Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) - March 2008 Charity-of-the-Month

SPECIAL AFV FUNDRAISER

EVENT: Golf Tournament for Animal Friends of the Valleys
LOCATION: Southern California (Murrieta, CA)
DATE: March 28, 2008 (Order your tickets Now)
* view the event's information sheet here Golf Tournament for Animal Friends of the Valleys



For Immediate Release
Contact: Becky Reeb 1-951-471-8344 or afvfundraiser@linkline.com

Animal Friends of the Valleys lunch and silent auction in remembrance of 39 animals lost in recent fire

As part of its FORE the Animals Golf Tournament, Animal Friends of the Valleys is inviting non-golfers to a lunch and silent auction fundraiser in remembrance of the pets that were recently lost in our tragic fire. For $25, enjoy a Tri-Tip and chicken barbeque lunch.

Bid on fabulous silent auction items including a $600 Morongo Casino spa/vacation package, a day trip to Catalina Island, signed Chargers jerseys, Disneyland tickets, and more. There will also be opportunity drawings for other great prizes. Also, meet former NFL Quarterback Billy Joe Hobert. Lunch will be at 2 :00 pm at the SCGA Golfcourse (off Winchester Rd), Murrieta. For information, call Becky or Ellen at 1-951-471-8344.

Animal Friends of the Valleys
33751 Mission Trail
Wildomar, CA 92595

tel: 1-951-674-0618
fax: 1-951-674-4401
email: afvfundraiser@linkline.com
web: animalfriendsofthevalleys.com



ABOUT 'ANIMAL FRIENDS OF THE VALLEYS' (AFV)
Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) was founded in 1987 by a handful of animal lovers concerned that the area had no animal care services.

We provide animal control services for the cities of Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, and house strays from the unincorporated areas of southwest Riverside County, Californina. We serve 15,000 animals a year, with 8,000 housed at the shelter.

We are pleased to say that we have made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of animals and reduced the numbers of unwanted companion animals through the implementation of an aggressive spay/neuter program.


MISSION STATEMENT
Animal Friends of the Valleys is dedicated to promoting humane care of animals through education and a humane, pro-active animal services program. We are committed to preventing the suffering of animals and to ending pet overpopulation.

Animal Friends of the Valleys is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that depends on donations for support of our programs that benefit homeless and companion animals.


WHAT WE DO
Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) works year-round providing vital animal control, animal care, adoptions and animal emergency services to the community. Some of our recent activities included the following:

Fire Emergency Animal Evacuation
During the weeks of October 22 and October 27, 2007, Southern California experienced devastating wildfires. AFV oversaw the housing, care and feeding of 270 displaced animals at two emergency evacuation sites. AFV committed to staying on-site with the animals 24-hours a day, and created a safe environment for family pets during this crisis.

AFV staff, officers and volunteers rallied together during this time and enabled horses to be rescued in the De Luz fires. During the fire situation, AFV continued to perform regular shelter and animal control services although staff and resources were stretched to the limit.

Animal Abuse Rescue & Care
AFV handles many animal abuse cases throughout the year. One Temecula case was notable this year. In May 2007 AFV seized over 20 live and 8 deceased animals from a Temecula home. The conditions that they found inside the home were deplorable, inhumane and beyond belief.

Over the next three months, AFV spent some $3,000 and considerable time and effort treating, housing and caring for the animals. The impact of bringing in all of the animals to the already "at capacity" shelter was a challenge. It was a labor of love treating and caring for the animals at the shelter. All of the efforts by the officers and staff was very gratifying as all of the animals were adopted into loving homes.

Year-Round Services
AFV serves the cities of Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Canyon Lake and Southwest Riverside County. Over 400,000 people live here along with hundreds of thousands of domestic and wild animals. About 8,000 animals come through the shelter each year.


AFV serves the community by offering a wide variety of programs:


ADOPTIONS
Animal Friends of the Valleys always has a wide variety of loving dogs, cats and other pets eagerly awaiting permanent homes. Whether you are looking for a specific breed, size or type of pet, we have just the right one for you. Up to 30% of adoptable dogs may be purebreds.

In addition to kittens and puppies, AFV has many older companion pets seeking adoption. Senior pets make excellent companions. They are calmer, trained, housebroken and are eager to please.

Other pets available may include rabbits, ducks, chickens, hampsters, pigs, snakes and more. Adoptable pets vary daily and may be seen at www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com

Animals adopted from AFV are microchipped and spayed or neutered before going home. Animals also come with their first set of vaccinations plus a collar, and ID tag. Several local veterinarians offer free health checks and some groomers offer free baths for pets adopted from AFV.


ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
We respond to animal emergencies such as dog bites, poisonous snakes, wildlife, etc., and ensure the safety of the citizens and animals in Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake. We cannot respond to emergencies in unincorporated areas. Contact Riverside County Animal Control at 1-888-636-7387 if you are in an unincorporated area.


CRUELTY AND TETHERING
We repond to animal cruelty and neglect situations. It is illegal to keep a dog chained for more than three hours. If you suspect an animal is being mistreated or neglected, please contact us and we will send an officer to investigate.


SPAY/NEUTER ASSISTANCE
Millions of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are killed every year because there are not enough homes for them. We believe spaying and neutering is the only way to end pet overpopulation. When possible, we offer financial aide to low-income families to pay for these surgeries. Because our funds are limited, we welcome donations to this important program.


LICENSING
Licenses can be obtained at the shelter or administrative office Monday through Saturday, at PETCO in Temecula Saturdays from 9 - 11:30 am, and at our low-cost shot clinics. You may also mail in your application with the appropriate paperwork.


VOLUNTEER AND FOSTER PROGRAMS
Our volunteers work with animals, do office work, help at special events and more. Our foster parent program is a wonderful way to open your home and heart to an adoptable animal companion. Call 471-8344 to volunteer.


EDUCATION PROGRAM
We believe a humane future depends on the young people of our community. Our humane educator teaches children kindness, compassion and animal care in area schools and camps. Call 471-8344 to schedule a presentation or for more information.


LOST AND FOUND
Did your pet stray from home? Come to the shelter to fill out a lost report on your missing pet. While you are at the shelter, be sure to check our kennels! Our website also has pictures of most of the lost pets at the shelter, but we encourage you to check in person. The website also has a lost and found listing where community members who have lost or located stray pets may compare information.

Found a pet? Contact the shelter to let us know and we will post information about the pet on our website's lost and found listing.


MICROCHIPPING
Nearly 90% of animals without microchips who become lost never find their way home again. A microchip is a foolproof way of identifying your pet and ensuring his safe return. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains a unique number which will identify your pet. Most shelters, veterinarians and many pet stores utilize scanners to detect microchips in pets. If your pet is microchipped and is brought to our shelter, we will contact you. AFV also provides microchipping for $15 at the shelter, our shot clinics and our Saturday adoption shows at PETCO in Temecula and PetSmart in Lake Elsinore.


LOW-COST VACCINATIONS
We offer low-cost shot clinics to help make owning your pet more affordable. Our shot clinics are held the third Saturday of each month from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at Lake Elsinore City Park at the corner of Main Street and Limited Avenue.




DONATIONS TO ANIMAL FRIENDS OF THE VALLEYS
AFV has many programs that depend on donations from our supporters. From remembering the animals in your will to sponsoring our “Shelter Shuttle” van to saving your inkjet cartridges, we have an easy way for everyone to help the animals.

Make a Donation
Make a donation to the shelter by mailing a check or money order to AFV, 33751 Mission Trail,
Wildomar, CA 92595, or by printing and mailing the form at the bottom of this page. We will gladly send a gift acknowledgement to anyone you designate.


Corporate Sponsorship
Your company can sponsor AFV in many ways. Sponsor a fundraising event, advertise your logo on our “Shelter Shuttle” van for $500 per year, and have your business cards and flyers included in every adoption packet. Please call Ellen Bilney at 951-471-8344 for more information on how your company can help save the animals!

Humane Education
Our humane educator visits local schools, community organizations, and events educating children, as well as adults, about humane treatment of animals. For more information about our humane education program click here.

Spay/Neuter Program
Pet overpopulation is at a crisis point. We realize that in order to save lives it is imperative that all pets be spayed and neutered. Through our spay/neuter program, we help members of our community who otherwise would not be able to afford to alter their pets. We also will transport pets to be spayed/neutered if guardians are unable to do so. For more information on our low cost spay/neuter subsidies and referral programs click here.

Wills, Bequests, and Planned Giving
Make a lasting gift to help the homeless animals. Remember AFV in your will, trust, or financial and insurance plans.

Buy-A-Brick, Build-A-Shelter
You still have time to contribute to the new southwest community shelter for the homeless animals of southwest Riverside County by participating in our Buy-A-Brick-Build-A-Shelter project. Your brick with your personal inscription will become a permanent part of the new shelter. Many donors choose to inscribe their bricks as memorials to beloved departed pets. Some choose to make them memorials to family members or friends who deeply loved animals during their lifetime, while others simply inscribe their own name as a declaration of their commitment to help animals in need. Inscribed bricks are also available as gifts. A gift acknowledgment can be sent to anyone a donor designates at the time of purchase. A brick donation of $50 includes an inscription of three lines of up to twenty characters each. (Please visit our website for more a form and more information.)

Food for the Animals
We gratefully accept food donations for the animals. We can use any dry or canned food for dogs, and any canned food except fish for the cats.

Brands we especially need are Purina Special Care for Urinary Tract Health Formula, Maxximum Nutrition for adult cats and kittens, Friskies kitten dry food, and Purina One for adult cats. Please, no food with red dyes.

The animals also need:
* Kitty litter (For multiple cats)
* Blankets and towels
* Newspapers (to line cages)
* Toys and treats

Another great way to donate food: Donate a 22 lb. bag of Pedigree dog food for $9.99 and Pedigree will match your donation. Each 22 lb. bag is enough to feed one shelter dog for over a month or 40 dogs for a day! Donate from their website at Pedigree Dog Food Donation

DONATIONS:Make A Donation



Animal Friends of the Valleys
33751 Mission Trail
Wildomar, CA 92595

tel: 1-951-674-0618
fax: 1-951-674-4401
email: afvfundraiser@linkline.com
web: animalfriendsofthevalleys.com