Our mission is to create shelter and quality medical care in a safe, loving environment for all animals that come to Wine Country Animal Lovers with the goal of ensuring that each animal finds its forever home. We provide resources to existing pet owners so animals can remain in a responsible loving home. We educate the public on responsible pet ownership through mentoring and outreach
WCAL supports the animals of Napa, Lake and Sonoma Counties by providing adoption, transfer and medical services for owned pets. Many of our animals are pulled from overcrowded open-admission shelters where they otherwise might not have a good chance at being adopted. The animals of Lake County hold a special place in our hearts because of the lack of available resources and we strive to improve their chances of leading healthy and happy lives
WCAL is a small, all-volunteer run animal rescue based out of Napa Valley, CA. We are comprised of local animal lovers wanting to make a difference in the lives of animals. We've been serving animals and families in Napa, Lake and Sonoma Counties since 2012, and we work hard to be able to say 'yes' to calls for help from these counties. As our reputation for good work has grown, our community of donors, volunteers, foster families and adopters has enabled us to do what we solely exist for - making a difference in the lives of animals and the people that love them.
On July 28, 2012, WCAL was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Calistoga, CA
Because we recognize the significant need in our neighboring Lake County, WCAL has been working to improve and save animal lives there since 2012. Animals in Lake County are a particular heart tug for WCAL. We are proud of our work there, and grateful for the donations that allow us to serve that community
In 2015, a generous donation allowed us to purchase a new van which enables us to transport animals out of high risk situations.
WCAL successfully lobbied our residents and City Council to award the animal control and sheltering contract to a private non-profit, Petaluma Animal Services, which maintains a 98% live release, rather the county shelter which at the time had a 65% live release rate.
During the horrific 2015 Valley Fire in our neighboring Lake County, we acted as first responders at the evacuation site in Calistoga. Working with three other non-profit rescues, we provided services for over 1,000 animals (including horses, large animals, farm animals, dogs and cats). Because of our work during the Valley Fire, WCAL received numerous awards including Non-Profit of the Year by the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce.
Passing of Measure A to reduce euthanasia at the Napa County Animal Shelter is WCAL's most important work yet because it means untold animal lives will be saved years into the future. We crafted a ballot initiative and worked with another local rescue to collect over 6,000 signatures to place our initiative on the ballot. Measure A passed with 71% of the vote and went into effect December 2016.
When WCAL helps an animal, it is in our family for its lifetime. We don't do transactional adoptions; our door and hearts are always open and we take comfort knowing every animal we touch will always have a safety net. We offer foster-to-adopt and can offer counseling and behavior advice to help families struggling to keep their pets
We offer indefinite fostering for senior pets with senior citizens. All costs are covered by WCAL, we provide 24/7 support and will readily take the animal back at any time for any reason. This win/win program provides loving homes for harder to place senior pets, companionship for human seniors often on a fixed income who may not otherwise be able to afford a pet, and assurances that the animal will be cared if the person's advanced years no longer support caring for an animal.
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