However, recently the court advised that the agreement was null and void due to technicalities.”

They were given a month to either euthanize the 200 animals they had in their care, or find alternative premises.  I am pleased to say that they managed the later, although not without substantial costs and logistical nightmares.

A “Friend with Benefits” – how funny is this?

“The impact of this ruling affects far more than just the animals at the sanctuary.  All Alex residents who make use of the community clinic will no longer have access to the services of the Kitty and Pupy Haven vet….Over the past 12 years approximately 11000 animals have been helped by Kitty and Puppy Haven”.

I take my hat off to Samantha Berger, founder of the centre, for remaining positive and optimistic during this trying time.

You can hop over to their Website  or visit the Facebook site.

Above quotes and pictures are from Kitty & Puppy Haven’s website.

I took these the day I visited:

I may be just a pup but I have a very responsible job, watching over the office staff

Oh yes, this is the life!

PS – please note that, despite the red tape, Long Life has finally been officially registered as a Non Profit Company.  The goal is to help shelters precisely like this one.  If you feel so inclined, please re-visit the updated How Can I Help and Donations pages.  Every tiny bit helps!

Recue Reveal – Homeward Bound

So, you’ve been convinced to adopt (remember our Magnificent Moggy and Mutt Mania posts?).  Tell me you do and that I managed to convince you to rush off and rescue an animal in need.  Good!  So, now you’re looking for just the right places to find just the right dog.  Yes, today is about dogs – sorry cats, I love you all dearly but you’ll get your chance.

Cute enough to convince you to adopt – surely!

Right then, dogs it is and Golden Retrievers sound fabulous.  So, if you’re in America, you need to get your derrière over to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary.  Yes, I know America is a big place but, even if you’re not in Northern California, it’s still worth the drive (of course, it’s not my derrière taking the punishment).  This volunteer organisation rescues and heals displaced, abandoned and homeless Golden Retrievers and Golden / Labrador mixes, no matter their age or health.

OK, just to keep the cats happy, there is a cat in this photo

Some of you may already know Homeward Bound through Ogee’s blog Gardens for Goldens.  The author of this blog joined them in November 2011.  With a small army of volunteer gardeners, the restoration of the Memorial Garden, a place designed to serve as a tribute to rescued Goldens was revitalized into a place of peace and remembrance.  Hop over to Gardens for Goldens to see what a fabulous job has been done.

How could anyone resist a Golden? They can’t even resist themselves!

Please note that all pictures on this post have been maliciously stolen off the above blog site.  I couldn’t leave you without cute, gorgeous, aw moment photos to get the adoption juices flowing.

Don’t forget to hop onto the Homeward Bound website to see how you can help.  Even if you can’t adopt, they have many ways you can make a difference.  They rescue, provide medical care and find loving homes for over 700 dogs each year!  That’s some awesome figures there!

Signing off – it’s time to sleep

Last request, please also pop over to Savannah’s site, where their “Real Rescue Cats Are Talking” interview is a story from Nylablue, who migrated to wordpress this year and has lost oodles of followers in the process.  It would be wonderful if you could give them your support.

Rescue Reveal – Animal Ambulance

Happy Little Bubbles!

At a visit to a local Flea Market  the other day, I was lucky enough to meet up with some of the utterly fabulous people from Animal Ambulance.  At their stall, they had with them one of their long term resident dogs – Bubbles.

BUBBLES – so soft, so sweet, so gentle. Oh, the temptation to rush back and get her!

Oh my, what a cutie-pie Bubbles is.  I would have taken her that minute if I had space for another animal.  She has been there for about a year now, still awaiting a suitable “forever” home.  She is just the sweetest, gentlest character you could possibly imagine and I fell instantly in love with her.  I’m such a complete softy!

BUBBLES – the cutie pie!

I shall be doing a visit to Animal Ambulance as soon as possible and simply cannot wait for the opportunity.  They are based in Pretoria, South Africa and rescue abused and sick animals.  They are a Pro-Life organisation and treat all the animals as part of their family.  Animals are not left outside or in cages/kennels.  The animals get to experience a true “home” feeling, roaming the property and sleeping indoors (well, maybe not the donkeys but certainly the cats and dogs).

BUBBLES – the sweetest, friendliest little face!

Animal Ambulance is a 24 hour emergency centre for the abused, sick and, whenever possible, those animals on death row at other shelters.  The people I met are warm and friendly and clearly adore animals.  Their very first response to me was “come through and visit us, you’ll love it and immediately know what we are all about”.  Any organisation that keen to have you visit is clearly doing a great job.

Look at my tail go. I just want loves and cuddles.

As with all Pro-Life Shelters, the more animals they can adopt out, the more they can take in and help.  Anybody looking for a real little cuddle-bunny should seriously consider Bubbles, or visit Animal Ambulance to choose from hundreds more.

Magnificent Moggy Mania

It’s Animal Shelter Appreciation week – a perfect time to start the “Rescue Reveal” feature (thanks I Love Dogs for the heads up).  Magnificent Mutt Mania has been posted  on Time To Train Your Dog.  So my site will, today, deal with cats.

I’m adopted, I’m beautiful and I can sleep peacefully now!

Yes I know, a specific Shelter has not been mentioned.  Our first installment highlights the benefits of acquiring a rescue cat.  And yes, I know the title is as misleading as my wayward brain.  Of course all rescue cats are NOT MOGGYs.  There are often pure breeds in as much need of a home as the little bundles of mixed up genes but, let’s be fair, I had to call it something.

Now, I could get all serious here, retyping everything I already posted at Time To Train Your Dog (which, I might tell you, is devoid of my usual nonsense and is unlikely to be visible as they probably haven’t even seen it yet) but we all know I lack the energy and will power.  If you are serious about adopting a cat, I hereby suggest that you pop over to a dog site (which makes utter sense) and simply convert each sentence with the word dog or puppy to cat or kitten.  That’s far easier!

For now, we’ll give you the points in brief form:

1. Toddlers and Kittens = explosion.  Sharp teeth, claws and exuberant antics hurt like hell.
2. Kitten = baby.  Baby = hard work.  Food for kitten usually = have to have a job = no time for kitten.  Maybe consider an older cat.
3. You need to feel good about yourself.  Adopt a cat and you’ll know you’ve given the best possible gift to an animal in distress.  Your loving, forever home makes you the Hero – golly, that feels good!
4. They’re usually litter-box trained – your house smells better – this is good!
5. Oh alright then, you still want a kitten cause it’s cute and cuddly and a fur-ball of fun.  That’s OK – there are tons of kittens needing good homes.  Go get one of them.
6. Brilliant – you decided against the kitten an opted to be the Biggest Hero of the day, rescuing an adult cat.  This is better than good.  You get to see what the personality is like, right up front – no sudden surprises when your kitten grows up to think it’s a tiger.
7. Variety – oh, the spice of life.  Shelters = more options than you ever thought possible.  Variety is good, spice is good, choice is good, therefore, shelters are good!  Oh and don’t forget, goofballs are good and shelters are full of those.
8. You can believe that your cat will be eternally grateful to you for having rescued it.  Of course, it’s a cat, so it probably won’t but, go on, kid yourself anyway.  To understand why your cat will not behave like a rescue dog, please hop over to One Spoiled Cat where you will find Rules For The Cat which is both classic and too true for comfort.
9. If you choose a moggy, it may well be healthier, suffering from fewer breed specific ailments.  Then again, it might not but who said life came with any guarantees?
10. This feature is for No-Kill Shelters which, if no-one adopts, will obviously be overrun.  So, give yourself a big pat on the back, knowing that you not only saved one cats life but also made space for others to be rescued.  My word, you are doing well on brownie points now.
11. The brass tax – it costs less to adopt than to buy from a reputable breeder.  So, you’ve saved multiple animals, earned brownie points and it cost you less money.  Where’s the argument then?

Adopted, beautiful and will be sleeping peacefully any minute now!

Seriously – give adoption a thought.

Further Rescue Reveal posts will highlight specific No-Kill Shelters from around the globe.  If you wish to add a shelter or group that you know are doing a fabulous job, simply pop the info into a comment or email me at longlife@dcrprocess.co.za

If you want to see that I am actually capable of writing a serious post and, of course, if you are a doggy person, hop over to Time To Train Your Dog. 

Adopted, beautiful and too busy causing trouble to worry about sleep!

I look forward to hearing from this fabulous Global Community of ours.