Oakland’s only open admissions shelter
Now through November 15, all adult cats and rabbits that have been at OAS for more than 30 days are available to adopt for just $10!
We have cats and rabbits to suit almost any lifestyle and preference, come down for a visit and see who wants to go home with you!
All regular adoption requirements apply.
Sometimes going home takes a little patience, a good bit of time and a whole lot of luck. And that’s what Koki – a four-year-old poodle mix – had this past weekend.
The charming little dog had been visiting with her owner’s parents in Oakland when she was believed to have been stolen from their fenced yard. Stephanie, who got the year-old dog from a friend who was allergic to her, spent two months checking shelters and calling the microchip company where Koki was registered, but no luck. That was in January 2009!
Stephanie, who lives in San Jose, was heartbroken and never got another dog. Then this past Saturday she received a call from Oakland Animal Services: A dog with a microchip (a small tracking device the size of a grain of rice that is implanted in the animal’s shoulder area) that was registered to her had turned up at the shelter. The now four-year-old dog was scruffy and dirty and covered in fleas. But that didn’t dampen the reunion – Mom and pooch were excited to see one another. The poodle’s little tail did not stop wagging. “Our first stop is going to be Pet Food Express, to wash her and take care of the fleas,” Stephanie said.
This story is a great reminder of how important it is to microchip your companion animals. Collars with tags on them can fall off or be removed, but the microchip – providing it’s registered and the contact information is kept current – will always be there. Sometimes that “miracle” will happen: A missing furry family member will be found and the owner can be contacted and reunited with the lost loved one, just as happened to Stephanie and Koki.
We’ll never know where Koki spent the past 2.5 years, but her next stop will be home – at last!
We often have amazing stories from adopters who are committed to animals and caring for their pet. This is one of those stories, too good not to share! These adopters from southern California adopted a sweet pit bull named Ruth. Now ready to adopt another dog after Ruth’s passing a few months ago, they made the trek to OAS again to sweep up another one of our sweet pit bull mixes. Here is their story.
We really can’t thank you enough.
I met Ruth at the shelter in September 2009. I chose her for her temperament. I looked at other dogs, but she was very impressive. I spent a lot of time with her at the shelter. Adopting her was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
She became an important part of our lives and the lives of our family and friends. We showed her the mountains. We showed her the beach and the redwoods. We showed her a world where people loved her. We hope she forgot all about the mean streets of Oakland where the kindest thing that ever happened was for her to reach your shelter.
When Ruth died we were all very upset. Filling the void left by the loss of such a great animal is never easy. I miss her every day. The outpouring of support we received was substantial and included many offers of a new dog. After much discussion we decided to look at the OAS website and see which animals were available. We saw lots of great looking dogs and an amazingly cute puppy named Moo. After passing the link to many people we knew they pooled money for us to drive up and take a look. We drove 5 1/2 hours in the morning to be at the shelter when it opened. Looked at some great animals, but decided that the little cow patterned puppy was worth all the work that would come with him. 4 hours later we were driving back to southern California with what appears to be the cutest puppy the world has ever known. He knows “sit” already. Mostly.
We chose your shelter because we knew that a place that could bring us together with a dog like Ruth must be able to show us another great dog. You did!
Diamond came to OAS with a clubfoot and limped her way into everyone’s heart with her sweet disposition. A few weeks later, a screaming 4 week old chihuahua came into the shelter and very much needed care and comfort of a mother. The staff at OAS paired the puppy with Diamond and she immediately accepted the puppy as her own. Diamond took her new role as mom so seriously, that when the puppy moved into a foster home, Diamond slipped into a depression, not eating and barely lifting her head when someone walked by. Staff thought she was sick, but gave her another puppy to see if she regained her spirits, and indeed she did.
Friends of Oakland Animal Services sponsored a complex reconstructive surgery that realigned the bones of Diamond’s front leg, setting them in the normal position. With the help of Our Pack, Diamond was placed in foster home and lucky for them, the family fell in love with Diamond and became her forever home.
A special animal holding room in the room recently got a facelift due to the generosity of Volunteer mentor Yvonne and her husband, Phil. Last year when Yvonne and Phil were married, they asked that instead of receiving wedding gifts, friends and family make a donation to Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS). On top of this, Phil’s company matched the money donated to FOAS, which made it possible for Yvonne and Phil to design kennels and have them fabricated for installation in puppy parlor.
Puppy parlor is home to many small dogs, most of which used to be housed in makeshift kennels. Last weekend, Yvonne and Phil along with Volunteer Mentors Roger & Chui, and other friends worked all day to install the new kennels in the room. We are so thankful to give these dogs a calmer, more stable place to live during their time at the shelter. We are incredibly grateful for this incredible donation.
It is thoughtfulness and dedication like this that helps OAS carry out its mission of caring for the hundreds of animals that pass through our doors each month. Thank you Yvonne & Phil for spearheading such a much needed project and to everyone for their effort and time installing the kennels last weekend!
Ash has been with us at OAS since February, patiently waiting for his forever home. A beautiful all white cat, Ash is playful and intelligent with equal parts high energy and relaxation. Ash likes to chase toys around but is just as happy to lounge at your feet.
Ash is one of several long terms cats at the shelter that are sweet, loving and waiting to go home. These cats will continue to live at the shelter until a forever home is found for them. In Ash’s case, a home where he is the only cat (and animal for that matter, Ash isn’t a fan of dogs!) is best for him. While dogs may not be his thing, he will gladly follow you from room to room, possibly reminding you of a canine in cat’s clothing.
Ash is not a demanding cat, and although he may not curl up in your lap, it is best that he remain an indoor cat only due to his all white fur. Without the pigmentation in his hair, Ash is more susceptible to skin cancer than cats of another color. If you have been looking for a companion that likes to play as much as he likes to purr by your feet, Ash may just be the cat for you.
An indication of what an amazing cat Ash is, he has won such a place in the hearts of our generous volunteers that they have put together a special basket of goodies and gifts for him when he goes to his new home.
