The 2020 Friends of Oakland Animal Services Year in Review is now available!
News
FOAS Board of Directors addresses Board of Regional Parks regarding cat shootings
We want to share this letter from the Board of Directors of the Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS) to the Board of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) regarding the recent shooting of cats at Shoreline Park. Upon learning of the incident, Oakland Animal Services (OAS), along with sister municipal shelters in the cities bordering EBRPD, requested that EBRPD allow the shelters, or local rescue organizations, to humanely trap and relocate cats as needed. EBRPD agreed, along with temporarily suspending shooting cats in their parks.
Take Action to Save Cats:
The EBRPD Board of Directors will be holding a meeting on December 15–your comments on this policy change are needed! Please encourage the Board of Directors to permanently end the shooting of feral and abandoned cats and opt for humane removal and relocation. With the broad network of local organizations offering to assist EBRPD in protecting cats, birds, and all sensitive wildlife by humanely relocating cats, there can be no instance where the killing of cats could ever be justified.
- Via email to Yolande Barial Knight, Clerk of the Board, at ybarial@ebparks.org. Email must contain in the subject line “public comments – not on the agenda”. It is preferred that these written comments be submitted by Monday, December 14, 2020 at 3:00 pm.
- Via voicemail at (510) 544-2016. The caller must start the message by stating “public comments – not on the agenda” followed by their name and place of residence, followed by their comments. It is preferred that these voicemail comments be submitted by Monday, December 14, 2020 at 3:00 pm.
- Live via zoom. If you would like to make a live public comment during the meeting this option is available through the virtual meeting platform: https://zoom.us/j/96030696171
*Note that this virtual meeting platform link will let you into the virtual meeting for the purpose of providing a public comment. If you do not intend to make a public comment please use the YouTube link at: https://youtu.be/wrgapHr_Jtg to observe the meeting. It is preferred that those requesting to speak during the meeting contact the Clerk of the Board at ybarial@ebparks.org by 3:00 pm on Monday, December 14, 2020 via email or voicemail (510) 544-2016 to provide name and the subject of the public comment or item to be addressed.
And if you haven’t already, please sign the change.org petition that was created asking the EBRPD to stop shooting cats.
Thanks to everyone who reached out to advocate for a humane policy. OAS is currently assisting with relocation of cats from Shoreline Park. Please email oasworkingcats@gmail.com to help!
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To: The Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Parks District
Colin Coffey
Ellen Corbett
Elizabeth Echols
Beverly Lane
Dee Rosario
Dennis Waespi
Ayn Wieskamp
We, the Board of Directors of the Friends of Oakland Animal Services, were horrified to learn that the East Bay Regional Park District has been shooting feral and abandoned cats. While we agree that fragile ecosystems must be protected, this violent lethal method is not effective or humane.
From recent reports, we are aware that local animal organizations and shelters, including Oakland Animal Services, have requested a meeting with the District General Manager to assist with humane trapping and relocation of cats that endanger these ecosystems. We encourage park leaders to take these offers of partnership and work together to tackle this problem.
Additionally, to you the Board of Directors, we are asking that the District:
- commit to permanently discontinue this inhumane practice of shooting feral and abandoned cats;
- reach out to the community, experts at local shelters, and animal welfare organizations for assistance in humane removal and relocation, now and in the future;
- install signage at park entrances and key locations to discourage the abandonment of cats and other pets, and include contact information for local shelters and resources.
If we can assist with any of these requests, including paying for signage, please contact us at FOASboard@oaklandsanimals.org.
Friends of Oakland Animal Services Board of Directors:
Lindsay Dadko
Emily Derenthal
Emily Fox
Erin Patch
Ken Robinson
Trish Roque
Yvonne Tsang
Unleash your generosity this holiday season
Bissell Empty the Shelters December 2020
Oakland Animal Services will be participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters campaign in December 2020 (exact dates to be announced).
Adoption fees for pets adopted during the event will be $25 (excluding any applicable dog licensing fees). All adopters will be required to complete a short survey from the Bissell Pet Foundation. To learn more about our adoption process, see here.
FOAS is hiring an Outcome Team Associate
Are you a team player who enjoys working with animals and people? The Friends of Oakland Animal Services is adding to their team! FOAS is looking for an Outcome Team Associate to help facilitate adoptions of animals from Oakland Animal Services, provide support to the rabbit foster program, and provide support to members of the Outcome Team. Deadline to apply is Friday, November 13.
FOAS is hiring a Spay/Neuter Program Coordinator
The Spay/Neuter Program Coordinator is a key role in the day-to-day operations of Friends of Oakland Animal Services’ (FOAS) free spay/neuter program. You’ll be our main point of contact with Oakland residents wishing to participate in the program, ensuring that appointment and voucher requests are handled promptly, keeping detailed records in our database, and being on-site to oversee our monthly events. Bilingual English and Spanish speaking and writing ability are a must. There is also an opportunity for additional hours managing FOAS donor data entry, acknowledgements, and mail support.
Apply by September 10: More details and how to apply
Spend quality time with your dog and raise money for OAS!
Rescue Run Club’s 3030 Challenge is a virtual event taking place during months with 30 days. Participate in the month of September to benefit FOAS!
Run or walk 30 miles in 30 days with a dog. Take your dog. Take your own dog, borrow a friend’s or neighbor’s dog, volunteer to walk a shelter dog… any combination can be used to complete the 3030 Challenge! Complete the mileage on your own schedule, at your own pace, with the dog – or dogs – of your choice.
Register here: https://www.rescuerunclub.com/3030
Is your cat Ms. March? Is your dog Mr. May?
We want to hear about YOUR very special “Happy Tails!” The Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS) 2021 calendar will feature the pictures of adopted animals, along with a story about what makes them happy.
Enter your favorite photo of your pet to win one of 12 coveted spots in the 2021 Calendar. The top vote earner will be on the cover of the calendar and will also be featured on one month, with the remaining eleven featured one per month.
We invite you to join the fun by participating in this special fundraiser. All proceeds will go toward our mission: Providing homes, health, and happiness to Oakland’s homeless animals. The contest winners will be determined by public online voting.
Upload your photos today
- Submit your photo here: https://www.gogophotocontest.com/friendsofoas
- Once a pet photo is submitted, it will appear in the online gallery, and be open to voting by the general public.
- $1 per vote. All votes are donations to Friends of Oakland Animal Services.
- Those who donate $25 or more of votes will receive a calendar (be sure to include your mailing address).
- Winning photos will be included in our 2021 Calendar. At least the top 4 dogs and top 4 cats will earn spots in the calendar, and 2 spots are reserved for “other” animals.
Make your holiday wishes come true!
Has your adopted pet changed your life? YOU can help Oakland Animal Services earn $100,000 this holiday season! Share your story, help make our holiday wishes come true!The Petco Foundation, together with BOBS from Skechers, want to know all the ways, big and small, that your adopted pet has changed your life for the better. Winning stories will receive up to a $100,000 Holiday Wishes grant award for their adoption organization PLUS winning adopters will receive a Petco shopping spree and BOBS from Skechers shoes!
We’ve had two winners in recent years. One of these could be you!!!
Two Puppies Unite a Transplant Patient and Her Donor
Submit your Holiday Wishes story by Sept. 23!
Here’s how to submit:
- If you’ve adopted a pet from Oakland Animal Services, share how your pet changes your life for the better each and every day. Write your story in 500 words or less.
- Upload at least four photos to support your story: one photo of your pet by him/herself, one photo of you or your family with your pet and two additional photos. You can add video too to help illustrate the bond between you and your pet. Visit petcofoundation.org/holidaywishes to read prior year’s winning entries and get some inspiration. Remember, good stories will show how your pet changed YOUR life.
- Include our organization’s contact information so that we can be eligible for a grant award:
- Organization Name: Oakland Animal Services
- Executive Director Name: Lisa Franzetta, FOAS Program and Fundraising Director
- Organization Email Address: info@oaklandsanimals.org
- Organization Phone Number: (510) 535-5602
- Organization Tax ID Number: 20-4053711
- Submit your story and photos to petcofoundation.org/holidaywishes by Sept. 23, noon CST. But hurry because only the first 10,000 stories are guaranteed to be reviewed.
Winners will be announced during the holiday season. Finalists will receive a Petco shopping spree up to $1,000 and BOBS from Skechers shoes, and the organization they adopted from will receive a grant award ranging from $5,000 up to $100,000! For more information, visit petcofoundation.org/holidaywishes and join the conversation on social media using #HolidayWishes.
Support Jessie’s Virtual Kitten Shower and make a wish come true!!!
We’d like to introduce you to Jessie, a very special OAS volunteer and kitten whisperer.
You can support Jessie here.
Though Jessie is “just” a teenager, she has already changed countless lives through her foster and volunteer work for OAS. Since May 2019, with support from her family, Jessie has been fostering homeless OAS kittens. As a young shelter volunteer, she started out doing non-animal handling chores like laundry while working around her school schedule. When our volunteer team saw her level of commitment, Jessie became a rabbit volunteer, providing care for the bunnies–cuddling, but also cleaning cages and feeding greens. On the first day of shelter-in-place, Jessie was one of the first in line to bring home both a foster rabbit and a foster cat! All of this on its own is heartwarming. But there is more to know about this amazing young woman.
Jessie has a lung disease that makes her eligible for a wish from Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. Most Make-A-Wish children, who are all facing life-threatening medical conditions, make wishes like taking a trip to Disneyland, or meeting one of their sports idols. Amazingly, Jessie’s one special wish is a philanthropic one–to help kittens at OAS by hosting a “virtual kitten shower.” As part of her wish, Friends of Oakland Animal Services will also receive a $5,000 donation in Jessie’s honor from Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area!
Jessie’s generous wish will enable OAS to purchase much-needed items on our “kitten registry,” providing for all of the foster and medical care needs for our kittens as they get big and strong enough for adoption. We at FOAS are overwhelmed and inspired by Jessie’s incredible dedication and generosity–so much so, that we have committed to raising a matching $5,000 for Oakland’s kittens. Now, we need your help to meet this match for our dozens of kittens currently in foster care–and to make Jessie’s wish have double the impact for Oakland’s neediest animals.
The typical kitten arriving at OAS as a baby requires supplies like formula, bottles, kitten food, litter, a scale, and a carrier. They also need routine medical care including vaccines, flea prevention, medication for diarrhea and upper respiratory infections, and spay/neuter surgery. All told, each kitten in foster costs the shelter over $200, assuming they have no additional medical expenses.
Right now, OAS has 60 kittens in foster care, as this year’s unusually long “kitten season,” which began in the spring, is still in full force. Because shelter-in-place has impacted spay/neuter programs across the nation, the 2020 kitten season has no end in sight.
Jessie’s $5,000 wish come true, plus $5,000 from our FOAS community, means that we can continue to provide care for our city’s tiniest cats as these litters of bottle babies continue to arrive at our shelter doors.
Please help us continue to provide the love and care that every kitten deserves during this year of unprecedented need–and to celebrate Jessie’s dedication by meeting our challenge match goal of $5000. Your gift, no matter how small, will help make Jessie’s “virtual kitten shower” a truly life-changing event.
And on August 23, we’ll be celebrating live with a special baby shower broadcast from one of our shelter’s bi-weekly kitten adoption events! Jessie, FOAS, and Make-A-Wish representatives will join remotely as we livestream from the shelter, where our foster kittens who are ready for adoption will show off their cat-stuff and meet the families waiting to adopt a new best feline friend. Stay tuned to the OAS Facebook and Instagram feeds for details on how to join the party!
Support Jessie here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/jessies-kitten-shower
