My Magic Carpet's 3rd Annual Dirty Dog Contest has recently ended. Following the finale, our Co-Founder, Monica Dallyn, selected one of the amazing and beloved animal foundations nominated by our Dirty Dog contestants to receive a prize and a donation of 50 rugs! Each rug will help animals awaiting adoption feel more cozy in their living quarters.
For over 20 years, the clinic has operated as both an animal shelter and pet adoption agency, housing over 350 animals at a time in clean, comfortable accommodations. From domestic cats and dogs to exotic birds and even farm animals, their doors remain open to all creatures, big and small. The dedicated staff walks and feeds the animals daily, providing them with affection and mental stimulation while they await their forever homes.
Mo has spearheaded animal control operations at Animal Friends of the Valley for 20 years, responding to emergency calls with her team 24/7 to rescue animals wandering or in distress. Her round-the-clock dedication has saved countless lives and helped shape the shelter into the reputable establishment it is today.
Animal Friends of the Valley also offers various services to improve animal welfare across the region. Their spay and neuter program, which closed in recent years, dramatically reduced the number of unwanted surrenders. This January, they will reopen a modern facility connected to the shelter to meet the demand for spay/neuter procedures. They also provide pet food and coupons for vet services to families in need, allowing owners to keep their pets rather than surrender them.
Involving the community in all efforts to connect people with pets, the shelter offers an outstanding program inviting children to read to the dogs. The kids love it, and the dogs love all the attention they can get!
The Animal Friends of the Valley survives on the generosity of its community members. Donations of food, blankets, toys, and other comfort items help enrich the lives of the facility's temporary furry residents.
Monetary contributions allow Animal Friends of the Valley to maintain its high standards of care, including grooming and pampering of the animals, so they feel comforted and less stressed during this transitional period.
Fostering is another vital way the public can assist the nonprofit. Volunteers who open their homes to shelter pets provide them with a calming break from the noisy kennels. The clinic has an especially high need for foster assistance in the summer months when animal intakes spike.
Some of the clinic's most heartbreaking cases come from pet owners who can no longer care for their animals. The staff understands that giving up a beloved pet is an agonizing last resort, and they try to never turn away an animal in need.
After their mandatory 10-day hold period and an owner has not been located, Animal Friends set up meet-and-greets to allow prospective adopters to interact with the pet, and it's always a joyous occasion.
The Animal Friends strives to engage the public through fun community events. The public can rent rooms for birthday parties, school field trips, and even meetings for organizations like the fire department. Getting people through the doors helps save lives and changes perceptions about shelter pets.
While operating an animal shelter is often heartbreaking, the staff at the Animal Friends of the Valley remains inspired by the happy endings they facilitate daily. Thanks to their compassion, animals can enjoy an almost day spa setting in their worst-case situation until they find a forever home. For the last 20 years, the shelter has remained a trusted voice for animal welfare in the community. With continued public support, this vital nonprofit will rescue and heal vulnerable pets for many years.