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Cat Adoption Event Comes To Crossroads
ASTRO Van
The ASTRO Foundation, a local non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing homeless dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in the Oakdale/Riverbank area, visits in the parking lot in front of the Petco store in the Crossroads Shopping Center on Sunday, Jan. 5. Ric McGinnis/The News
Calico
A young calico cat awaits adoption in the ASTRO Foundation van, parked at the Crossroads Shopping Center on Jan 5. She was one of about 20 cats housed and on display in the mobile facility, just waiting for someone to come by and take her home. Several of the cats were adopted out by the end of the day. Ric McGinnis/The News

Volunteers from the non-profit ASTRO, Animal Shelter To Riverbank and Oakdale, Foundation brought their mobile adoption van to the Crossroads Shopping Center over the weekend, parking in front of the Petco store for a midday visit on Sunday, Jan. 5.

Most, but not all Sundays, the organization parks there, helping find homes for cats rescued from overcrowded shelters.

This past Sunday, they had most of their cages filled with the ‘fur babies,’ about 20 in all, and several of them were selected for new homes by midday.

The ASTRO Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 volunteer based animal welfare organization. It is dedicated to rescuing homeless dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in the Oakdale/Riverbank area, staff members said.

By working with a network of volunteers, foster caregivers and local veterinarians, ASTRO is able to rescue hundreds of animals every year. They provide the animals with care and temporary homes until they can be placed into their new forever homes.

In addition to their regular activities, the group also is raising funds to build a 4,800 square foot no-kill pet adoption center on Wakefield Court in Oakdale.

Officials added that ASTRO works actively with local students, encouraging them to volunteer, foster and even help manage the group’s social media efforts in order to learn about animal welfare while giving back to their community.

The foundation has a “Paw it Forward” club, involving a recurring donation of as little as $5 per week or $20 per month. They’ve got it set up so club members will be recognized on their website and on a special wall in the future adoption center. Also, they’ll be entered into drawings for occasional prizes and be invited to WOOFSTOCK, a fun annual gratitude event.

Foundation officials pointed out that it seems to be the best way the public can help them raise funds for a modern no-kill shelter while they continue their work of caring for homeless pets.

ASTRO Foundation can be found online on Facebook, Instagram, by e-mailing info@astrofoundation.org, or calling 209-604-2694. They have a Thrift and Gift Shop at 250 E. E St., in Oakdale. It’s open Tuesday through Saturdays; call 209-605-8100 for current hours.

Information on the Thrift Shop can also be found at www.facebook.com/ASTROThriftAndGiftShop online.

Nina Smith
ASTRO Foundation volunteer Nina Smith holds one of the many cats available for adoption while visiting with a potential new owner during the organization’s Sunday visit to the parking lot in front of the Petco store in the Crossroads Shopping Center. This trip brought about 20 felines looking for a ‘fur-ever’ home, with several spoken for by midday. Smith has worked with the non-profit organization for more than five years. Ric McGinnis/The News