“We hope that this free adoption fee event will help…find new homes for the plethora of wonderful pets in our care.” – Acting Animal Services Manager Cat Cottle

Antioch Animal Services is excited to announce that we are participating in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Summer National Empty the Shelters™ reduced-fee adoption event, taking place from July 8th to July 31st. This event aims to find loving homes for deserving pets by offering reduced adoption fees and promoting pet adoptions. As the nation’s largest funded adoption event, Empty the Shelters has helped more than 253,000 pets find loving homes. During each nationwide event, BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsors reduced adoption fees of $50 or less to make adoption affordable for prospective pet owners.

• Antioch Animal Services will participate July 8-31 offering $0 adoption fees for all dogs and cats.
• Our business hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10am to 5pm
• All pets are listed at 24petconnect.com, and are spayed/neutered, microchipped & vaccinated
• Walk ins are welcome, appointments will get priority, phone lines open at 830am, (925) 779-6989

“Shelters are struggling with a variety of challenges right now – some are evacuating pets because of wildfires, tornadoes, or even loss of air conditioning in extreme heat, and others are overcrowded and having to euthanize highly adoptable pets to make space, a tragic situation,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “BISSELL Pet Foundation’s upcoming Summer National Empty the Shelters event is a crucial opportunity for people to make a real difference in their community through adoption. Every single adoption saves a life and creates space to save another. Please adopt and give a pet a chance it might otherwise not have. If you can’t adopt, fostering saves lives when shelters are full. Deserving pets across the country are counting on all of us.”

Following are key points and additional facts about BISSELL Pet Foundation and Antioch Animal Services:

• Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event and has helped more than 233,000 pets find homes
• across the country and in Canada since its inception in 2016.
• Empty the Shelters provides reduced adoption fees at shelters, typically ranging from $0 to $50 per animal adoption.
• Each participating organization has their own adoption process and requirements.
• Our nation’s shelters need your support. Please consider fostering or donating if you unable to add a pet to your family.
• Antioch Animal Services has been a party of the Bissell Empty the Shelters™ event since 2016.
• All of our adoptable pets are listed at 24petconnect.com, filter by zip code 94509.

“Our little shelter by the Delta is not escaping the effects of the rising cost of living, the increased cost of veterinary care and the restrictions placed on rentals / leases that require hefty deposits or don’t allow any pets to live in them and so, we have many owners requesting surrender of their pets or not coming to get them if they have come in as stray,” said Acting Animal Services Manager Cat Cottle. “With 4th of July fast approaching we know we will be seeing a spike in the number of stray animals that get loose after being spooked by the fireworks and so we will be waiving redemption fees for anyone’s pet that arrives at Antioch Animal Services between July 2nd and July 7th.”  

“We hope that this free adoption fee event will help alleviate the overcrowding we have been experiencing and find new homes for the plethora of wonderful pets in our care,” she added.

Antioch Animal Services is located at 300 L Street next to the Antioch Police Facility in historic, downtown Antioch. For more information visit www.antiochca.gov/police/animal-services.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

As visitation to East Bay Regional Parks increases in warmer months, encounters with coyotes become more common. Coyotes are native to California and are found in various wildland habitats, as well as in rural and urban areas. They hold cultural and ecological importance throughout the state.

Coyote parents are active and protective of den sites from spring through fall, when new pups are born. It is a normal reaction for them to run away when spotted, although some have become used to human presence and will continue their activities while being watched. Visitors are encouraged to keep coyote safety precautions in mind when visiting Regional Parks throughout the year.

Coyote Safety Tips

Avoid hiking alone so you have help in case of emergency.

Keep children and pets nearby; keep your dog(s) on a leash.

Be aware of your surroundings as you walk, jog, or ride.

Stay on trails.

Never attempt to feed a coyote.

What To Do If You See a Coyote

Keep an eye on the coyote and observe from afar. Do not approach or engage with the coyote; walk away calmly and leave the area quickly. Do not run. If you have small children, keep them close by. If you have a small dog, keep them on a leash.

What To Do If Approached By A Coyote

Rarely, a coyote may approach you. If a coyote moves within 50 feet and does not go away on its own, encourage the coyote to move away to help it retain a natural fear of humans.

Be as big and loud as possible; shout in a deep, loud, and aggressive voice.

Wave your arms.

Keep dogs and children nearby.

Maintain eye contact, which can make coyotes uncomfortable and timid.

If the coyote continues to approach, do not run or turn your back on the coyote but continue to exaggerate the above gestures while backing away slowly.

Help protect all wildlife and their environment. Never feed, approach, or pet wild animals. For emergencies, contact 911 or the East Bay Regional Park District Public Safety line (510) 881-1833, 24 hours a day.

For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/safety.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Free vaccinations, preventative care, microchips, harness fittings, cat & dog food; Resources for veterinary services, including affordable spay/neuter and Amnesty for late dog license renewals

Pet vaccinations are an extremely important part of their health and wellbeing. By teaching your pet’s immune system how to recognize and fight off diseases, they can prevent or lessen the severity of illnesses. That’s why Joybound offers free, monthly pet vaccination clinics, held at various locations in Contra Costa County!

At these clinics, dogs and cats can both receive rabies vaccines, dogs can receive a DHPP vaccine (which protects against Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus), and cats can receive a FVRCP vaccine (which protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia).

Plus, both dogs and cats can be administered with free pet microchips.

• All patients will be seen first-come, first-served.
• Pet guardians must be Contra Costa County residents.
• Pet guardians must be at least 18 years of age.
• Animals are not given full health or wellness exams at these clinic, only vaccinations and preventative care.
• Please bring prior vaccine records.
• Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers.
• All pets must be at least 6 weeks old.
• Feral cats or community cats will not be served.
• Joybound People & Pets reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

For more information visit Free Pet Vaccines & Microchips – Joybound (formerly ARF) or contact the Joybound Community Solutions team.

The Contra Costa County Fair will be held at the Contra Costa Event Park, 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. For more information visit Contra Costa County Fair 2024 (contracostafair.com).

By Antioch Animal Services

#Vaccinate & #Microchip. A huge thanks to Joybound People & Pets (formerly ARF) for providing another free vaccination clinic at our shelter on Saturday April 13th, starting at 9am!

Vaccinations, microchips and food will be available for dogs & cats. Information will be on hand for spay/neuter resources and more.

Please refer to the flyer or click the link for detailed information.

It is first come, first served and open to all Contra Costa County residents.

Our last event was a huge success and people arrived as early as 7am to get a position in line. We can provide limited seating, but please be prepared for a wait following sign in. (Your pets do not have to wait with you for sign up.)

#LoveIsAtTheCornerOf2ndAndL, #CommunityComingTogether #OurVillage #GottaKeepEmVaccinated, #ItsHipToChip

By Antioch Animal Services

Mountain Lion sighting at Contra Loma Blvd and Longview Drive. (Not actual photo of most recent sighting)

Please be mindful if you are walking the Mokelumne Trail or have your pets out in their yards. This guy has lived in the area for a while and been seen off and on over the years without incident (pictured off Lindley Drive).

Human encounters with mountain lions are rare and the risk of an attack is infinitely small. You are more likely to drown in your bathtub, be killed by a pet dog, or hit by lightning. If lions had any natural urge to hunt people, there would be attacks every single day. Instead, they avoid us.

But if you live, work, or play in cat country, be alert! Avoid walking alone between dusk and dawn when lions are most active. Keep your children and pets close to you. Never approach or corner a mountain lion (or any wild animal). If you do encounter a mountain lion, STOP. DO NOT RUN. Unlike safety advice for encountering bears, do not act timid or play dead in front of a cat.

Instead: Maintain eye contact. Stand tall. Look bigger by opening your coat or raising your arms. Slowly wave your arms and speak firmly. Throw items at the lion if necessary. Give the cat room and time to move on.

Call 911 if there is a mountain lion attack.

For further: https://www.mountainlion.org/FAQfrequentlyaskedquestions.php

In case you want more info; https://www.mountainlion.org/portalprotect.php

By Lt. Rick Martin, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On December 26, 2023, at approximately 2:45 a.m. Antioch Police Officers responded to Wilbur Avenue near the intersection of Apollo Court on a report of a vehicle on fire after having collided into a tree. Officers along with the Contra Costa County Fire Department arrived and were able to extinguish the fire, unfortunately the driver, a 28-year-old male from Oakley and his dog succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene.

We are withholding the name of the decedent until proper family notifications have been made. It appears speed and alcohol were factors in this incident. No further information will be provided at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lieutenant Rick Martin at (925) 779-6972 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

By Antioch Animal Services

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Frank L. Stone at 96 years of age on Wednesday, October 25th in Palm Springs, FL. Frank was instrumental in the planning and construction of the Animal Shelter here at 300 L Street, which was dedicated to him in 1994.

Frank, a Tennessee native, lived in Antioch during his career and retirement from PG&E. Frank was an active member of the community and a huge animal lover from his dog Rambo (pictured) to his last dog, Rita, Frank was never without a canine companion. He was a part of the Antioch City Council and Mayor Pro Tem for two terms. He was also a founding member of the Association of Responsible Citizens formed in 1978 and a founding member and first Treasurer for Friends of Animal Services formed in 1979.

In 1994 during the dedication of the new Animal Shelter, former president of Friends of Antioch Animal Services, Barbara Sobalvarro, fondly recounts what her “friend” Frank said, “A City that does not care about its children, older people or animals, is a City without a soul.”

We are so thankful for Frank’s service to his Country as a naval officer, to his City as a Councilman and to the people and the animals of Antioch as a voice for the voiceless. He was a true friend to all.

To his family, our sincerest condolences.