Today we find ourselves in Harrisonburg, Virginia at the Rockingham/Harrisonburg shelter on Old Furnace Road. The director Ann and her staff are anxious to load up and get things rolling. It’s been two years since we’ve had the pleasure of working them and we are looking forward to a great day. The shelter is now using the ASPCA’s “Meet Your Match” program. The program allows them to assess the pets based on specific criteria, including things like aggression, separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.

The day started at 5:45 am, as Ann and Claire headed off for a live interview at a local television station. Now at the shelter with a truck filled with dogs and cats, we make our way to our adoption location, a Pet Smart off the main strip in town. Joined there by the Augusta SPCA, Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, Inc., Cat’s Cradle, The Successful Mix (a pet behavior counseling and dog training program), as well as Glamour Puss Creations, the adoption and education process began.

By day’s end, an exhausted crew enjoyed a job well done! Our thanks to all, we look forward to working together again!

Claire and Warren

Good mornin’ ya’ll and welcome to Nashville Tennessee – the country music capital of the world. Our event takes place at the Metro Animal Care and Control shelter on Harding Avenue near the airport. Judy Ladebauche and her wonderful staff greet us as we return to one of our favorite stops along our route.

The parking lot is filled with rescue groups, micro chipping services, a flea market, and musicians everywhere. All proceeds go to the shelter, in an effort to improve the well-beings of all the animals up for adoption.

Our dear friend, Emmy Lou Harris, had her rescue group “Bonapart’s Retreat” participating in the activities. This year we were blessed to have her perform for the crowd. She has been nominated as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, an honor she truly deserves. Congratulations!!

The day started out clear and sunny, however, the rains came by mid afternoon and soon we found ourselves retreating into the shelter where the festivities continued without a hitch. Music filled the hallways as the adoptions were in full swing. This year we had a total of exactly one hundred adoptions!! WOW!!

We hate to leave, but in the morning, we make our way to Virginia. Thank you for being a part of Tour for Life, and we’ll see you next year.

Your Friends,
Claire and Warren

Upon entering our event location at Lakewood Village Shopping Center on McCain Blvd., a familiar face smiles at our arrival. “Your back again, welcome North Shore Animal League America, welcome Claire and Warren,” said Marilyn Hall of the North Little Rock Friends of Animals Shelter. This is the sixth year that Claire and I have had the pleasure of working with her, Billy Grace and all the staff and volunteers we’ve come to know.

In addition to the rescue groups that have joined us from year to year, we also included free micro chipping for the first fifty dogs, an added bonus for pet owners.

Our afternoon brought a surprise visit from “Rockin’ Dogs” a troupe of circus-like dogs performing tricks for the crowd, sure to bring a smile to your face.

We always enjoy the warm hospitality and enthusiasm of our friends in Arkansas; we wish them continued success.

Happy trails to you…… until we meet again.

Claire and Warren

The morning finds us at the shelter for Citizens for Animal Protection, in Houston, Texas, where our friends greeted us with open arms, as they always have in the past. Working together, we are preparing to take part in the grand opening of a new park downtown called Discovery Green Park.

The perfect weather was a backdrop to the festivities about to take place. The park was jammed with people enjoying a perfect afternoon. A constant flow of prospective adopters found their way to the Animal League Adoption mobile to see all the wonderful dogs and cats that were up for adoption. Over 1,000 people came through our mobile unit, as Claire and I maintained crowd control. There was no time to take a break as the workers from the shelter had a constant flow of adoptions to process.

At the end of the day, 66 pets found new homes, or should I say 66 families were enriched by their new additions? Congratulations!!
Until next time…

Claire and Warren: Route 1

Saturday, April 12th was a day of celebration at the San Antonio Humane Society SPCA of Bexar County. Hosting 22 various participants and rescue groups, our adoption event was the heartbeat of Bexar County. People from all walks of life gathered for the largest pet adoption day of the year. Fiesta was in the air as the numerous adoptions began. As in past years, the day also included the coronation and crowning of “El Ray Fido” and his “Royal Court”, a competition designed to raise money for the shelter. This year a total of over ONE MILLION DOLLARS was donated. What an outstanding achievement!!

Once again our hats go off to you San Antonio………..Yee….Ha!!
Next stop: Houston, Texas

Claire and Warren

Ole’ from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Today is Wednesday April 9th, and our event location is the Coronado Shopping Plaza.
“Making families complete” since 1965 is the goal of our host shelter - the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico. Watermelon Mountain Ranch and the rescue groups ANEW and PACA were also on hand.

“Pass the hat for a cat……care,” “A whole hog for a dog…… adopt,” These slogans echo the feelings shared by all. As our day unfolded, the adoptions took center stage. Dogs and cats of all varieties soon found new homes.

Our next destination is San Antonio, Texas. “Remember the Alamo.”

Claire and Warren

Sunday, April 6th finds us on Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California. Looking at the Pacific Ocean, words cannot describe the unique beauty of one of the most breath-taking places we’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing.

Working with the City of L.A. Department of Animal Services was truly a pleasure. Both staff and volunteers were kept busy all day, as the adoptions were in full swing. “Great Work!”

Surfers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, kite flyers, minstrels and assorted entertainers who were on the boardwalk added to the festivities. Our spokesperson, Mya was on hand as well, enthusiastically signing autographs for her many fans.

Our thanks to all who helped in making Sunday afternoon at Venice Beach truly memorable. Our next destination is Albuquerque, New Mexico…….. Ole’

Claire and Warren

Today is Friday April 4th, and our event location is the Cesar Chavez Plaza in beautiful downtown Sacramento, California. The City of Sacramento Animal Care Services, the Sacramento County Department of Animal Care, and various rescue groups were all on hand. Dogs, cats, reptiles, snakes, rabbits and rats were all up for adoption. This is the second event in a row on our route that included a rat rescue group.

Many people recognized the North Shore Animal League America Mobile Unit, and thanked us for coming to their hometown.

Many animals found new homes, including a pure bred dachshund, kittens, cats and some of the older dogs, which are usually the last ones to get adopted. Congratulations!!!

Our next stop is Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California.

Claire and Warren

Redding, California

Welcome to Redding, California. The site of our first adoption event finds us at Mt. Shasta mall. From the moment we pulled up, to the time we left, there was a constant flow of people looking to adopt their new “best friend”.

The host shelter, the Haven Humane Society, made us feel welcomed, as always. You name it, we have it. Dogs, cats, pot belly pigs, birds, and even a rat – yes a rat – were all up for adoption.

We’d like to thank all our hard working friends in Redding for making our first adoption event a huge success. In the morning we travel to Sacramento, California…. See you there!!

Claire and Warren

It’s early morning, the moonlit skyline of New York City embraces us as we begin our cross-country “road trip”, Tour for Life 2008 has now officially begun.

The rolling hills of Pennsylvania soon become the “Plain States”, welcome to the “Heartland of America”. Farmland as far as the eye can see. Cows, sheep and horses are the main attraction as the farmers begin to prepare their fields for seeding.

The Rocky Mountains are always an adventure as Mother Nature takes the upper hand. Snow, rain and high gusty winds at elevations of over 8,000 feet make the journey a difficult one. The great salt lake of Utah, hot springs and sand swirls offer a passage way to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Entering Lessen Forest National Park area instantly brings a smile to our faces, knowing we are close to our destination. Welcome to California!!

Claire and Warren