The lovely dog to the left is Serena, a former long-term resident at OAS, who is now happily in a home with a Dad and Mom who love her! Isn’t it obvious?
Have you adopted a pet from Oakland Animal Services?
Oakland’s only open admissions shelter
Oakland’s only open admissions shelter
The lovely dog to the left is Serena, a former long-term resident at OAS, who is now happily in a home with a Dad and Mom who love her! Isn’t it obvious?
Have you adopted a pet from Oakland Animal Services?
Lauren B. says
After meeting Sullivan (formerly Aspen) for the second time at OAS, we new he was our dream cat, but we were a little unsure of how he would fare with our resident female feline. As soon as we brought Sullivan home we could see that he was relieved to be out of the shelter and into a loving home. After three short days of being separated, our kitties met and became fast friends. Sullivan was the absolute perfect fit for our family and we are so happy he chose us. Thank you OAS staff, you were so helpful and knowledgeable! Here is a picture of Sullivan (the big orange guy) and Margaux sleeping after one week together.
Jo & Joey Kwasniewski says
My husband and I adopted Blythe (a kitty) a week or two ago. We were worried about the process introducing Blythe to our other cat, Gus, but all went well after a few days. Gus has stopped meowing mournfully and seems more alert.
We are so happy to have Blythe. She has fit right into our family and Gus has been much happier. I woke up in the middle of the night two nights ago to find both of the cats sleeping by my head, butt to butt. Often when I leave for work Gus and Blythe are both sitting on the kitchen table looking out the window.
In particularl, I wanted to share Blythe’s cutest habit: If you hold the covers up for her, she’ll walk a little bit under the covers, turn around so that her head is outside of the covers, and then lay down. Just like a person!
Also, her hair is slowly growing back on her haunches. By Thanksgiving she should be an all black kitty once again.
Thank you OAS! We’ll send a photo when she has all of her hair back!
Emily Fox says
An update on Tahoe:
We adopted Tahoe in May, 2010 and he has brought such joy to our lives. He is a warm snuggle bug in the bed at night, a fierce watchdog who guards the house from his perch on the couch by the window, and a tireless companion on the trail. We would like to share this picture of Tahoe on his first backpacking trip. Thank-you OAS for saving this special guy for us!
Michealle & Daniel says
In the few days between Haskell’s arrival & Spottedleaf’s (formerly Wilma), Haskell decided that he was going to be an Only Cat. We had a rocky week, but we followed the instructions on the cat-introduction sheet that Warren so graciously gave to us. The kitties spend almost all of their time together now, be it sliding and wrestling down the hallway or curling up on the foot of the bed to sleep.
—
P.S.- Though Spottedleaf had an upper respiratory infection & a yeast infection in her ears, our vet was very please with the amount of care Oakland Animal Services gives to their residents compared to some other shelters (which shall go unnamed).
Rosie da Silva says
Oops, sorry, it’s me again, on my previous post I accidentally missed the picture in which both Clementine and Adeline appear, and I so wanted to share it with you. Thank you for your patience. I’m just a proud mom…
Rosie da Silva says
Dear friends of OAS,
First let me thank you for the wonderful video of Adeline grooming Clementine, which is how I first learned about their stories and fell in love with both of them. Also, for your brilliant suggestion to adopt them together. Ever since they arrived here, Clementine took over her friend’s job as the groomer of the house, and not only I constantly see her returning the favor, by grooming her shelter mate Adeline, but she also insists in performing the same duties with the other members of the household. Even if they are not interested in her offer, that’s not an option; she will simply hold them tighter, and force their heads down until they surrender. It is hilarious! This girl knows how to persuade anyone, and she has so much chutzpah that makes up for the total absence of teeth in her mouth. I personally find her gorgeous, and I cannot resist the way she stares at me with her head slightly tipped to the side as if asking me something. I wake up every morning with her staring at me, together with her petite sister Sarah, who is also a gift from you, the good people of the OAS! I want to say thank you again, especially to their foster moms Kat and Joy, who kept them in their homes while they waited to be adopted, who came all the way back to the shelter on that hot Sunday in July, after working hard on an adoption event. All their extra work was what made possible for me to be united with “my darling Clementine” and her adorable soul sister, Adeline, who is now fully integrated in her new home too. As her foster mom Kat had mentioned, she still does not like to be held, but she loves to sit very close to me while I work, and follows me around a lot. She recently started to meow and becomes quiet vocal around meal times. She and Clementine play and wrestle with each other all day, which mostly ends up with them licking each other, diligently. They also rediscovered some old toys that no longer interested the other cats. They play catch, and love to “hunt” shoes, and they also hunt what I call imaginary preys, since they are the only ones who see them. Their elegant moves are simply a treat to my eyes. Oh, and of course, Adeline goes crazy if I through some catnip in the mix. Her fur is curly on her belly, and it looks like she had a perm. It makes me want to hold and kiss her like I do with the other ones, but she is faster, and runs away meowing with her little soprano voice. I just love it! One of the great things about having many cats (if you are a cat lover like me) is that you get to observe and enjoy all the different personality treats that they present, and you laugh at each and love them for each of their special characteristics. You were absolutely right to suggest that they get adopted together. Clementine was the first one to come out of her shell and soon after her arrival made herself comfortable with the other members of the family, while the more shy Adeline needed more time to get out of her hiding. Soon after their arrival, I noticed that Clementine was already offering her grooming services to the other cats, and I worried that Adeline might have been forgotten. Then, one day I entered the bathroom and caught them hugging and licking each other, like they used to do back in the days they were at the shelter. Needless to say that their bond is stronger than ever, and so is my love for them. Sorry for this long posting, I can go on and on about my girls, but I guess these pictures speak more than words…
Michealle & Daniel says
After playing shy with us for all of twenty minutes, Haskell (formerly Flanagan) has adapted to his new home beautifully. He tears around after balls, chases ribbon toys, comes when called, and purrrrrrs up a storm. He was even outgoing when the neighbor kids dropped by to play. What a sweetheart! Thank you so much for all of your time and help in finding our new fluffy friend.
Hallie and Tim Alvey says
In March we adopted “Hannah” renamed “Pepper”. We reported our success with our adoption then – she is a adorable and becomes more so every day we have her in our lives. At the time we had a 14 year old German Shorthair Pointer. Unfortunately in July his time had come and we had to say “until we meet again”. Pepper was so attached and she mourned – she missed her friend. We determined that we should pursue another boy. We were surprised to find him so quickly, and again, at OAS!
Duncan came home with us three weeks ago. We don’t know much about his story, but we are finding out bit by bit as he shares it with us. Initially he was a challenge. But I have to say – with the encouragement of friends and family he has endeared himself to not only us but our Pepper and slowly now to “The Cat”.
This is a shot of Pepper (our Silky Terrier) and Duncan (Parti-cocker) chilling on the sofa together.
We couldn’t be more grateful to OAS for the work you do and for the little babies we were able to bring into our fold because of you! Thank you!
Becca says
Thank you, OAS staff and volunteers, for helping my family find the perfect dog for us. We adopted Willis (Chipmunk) during the adoptathon in June and despite the crowds you took the time to make sure we had a match. He’s a massive, strong, high-energy pit puppy, but sweet, polite, smart and so handsome…just like our toddler, who Willis allows to climb and roll all over him. They’re a pretty cute pair and it’s fun to watch them learn from each other.
Rachel P. says
I first adopted Vincent in November 2008. I was drawn to him because he seemed more shy than the other cats. When I brought him back to my apartment, he went under my roommate’s bed and wouldn’t come out for about a week. When we finally coaxed him out, he went behind the bathtub for maybe another week. Fortunately, Vincent has progressed incredibly since then. This previously timid cat no longer has any fear (sometimes to my dismay!). He is very affectionate and always comes to the door to greet visitors.
When I started commuting to work, Vincent was alone more often than he used to be. His demeanor began to change and I worried that he was lonely. I decided to adopt another cat this year so that he could have a friend, and Sebastian was the perfect choice. Things were a little rocky during the first few days of introducing them, but now they get along very well, largely thanks to Sebastian’s playful and easy-going personality.
I love my cats, and I’m very thankful to Oakland Animal Services for bringing them into my life! I especially want to thank Jen for being so informative and helpful. 🙂 Vincent and Sebastian are the best cats ever and I can’t imagine life without them.
Alexis Daniel says
I was very excited after i started volunteering with the bunny crew at OAS to find out that most bunnies need friends and that i would be welcome to bring in my chubby bunny for some dating.
My rabbit Chagall seemed to not mind any of his dates, but once he met Calico Jack he perked up a little. So a week later i brought him back for a second date and made the decision it was time to expand our family.
The first week with the two buns wasn’t easy since Calico Jack had recently been fixed and was testing dominance boundaries. But after separating them at night for a week and only letting them be together supervised, I can happily say they are friends and bonded. They snuggle (even when it’s hot). Calico Jack has even been introduced to our dogs which he is not afraid to walk all over (of course always supervised with the dogs). Thank you OAS!
Marisa & Matt says
We adopted Bean (formerly Flo) two months ago. While she misses her friends at OAS, especially her pal Alice, Bean is loving the many new friends she has made in San Francisco – dogs and humans alike. Bean is a social butterfly, loves attention and isn’t shy with kisses. Bean’s favorite activities include playing fetch with her tennis balls, play dates with her dog walking group, and curling up with us for naps on our bed. Thanks again to OAS for helping us find such a sweet girl.
Alexis Robinson says
We adopted “Willow”, now renamed “Somer” from OAS at the beginning of August. She is such a wonderful puppy! Our 3 young girls love playing with her, and she is so patient and gentle with them. Our 11-years-young dog, Emma, really seems to enjoy having a companion, as our other dog passed away earlier this year. Somer and Emma wrestle several times a day. We also find that the whole family is walking sometimes twice a day, just to wear out that puppy and young kid energy! Somer is taking to crate training and we start obedience classes in a few weeks. I have a feeling, she will be an excellent student. Everyone she has met has remarked on how well mannered Somer is, and our vet commented on how thorough OAS was with her shots and de-worming schedule. We really found a diamond in Somer. Thank you very much OAS!!
Andy says
We’ve joined the ranks of “failed foster”! We adopted Abigail (aka: Princess Fiona) from Berkeley Humane, but understand that she had spent some time with the crew at Oakland Animal Services. She’s a wonderful dog and was quite happy to say hello to you guys when we went to pick up her license.
Troy and Aki says
We got Precious at the adoption event in Jun. She didn’t have a shelter name, but my husband, Troy, named her Precious on the spot.
She can sit, shake, down but her rollover success rate is 40%. We gained a lot of weight since we married, because of Troy’s Southern cooking, but former couch potato Troy is now a walking machine! Precious is better than Wii machine, because we can’t turn her off!
She’s been awesome, and we are confident in our parent skills, so we are talking about to get another “kid.” We are currently looking for her brother, and maybe a kitty in the future, then I’ll be done! Thank you OAS, we are your life-time supporter.
Leah says
Our family adopted Oscar yesterday and we are loving him! For the first half hour he was hiding under beds and the couch but then he came into the kids room for bedtime stories and got comfortable on the rug. He stayed up most of the night exploring and smelling everything around the house. He accidently bumbed into the stereo at 2am and it came on and woke us up. He settled down at some point because I woke up this morning with Oscar at my head, asleep against my pillow. He and I have spent today getting to know each other. He’s very playful and affectionate. He is sleeping next to me on the couch as I type, obviously tired from his adveturous night. Thank you OAS! We are so thankful and happy!
Zeke and Erin says
We adopted Samba about 2 months ago, and we changed her name to Emma. Since then we have made her an integral part of our lives, and can’t imagine our lives without her. She is such a sweetheart, always ready to play and full of energy. We take her on long walks in the hills of Hayward, around Lake Chabot (she is quite the swimmer), and to some of the dog friendly state beaches. We discovered her special talent, she can high five… Emma is doing great and we are constantly reminded of how lucky we are to have found her!!!
Trina says
We adopted Zeke Yesterday. Renamed him Mario. He’s quiet the character. He adds chaos to our family, but chaos is my middle name. He’s a really good fit for my family. My boy gets more exercise than ever. So far no escapes and he scares the raccoons away. We watched him chase a coon across the yard last night. I love trouble makers. All my cats I’ve adopted have been serious trouble makers. They make up for it in personality. Mario likes sleeping on ours laps and under the clothes line. He loves bones, ate through 3 already. He hates water and runs from my black cat. I’ll post a picture next time.
Greg Hug & Sumiko Saulson says
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.
Sabine Westerweck says
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! 😀
Tammy Brown says
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).
Melissa Bowman says
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.
Devante says
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.
Heather Church says
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.
Jim Tibbs and Philip Anderson says
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.
Kristina Drobocky says
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!!!!
Lisa Oyama says
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 🙂
Morgan says
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.
Chyna Darby and Reese Barnum says
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
Nicole Carlson says
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!
Mike and Sharon for Alex says
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.
David W. Valentin says
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.
The Kelly's says
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!
Nicole says
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!
rosie da silva says
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!
Brad Winslow says
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)
Jessica says
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.
Tahoe says
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.
Tamara Vlaco says
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!
Ashley Shine says
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!
Dante', Bernie & Mac says
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!!
Sandra Gore and Ron Sires says
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!
Stacey says
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.
Richard M says
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.
Kathy McCarthy says
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.
Hilary and Nate says
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!
Shannon Ikeda says
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!
Fatima Marquez Pacheco says
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!
Eileen Ecklund says
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!
Liz Rocha says
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.