ABOUT US
Our Commitment: Compassion, Care, and Community
FURPA operates as a specialized, non-profit rescue organization driven by a team of dedicated veterinary professionals, certified behaviorists, and compassionate volunteers who share an unwavering commitment to animal welfare. Our work begins in the field, where we actively rescue animals from high-risk situations, including overcrowded shelters, neglectful environments, and instances of abandonment. Upon intake, each animal immediately undergoes a thorough health assessment, is provided with necessary vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and any specialized medical treatments required to stabilize their condition. This resource-intensive, no-kill model ensures that we can focus on the long-term well-being of every resident, dedicating the time and attention needed for both physical recovery and behavioral adjustment. Our state-of-the-art facility is designed to be a sanctuary, offering comfort, safety, and structured enrichment programs that begin the healing process, setting the stage for their eventual transition into a permanent, loving home. We pride ourselves on transparency and accountability, ensuring that every donation directly supports the vital care and lifesaving programs essential to our mission.
OUR STORY
A Single Act of Kindness: Our Foundational Commitment to the Voiceless
The organization was formally established in 2018 by a small group of animal welfare advocates, veterinary technicians, and passionate community members who were tired of witnessing the cycle of neglect and the high euthanasia rates in local shelters. Our founders recognized that emergency rescues were not enough; a successful model required a sustainable infrastructure that could provide intensive care, rehabilitation, and education. We started small, operating out of temporary foster homes and relying heavily on emergency veterinary partners, focusing initially on the most challenging cases—senior pets, those with severe medical needs, and animals with profound behavioral issues often deemed unadoptable elsewhere. The overwhelming success in these early cases, proving that dedication and specialized care could truly turn a life around, provided the powerful evidence and emotional fuel needed to formalize our structure, secure our first dedicated facility, and begin laying the groundwork for the comprehensive program we run today, founded on the principle that no life is beyond saving.
What We Do
Lifesaving Protocols: The Three Pillars of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rehoming
The core of FURPA’s operation rests upon three interdependent pillars: Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rehoming. The Rescue phase is often the most critical and time-sensitive, involving the safe extraction and emergency transport of animals to our facility, prioritizing immediate medical triage. Rehabilitation begins the moment they arrive, where the physical and psychological healing process is initiated through personalized veterinary treatment plans, structured behavioral assessment, and daily socialization. Our certified behaviorists work extensively with pets exhibiting fear or reactivity, employing counter-conditioning and desensitization techniques in a safe, quiet environment to restore trust in humans. Finally, the Rehoming pillar is our meticulous adoption program, which focuses on thorough vetting and counseling to ensure the perfect match, concluding with a formal adoption contract and robust post-adoption support. This interconnected system ensures a smooth, successful transition, maximizing the animal’s potential for lifelong stability and happiness in their new family environment.
Our Mission
Building Blocks of Trust: Positive Reinforcement and Responsible Adopter Preparation
Our Vision
A World Where Every Companion Animal is Cherished and Protected
Our long-term vision for FURPA extends far beyond our current capacity, aiming for a society where every single adoptable pet finds a loving, permanent home and animal suffering due to neglect is eradicated. This ambitious goal is predicated on several key areas of growth, including expanding our rescue network to assist more marginalized communities and developing regional resource centers that provide accessible veterinary care and behavior support to low-income pet owners, thereby preventing surrenders. We see FURPA as a powerful engine for social change, using our success stories and educational programs to shift public perception about rescue animals, demonstrating their resilience, value, and potential. We strive to be the gold standard in animal rehabilitation and adoption, constantly evolving our protocols based on the latest scientific research in animal welfare and behavior, ensuring our practices lead the way toward a truly compassionate world for all companion animals.
Our Values
Integrity, Empathy, Perseverance, and Education: The Core Principles That Drive Our Daily Decisions
Integrity is paramount, ensuring transparency in our operations, financial reporting, and the honest assessment of every animal’s health and behavior with potential adopters. We provide full disclosure about an animal’s history and needs, establishing trust as the foundation of every relationship. Empathy is the emotional core of our work; it guides how we interact with the animals we rescue, the struggling pet owners we counsel, and the dedicated volunteers we rely on, fostering a culture of profound understanding and non-judgmental support. Perseverance is necessary for the long, challenging journey of rehabilitation, requiring our team to remain tireless and optimistic, refusing to give up on even the most complex or difficult cases. Finally, Education is our tool for lasting change, empowering the public and future adopters with the knowledge required to provide truly responsible, lifelong care, making a commitment to learning the cornerstone of our entire community outreach effort.
Our Impact
Creating Lifelong Bonds: Measuring Success in Happy Tails and Strong Families
The tangible impact of FURPA is evident in the hundreds of successful adoptions we facilitate annually, placing formerly neglected pets into environments where they thrive, becoming integral, life-affirming members of their new families. However, our influence reaches much deeper: by specializing in rehabilitation, we remove significant emotional and financial burdens from municipal services, freeing up resources to help other animals. Our focus on education has led to a demonstrable increase in responsible spay/neuter rates and better-informed pet management practices in our service area, contributing to a decrease in unwanted litters and shelter intake. Beyond the statistics, the true impact lies in the stories—the veterans whose lives are transformed by the emotional support of a rescued dog, the child who learns compassion by caring for a fearful cat, and the elderly pet who finally knows comfort in its final years. We are an agent of hope, repairing broken lives and strengthening the human-animal connection at the heart of our community.
Our Team
Dedicated Professionals: Meet the Compassionate Heart of FURPA
Dr. Helena Vance, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr. Vance is a licensed veterinarian with over 15 years of experience in small animal medicine, specializing in emergency trauma and rehabilitation care. Her passion for rescue work began during her residency, where she witnessed firsthand the profound resilience of neglected animals. At FURPA, she directs all medical protocols, ensuring every animal receives gold-standard care from the moment of intake, including complex surgical procedures, chronic disease management, and preventative health programs. Her expertise is crucial in stabilizing critical patients and developing customized long-term wellness plans. Beyond her clinical skills, Dr. Vance is known for her exceptional patience and commitment to low-stress handling, ensuring that the animals’ medical treatment is integrated seamlessly with their emotional recovery. Her tireless dedication sets the medical benchmark for the entire organization, reflecting a philosophy that treats health not just as the absence of disease, but as a state of complete physical and mental well-being.
Marcus Chen, Certified Animal Behaviorist
Marcus holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behavior and is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), bringing a specialized skill set to our most challenging cases. His work focuses exclusively on behavioral modification, helping animals recover from severe anxiety, fear-based aggression, and deep-seated trauma using science-based positive reinforcement techniques. Marcus designs the individualized enrichment plans for every resident, from structured training exercises to complex puzzle feeders, ensuring their cognitive and emotional needs are met daily. He is also the lead instructor for all pre-adoption counseling sessions, dedicating extensive time to educating new adopters on reading animal body language, managing transitional stress, and establishing clear, positive communication. His calm demeanor and deep knowledge of ethology are instrumental in rebuilding the confidence of pets who have lost trust in humans, making him an invaluable asset to the adoption process.
Sarah Jenkins, Adoption Program Director
Sarah is the driving force behind our successful matching program, bringing eight years of experience in shelter management and community outreach. She meticulously oversees the entire adoption pipeline, from reviewing initial applications and conducting applicant interviews to coordinating home visits and finalizing contracts. Sarah’s strength lies in her intuitive ability to read people and understand the subtle dynamics of a family environment, allowing her to facilitate truly compatible pairings between pets and adopters. She manages the flow of animals through our foster network and coordinates transport for rescues, ensuring logistical efficiency. Crucially, Sarah champions the concept of “Adoption for Life,” maintaining contact with alumni families, providing ongoing resource referrals, and managing the intake of pets whose owners may be experiencing crisis, ensuring a safety net is always in place for every FURPA graduate.
Ricardo Morales, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Ricardo is the energetic backbone of our operations, managing the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and skills to FURPA. He is responsible for recruitment, training, scheduling, and ensuring a positive, productive experience for everyone who helps us. His bio includes a background in non-profit management and a strong passion for community service, which he leverages to organize all public-facing events, including weekend adoption drives, educational workshops, and fundraising galas. Ricardo’s primary objective is to translate community goodwill into tangible support, matching volunteer skills—from photography and grant writing to dog walking and cage cleaning—with the organization’s needs. His dedication ensures that our volunteers feel valued, educated, and fully integrated into the FURPA mission, creating a powerful, motivated network that extends our capacity exponentially into the wider community.
Our WORK
Empowering Owners: Knowledge is the Foundation of Responsible Pet Ownership
Our educational work is a proactive strategy designed to prevent the cycle of surrender and neglect by equipping current and future pet owners with best-practice knowledge. This includes hosting free monthly webinars and in-person seminars on topics ranging from the proper use of preventative medications and recognizing early signs of illness, to understanding breed-specific needs and the critical importance of early-age socialization. We utilize our digital platforms to distribute comprehensive guides on puppy and kitten raising, feline enrichment, and senior pet care, making expert advice accessible to all. By promoting responsible pet stewardship—which includes commitment to lifelong care, financial planning for unexpected veterinary costs, and adherence to local animal welfare ordinances—we aim to elevate the standard of care across our region. This work transforms pet ownership from a simple transaction into a well-informed, ethical commitment, directly reducing the future need for rescue intervention.
Enrichment & Socialization (for Rescued Animals)
Restoring Joy: Structured Interaction That Heals Psychological Wounds
Enrichment and socialization form a core component of our rehabilitation program, meticulously designed to counteract the effects of neglect, isolation, and abuse. This is not simply letting animals play; it is a therapeutic, staff-directed process. Our team uses carefully controlled, positive-only interactions to introduce fearful animals to new sights, sounds, and experiences at a pace they can manage, using positive association techniques to build positive emotional responses. For dogs, this involves small-group play sessions supervised by behaviorists to practice appropriate canine communication, as well as exposure to car rides, different surfaces, and household sounds. For cats, we employ environmental enrichment, providing puzzle feeders, climbing structures, and specialized scent work to stimulate their natural instincts in a safe indoor setting. This focused, daily effort ensures that our pets develop the social competence and environmental resilience necessary to transition successfully from a structured rescue setting to the dynamic, often unpredictable nature of a family home.
The Bond & Healing
A New Chapter: Facilitating the Trust and Connection That Defines a Forever Home
The “Bond and Healing” phase represents the emotional culmination of our work, focusing on preparing the animal for the deep attachment characteristic of a successful adoption. For the rescued animals, this involves a transition period where they are introduced to potential adopters through multiple supervised visits, allowing the pet to initiate contact and establish comfort at their own pace. For the adopter, this involves extensive training in building trust, learning how to handle a pet with a potentially difficult past, and understanding the significance of consistent, loving boundaries. We teach adopters how to recognize and celebrate small victories—the first time a fearful dog takes a treat from a hand, or the moment a neglected cat finally seeks out a lap. This is the stage where the emotional scars begin to fade, replaced by the secure, reciprocal relationship of a loving family unit, cementing the rescued animal’s place as a cherished companion for the rest of their natural life.
Programs/Services
Pets Served and Adoption Services
FURPA specializes in the two most common companion animals, dogs and cats, dedicating our veterinary and behavior resources to handling the complex needs these populations often present, including both young, high-energy individuals and frail, hospice-eligible seniors. Our services are tailored to the unique physiological and social requirements of each species. For dogs, this includes mandatory temperament testing and customized training to ensure public safety and compatibility. For cats, our focus is on creating quiet, stress-free catteries and managing common issues like shyness or inappropriate litter box use. Beyond direct adoption services, we offer Emergency Re-homing Assistance, providing a safe, non-judgmental option for owners who can no longer care for their pet, ensuring the animal avoids the traditional shelter system and transitions immediately into our low-stress environment for eventual re-adoption. This comprehensive net ensures that regardless of the pet’s species or circumstances, they receive a tailored pathway to health and happiness.
Community & Engagement
Partnering for Success: We Are Your Resource for the Lifelong Journey of Pet Ownership
Our dedication to the success of our adoptions does not end when the paperwork is signed; in fact, that’s when our most crucial support begins. We view the adopter as a partner in the pet’s ongoing welfare, providing an unparalleled safety net of resources. Adopters receive a dedicated support line and email monitored by our behavioral team for the first three months of placement, addressing any transitional issues, such as anxiety, house-training mishaps, or dietary changes. We offer exclusive discounts and referrals to our trusted network of veterinarians, groomers, and trainers who understand the specific needs of rescue animals. Our regular Adopter Support Check-ins (via phone or email) ensure a smooth integration into the home and provide an opportunity for us to offer proactive advice before minor issues become major challenges. We are committed to fostering a strong, two-way relationship, ensuring our pets remain happy and secure in their homes for life.
Testimonials
Success Stories: Hearing from Our Happy Families
“Adopting our sweet senior beagle, Barnaby, was the best decision we ever made, and we owe it all to the FURPA team. When we met him, he was shy and had significant dental issues, but the staff were completely transparent about his needs and Dr. Vance’s team had already performed the necessary procedures. The behavioral counselor, Marcus, spent over an hour with us discussing Barnaby’s specific cues and how to manage his separation anxiety. Thanks to their guidance and the continuous support check-ins during the first month, Barnaby settled in perfectly. He is a gentle, loving soul, and he fits into our quiet family life like he was always meant to be here. We adopted an adult dog, and we received the support of adopting a lifetime companion. Thank you for giving him his golden years.”
– Parent Name: Jessica M., Pet Adopted: Senior Dog
“We were looking for a high-energy dog for our active family, and Sarah, the Adoption Director, spent weeks matching us to the perfect fit. We adopted Luna, a two-year-old Shepherd mix. What impressed us most was not just the quality of Luna’s care—she was impeccably trained on basic commands—but the level of education we received. We learned how to incorporate structure into her day and the importance of continued enrichment activities. The initial home check, while thorough, felt genuinely focused on Luna’s well-being, not just paperwork. Luna is an absolute joy, joining us on all our hikes and becoming the beloved, active centerpiece of our home. We always tell people that if you want a pet, go to FURPA; they don’t just hand them over, they build a partnership.”
– Parent Name: The Davis Family, Pet Adopted: Young Adult Dog
“I adopted my Emotional Support Animal, a sweet three-year-old terrier mix named Comet, after a difficult period in my life. I was particularly grateful for the compassion shown by the entire team, who understood my need for a gentle, predictable companion. Marcus spent significant time helping me understand how my own energy could affect Comet’s anxiety, which was an invaluable lesson in non-verbal communication. Comet was already house-trained and had excellent leash manners when I got him, a true testament to the daily structure they provide at the facility. He is my best friend, my shadow, and my constant source of calm. The personalized attention I received was incredible, ensuring that the placement was beneficial not just for Comet, but for my own emotional health as well.”
– Parent Name: Ben P., Pet Adopted: Therapy Dog Candidate
“As first-time cat owners, we were nervous, but the process with FURPA was so encouraging. We adopted two bonded sisters, Willow and Phoebe (both about four years old), who were a bit shy initially. The team provided an excellent pre-adoption packet on feline socialization and environmental setup, advising us exactly how to introduce them to our home without stress. Ricardo, the coordinator, followed up with us a week later just to see how the cats were adjusting and even gave us a free referral for a low-cost microchip scan at a local partner clinic. It was their commitment to the little details and the availability of their behavior team that made us feel confident and supported. Willow and Phoebe have completely blossomed and now rule the house with affectionate, confident purrs. We highly recommend FURPA for their dedication to feline welfare.”
– Parent Name: Charles & Eleanor S., Pet Adopted: Adult Cats
OUR VOLUNTEER
Your Time Saves Lives: Become a Hands-On Hero for Animals in Need
Volunteering with FURPA is a deeply rewarding experience
We rely on the dedicated service of our volunteers, who are the compassionate force multiplier of our organization, essential for providing the individualized attention that rescued animals require to heal. Whether you have a few hours a week or can commit to a long-term project, your time is a vital resource that saves lives and restores confidence in abused and neglected pets. As a volunteer, you become an integral part of the rehabilitation process, providing the consistency and gentle interaction that teaches these animals to trust humans again. We provide comprehensive training and flexible scheduling, ensuring that your experience is meaningful, safe, and tailored to your interests and comfort level. By joining our team, you are not just walking a dog or cleaning a kennel; you are actively contributing to the psychological and physical recovery of an animal, preparing them for their second chance at a permanent and loving home, making a tangible difference with every hour you give.
Diverse Opportunities: Find the Perfect Role to Match Your Skills and Passion
Our most critical needs often lie in direct animal care roles, such as Dog Walkers who provide essential exercise and socialization, and Feline Friends who spend time providing quiet interaction and play for our cats, helping them acclimate to human companionship. We also urgently need Foster Homes, who provide a temporary, loving home environment for animals recovering from medical procedures or those who simply thrive better outside of a kennel setting, an absolutely critical service for pets needing extra socialization. For those who prefer non-animal roles, we welcome Administrative Assistants to help with data entry and adoption application follow-ups, Event Coordinators to assist Ricardo with outreach and fundraising logistics, and skilled Grant Writers to help secure vital funding. Every volunteer receives proper orientation and training, ensuring they are prepared for their role and understand the high standards of ethical care and low-stress handling that define the FURPA environment, making their service impactful and deeply appreciated.
The Ripple Effect: How Your Service Transforms Lives, Human and Animal
The impact of volunteering at FURPA is both immediate and long-lasting. For the animals, your presence provides the one-on-one attention—the extra walk, the gentle brushing, the comforting lap time—that simply cannot be provided by a small paid staff alone, directly speeding up their emotional healing and making them more adoptable. This increased social readiness means less time spent in a shelter environment and a quicker transition to their forever homes. Furthermore, your time directly frees up our professional staff, allowing our veterinary and behavioral teams to focus on complex medical and training cases, maximizing the impact of our specialized resources. For the community, you become a powerful ambassador, helping us host more events, process more applications, and educate more potential adopters. Every hour you contribute translates into more successful placements, a stronger organizational infrastructure, and a more compassionate community committed to animal welfare, proving that the gift of your time is the most valuable donation of all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Adoption, Volunteering, and Supporting Our Mission
Q1: What is the typical adoption process and timeline?
The FURPA adoption process starts with a detailed online application, which typically takes a minimum of three to five business days for initial review, screening, and reference checks. Once approved, the prospective adopter is invited to meet the pet, followed by the mandatory one-hour counseling and education session with our behaviorist. The entire timeline, from application to final adoption, usually takes between one to two weeks, as we prioritize making the absolute best match over speed. We maintain a rigorous vetting process to ensure every animal’s placement is successful, providing all health records and a transition kit upon finalization, which is a necessary commitment to the animal’s long-term welfare.
Q2: What is included in the adoption fee and why is it necessary?
The adoption fee is a non-profit donation that covers only a fraction of the high-quality care each animal receives, but it is vital for sustaining our operations. The fee includes the animal’s spay or neuter surgery, a full veterinary examination, all age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, and initial preventative flea and heartworm treatments. For many of our rescued animals, the fee also helps offset the costs of complex emergency surgeries, specialized orthopedic care, or extended behavioral rehabilitation, which can often exceed thousands of dollars. The fee is an investment in our mission, allowing us to continue rescuing and providing this high level of care for the next animal in need, ensuring our no-kill promise can be maintained.
Q3: Does FURPA have specific safety protocols for its animals and facilities?
Safety is our highest priority, both for the animals and our staff/volunteers. All animal housing areas are secured with double-gating systems to prevent accidental escapes, and we utilize state-of-the-art air filtration and sanitization systems to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Every dog is walked on a double-leash system by trained volunteers, and all playgroups are carefully temperament-tested and supervised by a certified behaviorist. We maintain a low-stress handling policy, using positive reinforcement techniques only, and all staff and volunteers undergo mandatory safety training covering animal handling, emergency procedures, and recognizing signs of fear or aggression, ensuring a secure and calm environment for every pet under our care.
Q4: How does FURPA ensure the suitability of a pet for a family with children?
Our matching process includes a specific assessment for families with children, focusing on the pet’s known history and observed temperament with children of various ages during their time in our care. We conduct a thorough analysis of the dog or cat’s behavior when exposed to the typical sounds, movements, and energy levels associated with children. If a pet’s history or temperament indicates they may not be a good fit, we are completely transparent and recommend alternatives. For approved matches, we provide specific educational counseling on safe interaction practices, teaching children appropriate boundaries and handling techniques, and emphasizing the importance of constant adult supervision in the early stages of integration.
Q5: What is FURPA’s policy on dietary needs and medical history?
We are committed to complete transparency regarding every pet’s medical and dietary history. Every animal adopted comes with a full medical record outlining all treatments, surgeries, and known conditions, as well as a detailed transition plan, including the specific food they are currently eating and any necessary supplements. We use high-quality, vet-approved foods and adhere strictly to all prescribed dietary restrictions for pets with allergies or chronic conditions. Our team discusses these requirements in detail with the adopter, and we ensure the family leaves with enough of the current food to facilitate a safe, gradual transition to their preferred diet, minimizing the risk of digestive upset or relapse of medical conditions.
Q6: What opportunities exist for corporate or organizational partnerships?
We enthusiastically welcome partnerships with corporations and local organizations looking to fulfill their social responsibility mandates and support animal welfare. These partnerships can take many forms, including corporate sponsorship of our major fundraising events, ‘matching gift’ programs for employee donations, and corporate volunteer days where teams assist with facility maintenance or large-scale project work. We also collaborate on specific public service campaigns, such as sponsoring a spay/neuter clinic or funding a targeted rescue operation. Interested parties can contact our Outreach Coordinator, Ricardo Morales, at the provided email to discuss tailored partnership proposals that align their business goals with our lifesaving mission, creating mutually beneficial community impact.
JOIN US
Professionalizing Compassion: Build a Rewarding Career in Animal Welfare
Join our professional team of dedicated experts who turn their passion for animals into a lifesaving, impactful career.
FURPA is committed to recruiting and retaining top talent in the field of animal welfare, recognizing that a professional, educated staff is crucial to maintaining our high standard of care. We offer career opportunities across several specialized departments, including Veterinary Technicians skilled in emergency and long-term care, Certified Animal Behaviorists experienced in positive reinforcement modification, and Non-Profit Administration Staff specializing in fundraising, communications, and organizational logistics. We seek individuals who are not only passionate but possess verifiable professional credentials and a proven track of ethical, compassionate work in a high-demand environment. Working at FURPA means dedicating yourself to a mission where every task, from processing applications to assisting in surgery, directly contributes to saving a life and preventing suffering. We provide competitive salaries, opportunities for professional development, and a collaborative, supportive environment where your expertise is valued and celebrated.
Contact us
Your Connection to Compassionate Pet Adoption and Community Support
At FURPA – Friends Under Rescue Pet Adoption, we view every interaction, question, and inquiry as a vital component of our lifesaving mission. Our commitment to transparent communication is as important as the compassionate care we provide to our animals. We understand that whether you’re inquiring about adopting a new family member, seeking guidance on responsible pet ownership, or exploring opportunities to volunteer your time, you deserve timely, thorough, and empathetic responses from our dedicated team. Our primary contact method is email, as it allows us to track inquiries efficiently, ensure the most qualified team member—whether a veterinary assistant, certified behaviorist, or adoption counselor—responds to your specific need, and maintain a detailed record of correspondence for follow-up and accountability. Please utilize the specialized email addresses provided below to direct your questions to the correct department, which significantly expedites our response time and allows us to focus our limited administrative resources where they are most needed. We are committed to responding to all non-urgent inquiries within 48 hours, though we appreciate your patience during high-volume periods, particularly following large rescue intakes or adoption events, as our priority remains the immediate welfare of the animals in our care. We look forward to connecting with you and collaborating in our shared goal of creating forever homes for pets in need.
Full Contact Details
General Inquiry Email: info@furpa.site
Organization Name: FURPA – Friends Under Rescue Pet Adoption
Physical Address (Mailing & Facility): 19051 GOLDENWEST STREET 511, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648