The ASTRO Foundation recently received a Rachael Ray Save Them All grant from Best Friends Animal Society for its transfer and adoption program to help save the lives of more adoptable pets living in Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon.

“This grant allows us to include increased transfer and adoption preparation of felines from the City of Oakdale Animal Shelter in our work finding more homes for the animals in our community,” said Megan Scoullar, Director of Adoption Services. “Our goal will be to transfer in and adopt out 243 cats to loving families. We appreciate the support of Best Friends Animal Society in making this increased transfer possible.”

The ASTRO Foundation is an active partner in Best Friends Network, which offers help and support to shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations working to save lives in their communities.

“When you choose to adopt your next pet, you are becoming part of the solution right here in our community,” said Scoullar.

The Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants is a grant program, administered by Best Friends and funded by The Rachael Ray Foundation, that provides grants to shelters for euthanasia reduction initiatives. The Rachael Ray Foundation helps animals in need and is funded by a portion of proceeds from each sale of Ray’s pet food, Nutrish.

The ASTRO Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing cats and dogs from Oakdale, Riverbank, and Escalon, CA. Through a network of volunteers, foster caregivers, and local veterinarians, ASTRO rescues hundreds of animals each year. Beyond finding loving homes, ASTRO addresses the root causes of animal homelessness with initiatives such as Community Cat Programs, which help reduce feline overpopulation, and the Happy Pets Food Pantry, which provides pet food and supplies to those facing financial hardship, ensuring pets stay out of shelters and with their families. The ASTRO Foundation serves as a valuable resource for the community through humane education, promoting compassion and responsible pet ownership.

Best Friends Animal Society is the leading animal welfare organization working to save the lives of cats and dogs in America’s shelters. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving programs all across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Best Friends works collaboratively with a network of more than 5,000 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.