Today we begin our final event as we enter the Ikea Plaza in New Haven, CT, just off I-95. Working with old friends on familiar turf brings a warm feeling, considering we began our tour one month ago in Redding, California.

Having traveled over 7,500 miles, it’s great to be back in our own neck of the woods. As always, the folks at Ikea welcomed us and all the participants involved in our adoption event. Our thanks to you!!

The Tour For Life has taken us literally from coast to coast, California to Connecticut, with hundreds of pets finding new homes, bringing people and pets together, saving lives, and bringing happiness into the homes of so many. And educating people about the plight of a shelter animal, and the importance of spaying and neutering, has proven to be an accomplishment we are very proud of.

We would like to thank everyone involved for their participation in Tour For Life. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation, and its moral progress, can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

See you all again next year…….until then……..thank you!!
Claire and Warren

We are pleased to announce that, once again, the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA is hosting Tour For Life 2009® partnering with North Shore Animal League America. Joining us for the event were representatives and pets from the Augusta Regional SPCA and the Page SPCA. They were all gearing up for the biggest and best Tour For Life adoption event ever, everything was ready to go!!
This year’s theme is “Adopt a Mutt-i-gree, it’s the right choice.“ Adopting a pet from a local shelter is indeed the responsible and right decision.
Our event takes place at the Market Square West PetSmart in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a day filled with dark skies, wind and rain. The Animal League’s mobile unit provided shelter and a warm place for the cats. A comfy blanket, water and food. Although the rain never let up, the dogs were having a ball frolicking and playing outside in the rain, seeming to not care what Mother Nature had in store.
All the hard work in preparation for our big day did not go in vain. A constant flow of potential adopters kept us all on our feet. Many pets found new homes, and by day’s end, congratulations were in order.
Our thanks to all the hard workers for braving the elements!! It’s always a pleasure to work with you !!

Claire and Warren

Our event is about to unfold as we enter the parking lot of the metro animal control shelter on Harding place near the airport in Nashville, Tennessee. Our dear friends have been at it again making sure everything is in order, in preparation for our big day.

Although the day started out cold and cloudy following the heavy rain the night before, the sun came out mid afternoon. The day was filled with music in the warmth of the Tennessee sunshine as the adoptions were taking place. Various artists took the stage – rock, folk, and country – a little something for everybody!! Once again, the stage lit up when the Judds look-alikes wooed the crowd. Kelly Nolf and Wyndi Harp are “unbelievable.” It’s hard to believe they are look-alikes and not the originals; they’re just that good!!

Their involvement goes beyond their musical performance, as their “Southern Cross Boston Terrier Rescue Group“ is dedicated to saving the unwanted and abused. An assortment of other rescue groups were on hand, including country music hall of famer Emmy Lou Harris” “Bonaparte’s Retreat.“ They are dedicated to providing nurturing foster care for shelter dogs when their allotted time at the shelter has elapsed – to prevent these wonderful animals from being euthanized and to find them permanent, loving homes.

Another group worth mentioning is the “Brown Dog Foundation.“ Their mission is to provide families in temporary financial crisis an alternative to euthanasia when their pet is diagnosed with a treatable, but life-threatening condition or illness, in order to maintain the bond between family and pets. In today’s economic climate, it’s good to know that help is available to those in need.

Thank you for touching the hearts of so many; it’s a pleasure to know we share the same passion for the animals.

As always, our friends at the Metro Animal Control Shelter remain in our hearts, and until next time…thank you for your warmth and your hospitality!!

Your friends,

Claire and Warren

Welcome to Arkansas, the “natural state.” We began our day meeting up with our host shelter the “North Little Rock Animal Shelter ” at the Lakewood Village Shopping Center on McCain Blvd. Before we could get set-up, there were people there waiting to adopt.

Micro-chipping and rabies vaccination services were available free-of-charge to the first fifty people. North Little Rock Friends of Animals support the belief that a wide-spread sterilization of dogs and cats is the solution to pet overpopulation. “Spay and neuter” license plates for your car or truck help promote clinics dedicated to achieving these goals.

The Jacksonville Animal Shelter, the central Arkansas SPCA, Bark in the Park, and the Maumelle Friends of the Animals joined us in welcoming the mayor of North Little Rock, Mayor Patrick Henry Hays. “You can save a life,” and “help save a homeless pet” were words that echoed by all!!

Our sincere thanks to Marilyn Hall, Billy Grace and all the workers and volunteers from the North Little Rock Animal Shelter.

Just a thought: “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.”

Can you feel the love?

Claire and Warren

Last night, after a very successful event in San Antonio, Texas, we made our way to Houston, Texas. Our friends at the Citizens for Animal Protection Shelter greeted us with open arms. ”It’s good to see the two of you again,” and as always, all the hard working employees and volunteers made our event a huge success. An invitation was extended to visit all the wonderful furry friends up for adoption, with the hope of taking home the next member of your family.
You can shop at CAPs “Happy Trails” pet supply shop for items for your dog or cat. Then visit the CAP thrift shop, billed as the only resale store in Houston benefiting animals.
Shelter animals were also available at three PetSmart locations. How happy they will be to find new permanent homes?
The Tour For Life mobile unit makes stops all over the United States, Soon we may be coming to a shelter near you!!
In the morning, we head for North Little Rock, Arkansas. To all our friends at the CAP shelter, we’d like to say thank you for a tremendously successful day!!

Claire and Warren

Viva la fiesta!! Welcome one and all!! It’s that time of year again, when all the locals are in party mode. fiesta begins the numerous ceremonies leading up to “Cinco de Mayo“ ( May 5th ), a day of celebration for all.
Our event takes place at the Alzafar Shrine Center in San Antonio, Texas. Together with our host shelter, the city of San Antonio care services, some 21 different rescue groups joined us in welcoming all the potential adopters. Spay-neuter clinics, pet grooming, odor and germ control management groups were also on hand. Micro-chipping and doggy obedience services were available as well. With so many groups involved, the adoptions were in full swing.
Many people recognized the Animal League mobile unit from previous years, and thanked us for our support and contributions. “Great to be back again, and as always, it’s our pleasure to be here with all of you.“
Today’s event was very special because many of the pets were handicapped. They have special needs and require extra tender loving care. Many of these pets found their permanent homes and a better quality of life.
At the Animal League, we are dedicated to reducing the number of unwanted animals through rehabilitation, responsible re-homing of homeless animals and through education and promotion of humane care for animals. This is the message we share with all those involved with making a better life for a shelter animal. More than 70 animals found new homes today!! Congratulations!!

Claire and Warren

Greetings to all from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our day began with beautiful sunshine that soon gave way to high gusting winds and the threat of a storm bringing rain and snow to the area. The rain and snow held off, but the gusting winds reached 50 MPH. Would you believe the day before temperatures were near 80 degrees, with no wind at all? As one of the locals proclaimed, “that’s Albuquerque for ya.“ Climate changes of 40 degrees in a 24-hour time period are common place and the norm for this area. Warm temperatures in the afternoon and cold at night are an everyday occurrence.

Coronado shopping plaza was our event location. Together with the Animal Humane Society of New Mexico, we were successful in finding new homes for many of the pets, as a constant stream of potential adopters kept us busy all day. Working together is the way to get things done. It has always been a pleasure working hand-in-hand with our friends in Albuquerque.

After a successful adoption event, we now move on to San Antonio, Texas. “On the road again. I just can’t wait to get on the road again.“

Claire and Warren

March 29th, 2009: The southern most location in California for Route 1 finds us at Venice beach.
Starting as a foggy, grey and grim looking day, our drive to the city of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services proved to be rewarding. Grey skies turned blue, as the sun came out to play. The excited dogs being transported to the event location from the shelter were soon enjoying the day, proudly displaying their “adopt me” vests. Cat rescue groups enjoyed using the Animal League’s adoption mobile to display their pets. A visit from Cesar Millan, better known as the “Dog Whisperer,” as the highlight of the day, as many people came to get his autograph and have their photo taken with him. A splendid time was guaranteed for all!!

Claire and Warren

March 27th, 2009: Today we find ourselves working with the city shelter, the county shelter and rescue groups from the Sacramento, California area. Our location is the Cesar Chavez Park right in the heart of downtown Sacramento. Surrounding the fountain at the center of the park, the Animal League’s adoption mobile was front and center, flanked by the other support groups and animal shelters. People from all walks of life enjoyed the beautiful weather and the adoption of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens brought a smile to the faces of all. Our thanks to all the hard working participants!! Looking forward to working with you again!!

Claire and Warren

Welcome to Redding, California where the sunshine greeted all the people looking to adopt their new best friend. This is our first event as we kick off Tour For Life® 2009. A caravan of rescue groups gathered at the Shasta mall shopping plaza, with the Animal League’s mobile adoption unit at the center of the activities. A constant stream of people enjoyed the festive atmosphere, and many new homes were found for the shelter animals. We would like to thank all the participants for making the day so successful!!

Claire and Matt