Tony La Russa: Celebrity Dog Lover Hall of Fame
July 7, 2009 by Grace Sydney
Filed under Celebrity Dogs, Hall of Fame
Dogs and cats may not traditionally be the best of friends, but canines have one little lost feline to thank for the start of an organization which helps to better the lives of domestic animals. Destiny seemed to direct the paws of the tiny ball of fur on to the playing field during a game in 1990, leaving Tony La Russa, manager at the time of the Oakland A’s, to scoop up the stray. In his search for a home for the abandoned animal, La Russa would learn that life would be short for the cat if placed in any of the Bay Area shelters, none of which offered a no kill policy at the time. After finding loving parents for the purring pet, the sports icon and his wife Elaine were inspired to start a foundation that recognizes the need for “people rescuing animals…animals rescuing people.” ®
Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)
“Play ball!” As the manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, Tony La Russa may have shouted the sentiment to some of baseballs brightest stars over the years, but he is equally enthusiastic when it comes to a game of Fetch with the Fidos at Animal Rescue Foundation. Along with finding forever homes for our four-legged friends, ARF also helps to teach compassion for canines and felines at Camp ARF, a summer program which features the organizations Pet Hug Pack therapy dogs; offers low cost spay/neuter for pets within the community and the ARF Emergency Medical Fund affordable veterinary care for pets living in low income households; dog training through ARF-U, and a guardian program, which ensures that pets are found permanent homes through the AFT adoption program in the event of the passing of a dog’s human parent.
For more information:
Animal Rescue Foundation
2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
or via
