It’s no secret that Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is lucky. Have you ever heard the saying, “The harder you work, the luckier you get?”
After spending 12 years operating out of donated office space and a rented storefront with our animals in foster homes, we know how lucky we are to have been able to build a shelter. Our headquarters are beautiful and allow us to care for and rehome pets using the best available resources. We are fortunate to have developed many wonderful relationships with donors, volunteers, and celebrity supporters.
ARF’s mission of “People Rescuing Animals…Animals Rescuing People®” doesn’t run just on luck, though – it runs on love. Rescuing animals who have run out of time, giving them medical care, and bringing their magic to people in need are all labors of love. We are truly fortunate due to our incredible network of supporters, who embrace our mission and make every achievement and milestone possible.
Celebrities give of their time and talents at events to raise funds and public awareness for the shelter animals. For ARF’s fundraisers, Comedy Night and Stars to the Rescue in California and Missouri, musicians, comedians, athletes, and performers put their talents to work for the critters they love because they understand the essential roles animals play in our lives. We are grateful for the time, commitment, and generosity these individuals donate.
Yet there are even bigger stars in our eyes… ones with names you wouldn’t recognize from a marquee. They are our dedicated donors and volunteers, the unsung heroes who make rescue work possible.
The majority of our funding comes from individual gifts averaging about $30, given by generous animal lovers in all 50 states. These contributions make a difference by helping with the daily operating costs of our shelter, as well as funding food and medical care for our animals. A celebrity line-up certainly helps sell tickets for fundraisers, but it is our loyal supporters who purchase tickets, attend events, and make each of our fundraisers a resounding success.
Our beautiful building costs thousands of dollars to operate every day — and it would cost much, much more were it not for the hours donated by volunteers. The tasks they perform aren’t glamorous, but more than 500 active volunteers work hand-in-hand with our paid staff to tackle litter box scooping, washing dishes and laundry, general house-keeping, dog walking, foster care, and the smooth running of all our programs. Our volunteers never shy away from a task, big or small – they continually take on work to honor their love for animals.
Beyond individual donors, we owe a debt of gratitude to the businesses who share their products, allow us to hold adoption events in their spaces, and promote our ideas. These community leaders never fail to stand with us in spreading our message. We show our appreciation for the support we receive by putting that love right back into the community. Our Pet Hug Pack recently celebrated 10 years of therapy animal visits, last year completing 2,127 visits to more than 117,000 children, seniors, veterans, and other people in need in our community. Our humane education classes and programs reach thousands of children and teenagers with lessons about caring and compassion, and we’re currently expanding our program that pairs homeless animals with active and retired US military personnel to the benefit of both.
Our dreams keep getting bigger, and our supporters and volunteers amaze us by never failing to match our enthusiasm and hard work. To have so many show their love for animals by volunteering and donating… that makes us and the animals we serve very lucky, indeed.
Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek. She came to ARF in 1993 as a volunteer, joined ARF’s staff in 1998, and was promoted to ED in 2006. She is assisted by her two rescue dogs – Sadie, a yellow Labrador, and Mia, a Golden Retriever.
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Main article photo by: Courtesy ARF
