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Thinking of adopting a new family member soon? Would it sweeten the pot if you could adopt for free? Join Oakland Animal Services the weekend of May 30-31 for Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days, a nationwide adoption event to place our cats and dogs into qualified homes. The goal this year is to find great homes for all of our adoptable animals. Adoption fees are waived all weekend for cats and dogs going to qualified homes.

OAS will have special extended hours during Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days:

Saturday, May 30: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 31: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Animals will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis during the event and may not be placed on “hold.” Standard adoption criteria apply.

Potential adopters are encouraged to pre-qualify by filling out an adoption application ahead of time. To pre-qualify for adoptions, visit Oakland Animal Services with all the required documentation on Thursday, May 28, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. or Friday, May 29, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. For information on adoption requirements, go to: http://oaklandanimalservices.org/adopt/how-to-adopt/

Note that not all available animals are listed online. While online listings will be kept as up to date as possible, there may be delays in updating information, so we suggest that you have a few options selected for adoption visits.

About Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days
Thanks to Maddie, a sweet Miniature Schnauzer who brought her owners tremendous joy, the non-profit organization Maddie’s Fund® is proud to present the 2015 Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days, a free adoption event geared toward saving companion animals in Alameda County.

Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days is a two-day, fee-waived collaboration of countless people trying to save the lives of shelter animals, and testament to what can be done when people rally for a common cause. For each pet adopted, Maddie’s Fund gives participating shelters from $200 to $2,500. This funding enables shelters and rescue groups to save and treat more animals throughout the year, all thanks to the love and inspiration of one little dog, Maddie.

For a complete list of adoption locations and to see the available pets, go to Adopt.MaddiesFund.org.

This month’s animal advocate is Lt. Chris Mufarreh, outgoing interim director and transition support.

How long have you worked at OAS?

11 months.

What is your favorite part of working at OAS?

The animals–we have the immense opportunity to help needy animals. The unconditional love we get as staff from these animals over time and when they transition to their new home is rewarding.

Who was your all-time favorite shelter pet?

Roxy the Boxer. She came into the shelter with a broken leg that had fused incorrectly. Staff was dedicated to saving her leg instead of amputating it. We got funding from Friends of Oakland Animal Services and worked with a local vet and volunteers who helped with transport. We had it re-set and got her into foster immediately. Her case is a great example of teamwork in a shelter. All the pieces need to work together to give an animal a second chance.

What pets do you have? Where did they come from?

I have a 7.5 yo Boxer named Coach who I adopted from a Boxer rescue group when he was a year old.

What do you wish people knew about your job? (or, what do you wish people knew about OAS?)

The police care. Everyone has their stereotypes – as OPD staff, we are stereotyped a certain way, but it doesn’t mean we don’t love animals.

At OAS under OPD, the police weren’t the problem, it was budget, management – everything. While OAS was under my leadership as an OPD lieutenant we provided structure and hit the lowest euthanasia rate in the history of OAS [live release rate under Lt. Mufarreh was 73%].  For shelters, it starts with the little things – rules go a long way in helping shelter animals stay safe and adoptable.

What brought you to OAS?

I was assigned. It was only supposed to be a few months. They seemed to like me, so I stayed on through February 2015.

What’s something you think most people don’t already know about you?

People think I’m mean and unapproachable. They think I don’t like animals or I’m too rigid. I’m some of those things some of the time. You need a balance to make decisions for the good of the whole shelter and the community.

This February, 20 Bay Area artists have joined forces to create portraits that capture the unique beauty and personalities of over 25 Oakland Animal Services shelter animals. The “Home is Where the Heart Is” collection will be on display all month at Oakland Animal Services, with some pieces at Farley’s East coffeehouse, 33 Grand Avenue in Oakland. Adopters of these animals will be gifted these one-of-a-kind portraits of their new family members. Adopters of all other animals during the month of February will receive a limited edition “Home is Where the Heart Is” poster.

Oakland-based ad agency Arson created “Home is Where the Heart Is” to engage local talent to help shelter pets. “We’re huge fans of animals at Arson — especially rescues. So helping these wonderful dogs, cats, and rabbits find great homes is a dream project for us. We’re thrilled to be working with OAS on this,” said Matt Morin, co-founder and creative director at Arson.

During Valentine’s Day weekend — between February 12 and February 15 — the shelter will waive adoption fees for all animals. “I can’t think of a better time to find your four-legged true love,” explained OAS director Rebecca Katz.

Bay Area residents who want to meet adoptable pets, view the portraits, and support the shelter are also invited to come to Farley’s East on Thursday, February 12, from 5:00-9:00 pm. A portion of food and beverage sales that evening will benefit Friends of Oakland Animal Services, the shelter’s nonprofit partner.