The Animal Rescue Foundation or ARF was started by one time MLB manager Tony La Russa of the Oakland Athletics. During a game between Oakland and the New York Yankees a stray cat ran onto the field and caused quite a stir. Once it was caught Tony took it upon himself to find a home for the animal that was now sort of a mini celebrity! To his shock and dismay he was unable to find a single shelter in his city that could guarantee him that the cat wouldn't be put down! He decided to start a no kill shelter in northern California where cats and dogs wouldn't face a death sentence if they weren't adopted.

The shelter opened it's doors in 1991 and Tony and his wife Elaine began their mission to find loving homes for animals as well as educate the public about pet over population and the simple ways to prevent it (spay & neutering...like Bob Barker says!). In addition ARF provides emergency veterinarian care for strays and offers obedience training for animals to make them more adoptable. The facilities 37,700-square-foot location houses dogs and cats in cozy, clean glass-enclosed "condos," where they are free to frolic with each other and meet potential adopters.

*ARF recently received the highest rating possible by Charity Navigator, Americas premier charity evaluator.