By Janet McAfee
Calling all prospective pet adopters! Loving All Animals’ limousine tours to local animal shelters are popular with pet seekers who might not know how to navigate the search for a rescue cat or dog. Most people don’t know where the shelters are located. The tours make selecting a pet a fun and educational experience for both seniors and young families alike. A knowledgeable tour guide/adoption counselor will be on board to provide assistance with the important decision about which pet to select.
Evanne Levin is the best spokesperson for the limousine shelter tours. She adopted her precious little dog, Bodhi, from the Coachella Valley Animal Campus during last season’s final shelter tour in May. Ev reports, “I can’t say enough for Loving All Animals and their limousine tours. Had this not been available to us, we would not be the thrilled owners of our rescue dog Bodhi. The tour of the BG Bird Gardens was incredibly interesting and informative, the perfect way to begin our day. An added benefit was making friends with others on the tour. At $20 for the tour, lunch, comradery, and the chance to meet so many adoptable animals, it was a bargain.”
The fall weather is finally here, and Loving All Animals’ limousine tours for prospective pet adopters are ready to resume for the season. While their stretch limousine pictured above was recently “retired,” the program will continue thanks to Christian Soto, owner of Desert Limo Inc., who graciously offered the use of one of his fabulous SUV limousines.
Each tour includes a visit to several shelters as time permits. The first stop is the lovely Pet Rescue Center in Coachella where the homelike setting, beautiful grounds, and agility course defy the stereotype of a gloomy animal shelter. The dogs run free in the lovely, home like backyard. Next stop is our large Riverside County shelter in Thousand Palms, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. This modern structure with roomy indoor/outdoor kennels has the largest number of adoptable animals in our Valley. Next door is Animal Samaritans’ state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, and around the corner on Ramon Road there is an opportunity to meet their shelter animals.
If someone wants to adopt a cat, a stop to meet the residents of Kittyland in Desert Hot Springs will ensure they find the “purrfect” match. Folks interested in large dogs will find the Humane Society of the Desert in North Palm Springs a good resource. Next stop is the Palm Springs Animal shelter with its inviting artwork, pet boutique, modern surgical suite, and of course more animals! Your knowledgeable tour guide is available to assist in the selection of your new pet.
A new feature was added to the shelter tours this year. Guests will be treated to a tour of the BG Bird Gardens, a bit of paradise in Palm Desert housing 60 exotic birds in the backyard of the African style mansion. Thatched huts, surrounded by cascading water features and tropical landscape, house some of the gorgeous feathered residents. A focal point is the lovely flamingo lagoon. A visit to this desert gem is an exciting addition to your day visiting the shelter dogs and cats.
Upcoming tour dates include Wednesdays, November 2, November 30, and December 14. A nominal donation of $20 includes the shelter tour, bird garden tour, and a delicious lunch. Space is limited so reservations are required. Join the fun and meet that wonderful new pet! Contact Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000 for more information and reservations, or go to www.lovingallanimals.org.
Jmcafee7@verizon.net
