Articles in the Non-Profit Organizations category
San Francisco Bay Area's Urban Farms
On a trip to Portland, Oregon earlier this year, I met a Californian woman who’d relocated to Portland a few years ago. One of her favorite things about that city is the easy access to fresh locally grown foods. She said fresh eggs and fresh milk were completely unlike their grocery store counterparts. “You have no idea what you’re missing,” she said with a radiant smile.
You don’t have to move to Portland to discover the pleasures of urban farming. These organizations offer plenty of chances bring out your inner farmer right here in the Bay Area.
Celebrating Jane Goodall: Animal Welfare & Wildlife Conservation Advocate
April 3rd marks the birthday of a true hero, Dr. Jane Goodall. A renowned primatologist, ethologist, a champion of animal welfare and conservation, an environmental advocate, and a UN Ambassador of Peace, Jane Goodall has inspired generations of humans to consciousness and respect for all living things.
Dr. Goodall has been special to me for a long time. It was Goodall who inspired me to start down the path that would lead me to leave my career as an attorney and become a dog trainer.
SF Bay Area's Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)
There are many organizations around the Bay Area that focus on humans helping animals, but there's one very special organization where the animals help the people just as much. Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) is a nonprofit volunteer organization that recognizes the benefits of animal companionship for those who are ill, disabled, or elderly. Animals can bring a great amount of comfort, companionship, and happiness to those who have difficulties in their daily life; PAWS makes sure that people in need of that human-animal bond get everything they need, and that the animals are supported in their own supporting role.
Bad Rap Busts Pit Bull Monster Myths
In honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day which was held a few weeks ago, a Bay Area organization deserves special kudos for raising awareness about these oft-maligned dogs. Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls or “BAD RAP” has a simple aim – to “secure the future of the American Pit Bull Terrier as a cherished family companion.”
A Bay Area Angel – The Maddie’s Fund
If you adopted a pet from an animal shelter in the SF Bay Area, there’s a pretty good chance Maddie had something to do with it.
Maddie was the beloved miniature schnauzer for whom the Maddie’s Fund was named. She brought so much joy, light and love to her humans Dave and Cheryl Duffield, that Dave made Maddie a promise. If he and Cheryl ever made money, their first priority would be to give back to animals so that other people could be as happy as they were with Maddie.
Celebrate the Hearing Dog Program's Newest Hearing Dog Graduates
October 24th marks another milestone for a remarkable Bay Area organization, the Hearing Dog Program. On that date, the program will graduate its second class of hearing dogs. Any graduation of hearing dogs is cause for celebration but in my opinion, this graduation and fundraiser is extra-special. It’s a testament to the commitment, resourcefulness and spirit of the Hearing Dog Program staff, volunteers and the dogs they train.
Oakland's Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue Center
Reading about the recent unnecessary slaughter of coyotes in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park got me pondering again the ever-growing problem of wildlife habitat loss. As human populations continue to expand, we inevitably encroach on the natural habitats of wildlife. When wild species show up in our backyards, we’re often at a loss for humane solutions.
Help Out With Free Kibble
A lot of times you really want to do everything you can to help out animal charities, but it just isn't possible to donate to as many causes as you would like. The cost of taking care of your own animals can be pretty steep, and the economy isn't helping much in terms of giving you that extra cash just at the moment.
But there's still something you can do.
Bay Area's ALDF Celebrates 30 years of Fighting Against Animal Cruelty
In 1979, Joyce Tischler, a San Francisco attorney fresh out of law school, joined forces with other like-minded attorneys to protect animals and establish their legal rights. Tischler had been passionate about animals her whole life and while in law school, was dismayed to discover that there were no animal rights jobs in her chosen profession. In fact, the field of animal law didn’t even exist.
The Bay Area's Cavy Spirit to the Rescue!
With the new Disney movie “G-Force,” guinea pigs are being set up to be the next fair-weather pet. This happens a lot - an animal becomes the center of attention in pop culture, and all of a sudden there's a surge in pet store sales.
VET SOS Gives Pets of the Homeless A Fighting Chance
We’ve all heard the expression, “Nothing in life is free.” It turns out some things are. Since 2001, pets of homeless San Franciscans have been receiving much-needed free vet care thanks to a fabulous program called VET SOS.
Last Hope on Doggie Death Row: Give a Dog a Bone
You may not know it but there’s a very special group of dogs at San Francisco Animal Care & Control and other government shelters all over the country. These dogs are in enforced legal or medical custody; the courts require that they be “held” until their legal or medical cases are resolved.
Pay it Forward: Volunteering in the City with your Pooch
If you're like most dog owners, you love when people want to ask you about your pride-and-joy, when they ask to pet him or her, when they comment on how cute he or she is, etc. etc. And if you're not a dog owner – but are a dog lover – you likely would love the opportunity to hang with a furry friend once in a while. Either way, animal-assisted therapy volunteering is a great way to go.
Oldies but Goodies
Why adopt a senior? Well, for one thing, puppies and kittens don’t have the corner on the market on cuteness. Take a look at these pictures from Muttville, a San Francisco-based rescue organization devoted to adopting out senior dogs. Those mutts are plenty cute!
