• Name: Brandie

• Rescued From: East Valley Animal Shelter

• Journey: Brandie, a 1.5 year-old female chihuahua waited and waited for a family to adopt her at the Moorpark mobile adoption. Although her forever family did not show up, a representative of Animal Advocates Alliance monitored her and stayed in touch with the shelter staff to make sure that Brandie would not be euthanized. Within a couple of days, AAA rescued her and placed her with a foster mom. Within one day of being placed in foster care, Brandie’s foster mom decided to adopt Brandie and provide her with her forever home.

• Adoptive Family: The Gharabegian Family

• Favorite Activity: Playing with her American hairless terrier sister, Paulie, sleeping in her queen size bed and eating gourmet rice, chicken and egg meals.

• Name: JJ

• Rescued From: East Valley Shelter

• Journey: JJ is just one of many “pit bulls” or “pit bull” mixes that get overlooked at the shelter despite their loving and docile temperaments. JJ, along with “pit bulls” Stella and Cleo, had one last opportunity to be adopted at a mobile adoption. In fact, the shelter made it clear that if they returned to the shelter that evening unadopted, they would be euthanized. Sadly, he was not adopted that day. Certain that someone would look past his breed and appreciate his perfect personality (in addition to his handsome looks), AAA rescued him (along with Stella and Cleo, who were also not adopted that day). After 4 weeks in a fantastic foster home, JJ’s day finally came when a great family came to an adoption event and saw how gentle JJ was with their young daughters, Emily (3.5 yrs) and Ava (1.5 yrs). JJ now lives in Santa Clarita and enjoys spending time in his big backyard and taking treats from Emily and Ava.

• Adoptive Family: The Fairbanks Family

• Favorite Activity: Walks. Lots of them!

January 27, 2009 – The passage of A.B. 2098, which prohibits the use of ill and diseased animals in the human food supply, became effective January 1, 2009, following the United States Humane Society’s undercover investigation of the Hallmark/Westland slaughter plant. The investigation revealed shocking physical abuse of sick cows that Hallmark/Westland permitted to enter the human food supply and prompted the largest meat recall in U.S. history. The National Meat Association (NMA) and the American Meat Institute (AMI) challenged the statute in a Fresno federal court arguing, among other things, that California lacks the authority to enact such restrictions. Full story here.

• Name: Bella

• Rescued From: East Valley Shelter

• Journey: Bella waited for a new home for over a month at the shelter, but it was clear that nobody wanted to take on the responsibility of correcting her hip/leg problem. Her time at the shelter had run out and she was scheduled to be euthanized. Animal Advocates Alliance pulled Bella in the nick of time and took her to the vet to determine the problem. Bella had severe arthritis in her left hip due to her femur rubbing against her pelvic bone, so she was not putting weight on her left hind leg. Bella had her long-awaited hip surgery and is doing amazingly! Shortly after her surgery Bella was adopted by a lovely couple who had donated towards her surgery and closely followed her progress. We are happy to report that she is putting weight on her hind leg and finally walking on all fours!

• Adoptive Family: The Brown Family

• Favorite Activity: Getting belly rubs and facial massages and showing off her limp free walk!

January 26, 2009 – Plaintiffs associated with the United Gamefowl Breeders Association filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of federal anti-animal fighting legislation enacted in 2007 and strengthened in 2008.  Under the Animal Welfare Act, fighting animals is a federal felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  In addition to fighting animals, those who possess or train animals with the intent to fight them are punishable under the statute.  The plaintiffs unsuccessfully claimed that the legislation at issue infringed on their rights to travel and assemble for the purpose of animal fighting. Read full story here.

Animal Advocates Alliance sent a letter to prosecutors at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to express their gratitude for the decision to pursue charges of animal cruelty against Justin Carrafield, who is alleged to have repeatedly and viciously stabbed an eight-month-old puppy belonging to his girlfriend after attacking her during an argument. It is AAA’s sincere hope that the prosecutors will seek the maximum penalty allowed under the California Penal Code and that Mr. Carrafield will receive a sentence that is commensurate with the extreme violence he committed against both his girlfriend and her puppy. Read full text of the letter here: Carrafield Letter

Animal Advocates Alliance sent a letter to prosecutors at the Riverside District Attorney’s Office to express their appreciation for the decision to pursue felony animal cruelty charges against Los Angeles County Fire Chief, Glynn Johnson. Mr. Johnson is alleged to have committed gruesome acts of violence on a young German Shepherd mix puppy, Karley, belonging to a neighbor, breaking Karley’s jaw and causing extensive brain damage. Eye witness testimony from a neighbor who was originally escorting Karley to her home reveals that Mr. Johnson’s attack was unprovoked. Read full text of the letter here: Karley Letter

• Name: Junior

• Rescued From: Baldwin Park Shelter

• Journey: Junior, a 1.5 year-old miniature pinscher waited and waited for a family to get him out of a County shelter. Although his forever family did not show up, a representative of Animal Advocates Alliance monitored him and stayed in touch with the shelter staff to make sure that Junior would not be euthanized. When his time came, AAA rescued him and took him to the vet, where he was treated for worms and had his dew claws removed. Junior recuperated at a foster home, where he got to frolic and play with his many foster brothers and sisters. He developed a special bond with his pit bull sister, Stella, who he followed everywhere. They were even caught spooning a few times! Once Junior was healthy, he was adopted by a family from Riverside, CA who loved his affectionate and playful personality. He now lives with his dad, Danny, human sister, Valerie, miniature pinscher brother, Chihuahua sister, a couple of cats, a 20+ year-old tortoise, and 30+ year-old macaw!

• Adoptive Family: The Mudrone Family

• Favorite Activity: Sleeping in the bed with his dad, Danny

• Name: Max

• Rescued From: South LA Shelter

• Journey: Max is a 5 month-old Jack Russell Terrier mix whose owner was in the process of dumping him at the South LA shelter when an Animal Advocates Alliance representative intervened. Max was neutered and lived with a foster family for only three days before he was brought to a mobile pet adoption and adopted almost immediately! Being just a puppy, Max is full of energy, which he burns off by running with his new dad. His Chihuahua sister, Indy, is still a bit suspicious of him but he is slowly growing on her. Max, now “Jerry”, lives in Sherman Oaks

• Adoptive Family: The Rabb Family. Max’s new dad says “This dog is the GREATEST. We love him and he’s so happy. He has a
ton of energy and it’s forcing me to be more active. Thank you sooo much!”

• Favorite Activity: Irritating his sister, Indy

• Name: Bailey

• Rescued From: Koreatown

• Journey: Bailey is a 1 year-old Pomeranian mix that was found wandering the streets of Koreatown. What a gem he turned out to be! Bailey loves other dogs and people – especially children that pet him gently. After a few week stay with his foster family, as of Thursday February 26 Bailey found his forever home in Atwater Village with a wonderful couple. He now has loving parents, a huge yard to play in and a black lab as his next door buddy. The family is teaching him new tricks every day and love him to no end. Hurray for Bailey!