Have you adopted a pet from Oakland Animal Services? Share your Happy Tail with us!
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Have you adopted a pet from Oakland Animal Services? Share your Happy Tail with us!
When we moved to Oakland last October, Greg and I were very excited to learn that our landlord would allow us to have a cat (we’d wanted a cat for quite some time). We saw the Oakland Animal Service’s advertisement for a special on calico cats… but when we came in last Halloween to see the cats, we fell in love with what T.S. Elliot called a Jellicle cat… Bootsy (formerly Oreo), a big, laid-back but playful black and white tuxedo marking domestic short hair. We found out B&W as well as all-black cats had a hard time finding homes that time a year because people are superstitious about them.
Much like the cat in T.S. Elliot’s “Song of the Jellicles”, Bootsy (aka “Buts-buts” and “baby boy”)enjoys lounging all day, usually in his beloved cat bed by Greg’s desk. He also likes sunning himself in front of the screen door in the summer. At night, he wakes up and starts romping around the house, playing with our other cat, Marla. His favorite cat toy is a piece of cloth on a stick he likes chasing around – just like the one he was playing with at OAS when we first met him. He also really loves to eat, and put on a lot of weight in the first few months, but we’ve since managed to get his weight back under control with some veterinary advice (which was to put him on a portion-controlled all-dry-food diet and eliminate any wet food). And now he is once again slender and lithe enough to jump up into his favorite window, right above Greg’s easy chair.
We can’t thank OAS – and especially the patient and knowledgeable Jen – for all of their help in finding the right cat for us. The staff had familiarized themselves with the personalities, temperaments, and special needs of all of the cats.
They addressed our concerns about how each cat would get along with us, my frequently visiting family members (including some children). They even answered questions about the “cat who came with the place”, a petite adolescent calico (Marla) the last tenant left behind, who was living in the yard and occasionally tried to barge into “her” house. Bootsy – who was a stray when he was picked up by OAS – is very able to hold his own with other cats. He seems to really enjoy domestic life and shows zero interest in going outside.
Happily, we were able to get the young semi-wild calico re-domesticated (the Oakland SPCA told us that cats under a year are usually able to acclimate themselves to house cat life) and by January she was calm enough that we were able to take her in to get her fixed (at Oakland SPCA) and get her her shots. We had to keep her inside after her surgery, so in January we became a two cat home.
Here is a picture of Bootsy in his well-used cat bed.
Thank you so much for your patience and advice with our bunny bonding. Our bunny was a little lonely, so after a few visits to OAS and several e-mail chats with Debbie, we finally had a match made in heaven. These two are totally in love and are constantly grooming and snuggling each other. Thanks again to all the bunny volunteers who helped us out and let our 2 little boys hold every single bunny they could get their hands on!
We were looking for a dog that loved balls and kids. The staff recommended Possum, a pit bull mix. I was a little wary of a pit bull, but my son fell in love with her. He and the staff were right – Possum is awesome! She has so much personality – my son and his friends love her and she LOVES kids (she thinks she’s one of them). I would definitely recommend a pit bull to families with children (as long as the OAS staff recommends the dog).
My bunny Max and I lost our companion, Delilah, over a month ago and it was apparent that he needed a new friend. He tried dating a couple of other bunnies, but nothing seemed to be working out for him and he was becoming more depressed.
In earnest I visited petfinder and found a picture of “bubbles.” I went to the Oakland Animal Services to “screen” her for him and what I found was a delightful, sweet bunny who I hoped would make Max an ideal mate!
I brought Max in for his date with “bubbles” (her name has since been changed to Chloe) and it was love at first sight!
My previous experience of bonding Delilah and Max was quite arduous and took several months before they “clicked.” With Chloe and Max, they were bonded within the first 24 hours and have been living happily together ever since!
Thank you so much Oakland Animal Services for helping my Max find somebunny new to love.
We have adopted Gordon on June 12. He is the center of attention in the house. Gordon loves car rides, he is ready to go as soon as the car door opens. He also likes cuddling and is very affectionate. Gordon is very playful and has plenty of playmates. I want to thank OAS for giving us the opportunity to adopt this adorable pet.
On July 2, 2010, I adopted “Blue,” a quiet, gentle kitty with the description of “Very mellow.” He was bony, very stressed and overgrooming himself to the point of having no fur in some spots. I really didn’t know what to expect when I got him home. I live alone, so I figured at the very least, the calm environment would do him some good. Boy, was that an understatement. Blue, renamed to Dexter, stopped overgrooming immediately, and his fur is already much thicker and shiny. There was no acclimation period – he loved his new home right away. He is so intelligent, quite possibly the smartest cat I’ve ever seen. He wakes me up 5 minutes before my alarm goes off (how does he know that??) by playing with my feet under the covers, and follows me everywhere as I get ready for work. He eats on a regular schedule, and on top of Science Diet, receives chopped chicken or turkey every morning after he eats his food. He’s so affectionate and interactive, and even knows his new name. He is a very, very happy, good-natured boy, and I can’t thank you enough for making his adoption such a wonderful experience for me.
We are thrilled to have a new family member as a result of the OAS Adoptathon. Portia came to us with a rather troubled history that included three former names (Gidget, Kyria and Blondie) and a hand written warning note from the previous owners that gave up on her.
She was clearly meant to be a part of our family because she fit right in from day one. She has become fast friends with our older dog k.d. who is living with cancer. They run, frolic and play together like two puppies with endless energy. We take them to work with us each day and enjoy watching the antics that result from their play sessions. Portia seems truly grateful to have found a home where she is loved and we feel blessed to have her as a part of our lives.
I adopted Jackson (formerly Pongo) from OAS last November. I have to say it was the best decision I have ever made. Growing up, we always had pure bred animals, but when I went to look for a dog last year I really wanted to get one from the shelter and I definitely did not want to go the breeder route. Jackson is a Pit/Dalmatian cross and the best dog I have ever had. He is smart, loving and just the right mix of couch/bed potato and trail runner. The day I adopted Jackson I think I went to every local shelter in the East Bay before I found him! When I walked into OAS I knew that it was going to be a good experience and then I set my eyes on my boy!
He is almost a year old now. We hike all over the East Bay – he especially loves afternoons at Point Isabel making all kinds of new friends at the dog park. He has stayed in hotels with me, gone to work and somewhere decided that he is actually a water dog…even though he hasn’t quite figured out how to swim with his mouth closed. My three cats grudgingly have admitted that he is not that bad. I love starting my day with him and the smile he puts on my face every day with some new trick, sound or goofy look. No matter how stressful work is, it all goes away when we hit a trail and go for a long walk.
I am so grateful for the volunteers and people who support OAS – without them, I never would have found Jackson. Thank you!!!!
We scoured the internet and the local animal shelters to find our puppy — and we found him at Oakland Animal Services on Mother’s Day. Our “little” puppy is getting to be quite a big boy! We call him “Maki” — or Makizushi, Macchiato, Makimon, Norimaki, Futomaki, The Makinator — and he answers (most of the time). He is Mr. Social and loves to play with other dogs, and if the dog isn’t interested, he will settle for meeting the dog’s owner. Dog or human, he loves them all.
Maki loves going to puppy class, the dog park, Point Isabel and basically anywhere we have taken him. He even stayed with us in Monterey at a fantastic dog-friendly hotel (Portola Hotel & Spa) and romped on Carmel Beach. He has taken well to riding in the car and walking on leash — and we enjoy just having him around being a dog. It has been a big adjustment having a puppy around, but it has been well worth the effort!
Thank you, OAS, for bringing us the newest member of our family. He’s a game-changer, in a good way
Thanks to OAS for being so patient with my newly adopted cat Diamond. Diamond had been at the shelter for nearly 4 months, and was showing signs of stress and frustration from not having a fair go of things lately. This made him far from the ideal ‘lap’ cat, but during our initial visit he showed signs of a more affectionate side when we gently rubbed noses and he rubbed his cheek against the bill of my hat. I really felt like Diamond was a fun-loving, happy cat inside who just needed the reassurance of a stable, loving family. I’m very happy to say that Diamond has proven me right, and his personality is a total 180 degree switch from when he was at the shelter. He truly was a Diamond in the rough, and is now shinning bright. For the past week I’ve been the lucky recipient of daily licks, purring, and lap-naps from a most appreciative and happy cat. Hooray for my new “Buddie” who now has a second chance at life thanks to the OAS and their conscious effort to find a good home for one of their more overlooked residents.
Kudos to OAS! We had the unbelievable fortune of visiting OAS during the SF/SPCA Adoptathon a few weeks ago, and were so amazed with our experience. Even with all the hub-ub of the day, Volunteers and Staff were generous enough to stay after closing to help us (Reese, my 3 year old daughter, Molly, our 6 year old Beagle, and I)find our sweet Pancake (formally Poppy). Add George, our kitty, to the mix, and we were not exactly easy to find just the right dog for- trust me, we had been looking for a good long while!
Anyway, with everyone’s help, we went home that night with the best dog ever put on the face of the earth! I am not sure who was happier though- us or the folks at OAS- they finally got to go home!
Pancake has now completely settled into life here in Santa Cruz, and we couldn’t be more happy- he gets along with everyone and everything he meets, and cracks us up on a daily basis- he’s a bit of a knucklehead sometimes. He is loved immensely by all of us (two and four leggeds) in the family, our extended family and friends, and all of his play-date doggy friends.
Thank you again (especially volunteer Amy) to everyone who went above and beyond to help bring this wonderful lil guy into our lives- ya’ll rock!
Much love,
Chyna, Reese, Molly, and George
After having run into volunteer Sarah in my yoga class this morning, she convinced me to post a story about my dog. I adopted Cooper (previously Chopper) last June.
He has convinced me and all of my friends that he is the best dog of all time. Cooper is the mellowest dog ever; he comes to work with me and charms everyone who comes in. My adviser described him as the type of dog who wants to “smoke a joint and eat some pizza.”
When we’re at home, he follows me around and sits on my feet. He plays up his sad looking face in order to coerce scraps of food from me. He loves cuddling with me either in the house or out in the sunlight.
He had a rocky start with tapeworms and a tumor so when he came to me he was only 65 lbs. After a year of pizza crusts and burrito ends, he now weighs 75 lbs! His ribs no longer show and his head looks (more) proportional to his body.
Cooper and I are very happy together, and I can’t imagine life without him. It’s great to wake up with an eager face looking up at me(though he might just want to eat breakfast). He covers me with kisses everyday, and I love it.
Thanks volunteers for taking care of him when he was in the shelter!
We adopted Ruby-Also called Ruby Doobie or Rubilla-from OAS on May 15,2010. I fell in love with her calm disposition on her OAS video. She does get feisty sometimes and it is the cutest thing. We love everything about her. She is a little lover. We are very happy with our decision.
When I was first thinking about adopting a dog it took me months to wrap my head around it. But than I saw Rocky’s photo on your website, went down, picked him up and he’s been at my side ever since. He’s funny, well behaved, wickedly smart (I trained him to sit and shake in one afternoon). I love him, my family loves him, my friends love him. I do regular posts about him on my Facebook page and everyone always wants to know how Rocky is, or what he’s up to next. My Mom buys him clothes, (sweaters and jackets), my sister calls herself “Auntie”. All the neighbors in my building know him by name and give him treats. He’s become so much a part of me and my family on the rare occasion I’m without him the first question always asked is “Where’s Rocky?” Adopting him was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I constantly tell folks, if they’re thinking about getting a dog and ready for it than go down to OAS. Thank you so much for bringing me and him together. He’s my best bud.
We had been searching for a puppy for our family. We saw Ted and his brother Tank on Petfinder and were totally drawn to them. We drove 2 hours to take a look at these guys and we knew Ted was the one for us! We adopted “Ted” now known as “Cisco” on June 8, 2010. He is currently 13 weeks old and is enjoying his new family. He loves our 3 year old Lab/Coonhound named Eli and follows him EVERYWHERE! They play constantly and have so much fun together. They tend to find things to get themselves into trouble but they couldn’t be having more fun. He is truly a great addition to our family and we look forward to watching him grow!
We adopted Felicia the bunny two weeks ago as a friend for our rabbit “Mr. Buns.” They are doing great! They are starting to bond and relaxing around each other. Today they ate out of the same food dish without any tension. We love our new bunny!
This is Sarah, who adopted me as her soul mate back in March. She is having a ball at her new home and loves to play catch with her new siblings Peaches, Mario, and Connie, all of whom have been given up by their previous families; now we all live together as one happy bunch. These amazing creatures bring so much joy into my life, every single day. Sarah was the last one to join us. It all began after last winter, after I read an article, about how black cats have a harder time to find homes. I was deeply moved by such phenomenon, and decided to offer a home to a black cat. I knew that I had plenty of space in my heart to welcome another feline friend, and I also knew that by following the proper procedure to introduce her, my other ones would accept a new companion as well, since they all arrived at different times, and were successfully introduced to each other. The moment I saw a video of Sarah, it was love at first sight. She was hiding inside a paper bag, and only her big eyes were visible, then she came out and played with one of the wonderful angels that dedicate their lives to take care of the animals at the shelter while they wait for forever homes. Sarah is the most delicious, charming, petite, fun and gorgeous bombay/burmese mix, and I cannot have enough of her. Luckily I work mostly from home, which gives us plenty of time to spend together. She still loves to hide inside bags, boxes, and jumps all over the place. She specializes in climbing the furniture, where she also takes naps during the day, but at night she jumps in bed, climbs on top of me, and stays there. Since I have no desire to move her, I am developing a new skill: to remain in one position all night, so she can stay where she wants. I am so grateful to the fabulous team of dedicated volunteers and staff at the Oakland Shelter for being there for all the animals who still need a home. There is a special place in heaven reserved for each one of you. Thank you! Thank you!
Oakland Animal Services:
We adopted Barney, a tan and white Pointer/Pit Bull mix in March 2009. He has been an amazing addition to our family, and a great pal to our 11-yr-old Pit Bull/Shar Pei, who now acts like a 7-yr-old. Barney must have been loved and treated well at OAS. It seems like he had seen hard times as a young stray, but he is very healthy, terribly affectionate and almost over friendly. Barney is goofy as ever, loves to use his “hands”, and is a serious snuggle-hound lap dog (at a healthy 60 lbs.) His favorite hobby is keeping the squirrels out of the yard, but what he absolutely loves are trips to the dog park, where he has many adoring friends and fans.
OAS should also know that it is running a high quality service that truly enables people to find the right pet. I came all the way from San Jose because I saw video of Barney online, was able to meet Barney in the yard there and introduce him to our dog, and your adoption requirements and fees were very reasonable. The OAS should be commended for its outstanding work.
Best regards,
The Winslows (especially Barney Winslow)
I went to OAS to see a very specific dog…little did I know, there was a whole family of puppies (and mom) waiting for homes. I met them all and was immediately attacked by a little girl who was ball of energy and emotion…when I went back a week later, she remembered me and that was it! Olive has been in my life for just 2 months but it feels like we’ve always been together! I love her so very much, and I think she kinda likes me back.
We were hoping for a non-shedder or at least a black dog who would blend into black work clothes. We ended up with a pale brown beauty who promised he would make up for his fur with endless love and kisses. So far, he’s holding up his end of the bargain and we’re looking into vacuum attachments. We are so delighted with our new love-dog. He is the perfect blend of energetic hiking companion and couch-time snuggle buddy. The picture is right after leaving the shelter, on our first walk together. We look forward to years of more walks, love, brushing and vacuuming.
I am currently a volunteer at the Oakland Animal Shelter. There are so many dogs that I fall in love with on a daily basis, but Buster (aka Angus) was different! When I first meet Buster he looked so miserable and unhealthy. He was a mess! He was so skinny, his eyes could barely open, he had bald spots, scabs and he constantly was shaking his head, because of a horrible ear infection that eventually lead him to lose his hearing in 1 ear. I felt so bad for this guy and decided to take him out for a stroll. Despite his health issues and discomfort he was wagging his tail, grunting and giving me lots of kisses! It was love at first sight! He then began to go into surgeries for his ear and eyes. After each surgery and almost every day I would go into the shelter to visit him. I dreamt about him every night and knew that he was meant to be my dog.
I adopted Buster a few months ago and he has made himself right at home! My dog Penny can’t imagine life with out him and they snuggle and make out everyday! He has brought so much happiness to our lives! Thank you to all the shelter staff, volunteers and especially Megan, Martha and Vet staff for taking such good care of my boy while in your care!
We adopted Dino a few weeks ago and he has brought so much life to our home! We go on hikes during the weekend and ahh he’s just so great, and he is getting absolutely huge! Dino is such a little cuddle bug.. considering he thinks he’s a five lbs lap dog haha! He comes in my bed every night and lays ontop of my head I must admit I love it! Thank you for letting us adopt such an amazing pooch and I promise he is being well taken care of!
Our family went to the OAS today with my nieces. It was the most uplifting day for me and my family to see all the animals at the Shelter being well taking care of. I understand what it means when they say it takes a village. Its take a village to see that all animals are well cared for, loved and respected. We had a wonderful time getting to know many of the dogs and If it was my choice, I would have loved to take them all home. We fell in love with a one yr old girl by the name of Mali, we took her home today and it was the most uplifting experience in our lives. In a few months we will be back to adopt another, once our baby girl completes some extra training. We cant wait to tell other people about our day at OAS. Please volunteer and donate, It takes a Village!!
When we brought home Blossom (now known as Billie) back in March, we had no idea what a little smartypants she was! Aside from being a sweet and cuddly lap crawler, she was a superstar in her obedience classes and lives to please us. We are so grateful to have found her, and to Volunteer Amy who *insisted* we meet Blossom — and was she ever right!
Over a month ago, I went to Oakland Animal Services to adopt a cat. I can’t thank their volunteers enough for their help in matching me with the perfect pet. Dorian Grey (formerly “Lucas”) and I met and it was love at first sight. While he was quite scared and not adjusting well to shelter life, he took to me instantly. As a second-time adoption, he’s been an absolute dream & a wonderful companion. I couldn’t be happier with my new mate & I know he feels the same. Thank you OAS for making the adoption process such a pleasant experience & for giving me such a loving companion. You listened to my needs and helped pair me with an animal that not only deserved a second chance, but that also was a fantastic addition to my life. It’s almost hard to imagine my life before Dorian. I highly recommend OAS to anyone looking to adopt a family member.
We brought two boys home on Sunday. The grey cat has been hiding under the bed since then, but just moved to his new hiding place behind my desk. His brother, the black one is much more active and talkative, although hasn’t settled down yet for cuddles. Still very independent and just checking us out. We call him “Trubbo” which rhymes with Trouble…thanks OAS for rescuing these guys. We’ll update you with more as they come out of their shells.
My boyfriend and I adopted Dude (formerly “Cowboy” and aka Duder, Doodle, Doodlebug, FritoPaw, and Muffin) from OAS back in February and just wanted to say thank you so much for bringing him into our lives. Dude is such a handsome little guy and has brought so much love and fun into our daily routine that we can’t imagine life without him after only a few months. He loves taking walks out at the Albany Bulb and riding in the car with us, even if its just to the grocery store. Here is a picture of us on our first road trip at the Chandalier tree in Leggett last weekend.
We brought Kitana (left) and Melina (right) (formerly known as Nefri and Cleo) home in January. The four of us couldnt be happier together. After being nursed back to health from severe URI’s, they flourished. They settled into our home immediatley. We call them “the monkeys” because they LOVE their cat tree that goes up to the ceiling. They are wonderful kittens that love eachother and adore us too. Kitana loves to clean the whole family (literally, she will lick your whole face if you sit still long enough) and Melina is happy as can be with a lap to sit on. Thank you OAS!
We are so grateful to Oakland Animal Shelter for bringing Zoey into our lives. She is such a cuddly, playful, and friendly kitty. Everyone who meets her instantly falls in love! My boyfriend and I are endlessly entertained by her silliness (especially when she plays with her favorite toy springs and laser pointer!). We just can’t express how thankful we are to have her in our little family!
Thank you so much Oakland Animal Shelter for bringing Mijo into mine and my husband’s life. He has made friends with most, if not all, of the neighborhood kids. They all come over to our house to play with him, it’s quite funny since we don’t have any kids of our own! Mijo has even made friends with Rocky, an American Bull Dog whose about the same age as him. They played for about an hour the first time they met. It was quite cute!
Mijo stole my heart from the first day I saw him and I’m sure has done the same with many other people he has met. He is such a wonderful puppy!
He has been coming to work with us and all of our co-workers enjoy playing with him during break time. He enjoys riding in my husbands truck more than my car though, it’s funny! He’s quite the character!
We are so grateful to have him in our lives and hope to pay you guys a visit sometime this summer!
Thank you, Oakland Animal Services staff and volunteers, for taking good care of our Lulu until we could find her! She’s such a funny, happy, sweet and goofy girl, and has brought us much love and laughter. We certainly know why you named her Cuddles! She spends most evenings curled up in my husband’s lap, though she weighs more than 45 pounds now.
Lulu adores everyone she meets, both people and dogs, and can barely contain her wiggling until she’s allowed to say hi. She passed her first puppy obedience class with flying colors, and I’d like to enroll her in a more advanced class or even agility training soon. She’s very athletic – and energetic! – but really enjoys her couch-potato time, too. She has several good doggie buddies to play with, and soon she’ll be going on her first camping trip. She’s even getting used to the car, which she hated at first – especially if it means a trip to the beach.
After we lost our beloved Sophie dog last fall, we knew we would want to adopt another dog soon. I’m so glad we found Lulu!
This letter is to thank the staff members at OAS for bringing Jordan (Velcro) into our lives. Our story began when we decided we had room to welcome another dog into our family. We made a trip to OAS in hopes of adopting a specific dog we had found on the website. This dog didn’t quite work out for our family due to dog temperament and the OAS staff suggested that we look at another dog, which by the way I was a little reluctant. Once they brought out Jordan , our dog, Monroe immediately started jumping and playing with Jordan. We knew that our dog had found her new companion. It was evident that Jordan was going home with us. Since adopting Jordan on February 21, 2010, he is been the light of our lives. He fit so well with our family from day one. He has a permanent home which includes his doggy sister, Monroe who absolutely adores him. I have to say, one trait that really drew me to Jordan is his kind soul. He brings joy to everyone that he surrounds. It has only been 2 months but within the two months he becoming secure with his surroundings. Jordan loves the outdoors, he especially enjoys his hiking outings. He loves long drives in the car and has come to really enjoy his large doggy bed which is his safe haven. We love Jordan and we thank him for loving us unconditionally. We are truly blessed to have our boy Jordan.