The support of animal welfare organizations in East County is unwavering.

Since 2019, Antioch Friends of Animal Services has paid fees and assisted in the placement of over 680 pets in new homes.

The Antioch Friends of Animal Services has offered to pay adoption fees for residents at the Antioch Animal Shelter over the years, but the offer has rarely lasted more than a few months, and certainly not as long as the incredible current two years, during which they've assisted in the placement of more than 680 pets into new homes.

The Friends launched one of its holiday adoption promotions at the end of 2019, which will continue until the end of January 2020. When word of COVID-19 spread, the Antioch Friends resolved to keep the promotion going. The promotion stuck once the epidemic had started.

"The epidemic isn't finished," said Michele Kuslits, a volunteer with Friends of the Earth. "The board agreed to keep it operating till the end of February," says the statement.

Despite the fact that the Antioch Animal Shelter is just for residents of Antioch, Kuslits claims that anybody can adopt a pet from the shelter. People travel from as far as San Francisco and the Central Valley to adopt pets there, according to her.

According to uslits, the Antioch Friends organization has a lengthy history. After funding at the local animal welfare group dried up owing to Proposition 13, Antioch resident Barbara Sobalvarro created the nonprofit organization in 1979. The Antioch facility only welcomed dogs at the time. Sobalvarro and her Friends group were and continue to be staunch animal advocates.

They lobbied for the rehabilitation of the ancient "dog pound" facility in 1979, as well as the creation and adoption of a first-time animal ordinance and the articulation of a new humane ethic for the city. The building was refurbished in 1979 as a result of the efforts of the Friends organization. The Antioch Animal Shelter was relocated to its current location, which is linked to the Antioch police headquarters, in 1991.

Friends of Antioch Animal Care, according to Kuslits, was founded with the goal of providing a humane and comprehensive animal services program to the residents of Antioch, with a focus on a high-quality animal shelter and the most responsible animal adoptions. Antioch Friends sponsors specialist veterinarian treatment that cannot be offered at the animal shelter owing to the city's economic limits, in addition to funding adoption costs.

"During the epidemic, one example occurred when a shooter fleeing the police came into a house and shot a family dog," Kuslits added. "The Antioch Friends of Animal Services assisted in raising funds for the dog's treatment."

Sadly, the dog died in the end, but the Friends group was able to gather enough money to assist the family and later establish a fund in the dog's honor. The Oso Fund assists families whose dogs have been victims of violence.

It isn't required, according to Kuslits, to have a coupon or to tell the folks at the shelter about the deal. Anyone who brings their pet to Antioch Animal Services will be reimbursed for the cost of spaying or neutering, vaccinations, microchips, and other costs. Antioch residents will continue to be responsible for dog license payments. Other pets do not require a license. Those who do not live in Antioch should verify their local pet licensing laws, since they may be required to obtain one.

The Shirley Perry Foundation has generously donated monies to the Antioch Friends to pay the sponsoring costs. Perry, a former Antioch resident who was a longtime supporter of animal initiatives, gave money to the Antioch Friends, which gets yearly dividends.

Those interested in assisting the Friends can make a tax-deductible gift to the nonprofit organization by going to cardonationservices.com and donating a vehicle, or by going to facebook.com/AntiochFriendsofAnimalServices. Friends of Antioch Animal Services can be reached at antiochfriendsofanimalservices@gmail.com or by calling 925-431-8318

Details: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/01/08/around-east-county-pets-groups-support-remains-steadfast/