September 18, 2020 was a day of celebration because two bills were signed by Governor Newsom to protect animal welfare. On 10/13/17 California became the first state to outlaw pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that do not come from rescue organizations or shelters.

Unfortunately out of state puppy mills exploited a loophole in the law and enabled some pet stores to deceive the public and continued to sell high priced puppies. Yesterday’s legislation officially ends the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in California by closing the loophole in the current law, while still allowing pet stores to partner with shelters and rescue organizations to showcase animals for adoption.

“In California, we are putting an end to the cruel puppy mill industry for good,” said Governor Newsom. “I am proud to sign this legislation to advance California’s nation-leading animal welfare protections and help more pets join loving families.”

The Governor also signed legislation requiring shelters and animals control agencies to microchip all dogs and cats with current information before releasing them to adoptive owners or an owner seeking to reclaim them. In addition to the above new legislations, the 2020-2021 State Budget allocates up to $5 million one-time General Fund for a University of California, Davis grant program to give the state’s animal shelters the training and resources they need to work toward the state’s no-kill goal.

Mocha welcomed her new five new puppies. They are doing great!

We find ourselves living in a world that is very unfamiliar to most of us. COVID-19 is impacting all of our lives. As a dog rescue organization, we naturally worried about the welfare of the animals in shelters. We spoke with many of the animal shelters to see how we can help. Shelters are closed for non essential services. Shorter shelter hours and reduction of staffing have reduced pet adoptions and redemptions.  The shelters are looking to rescue organizations to ease the burden in the shelters by getting the dogs out into their foster care. All of our available foster homes will welcome dogs into their homes this week.  If you would like to foster a dog or maybe you are interested in more information about fostering, please contact Patricia 925-787-5825 or olveiry@yahoo.com.  We are also partnering with Renegade Animal Welfare and Rescue to help the residents in the central valley. We will be assisting households having financial difficulties in providing food or basic needs to their pets. 

Please wash your hands, stay home, stay healthy and do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus. 

We were very optimistic that Forrest will find his forever home soon after we rescued him from the shelter. This retriever mix is gorgeous, just 5 months old, and has the perfect temperament.

Forrest’s limp was first diagnosed as growing pains. He should be fine with a rest and time. Unfortunately weeks passed and his condition did not change. A second examination by an orthopedic vet discovered he had elbow dysplasia, a painful condition caused by genetic factors that lead to less than optimal joint conformation. Some dogs respond to palliative care medication (for pain and stiffness) and controlled exercise.

GREAT NEWS!! Oliver’s foster family fell head over heels over this wonderful boy. They decided to make him a permanent member of their family. He now lives on a ranch and has 2 human siblings and 2 doggie siblings. He hangs out in the barn and by the horses. He is moving great, and actually will play and run.

Oliver is a one year of Pit Bull. He has a birth defect in his left paw. The paw cannot properly support him so he seldom stands. He walks with a limp but he is more comfortable crawling/lying on his tummy or sometimes he rolls on his back to play with other dogs. What Oliver lacks in physical perfection, he makes up in his temperament. He was a favorite among the shelter employees because of his sweet personality. He loves humans, dogs and cats; he is an absolute love bug! It is clear we need to help Oliver.

Oliver’s leg was amputated a few days ago. He is a trooper and the best patient on earth. His prognosis is excellent. It is beautiful animals do not have to deal with the emotional and physical stigma of being handicapped. Oliver will need a little time to adjust and learn how to use three legs. But once he adapts, the sky is the limit. He doesn’t know there is a missing limb. All he knows is it doesn’t hurt any more when he walks or runs.

Letting Go

“Isn’t it so hard to let your foster dog go?” This is a question our adopters ask us all the time. As foster parents, the most joyous time of the journey of saving a dog is when we finalize an adoption. We really never “let the foster dog go”. Our foster dogs leave an indelible memory on our hearts and in our minds.

We always remember the first time we laid eyes on that dog. Sometimes they are shaking in the corner of the shelter kennel, or wagging at the front of the kennel begging us to take them out, or barking/growling in the kennel out of fear unsure of our intentions, or just from a shelter picture that speaks to you.

We remember carrying or walking them out of the shelter and putting them in the car for their freedom ride. Giving them their first hug, giving them a bath and waiting for them to discover the meaning of family. We never know how long each dog needs to learn to love, trust and discover the world is not as scary as they think. Some only need hours while others need months. We continue to take care of their health needs, watch their bodies get stronger, coat get shinier, eyes get brighter, strengthen their foundation of trust while we love them and yes, get attached to them. Thoughts of maybe keeping him /her usually will cross our minds because it is hard to believe anyone can be good enough for him/her.

Then one day, you chat with someone who is just “perfect” and they want to adopt your foster dog. We may shed a tear or two when our dog is delivered to his/her forever home. But we know it is the absolute right thing to do when you see the joy in the new family’s eyes. The memories of our foster dogs will stay with us forever. These memories can be comical, heartbreaking, frustrating and magical. Fostering is not always happiness. It takes patience and sometimes things don’t work out the way you want and we have to resolve unexpected challenges. We absolutely get attached to our foster dogs, but letting him/her go means we can go back to the shelter and save another life. The journey starts all over again.

Actually the most joyous time of the journey of saving a dog is not when we finalize an adoption. It is when our adopters send us a follow-up email, text or call with those magical words “WE JUST LOVE HIM/HER”.

We LOVE to receive updates from our adopters. Please keep them coming! Here’s a few photos of our puppies and their magical transformations.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

FULLY DIGITAL EXPERIENCE, Your photo is emailed to you and ready to share within minutes!

Your $9.95 donation will help animals find homes this holiday season!

Where:  Petco Unleash, 4460 Tassajara Road, Dublin

When:   December 8 & December 15, 1:00 – 4:00

Ban of Animal Mills Sales in California Pet Stores

On 10/13/17, California became the first state to outlaw pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that do not come from rescue organizations or shelters. The law will take effect on 1/1/19. Violators face $500 in civil penalties. This law is meant to stop commercial breeders that mass produce animals for sale. Mass production of animals operate under minimal federal standards, such as the requirement that a cage be only six inches larger than the animal it housed and cleaned just once a week. The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act will not stop people from purchasing an animal from a private breeder.

California taxpayers spend about $250 million a year on animals in local shelters. The new legislation will not only cut down on the number of animals that go into shelters, it will ensure better treatment of animals, promote more rescue adoptions an prevent unnecessary animal deaths.

Pet Lovers Specialty License Plate

Governor Jerry Brown passed a bill on 10/14/17 that allows funds generated from the Pet Lovers Specialty License Plate program to be distributed to providers of free or low-cost spay and neuter services. The plate was available for sale in 2013 but administrative challenges prevented disbursement of funds. The new legislation will allocate the moneys to Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CDFA will distribute the grant applications and oversee disbursement of funds in 2018. Disbursement of these funds will spare the lives of over half-million innocent cats and dogs that are euthanized in California shelters every year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Petco Foundation Invests in Lifesaving Work of Lucky Dog Rescue

Grant of $1000 will extend efforts to save more animal lives in the Tri-Valley area.

Pleasanton,  April 18, 2017 – Lucky Dog Rescue of Pleasanton today announced it has been awarded a grant from the Petco Foundation to support its mission to eliminate the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable homeless animals throughout Northern California..

Lucky Dog Rescue is a nonprofit organization operated by a group of passionate enthusiastic volunteers who collaborate primarily with high kill, local shelters and rescue groups in the broader East Bay County Area to promote and encourage animal welfare.  All LUCKY DOGS are home fostered and introduced to basic training to enable a smooth transition into their forever home.

Since 2010, Lucky Dog Rescue has found forever homes for thousands of dogs that may not have otherwise made it out of the shelter.

The Petco Foundation investment will help Lucky Dog Rescue continue to find permanent, loving and stable homes for our rescued friends.

For more information about Lucky Dog Rescue or the Petco Foundation, visit 1luckydogrescue.org or www.petcofoundation.org. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by using the hashtag #PetcoFoundation.

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About Lucky Dog Rescue
Lucky Dog Rescue (LDR) was founded by a small group of people in 2010 who collectively have many decades of experience in dog rescue, evaluation, training, care and placement. Our group is comprised of all volunteers. LDR rescues dogs from overcrowded shelters and fosters them in our homes until they are adopted by loving families.

Our local animal shelters are tireless animal advocates. Sadly their efforts are limited by the lack of capacity to house the animals. Most shelters are required to hold stray animals for only 3-4 business days. Thousands of innocent animals must be euthanized to make room for new incoming animals.

While our dogs are in our foster care, they are spayed/neutered, microchipped and given appropriate vaccinations and medical care. Sometimes more extensive care is needed such as surgery for broken bones or treatment for skin conditions that are not uncommonly the result of human abuse or neglect. The cost of this care can be expensive and is covered through our modest adoption fees, fundraising, donations and the support of animal welfare organizations such as Maddie’s Fund.

About the Petco Foundation
At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life.  Since 1999, we’ve invested more than $175 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we’ve helped more than 5 million pets find their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.