Council honors organization and its Founder and President, Barbara Sobalvarro

From Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report 2/4/19

In February, Antioch Friends of Animal Services Founder and President, Barbara Sobalvarro, will be celebrating 40 years of lifesaving service to the pets and citizens of Antioch. In honor of this 40th anniversary, and the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, Antioch Friends of Animal Services will be sponsoring the adoption fees for any animal adopted from Antioch Animal Services during the entire month of February.

In addition, Sobalvarro was honored by the Antioch City Council during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5th. See the complete proclamation, below.

The sponsored fee represents a savings of $96 for dogs, $76 for cats, $15 for rabbits and $7 for hamsters/guinea pigs. All pets available for adoption can be viewed online at antioch.petfinder.com or www.petharbor.com.

Please join us, and Antioch FOAS Founder and President, Barbara Sobalvarro, for a Valentine’s Day / 40th Anniversary celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at the shelter, 300 L Street in Antioch. Refreshments will be served.

To learn more about Antioch Friends of Animal Services and their mission, please visit antiochfriendsofanimalservices.org.

RECOGNIZING EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION OF BARBARA SOBALVARRO, PRESIDENT – FRIENDS OF ANIMAL SERVICES AND HONORING HER FOR 40 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE Barbara Sobalvarro FOAS Proclamation

WHEREAS, Barbara Sobalvarro was instrumental in the creation and passage of Measure A in 1978 creating a local Animal Control Program in Antioch; and

WHEREAS, Barbara founded Friends of Animal Services (FOAS) in 1979 to ensure the citizens and animals of Antioch have a truly humane, high quality animal shelter that focuses on a “Life Ethic” promoting the placement of the shelter animals into caring and capable homes, thus ending the practice of “elective euthanasia”; and

WHEREAS, FOAS has worked tirelessly to secure outside funding specifically for the shelter animals of Antioch through tax-deductible donations from the public, and as one of four recipients of the Shirley Perry Foundation Charitable Trust; and

WHEREAS, FOAS continually promotes public awareness for the Antioch Animal Shelter, the value of animal life and the importance of spay and neuter through monthly advertisements in the newspaper, via social media, and at community events; and

WHEREAS, FOAS celebrates animal life and their commitment to reverence for life by hosting monthly hospitality days to welcome the public at the Antioch Animal Shelter in order to increase shelter pet adoptions; and

WHEREAS, FOAS sponsors adoption fees at various times throughout the year to relieve overcrowding in the shelter, prevent euthanasia, and to assist new adoptive owners with the expense of adding a new pet into the home; and

WHEREAS, FOAS, in an effort to improve the likelihood for adoption, funds specialized and emergency veterinary care, supplies and equipment that would otherwise be impossible for our shelter animals due to budgetary constraints; and

WHEREAS, FOAS believes in working together to create a better world for our precious animal friends; one in which they are treasured with tenderness and compassion. As Barbara would say, “Seldom does a heart feel better than when you save the life of one of our animal friends.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SEAN WRIGHT, Mayor of the City of Antioch, do hereby congratulate Barbara Sobalvarro and the Friends of Animal Services on the occasion of 40 years of outstanding service to the citizens and animals of Antioch.

It is a Whiskers Wonderland of dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters and even a very friendly pet rat at Antioch Animal Services.

In order to encourage adoptions and assist with the costs of adding a new pet to the family, Antioch Friends of Animal Services, a local 501c3 non-profit committed to serving Antioch exclusively, will be sponsoring the adoption fees of all cats, dogs and furry critters for one week.

Starting Saturday, January 12th through January 19th, people can adopt a pet at no charge, which represents a savings of $76 for cats and $96 for dogs — fees the shelter normally charges to cover

the cost of spaying, neutering and vaccinating animals before they go home with their new owner.

The normal fee for small animals, including: rats, guinea pigs and hamsters is $7 and $16 for bunnies.
The sponsored fees do not include licensing fees. Adoptive families who are residents of Antioch must purchase a dog license, which costs $20 annually at the time of adoption. 

The shelter is located at 300 L St (adjacent to Antioch Police Department). Hours of Operation are T, W, TH & SAT 10am to 5pm and FRI 10am to 2pm. Available animals can be viewed online at: antioch.petfinder.com.

In order to give the gift of a permanent home to the shelter animals, Antioch Friends of Animal Services will be sponsoring the adoption fees of all cats and dogs in its “Home for the Holidays” promotion to alleviate overcrowding at Antioch Animal Services.

Starting Saturday, December 1st, people can adopt a pet at no charge, which represents a savings of $76 for cats and $96 for dogs — fees the shelter normally charges to cover the cost of spaying, neutering and vaccinating animals before they go home with their new owner.

The promotion runs through Dec 31st.

Adoptive families who are residents of Antioch must purchase a dog license, which costs $20 annually at the time of adoption. Antioch Animal Services gives a discount to seniors purchasing a license for their pets.

The shelter is located at 300 L St (adjacent to Antioch Police Department). Hours of Operation are T, W, TH & SAT 10am to 5pm and FRI 10am to 2pm. Available animals can be viewed online at: antioch.petfinder.com.

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

On October 31, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Vinicio Santos of Antioch guilty of three misdemeanors, including animal cruelty. On December 1, 2017, Santos’ dog attacked the three calves owned by grazer Paul Daysh. The brutal attack left the three calves permanently injured.

Santos now faces a sentence of up to three years in county jail. Sentencing for Santos will occur on November 30 by the Honorable Leonard Marquez in Department 34 at the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Pittsburg. Restitution for Daysh will also be decided on November 30. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Whitnee Goins prosecuted the case on behalf of the People for this misdemeanor jury trial.

“I am grateful the jury held the defendant accountable for his crimes. He ignored repeated orders from East Bay Regional Parks Rangers to control his dog. Consequently, these calves needlessly suffered serious injuries. We will continue to prosecute animal cruelty cases to ensure the public is protected and animals are cared for in a humane manner,” DDA Goins stated.

Santos and his dog were at the Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch on December 1, 2017. Santos’ dog was not on leash when spotted by park rangers. After rangers saw Santos, they heard animals in distress. When the rangers connected again with Santos they saw the white Husky mix dog viciously attacking one calf, then moving to attack two more calves. Santos was told repeatedly to leash his dog and bring the dog under control. Santos ignored the rangers’ commands.

Santos was found guilty of the following misdemeanor offenses:

·         Animal Cruelty

·         Vandalism Over $400 Damage

·         Resist, Obstruct, Delay of Peace Officer

Case information: People v. Vinicio Arturo Santos, Docket Number 04-193968-5.

There will be a petting zoo and pony rides at the Antioch Family Fair on June 16th this year.

We found a great vendor last minute, with a huge petting zoo that has miniature horses, baby cows, lamas, and all kinds of adorable animals. The ponies and all the animals are loved and well cared for and enjoy being around kids and families.

This great event just got so much better. In addition to the pony rides and petting zoo, don’t miss laser tag, bounce house, game truck, vendor booths, and live performances and entertainment all day.

Somersville Towne Center is located at 2550 Somersville Road in Antioch. For more information visit www.somersvilletownecenter.com.

ANTIOCH – Open Day May 17th, Is Dollar Day at the 2018 Contra Costa County Fair. Gates Open at 12 noon, and everyone can enjoy the Fair for just $1 until 5PM. Also you can enjoy $1 Carnival Rides until 5PM. The Contra Costa County Fair has partnered with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to bring $1 Day to the Fair. Pay $1 to get into the Fair, and donate $1 to the Food Bank, $1 can provide 2 Health Meals to a needy family in Contra Costa or Solano County.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2018 Contra Costa County Fair. For the complete program presented by the Antioch Herald, click here: 

For additional information about the 2018 Contra Costa County Fair visit our website at www.contracostafair.com, or like us on Facebook. The fairgrounds are located at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch.