Monday, April 27, 2015

• Ribbon Cutting for Inland Valley Medical Center Orthopedic Joint Center

It's official, Inland Valley Medical Center has opened it's Orthopedic Joint Center. They had a soft opening back in March, but now they're ready to serve your needs in this department.



As we age most of us will probably need this type of care and now we won't have to travel outside of the city for it.


There were in excess of thirty people at the ribbon cutting including representatives from County Supervisor Stone's office, Assemblywoman Melendez's office, Wildomar City Councilmember Marsha Swanson, and a smattering of other local dignitaries. I was the guy in hat in the back of the picture. ☺

It was a brief ceremony where several of the hospital leaders spoke about the new center and people snacked from a sweet table and espresso bar. They had a half a dozen varieties of small cakes which I think were far better than cupcakes... since they were just a mouthful and who really needs more than that. ☺

Move over fancy pants cupcakes, these little nuggets are the real deal.
              
Don't break anyone's heart, they only have one. Break their bones instead, they have 206 of them. 

Friday, April 24, 2015

•Better Know a Wildomar Business: WaBa Grill

In my series Better Know a Wildomar Business, I recently visited WaBa Grill located in the Albertson's shopping center off of Clinton Keith.
Here is a look from across the parking lot.
This is one of those places that is fast food (because you get your food fast) but it isn't junk food like many places are. So we arranged to order a sampler of everything they serve, so we could do a taste test. Our mini feast included half and half bowl, which is chicken and steak; a side salad which comes with a choice of three dressings, Caesar's, oriental or ranch; miso soup and seasonal fruit (ours was an orange).

It came with their WaBa Sauce, which is a teriyaki, and a red sauce that is reminiscent of sriracha sauce.

We loved the flavor of all the meats. The salmon was great as were the ribs. I didn't get more than one of the shrimp, it seems that Wildomar Rap's official picture taker called first dibs. What I liked doing with the half and half bowl was mixing in a bit more of the WaBa sauce, along with the red sauce and stirring it all together.

This was only part of our sampler.

We spoke with Chelsea and Yvonne about WaBa and here are the questions and answers.

 WR  What is WaBa Grill?
 WaBa  It's a healthy fast food place.

 WR  Who are the people behind WaBa Grill?
 WaBa  Corporate owns only 8 of the 91 existing stores and there are another 40 due to come online this Summer — all of which are franchises. The family that owns this franchise only has the one; it's a mom, a dad and a daughter.

When you enter, you'll see an easy to read menu above the ordering counter.
 WR  How many employees do you have?
 WaBa  Twenty.

 WR  You've been opened since November, so how has Wildomar received you?
 WaBa  Amazingly great.

 WR  Do you sponsor any local youth teams?
 WaBa  We do have banner on the baseball field at Cornerstone... and we recently joined the Wildomar Chamber of Commerce.
(Side note: I'm part of the Wildomar Chamber too, but set up this meeting before they joined.)
This is a one view of the seating area.
 WR  Do you have any secret menu items like In 'n Out is famous for?
 WaBa  No, but we could work around our menu.
Yvonne: For example we have a rib plate, but we don't have a rib bowl... we can always make that happen.
Chelsea: I guess we do kind of, with our sides, that's what you got, sides of salmon, shrimp and ribs; It isn't advertised.

 WR  How about catering?
 WaBa  We have party packs with half pans in boxes with lids.

At this point Yvonne asked me, "Do you know what WaBa means?"
Of course I didn't so I had her tell me, "Waba is 'welcome' in Korean."

They take phone orders and the only real slow time is between 3:00pm amd 5:00pm. Though while we were there at the "slow time" the place still had people eating and coming in to order. Whether it's to go or for dining in, they work quick to keep the lines short and when your order is ready you'll hear your name loud and clear.

It's a relatively young restaurant chain, and it originated in SoCal. If you visit their corporate website you'll see they have goals of having 2000 stores by 2025.
There is an outdoor patio as well.
I found the Wildomar WaBa Grill to be very inviting, clean, and with tasty food. A perfect type of place if you just would like to get out of the house, yet don't want a formal restaurant, or to get your meal handed to you in a bag through a drive-thru window, or further still to plunk down a ton of money in the process.

Also if you simply don't want to make your own meal, but don't want something that is loaded with salts and fats. When they say healthy, they mean it. The rice bowls, either brown or white, are just that... rice. Not fried rice, which is tasty, but also full of things your body would rather skip.

Thing is, plain brown rice with steamed broccoli, carrots and cabbage isn't something a lot of us can relate to as fast food. If you're expecting something else from your fast food you may be scratching your head at the healthy alternative.

You will not be confusing WaBa Grill with Panda Express (a place that I ate at the other day). WaBa is tackling the fresh approach head on. Where, from what I saw, Panda was going for the traditional sauce drenched Chinese food approach... which tastes good too, but let's be real about it when it comes to being healthy. 
Here's a closer look at the overhead menu.



Since in my other life I make small production videos, I thought I'd make a quick commercial for WaBa Grill. Understand that this was put together in about three hours and just as a lark. ☺



Here is the contact info for WaBa Grill in Wildomar.
  1. Address: 23905 Clinton Keith Road #101, Wildomar, CA 92595
    Phone:(951) 677-9966
    Hours:

     10:00 am – 9:00 pm
 Click the Link
Click the link
•      •      • 

A good meal makes a man feel more charitable toward the whole world than any sermon.
 —Arthur Pendennis

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

• Southwest Transportation NOW April 2015

When was the last time you rode on a city/county bus?

I honestly can't remember how long it's been for me. I'm thinking it was way back in the '70s when I was 14 years old when we'd go from the Little Mountain area of San Bernardino to the Central City Mall (or was it Inland Center?) and watch movies. I'm pretty sure it was about a dime to ride back then too.

Today Southwest Transportation NOW had their monthly meeting, this time at Lucille's Smokehouse at the Promenade in Temecula. Instead of driving to the meeting, the aim was to get as many attendees as possible to take a bus.

A group of 8 or so boarded a bus in front of Murrieta's city hall.

I hitched a ride to the departure point, Murrieta's city hall, with Wildomar planning commissioner Bobby Swann and we arrived about half an hour before pick up.

Not really knowing what to expect, as the clock got nearer go time, I suggested we follow the couple that had just left the foyer. They were heading to the bus stop... which is exactly where we were supposed to be. Makes perfect sense in retrospect.

I love my fertile imagination when it takes off on its own. I thought we were going to be on a chartered bus, and one of the big comfy ones at that I'd seen at last year's bicycle safety event. Instead, we took one of the smaller buses. Which I was standing and hanging onto the overhead bar for dear life for about 85% of the trip.
A picture of the first half mile... when I had a seat.
I snapped a pic of one sign on the bus (see below). Like I was telling Temecula's Mayor, Jeff Comerchero, those last two words should be changed from "When Requested" to "Because You Know Better".
Imagine having to be told such a thing.
The ride took us down Jefferson, to Walmart then east over Murrieta Hot Srpings Rd, to Hancock to Los Alamos, then over to Winchester and finally we were dropped off about pin high to Trader Joe's. The ride cost $1.50 and I was told that one in attendance only paid 70¢ with a senior discount.




The entire ride was more than 45 mins and it was a bit bumpy and a little herky-jerky while on my feet. Not one I'd recommend if you're prone to vertigo or carsickness.

The pro side is that my forearms felt like I'd just got done doing several sets of curls. Once dropped off, we still had a walk that was more than half a mile, but it actually felt good to walk and regain my landlubber's legs.

The meeting was primarily about a future transit stop near the parking structure at The Promenade. After doing that 12 minute walk from stop to store, I can't imagine why they don't already have at least two stops in that parking lot. Especially considering they stopped at the Walmart parking lot earlier.

overfilling a stomach is a no-no
There was also a lunch which consisted of a sampler of everything Lucille's makes. Thankfully I managed to tame my inner greed-bag and only took a sensible portion... though I would have loved to have eaten myself into a food coma... but that looming bus ride back was wagging its finger in my face saying
"Ah, ah, ah..."

Thankfully, since we blew way past the allotted time for this event, we got a ride back in the Swann's Laker-Mobile and avoided the return Bus ride.

I have to hand it to those that do ride the buses regularly. It takes longer, and comes with a lot more work and planning than driving. Thing is, it does cost less than owning a car with it's gas, insurance and maintenance. You can buy daily passes and monthly passes. (here is a link to the pass info)

The next Southwest Transportation NOW meeting will be in Wildomar at the library on May 27th. I'm not positive about the time, but if it's the same as today, that would be from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
Also at the meeting was Lake Elsinore's Chris Hyland. It was good to finally meet her. She was telling us that was her first bus trip in 80 years (she wasn't shy about letting us know that she is 86). She also made that same walk the rest of us did.


•         •         •


I'd rather deal with a full time crook than a part time honest man... at least you know where you stand. 
—E.G. Marshall

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

• Wildomar Multi-Purpose Trail Bike Ride

Today there was a bike ride lead by KOA Corporation who is doing the bike lanes on Grand along with a multi-purpose trail.

It started out at city hall, headed west on Clinton Keith, then north on Grand and ended at Corydon... the proposed length of the project. There were about seven stops in between where some ideas about the project were tossed around.

We started with about 15 riders, including Public Works Director/City Engineer Dan York, several representatives from KOA and at least half a dozen residents including Planning Commissioner Chairman Veronica Langworthy.


Dan York is seen pointing as we regrouped after crossing Clinton Keith where the USA gas station is.



The first test was crossing over the freeway. I stayed on the sidewalk as often as I could, but the others maintained a single file in the street. It was a bit dicey crossing Hidden Springs Road due to the large Right Turn Only lane.

Crossing the freeway on the Clinton Keith overpass.

We made two quick stops before stopping at the corner of Clinton Keith and Grand, then headed towards David A Brown Middle School. That part of Grand is NOT bike friendly and I was on the edge as much as I could be. Still, cars were going by rather fast, though most seemed to be straddling the double yellow line.
The car bringing up the rear was being driven by Gary Andre as he was insuring the safety of the riders.

We stopped again just north of McVicker. What a beautiful site there was today, even with the unusual cloud cover. It was pointed out that this was near the original location of The Brown House.

This field is already in the development stages (that's why The Brown House was moved in the first place), though I haven't seen anything hit a Planning Commission meeting on it yet. Something tells me that Miss Miller may want to weigh in on the wild mustard losing its home... but that'll be for another day.

A view of the hills on the east side of Wildomar.
The timing was perfect for gauging the foot and bike traffic from the school. We Stopped there just as the day was over and the wave of kids crossing the street was something to behold. They had two crossing guards. One at the crosswalk, the other about 50 yards north allowing cars to get out of the parking lot. I'd heard how congested, and how crazy it can get there.

Before we got to Corydon, we'd lost at least half a dozen riders. Most that left decided to go straight home once they got to their area, but Kenny Mayes broke his chain. I was glad to make it to the end of the ride, but was also happy to hitch a ride in Kenny's truck back home.

I asked Dan York for a quote about the project:

I'm confident that we hired the most qualified team for this project. These guys have already demonstrated a lot [ideas for some] of the unique features [along this route], this is more than just painting a stripe on the street. They're paying attention to details like grates, bumps and widths of parking areas. I'm very impressed, I think it's been a good meeting and I'm glad that the public was able to participate. Both of these projects are funded through CMAQ which requires us to get state and federal approval before we can spend on the next steps.

You see a lot of things when not traveling by car. When we stopped near a flood canal area there were some RivCo workers doing some clean up and I happened to see a Sheridan for Congress sign. I tried to tell his camp it was a waste of time for him to run since California is gerrymandered to death, and nearly every seat is a safe seat... but did they listen?

Poor guy probably actually thought he had a chance too.

              

Monday, April 20, 2015

• Meet Mitchell The Local Tree Hacker or Caveat Emptor

Ever have one of those times you'd like a Mulligan in real life?

It really started the night before when some tree hackers were using a chain saw at 8:00pm across the street from me. We all know —or should know, that leaf blowers (and the use of other noisy equipment) are to be confined between the hours from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

Several years ago there was a worker using a loud cement mixer in the cul-de-sac where I live at 8:45pm one Summer night. I went out there and politely asked him to stop... which he did... though my neighbors were a little bent about it. Sorry, but your lack of planning isn't reason enough why I should have to listen to your broken down equipment after hours.

So, back to this story... I chose to ignore that our dinner music was going to be the dulcet tones of a Husqvarna. Sometimes it's better to just grin and bear it rather than open up a can of worms. Then, 6:40am the next morning rolls around and lo and behold if I don't hear the Chainsaw Sonata again. 

That was it... time to pretend I'm a bad ass and start flailing my arms around like one of those fan powered signs. The action was happening across the street from me and as I neared the sidewalk I let loose with one of those fingers-in-the-mouth whistles that probably woke up more of my neighbors than the chainsaw had.

My guess is that I looked like the blue one.

They looked over and I pointed to my wrist (where a watch might be strapped). The first guy was apologetic and they cut the noise. So I headed back to my house but that's when the big guy thought he'd try and get tough with me.

"What's your name?" he demands of me as we then met in the middle of the street.
It's at this point that I started to hear The Twilight Zone theme kick in...
"My name? What the hell is your name?" I barked back in disbelief.

"Mitchell" he responded. To which I told him, "My name is Joseph."
The saber rattling was at full tilt at this point.

He asked, "Where is it written that I can't start until 7:00am?"
"In the city code," I said and walked away.

Once inside I told my lovely wife Grace the story as I was searching the city code webpage for the precise wording... but alas I could NOT find it. Hey city of Wildomar, how about adding a key word search to the entire city website, but especially to the code section.

I must have "Sucker" emblazoned across my dome.
Well, after about half an hour I was thinking twice about whether those guys might retaliate or not (they knew where I lived and I had no idea who they were). So I went over and apologized for being a grouch in the morning. Mitchell apologized for his end of it and all was good. We were bros now. Then he said, "It would really be good if we could trim your olive trees too."

I love my olive trees. First they are a screen that provides us privacy in the backyard. Second, I actually use the olives.

Still, Mrs. Wildomar Rap has long wanted the trees and vegetation to be cut back so I asked for a price. He was going to shape the trees, cut back the vines from the fence and even shape the tree in the front for $300. So we agreed to the job.

He then asked for a $40 advance so he and his compatriot could get breakfast and they were low on cash yada, yada, yada sob story.

Being a chump I agreed and handed him money... though I  didn't know his last name, didn't have his business card, didn't have a phone number, and his truck had no writing on it either.

The guy did leave some of his tools in my yard as a ersatz show of good faith. He said he'd be back right after breakfast... which turned out to be after 5:00pm at the end of the day.

After they returned I went out to tell them how I wanted the trees. Again I ignored the flashing lights and blaring sirens that were going off in my head, telling me to nix the deal, when the guy told me, "We've got it boss."

It's as if I was The Manchurian Homeowner, and 'boss' was the code word that made me turn glassy eyed and walk away like a robot.

It had been one of those days and I didn't want to be there as they were working so I took my dog and went to the levee for a long walk. While there I saw a company called Quixotic Studios setting up to do a commercial shoot for USAA.

A view of the the two mile mark of my walk on the levee that was allowing me to think of things not tree related.



When I got back, they were gone and were about half finished. When they finally returned they wanted to start working again... in the dark and after the 7:00 pm noise curfew.

I was in one of those weenie moods and refused to leave my computer room. I have no excuses it just happened, but that left Grace to hang out to dry dealing with them. They wanted payment in full, though they weren't done and had done a shoddy job of it. She flatly refused.

They finally left being owed $100 and our yard full of lopped off branches, along with many of their tools. They said they'd return on Sunday morning at 7:00am to collect their tools and take away the cuttings. So like a good lemming I waited from about 6:30am until well past 10:00am looking out the window for them to drive up. Just like Linus does, year after year, waiting for The Great Pumpkin to arrive.

I know that Mitchell will come... I just know it.

Oh wait... I left out a key piece of the story. On Saturday morning we happened to notice some damage to our fence. It seems that Mitchell was in such a hurry that he opted for the chainsaw to do basic pruning of vines. You see, I usually prune those with a hedge trimmer and have never had a single problem with damaging my fence... but what fun is there in doing it that wimpy way?

When you use a chainsaw against a cedar fence, the fence loses every time. Over 60 planks were marred. Many with very deep marks which makes you wonder how he didn't know what he was doing. A neighbor of mine said he could understand nicking one or two by mistake, but this was ridiculous.
I've heard that "Chicks dig scars" but I'm not sure if they "dig" them when they are all over a fence.


Mitchell was a no-show all day Sunday and I thought that maybe he was going to come early on Monday... I mean, doesn't he need his tools for other jobs? However Monday morning came and went... and his tools were still on my front porch at the end of the day.

Grace thinks they'd rather just leave their tools behind rather than have to deal with the cost of repairing the fence. I did a quick test and those boards are regularly priced at $2.25 apiece from The Home Depot. At 60 damaged boards, that's $135 before tax, delivery or labor. To have the damage repaired probably would be several hundred dollars.
Some scars go more than 3/8ths of in inch deep into the wood.

Either way, let me suggest this to all of you... when you hear those inner voices telling you that something is awry, LISTEN!

Ruffles aren't the only thing with ridges after Mitchell gets through with your trees.

Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware
That means you dummy!!!

Also, I suggest that you do a video contract with such workers. Have them look at your video camera and repeat back what the job is. If they don't want to go on video, then they are pulling on the church bells in your head trying to wake you up.

At this point we simply want him to come back and get his tools. He's not going to get the balance, but I also know it would be a waste of time to pursue someone, that is proven to be a flake, for the damages. To show there are no hard feelings, I even made him a commercial to promote his business. Check out the short video below.


In my earlier life I made my money from such humble work as cleaning houses. I worked for one family for 25 years. I was never flaky and was always where I said I'd be and I never ruined people's possessions. On the rare occasion that I did break something, I always brought it to them or left it out on the counter with a note. I always figured that everyone had the same work ethic, but have been learning that such a thing isn't as common as I'd thought it was.

Live and learn.

What would you do in a similar situation?

==================================
Update
==================================
The day after I uploaded this blog, at about 2:00pm, Mitchell came back to "finish" the job. I was out on a Wildomar Multi-Purpose Trail Bike Ride when he showed up. When I returned I could hear a shouting match going on between Grace and him. 

Grace had her video camera rolling when I got onto the scene, and mine was already rolling by the time I could jump in. I'll save you the boring details. In short, he told me that he was going to take me to small claims court for the $100. I told him that I look forward to it. That I'll be bringing all the pictures of the damage too.

He did suggest that he could try and fix the fence, but I told him no, that his work here is over. I truly don't understand it when people insist on maintaining a position that is clearly in the wrong. He couldn't understand why we would be upset about the damage to the fence... not too mention the poor quality of work or that he didn't show up for days. Again, you get what you pay for, and I payed for this headache.
                  

Don't talk to me about contracts, Wonka, I use them myself. They're strictly for suckers
Sam Beauregarde, Willy Wonka 1971


Friday, April 17, 2015

• A Tour of Animal Friends of the Valleys

Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) opened in Wildomar in 2010. Before that it was known as LEAF (Lake Elsinore Animal Friends) which was established back in 1987.

The monument sign that is clearly visible from Mission Trail.

Though I had driven by it countless times, it wasn't until just this year that I actually decided to take a look inside. Nothing like I'd ever seen before. Very clean with many volunteers about the place. Very orderly.

Animal Friends of the Valleys, located at 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar


I arranged to have a tour of the facilities with Humane Educator Marisa Charrier and it started at the front. When you walk in, to the left is the Community Cats room. A place where volunteers, and the public, can go in and socialize with some of the cats. I was told that this is a place where volunteers, that are too young to be a full fledged volunteer, can spend some time with animals.

All that they ask is that you sanitize your hands before entering in efforts to reduce the risk of spreading germs that you may have brought in with you.

Here are two catteries with a vestibule in the middle... that prevents an enterprising cat from escaping.

On the right side of the reception area is a store/boutique that is sometimes opened, sometimes not. It depends on if they have trained volunteers on hand.



Then you'll come to an information desk on the left. Take a number and you'll soon be called.

You'll then see a large enclosed room, known as a socialization room, this is where people looking to adopt an animal can spend some time with the dog and interact with it. I was told that you can also bring your dog here to meet the potential new family member.

On the left you see the information desk and straight ahead is the socialization room.


T
Here are some stats from the shelter
In 2014 9152 dogs were taken in, 2557 were from Wildomar. 

  • 26% were returned to owners.
  • 10% went to rescues
  • 10% were "placable" euthenized
  • 11% not "placeable" due to illness or aggression were euthenized

Cat stats

  • 47% of cats brought in were adopted
  • 2% were returned to owners
  • 1% to rescues
  • 14% feral euthenized
  • 12% placable euthenized
  • 22% not placable ethenized

The stats are posted every month on their facebook page and the homepage of their website.

We then proceeded to the right and then headed up a corridor where there were holding rooms with usually two dogs in them. Since dogs are pack animals, its considered best to not have them be alone if they can get along with other dogs.

Here are two Chihuahua mixes looking at me through the glass door to their room. Notice the collar colors.
Red/pink is female and blue is for male. If a dog has a yellow collar that signifies the animal is scheduled to go to a rescue.
On the window of the room you'll find a fact sheet about the dog inside. It'll have a picture of the dog, along with as many vital stats as they can determine. Breed, age, whether the animal has been fixed or not. If the animal was brought in by the owner, a list of things including if the dog is an indoor or outdoor dog, if it get's along with other dogs, if it's house broken, and about two dozen other things.

If a dog is brought in as a stray, and has no tags or microchip it is put on hold for 5 days. If the owner brings the dog in it can be adopted out right away (provided that the dog is spayed or neutered). The hold dates are different depending on the situation. For instance, if the animal has tags or is microchipped, the hold is 10 days and jail seizures are 14 days (meaning someone was arrested and we had to take the animal).

Some of the artwork that adorns the walls throughout the shelter.

A little further down the corridor on the right was the Bunny Room. Where abandoned Easter gifts come to live after kids are bored with them. The rabbit cages are cleaned daily by our foster coordinator, Robin Harper, who is part of Lucky Bunny Rescue. When LBR comes in on Saturdays, the bunnies get to spend a longer amount of time outside.

Mr. Bunny was checking me out as much I as was him.

Further down the long hallway we pass more rooms for dogs on the left and rooms on the right for small animals. At the end there is the covered outdoor area for larger dogs. This is where they get exercise. Due to the location of the shelter, on a busy street and in an area with fox tails, they do not permit the dogs to be walked outside.

It was hard to get a good angle of the outdoor play area. It's rather large and has many separate pens.
We continue the tour which has us turning to the right and we pass more rooms for dogs on the one side and the outdoor area on the other. Straight ahead we see a room that appears to be unoccupied. They try to keep a certain amount of space open for emergencies. If a wildfire were to occur in the area, this would be a place to evacuate animals to. They do use it as temporary housing when they are cleaning up.

Next I'm shown a room that resembles a living room. It's a place where people that have brought their old or sick animals to be euthanized spend their final moments with their pets. It has a private entry in the back so you can avoid the general public if you need those services. I was also told that they offer house call service for this service too. I can see how this would be desirable especially if the pet owner is older and the animal is larger.

They all would like to find their forever homes.


There is another covered outdoor area for dogs to get some exercise. This one has a courtyard feel as there are several rooms  that line the left and right of it. In each room there are four or five stalls which holds one or two dogs (depending on size and temperament).

There are two of these large covered enclosures next to each other and each one is divided in two.

This area also has the feral cats. They have a process of taming the cats so that they can have a chance to be adopted. Often there are cats that are simply very frightened and appear to be feral at first blush.

This is a look at the Night Drop, where people will turn in strays after hours. It remains locked during hours of operation.

On the left you see the Night Drop from the outside, or the right you get a look at the inside.



Until I saw this, I had no idea how it worked. I didn't realize that they have several private pens that lock after you place the animal in it. Makes sense... can you imagine the chaos if the Night Drop had all the strays, both cats and dogs, put into one common area?

Here you see the Night Drop and the Surrender area that is operated during business hours.


This part of the tour had us entering through the doors marked Surrender. Inside there are people that come to get licensing or microchipping.

Which lead us back to the reception area/information desk where we'd begun. I then got a look at the offices and a courtyard that is also visible from the Bunny Room. Very nice. There is also the room where classes are held and an outside lunch area. Overall the shelter is a very large place, I was told it's the size of half a football field.

There was mention of a Kid's Camp in the Spring and the Summer. It helps educate the kids as to proper pet care while they are busy with various activities and projects. I asked about the cost and it's $60 and it's Monday-Friday for three hours a day. The age range is from 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. It's best to contact AFV for current details.


Animal Friends of the Valleys is not a No Kill shelter. Right on the front door of the Surrender area it has a sign that clearly states: This is not a no kill shelter, by turning in your pet there is a high likelihood that your pet will be euthanized.

I was given some official stats. In 2014 10% of the animals were euthanized. In 1996 the percentage was 53%. The goal is to get to the zero percentage mark, but that will take a community effort.

Commentary
Everybody has their own opinion on the issue of euthanizing animals at shelters. It's pretty short sighted to blame the shelter that did NOT cause the problem of pet overpopulation for the need to euthanize. 100% of the problem comes from irresponsible pet owners and puppy mills/back yard breeders. AFV has to deal with the fallout of people that refuse to alter their pets, and those that don't understand that puppies grow up fast and if they aren't trained they can ruin your house or yard... so they then dump them off to be another person's problem.
If you'd like to see AFV become a No Kill shelter then I suggest that you get active and see if you can spread the word about getting pets altered. It's always better to treat the cause and not the symptoms.

Also AFV takes all the animals brought to them, where rescues can be choosy. So before you tout a "no kill" rescue, understand that doesn't mean they take all animals that come there way. Many rescues will cherry pick out the most desired animals so that way if one needs to be put down, it doesn't go on their record. AFV doesn't have the luxury of turning away animals because they are "too full".

AFV gladly accepts donations, as it's a non profit organization. Be it cash or pet food. Please call for how to donate.

Here are some links to AFV
951-674-0618


AVF FaceBook Page


Side Note
The topic of Animal Friends of the Valleys is multifaceted. This blog is NOT about any of the politically motivated unsubstantiated rumors that got into the Press Enterprise last year, or that were brought up at various Lake Elsinore city council meetings. This blog is also not going to touch on the amount of money that the city of Wildomar pays to be part of it, or if the deal was a good one or not. That can be in a separate blog that isn't dealing with the day to day functions of our local animal shelter.

         

Better the last smile than the first grin.