Alameda Animal Shelter Thrives Under FAAS Management

When Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) started the campaign to “Save our Shelter” a year ago, we had no idea that we would be responsible for caring for the animals today. But we are and we’ve covered a lot of ground since taking over from the City of Alameda on January 1st.  As of today:

• Our hours of operation have increased to include both weekend days and Wednesday evenings
• A volunteer veterinarian visits the shelter one morning a week to treat any sick animals needing care. 
• All incoming animals are vaccinated to help maintain a healthy shelter population.
• All dogs and cats receive more toys and attention to help make their shelter stay less stressful.
• Sixty-eight dogs, cats, and rabbits have been adopted; 43 strays have been returned to worried guardians

 VOLUNTEERS:  Another major accomplishment is the growth of our volunteer program. FAAS now has over 90 volunteers coming to the shelter to help care for dogs, cats and rabbits. Volunteers also help with events and office work. Our continued success depends on these dedicated individuals, and we are so glad to have them as part of the FAAS team. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at volunteer.faas@gmail.com.

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED: It is that time of the year, spring has sprung and it’s kitten season. The shelter has started receiving very young kittens and we need foster parents to care for them until they are ready to be spayed or neutered. Please contact Volunteer Manager Cindy Shelby at 510-337-8575 or volunteer.faas@gmail.com

ANGEL FUND:  We’ve been able to help a few of our sickest animals with our newly created Angel Fund which pays for the medical care of the sick and injured pets at the shelter. The Angel Fund depends on community contributions, so please help us with your donation to FAAS online at faas.bbnow.org or by mail to 1590 Fortmann Way, Alameda, CA  94501 (designated for the Angel Fund). All donations to the Angel Fund directly support sick and injured shelter animals.

VEHICLE DONATIONS:  If you’ve been wanting to get rid of your old car, truck, boat or other vehicle, please consider donating it to FAAS. It doesn’t even have to be operating – we’ll take it! Visit our website at www.faas.bbnow.org for more information on how to donate your vehicle.

SUCCESS STORY:  When a very pregnant, scared, stray Chihuahua arrived at the shelter in February, we hoped her guardian would show up quickly. Unfortunately, this very young and sweet girl had no identification to help us get her back home. No guardian arrived at the shelter, but she gave birth to three adorable puppies within the first week of her stay. We named the momma chihuahua Dobbie, because she looks exactly like the house elf in Harry Potter, and we sent her and puppies into foster care. Eight weeks later, the puppies returned, were spayed and neutered (so was Dobbie) and quickly adopted. The couple who fostered Dobbie missed her so much, they came back and adopted her!  Now Dobbie and her pups are all in great new homes.

This is what FAAS is all about.  We take in Alameda’s unwanted companion animals, take good care of them, and find them new homes.   

THANK YOU:  We want to thank Angela’s Bistro and Bar for hosting FAAS for Mojito Monday on April 2nd.  We raised $646 in tips! 

Events calendar

April 21: 13th Annual City of Alameda Earth Day Festival, 10 am to 3 pm Washington Park at 740 Central Ave. FAAS will have a booth and animals up for adoption

April 22 and 29: Vegan Bake Sale, including vegan pizza, 10 am to 3 pm at Dan’s Produce; 2300 Central Ave.

All of April:  High Street Station Café offers special Tuesday night dinners to benefit FAAS.  Visit http://www.highstreetstationcafe.com/MusicSchedule.html for more information.

May 5 and 6: International Adoptathon being sponsored by North Shore Animal League of N.Y. The Alameda Animal Shelter/FAAS is one of the many groups participating in the event. Animals are available at our shelter both days from noon until 5pm.

May 7: Mojito Monday benefiting the Angel Fund, 5:30 to 7:30 pm Monday, at Angela’s Bistro & Bar, 2301 Central Ave. Tips for celebrity bartender go to FAAS.  This month’s celebrity bartender is a naval officer from our local Naval facility.

June 3: Wiggle Waggle Walk – the first annual Alameda Animal Shelter/FAAS dog walk, 12 pm to 3 pm at Wind River, 500 Wind River Way, Alameda. Canine and family activities, vendor booths, food and more.

June 9 and 10: Maddie’s Adoptathon. Come down to the Alameda Animal Shelter/FAAS to find your new family member. Watch our website for details on special hours for this adoptathon.

June 18:  Mojito Monday Pride Night from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Monday, at Angela’s Bistro & Bar, 2301 Central Ave. Tips for celebrity bartender go to FAAS.