Update on Bear - Post Surgery!

Here's a great update for Bear, the wonderful lab mix with a heart-wrenching shelter story. Thanks to all for contributing (we had over 85 donations!) and to Cindy for sharing his update! "Thanks to all the wonderful contributions, Bear had his operation on the worst knee on May 7th and is doing very well! He is starting to use that leg again and is an excellent patient and has a great attitude! I think he knows how much everyone is trying to help him and is doing his part like a true champ! As soon as this knee heals well enough, he will have the operation on the other knee and if he recuperates from that operation as well as he is doing now, he will be ready for his new home in no time! Bear sends licks and kisses to all that are helping him. It has made such a difference in this wonderful guy's life!"

Woof Down Lunch a Huge Success!

United Animal Friends is celebrating a huge success with this past weekend's excellent turnout at Woof Down Lunch. Held on the Courthouse Square in downtown Prescott, the second annual event boasted twice as many ticket sales (over five hundred!) and five times as many onsite vendors as last year's showing (approximately 60!).

The vendors represented businesses and nonprofits from across the animal spectrum. Among many others, groups like Animal Disaster Services, Prescott Dog Newspaper, Run-A-Muk Boarding & Day Care, Dandy Dawgs Training, Horses with Heart, and Rescue-a-Golden hosted booths where patrons could pick up information and materials, chat with organizers and ask questions.Two local animal hospitals - Prescott Animal Hospital and Chino Valley Animal Hospital - were onhand to answer medical and health-related questions and even perform a few services! And of course, there were plenty of booths featuring pet food, treats, and accessories. Charlotte, co-owner of the Pet Depot Barkery in downtown Prescott, handed out freshly-baked treats all day, along with free samples of premium pet food. She explained her motivation for sponsoring and attending the event; "[UAF] is a great organization and they do wonderful things by finding homes for all these animals. We're happy to be here in support of this!"

In addition to picking up free samples, learning about animal-related services and meeting plenty of like-minded animal-lovers, all Woof Down Lunch patrons were also able to pick out a hand-crafted pet food bowl and purchase tickets for a variety of great raffle prizes. Some patrons were even lucky enough to go home with the best prize of all: a new member of the family! That's right; UAF's adoption center processed two successful on-the-spot adoptions (from past UAF adopters) and took in a number of applications for other dogs as well. Local resident Nicole and her boyfriend adopted their gorgeous chocolate mix named Yeager from UAF a year and a half ago, and were thrilled to take home Josey - a lab-sharpei puppy - to round out the family. "We wanted to get a best friend for Yeager," she said. "And we definitely wanted to rescue again!"

Overall, the event garnered nearly $10,000 in donations and proceeds for United Animal Friends - money the organization will use for spay and neuter and emergency efforts for local animals. Importantly, the entire day's effort showcased the work of a dedicated group of tireless volunteers who worked for months to put the event together. As UAF President Nancy Vargo remarked, "we couldn't have done it without each and every person who helped." And if this year is any indication of a growing trend, then next year's Woof Down Lunch promises to be even bigger and better.

This Month's Adoptable Mutt . . . Pixel!

Sweet little Pixel is a gem of a dog! At a year and a half, she is just twenty pounds and most likely a Shepherd - Whippet mix. Pixel has come back to UAF after being returned from a family who cites her inability to get along with their other small dogs as the problem. But we're convinced that Pixel in fact really does like other dogs, and that she only needs a bit of confidence-building to get over some of her (very treatable) anxiety issues. Check out Pixel's 'Pawtentially Yours' spot for more!

Update: Finn Is Found!

It sure does feel GREAT to share good news! The lost UAF foster named Finn has been found and secured! The little terrier Finn first disappeared from his foster mom's home on April 24th. He stuck to downtown Prescott for the first few days before heading up Senator Highway into the Sweet Acres / Groom Creek neighborhoods. He eluded volunteers and traps for weeks, and he even survived several very, very cold nights (especially in those higher elevation neighborhoods).

In recent weeks, Finn was visiting one house in Sweet Acres, drinking from the resident's pond and even sleeping on the deck one night. Despite how hungry he surely must have been, he ran each and every time the resident - Mike - or anyone else spotted him.

But today was different! Finn somehow found his way into Mike's fenced hard, and this time, Mike caught him! Despite being bit by the terrified Finn, Mike happily called Joellyn to report the good news. He even refused the reward money!

After retrieving him from Mike, Joellyn had Finn checked out at the vet's office, and she now reports that he is perfectly healthy - though very skinny from so many weeks on the run. We're so very happy to have Finn back, and so very appreciative of volunteers like Joellyn and everyday heros like Mike from Sweet Acres - people who set aside extra time and effort that made a world of difference. A very special shout out is owed to Joellyn, who tracked Finn constantly and never gave up hope of retriving him. Without a doubt, it is because of her dedication that this little guy is alive. The adventures of Finn have hopefully come to a close, but to commemorate the story, Joellyn is considering renaming him 'Wiley!'

Upcoming Event: Spay & Neuter Walk - June 5th!

Mark your calendars for the annual "Spay & Neuter Walk" in Downtown Prescott. The event - scheduled for June 5th - is sponsored by Dandy Dawgs, Prescott Dog, and Streets of New York! For just $20, you and your canine companion can strut your stuff all over town and all for a good cause! All proceeds go to Lucky Club and United Animal Friends Spay & Neuter funds. Meeting time will be at 9AM at Streets of New York! Registration entitles you to a Dandy Dawgs T-shirt, bottled water, and a 'slurpy bowl gift!' If that weren't enough, participants will enjoy a spot in the day's auctions, entry in gift drawings, and yummy Streets of New York Pizza! Don't miss this great event! For more information, call Dandy Dawgs at (928) 778-2033 or click here to register!

Bear's Chance to Heal - We Need Your Help!

It’s not everyday the UAF is able to save an animal who is in an absolute medical crisis and yet acts as though the world is in perfect working order. And that’s exactly the scenario we find ourselves in with Bear. At three years-old, those who first met the lab-shepherd mix at YHS described him as a “quiet soul,” a dog with an incredible “calming effect.” Sure enough, there is something about this dog that seems to radiate peace and hope – despite the awful condition he’s found himself in. Both Bear’s back knees have cruciate ligament damage. What is perhaps most sad of all is that Bear knows YHS all too well; in the past year he would find himself and another canine cohort caught by animal control and held at YHS until his owner would bail him out. Eventually, Bear’s owner decided that the sweet dog wasn’t worth the bailout money, and he surrendered him to YHS permanently. There, Bear was moved to the e-list because of his leg injuries – until UAF heard his story and pulled him out of the shelter.

Now, he’s a UAF dog; he’s been given what every dog and cat so desperately deserves – the simple chance to heal. We want nothing more than to see Bear running through the hills, walking with a loving new family, and getting a little piece of the world he’s always been so good back, but we need help. Bear’s medical bills will likely cost around $2,500. We’re calling on all the animal lovers in this community to help us heal this special dog. If you can help, please let us know.