Super awesome photography opportunity

Super awesome opportunity!

Looking Glass Photo, a local camera store, is hosting a class on taking picture of dogs. They've offered us a spot for free (yay!).

So! I'm looking for someone who a) can attend the class: Thursday, March 27 from 5:00pm until about 7:30pm. b) can make an ongoing commitment to taking pictures of our foster animals. This will mean some traveling to foster homes or making appointments to meet fosters at locations convenient to them or going to mobiles- so some time!

That said, it will be truly awesome AND help our fosters get adopted more quickly! Check out the event.

https://lookingglassphoto.com/classes-phodography-101-%28march-27%29-phodography_march27/dp/17899

Rainy Wednesday!

I hope you’re enjoying the rain, and the beginning of Spring Training.

Adoption updates: Among others, cats King, Sebastian and Phoebe were adopted and dogs Rascal, Kalpana and Kam were adopted!

Foster Request: I know we sound like a little bit of a broken record, but Janie (pictured) could really use a foster home- she’s been in boarding for two weeks. She’s a rad little dog. We think she’d do fine with dogs with introductions- she’s a little dog and self-respecting little dogs sometimes need to tell other dogs what’s going on. If you have a tolerant dog or know how to do intros or don’t have a dog or aren’t worried, well, Janie needs a foster!

Thank you’s: So, the copier! Thank you everyone involved in this- especially Natalia for finding it and Katie and Roshan for wrangling it all afternoon yesterday. It’s true that it’s not QUITE where it needs to be yet, but I am confident that it will be and really, it’s amazing to be so close.

Volunteer Opportunities: SO MANY! I’ve updated the weekly opportunity blog post here. Thank you everyone for jumping in so much this week- it’s been really great. We still need more handlers for this Saturday and will continue to have handler opportunities three Saturdays a month, so sign up to get your dog fix! There are lots of cat cuddling shifts at PetCo (Alameda) and a few at PetSmart (Pinole). I’ve tentatively scheduled the Thank-A-Thon for Wednesday, March 12^th at the office. If you’re interested and if that date works for you, please let me know!

Thank you, everyone, the animals say meow/woof/whatever!

Best,

Opportunities: February 24th and forward

• When: Saturday, March 1st
• Where: Pet Food Express in Berkeley (San Pablo and University)
• What: 3 handlers, driver to and from the event for dogs (van available!)

• When: Saturday, March 8th, 10-4
• Where: PetCo Unleashed (Lakeshore)
• What: 3-4 handlers, 2 coordinators 

• When: Wednesday, March 5th, 6 pm
• Where: the office (RSVP with Lauren)
• What: Dog Adoption Application Screening Training

• When: Monday, Thursdays anytime (ongoing) and some other shifts during the week
• Where: PetCo, Alameda
• What: Cat Cuddling at our mobile adoption site in Alameda

• When: An evening TBD (probably Wednesday, March 12th)
• Where: At the office
• What: Thank-a-Thon. We will be calling all donors ($5-$50,000) starting this month on a weekday evening that works for as many volunteers as possible. If you're interested in this, please let me know what weekday is best so we can get started!

• When: Sundays, Ongoing (and some other shifts)
• Where: Petsmart, Pinole
• What: Cat cuddling at our mobile adoption site in Pinole

• When: Saturday, March 15t
• Where: Pet Food Express in Rockridge
• What: 5ish handlers, driver to and from the event for dogs (van available!)

• When: ASAP!
• Where: Anywhere!
• What: Decorate/create some signage for our brand new dog mobile adoption site in Berkeley. We've got the site but we don't have the foot traffic because people don't know we're there. Help us get them there!

• When: ASAP
• Where: At the office
• What: Two strong people to pick up a copier and move it upstairs. My wish has been granted- a mondo copier is ours for the taking IF we can pick it up!

• When: Tuesday, March 9th
• Where: Office
• What: One strong person to come with staff to the White Elephant Sale Warehouse (right around the corner) to help us load up donations!

• When: Wednesday, February 26th, 4:30-7:15
• Where: Tiburon Lodge, Marin
• What: The Tiburon Lodge has invited us to participate in their "Yappy Hour"- a happy hour where people can bring their dogs! We need two people to set up/break down and schmooze.

• When: ASAP
• Where: Anywhere! (remote)
• What: Craigslist updater. Keep our Craigslist postings of animals and opportunities up-to-date. This takes about 15 minutes-1 hour a week. We've got the templates, you fill in the details.

Wednesday! Wednesday!

Hi Everyone, it’s that time!

First, welcome to all the new and new-ish volunteers and fosters! We’ve had an influx of awesome-ness lately, and thank you! Your enthusiasm is really wonderful.

Next, we’ve got a whole bunch of opportunities and chances for you to jump in. You can see them all here with details. They include cat cuddling, posting our adoptable animals on Craigslist, the thank-a-thon I keep talking about, adoption screening and more! Most urgently, we still need 3 dog handlers and a driver for this Saturday’s mobile adoption event at Fenton’s (12-3). We also need two strong people because my wish has finally been granted and we can have a copier if we can move it soon!

I’ve received two requests from the dog side: we’ve been rescuing dogs left and right (awesome!) and need fosters! If you’ve got a spot right now or friends who are interested, holler! Also, if you have a crate or x-pen at home that belongs here, we could really use them back. If you can’t get them here during business hours, let us know and we’ll work something out.

In the good news department, Buddy, our first basset hound that we can remember was adopted this week! This guy was super cute, super big and, well, super loud! Thank you Every Dog for fostering him! Milo, our cat from Hong Kong was also adopted- adult cat adoptions are really wonderful.

Last, facebook group for volunteers and fosters is great- if you still need an invite, please let me know. I love seeing before/after foster pictures, hearing about events, etc!

Thanks again, everyone, for everything!

Opportunities: February 19th and forward!

• When: Saturday, February 22nd
• Where: Fenton's on Piedmont Avenue
• What: 3ish dog handlers, driver to and from the event for dogs (van available!)

• When: ASAP
• Where: At the office
• What: Two strong people to pick up a copier and move it upstairs. My wish has been granted- a mondo copier is ours for the taking IF we can pick it up!

• When: Thursdays anytime (ongoing) and some other shifts during the week
• Where: PetCo, Alameda
• What: Cat Cuddling at our mobile adoption site in Alameda

• When: ASAP!
• Where: Anywhere!
• What: Decorate/create some signage for our brand new dog mobile adoption site in Berkeley. We've got the site but we don't have the foot traffic because people don't know we're there. Help us get them there!

• When: An evening TBD
• Where: At the office
• What: Thank-a-Thon. We will be calling all donors ($5-$50,000) starting this month on a weekday evening that works for as many volunteers as possible. If you're interested in this, please let me know what weekday is best so we can get started!

• When: An evening TBD
• Where: At the office
• What: Dog Adoption Screening Training. We've had lots of interest in learning how to screen dog adoptions and it's time to hold another training. If you're interested, let me know and we'll schedule a date, the sooner the better, as we've got lots of apps coming in!

• When: ASAP
• Where: Anywhere! (remote)
• What: Craigslist updater. Keep our Craigslist postings of animals and opportunities up-to-date. This takes about 15 minutes-1 hour a week. We've got the templates, you fill in the details.

• When: Sundays, Ongoing (and some other shifts)
• Where: Petsmart, Pinole
• What: Cat cuddling at our mobile adoption site in Pinole

Better Late Than Never, Short and Sweet

All the cliches in one title!

Happy Wednesday, Hopalong fosters and volunteers! I've just got a little Wednesday email for you today!

First, thanks to those who showed up in the rain and slightly icky weather for the event last Saturday, both to socialize and volunteer. You rock! Thanks to Erica M. who's been coming in and doing some quite tedious office work and to Katie S. who has gotten our storage into tip top shape!

Second, we've got a mobile this Saturday and it's going to be busy! We still need handlers and an extra person who is trained to screen/coordinate to help out our main coordinator. Please let me know and check out the other upcoming activities here (there are lots!). 

Next, we've got a small "needs assessment" survey going out about the humane education program. It would be *wonderful if you could share this widely (and take it, if you feel like you're invested in community youth in any way). The more people who see it/take it, the better our program will be!

Last, if you haven't already, please let me know if you'd like to join our facebook group for fosters and volunteers. Just let me know what email address to invite you with and I will send you an invite!

Thank you guys, I really love working with you (if I don't tell you that often enough!)- and happy almost Valentine's Day!

Best,

Updated Opportunities: February 11th and forward!

Don't forget, if you'd like to join our facebook group for volunteers and fosters, just send me an email and I'll invite you! (It's "secret," so we have to do a little back and forth.) Scroll through, there's a lot of different things going on- some date specific, some ongoing, some on your schedule!

• When: Saturday, February 15th, 12-3
• Where: Pet Food Express, Rockridge
• What: 3 dog handlers, 1 extra coordinator or screener

• When: Saturday, February 22nd
• Where: Fenton's on Piedmont Avenue
• What: 4-6 dog handlers, driver to and from the event for dogs (van available!)

• When: Thursdays anytime (ongoing) and some other shifts during the week
• Where: PetCo, Alameda
• What: Cat Cuddling at our mobile adoption site in Alameda

• When: ASAP!
• Where: Anywhere!
• What: Decorate/create some signage for our brand new dog mobile adoption site in Berkeley. We've got the site but we don't have the foot traffic because people don't know we're there. Help us get them there!

• When: An evening TBD
• Where: At the office
• What: Thank-a-Thon. We will be calling all donors ($5-$50,000) starting this month on a weekday evening that works for as many volunteers as possible. If you're interested in this, please let me know what weekday is best so we can get started!

• When: ASAP
• Where: Anywhere!
• What: Craigslist updater. Keep our Craigslist postings of animals and opportunities up-to-date. This takes about 15 minutes-1 hour a week. We've got the templates, you fill in the details.

• When: Sundays, Ongoing (and some other shifts)
• Where: Petsmart, Pinole
• What: Cat cuddling at our mobile adoption site in Pinole

Wednesday Email! Time to Get Together!

 Howdy, Guys,

I’ve got some news, some opportunities, and TWO invitations!

First news- Scooter, our longest term Hopalong animal, was adopted last week! Any of you who have been to the office in the last TWO years have probably met him- and he has left the building! Cats, staff and volunteers are still adjusting to his absence but we’re all thrilled for him and his new family.

Next comes opportunities, we’re really looking for some volunteers for this Saturday, the 8th. We need 3 more dog handlers and a coordinator for the event happening. Timing is 3-5pm, and it will be FUN! See next item!

First invitation: This Saturday, February 8th, we’re having a “Share the Love” social at Wooden Duck, a furniture store in Berkeley (1823 Eastshore Hwy) and everyone is invited! 3-5pm, bring your well-behaved canines! We’ve extended this invitation to EVERYONE in the Hopalong family including past adopters and donors and, well, everyone. Staff will be there- I promise to try not to talk about how excited I am about Spring Training for the WHOLE time.

Second Invitation: After much deliberation and coordination, we have created a facebook group for volunteers and fosters. This is totally optional but is a way to communicate and build community. We hope that it will be fun and productive. It will be a learning curve (I had to join facebook to do this, so forgive me as I learn!) Please check in with the group guidelines before joining. Because it’s a “secret” group (only members can see it exists), you’ll need to shoot me an email to get invited.

Thanks guys- I look forward to seeing you as a volunteer or attendee on Saturday and on facebook!

Best,

Facebook Policies!

Welcome to the Hopalong Volunteer and Foster facebook group!

This group is a “secret group”- that means that only members of this group can see what is posted here. We’ve set the group up to help build community and increase communication. Please feel free to post on the “wall” here- your posts will have to be approved by a staff person before they before they are visible.

We only ask a few things:

•   Try to keep this group “on topic.” We all love cute pictures and funny stuff, but this is a Hopalong group, so posts should be Hopalong related- adoption stories, questions about volunteering, foster pictures, etc!
•    Be nice! We don’t anticipate a problem with this, but we have to say it.
• What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. We may share things with you that we aren’t quite ready to share with the public and you may share things with each other that you’re not ready for the whole world to hear. Please honor that.
•  Follow your foster protocols: if you have any questions or concerns about your foster dog or cat, they need to go to the dog and cat coordinators!
•  Please address any problems or complaints privately to me (Lauren) rather than on the group wall.
• HAVE FUN!

Upcoming Opportunities! (MANY!) (UPDATED)

Hi all, take a minute to scroll through these. They're in rough order of dates with ongoing events near the bottom. There is really something for many of you here, including people who can't come to the office and those of you who are only available on weekends. Many of these require more details, but don't worry, I've got you covered!

• When: Saturday, Feburary 8th, 3:00-5:00
• Where: Berkeley
• What: At this cool social event for the entire Hopalong community there will be dogs for adoption! We need three handlers, 1 coordinator and one driver.

• When: an evening TBD
• Where: At the office
• What: Thank-a-Thon: We will be calling all donors ($5-$50,000) starting in February on an evening TBD. If you're interested in doing this, please fill out this tiny poll to tell me what evening works for you so we can have a critical mass of a couple people.

• When: Fridays and Sundays
• Where: Petsmart Pinole
• What: Cat Cuddling. If you like cats and don't live too far from Pinole, this is a pretty cool set up for cuddling. This is one of our mobile sites that has a kitty room to take the cats out for playing.

• When: ASAP
• Where: Anywhere
• What: Decorate 2 sandwich boards for the new Berkeley Pet Food Express mobile. We have a brand new mobile event at the Pet Food Express in Berkeley. We need signage! We've got the boards, we need your skills!

• When: ASAP
• Where: Anywhere
• What: Donor solicitation. We have an upcoming event that needs some goodies donated. Think quick phone calls to ask for yummies for people and pets. Can be done at the office or home or while a passenger in a car (no talking while driving!).

• When: Anytime, M-F, 9-5, you pick!
• Where: At the office
• What: Testing the electronic devices. We have lots of possibly-working electronic devices around the office. Things like printers, computer towers, scanners- we're not even sure! If you've got any technical skills and can evaluate these things, we'd love to know what we've got and what we can get rid of!

• When: Saturday, February 1st, 12-3
• Where: Pet Food Express, Berkeley
• What: Dog Mobile Adoption Event. 1 more handler needed.

• When: Wednesday, January 28th, 7pm
• Where: At the office
• What: Dog screening training. If you'd like to learn how to screen adoption applications for dogs, please come to this training. It will last about an hour (maybe a little more) and will prepare you to do the initial phone call with potential dog adopters. These phone calls help us get information about people interested in adopting Hopalong dogs and can be made from home or the office for as much or as little time as you have to give each week. No commitment- just come and learn!

• When: Saturday, Feburary 8th, 2:15-5:30
• Where: Berkeley
• What: We're having a cool social event for the entire Hopalong community. We need a couple of people to help us socialize, set up and breakdown. Prefer people who have worked events before. 1 more socializer needed.