Welcome to Taking it to the Streets with Lori and Shira where our mission and passion is to Spread a Little Kindness each day! Please join us in our efforts in Riverside, California to bring donated food and pet supplies to the dogs and cats living on the streets and snacks, water and toiletries for their homeless companions. Our supporters help us to provide spay & neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchips and county licenses for these street pets.
Taking It To The Streets with Lori and Shira was a concept that began by Shira's concerns about stray animals on the streets and grew into a larger concern in March 2012 for the homeless pets we call 'street dogs' and the people who care for them. For many these animals are the only unconditional love and loyalty they receive...read more
The rain came down pretty hard, all night, and I was grateful the pets that were just spayed and neutered had somewhere warm and dry to sleep. Although I usually go to the Path of Life Community Shelter, and other areas of the Eastside on Fridays, I went to the Jurupa Valley Motel6 so I could check on the dogs that we put there. I planned on going to the Eastside afterwards, if the rain stopped. It did but when I called the person who runs the kennels he said nobody was out there with their dogs so I told him I would just wait and go on Monday and I spent some time driving around Jurupa Valley. I did not find anyone with pets and was on my way to the post office when I spotted a dog I knew in the CircleK parking lot with her companions. I pulled in to visit and ask if they needed anything. I guess the rain ruined most of their belongings but they were ok. While we were talking, the dog managed to reach into the rear hatch and grab a Valentine's Day plush squeaky toy. She began running all over and squeaking it like crazy. We were all laughing. I was actually going to give her that toy but she beat me to it. She didn't get any of the Kong balls out so I threw her one of those. She dropped the toy and ran around squeaking the ball. Even though they all had a horrible night, the dog was still having fun and made everyone smile. I was happy to end today's time on the streets with that... Bottled waters, cookie packs, hand warmers, Inaba Meal Toppers, wet dog food, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, chicken jerky treats, bully slices, 6 inch roasted marrow bone, Kong balls and Valentine's Day plush squeaky pet toys were shared.
We were all set for spaying and neutering yesterday morning. The rain was just a slight drizzle and all three pets arrived on time. Our problem was that I was not notified Riverside County Department of Animal Services was going to be closed so it was a wasted trip for all. There were still people working, even though they were close to the public, and someone did come out to talk to us. We could not do anything about the situation at hand other than come back today. Everyone agreed to that. I had already provide fuel cards and supplies and made motel reservations. I called to have the reservations dates changed as we were all leaving…Fast forward to this morning. It was pouring most of the night and when I left the house so I was not sure what to expect. The two females are puppies that were coming up from the river bottom and the male dog was coming from out in the Woodcrest area. Thankfully, everyone showed back up today. The only issue we had was that one of the puppies already lost her jacket but I gave her another. "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter." Bottled waters, homemade cupcakes, ARCO fuel cards, 4 handmade pet jackets, 2 Max and Neo small dog collars, Max and Neo small leash, Inaba Meal Toppers, 3.5 pound bag of dog food for small dogs, 2 collapsible pet bowls and Valentine's Day plush squeaky pet toys were shared.
I did quite a bit of driving around ,this morning, but I only made three stops for pets. The first was in Rubidoux where I visited a little dog and his companion. I also provided supplies for the dog and the cat we recently spayed. My second stop was at Fairmount Park. The person I was looking for had actually gone somewhere to get something to eat. There was someone with a dog there though so I visited with them and provided a few supplies. When I left the park, I drove over to where the person I was looking for was eating. I had a bag of dog food for her but she rode a bike to get food and it would have been too much to carry the large bag with her puppy and her other dog. I told her I would get her a room tomorrow night for her birthday and to get out of the rain that is coming. If she is able to get to the room, I will bring the bag of food there Thursday morning. If not, I will figure something else out. When I left the fast food place, I drove to the 60 freeway and then got on the 91 to head over to our storage units. Seth Cox picked up our Monthly Recurring Donation of pet food from the Star Milling Company and was delivering it to me. When he arrived, I could see he was not feeling well. I felt bad that he still went out and picked up our food and was even more grateful than usual that he was willing to do that for those we serve. My next stop was at our PO Box where there were a couple of Chewy donation boxes waiting for me. I am not sure who one of them is from but will hopefully find out when I post the items. My final stop was to pick up a balloon that I will bring to my grandbaby tomorrow with a few other things I have for Valentine's Day. It is not a holiday I normally care to celebrate but any excuse works if it means I can do something for her! Bottled waters, Dashi meal toppers, 3.5 pound bag of small bites dog food, Inaba Churus, Inaba Meal Toppers for dogs, Inaba chicken stew, Inaba chicken fillet, Wellness wet cat food, chicken jerky treats, bully sticks, kabob chew sticks, bully slices, XXL dog harness and a large Kong ball were shared.
When I arrived at the Path of Life Community Shelter, on the Eastside this morning, I did not see anyone outside with their dogs. The only people I saw with dogs were people who stay on the street or in their vehicle so I did spend some time with them. When I left that location, I drove over to where the wife of our 'web master' Ralph Torres works, in order to drop off a bag for them and their cats. From there I drove to a parking lot in Rubidoux to meet someone needing dog jackets. I was also going to meet a couple who found a dog and needed it checked for a microchip. I gave the dogs their jackets, collars, a leash and other supplies. Afterwards, I checked the stray for a chip. She was chipped and it seems this is not the first time the couple found the dog running loose. The last time, they posted on a few sites and people came to get her but just two weeks later and she was in the same predicament. The dog smelled terrible. The finders think both of her ears are infected and she seemed to have other issues too. I gave the finders (who I know well) the microchip number. They are staying at the Jurupa Valley Motel6 with their own two dogs and couldn't bring another big dog into the room but they were in but said they would figure things out. Sadly, it did not seem as if she was cared for very well the last time she was returned to her people. I did not make anymore stops, after that...Bottled waters, 2 handmade pet jackets, Dashi meal toppers, chicken jerky treats, bully sticks, buffalo tendons, bully slices, Nubz chews, large dog collar, xl leash and a Max and Neo large dog collar were shared.
I visited two different locations, today, and visited with nine pets. My first stop was at the Veteran's Memorial Park off of Riverview Avenue and Limonite. I went there to meet someone who was unable to meet with me yesterday. I was able to fit her dog with a jacket and provide a few supplies including a Kong ball as well as a Valentine's Day plush squeaky toy. From that location, I drove out to Holly Street near the Fed-Ex trucking facility where I met a group of people with pets from the river bottom. Six people were there with nine pets. I spent time visiting each pet, providing treat, toys and supplies. That took some time but everyone got what they needed... Bottled waters, cookie packs, 5 handmade pet jackets, pet ear wipes, 3.5 pound bag of dog food for small dogs, dog food, wet dog food, Inaba Meal Toppers for dogs, Dashi meal toppers for cats, 4-20 pound bags of dog food from the Star Milling Company, large bag of treats, chicken jerky treats, bully sticks, peanut butter flavored bones, buffalo tendons, Nubz chews, Kong balls and Valentine's Day plush squeaky pet toys were shared.