Bob Delf loves making wine.

He enjoys the pleasure it brings others, the rich vintage flavors and the fact that every hand-crafted batch has its own unique taste.

The only thing Bob loves more than making wine is making a difference in his community, and like any skilled winemaker he has found a way to blend the two together.

For more than thirteen years now, Bob has used his winery, Northwest Cellars, to help local nonprofits in unique and generous ways.

For Homeward Pet, he has held countless benefits at his tasting room to raise proceeds for the homeless cats and dogs in our care. In addition to fundraisers, Bob has hosted volunteer appreciation parties, staff get-togethers, produced custom wine labels, and continues to provide the shelter discounted wine for annual events. Bob is always one of the first to buy tickets to Homeward Pet’s Annual Fur Ball Auction & Dinner, and every year he is there raising his paddle high.

Bob says he supports Homeward Pet because “it is a no-kill shelter and a beacon in the community for animal-welfare.”

Of course, Bob’s generosity doesn’t end with Homeward Pet. He loves being a voice and advocate for all humans and animals in need, and has helped countless organizations in the Greater Seattle area raise more money for their cause.

His motto has always been “if we all pitch in, we all benefit.”

Bob is a shining example of how a little creative thinking goes a long way in fostering a safer and kinder community for animals. Bob, we are so thankful for your partnership and generosity.

Cheers to Bob, for making the world a better place, one glass of wine at a time.

You can join Homeward Pet at Northwest Cellars in Kirkland during our upcoming Bow Wow Luau event! On July 29, slide on your flip flops, grab your canine pals and slip away for an afternoon in paradise where you can enjoy a glass of Fat Cat Fortissimo or Sit and Stay Chardonnay.

Northwest Cellars is a dog friendly winery based out of Kirkland. It was founded in 2004 with the vision to provide high quality wines at reasonable prices with unique custom-designed, personalized wine labels.

Learn more about Northwest Cellars today.

This month’s Homeward Headlines Sponsor is Doggy Haven Resort, our longtime supporter and partner! As you make your summer plans don’t forget to schedule vacation time for your dogs. Doggy Haven Resort offers a variety of services like doggy daycare, boarding and so much more.

We recently caught up with Doggy Haven Resort Owner, David Boyd and he shared a bit more about the services they offer. Here is what he had to say:

Doggy Haven Resort, a local full-service dog resort for boarding, grooming, training and daycare has been a Homeward Pet partner since 2010.

Doggy Haven is for socialized dogs who desire to be with their canine friends. Our skilled staff, many of whom have been with us for the last decade, are well trained in dog behavior. In addition, we have ongoing staff training programs through “The Dog Gurus” with Robin Bennett, renowned dog behavior expert. We social test each dog for appropriate activity. Our facility offers four separate play yards so that dogs can be graded for activity level and size. Each dog has its own room for rest, meals and sleep time. Remodeled to enhance our capacity and cleanliness in 2014, we offer heated floors, air-conditioning and a rapid air exchange system to ensure your dogs’ health. Classical music is played at night for the calmest nighttime environment.

Our training facility is in a separate 2500 square foot field house, sometimes called the “doggy dome”. Our trainers are CPDT credentialed and one, Mikkel Becker is the co-author of 6 books, national speaker and advisor on animal behavior to veterinarians. The field house provides space for dogs to be far enough apart while in small class sizes of up to 8. The field surrounding the training area is used for outdoor training and play time in the warmer months.

Our three groomers each have a minimum of 10 years’ experience and all are tuned into dog handling to ensure the lowest stress grooming experience possible. The bathing and grooming we do is all backed by a money-back guarantee.

Dogs come to see us on a daily basis for daycare, so that they can play and not get into trouble while their “parents” are away at work. We love dogs at Doggy Haven and invite you for a tour, during our regular tour hours of Tuesday and Saturday from 1-3 or other times by appointment.

Doggy Haven, because your dog deserves the best!

You can learn more about Doggy Haven Resort here.

It wasn’t long before Kim became suspicious over scabby bumps appearing on her foster dog, Piper’s head. A trip to Homeward Pet’s Dunmire Veterinary Clinic, confirmed what Kim had thought to be true. Piper had “Dermatophytosis,” the fungal infection most commonly known as ringworm.

Ringworm is very contagious and in the animal-sheltering world, is a double-edged sword. No shelter ever wants to quarantine a four-legged friend, but no shelter wants an outbreak of a contagious infection either.

That’s why fosters like Kim are our heroes.

Piper’s diagnosis meant she would be placed in Homeward Pet’s isolation room, or she could remain in Kim’s care. Kim had yet to foster a dog with ringworm, but she was up for the task. She would help Piper heal however long it would take.

Fostering an animal with ringworm was initially challenging. But, after the first few weeks Kim says “things just became routine.” Kim kept Piper in a playpen—isolated from her two cats— gave her medicated baths every week and washed everything Piper came in contact with several times a week.

Kim will be the first to tell you it was a lot of work, but completely worth it.

After two months of treatment and care, Piper who Kim describes as “the best little dog I’ve ever met” was ringworm free and has since found a loving family. Thanks to Kim, Piper had months of play, training and socialization to help her start life out on the right “paw!”

Fostering is one of the best services you can provide for a rescue organization, and for homeless animals. For Homeward Pet, it is essential to the success of our Adoption Program. Fostering increases the number of animals we are able to take in, reduces the percentage of cats and dogs who are returned to the shelter and allows us to care for animals who need high-quality medical aid, attention and care.

Kim has fostered 35 four-legged friends now and says “it’s addicting.” Her favorite part is falling in love over and over again and knowing every time she fosters, she is helping an animal find a home.

Homeward Pet is seeking fosters like Kim. If you think you may be interested in fostering than click here to learn more today.

You really know how to make our animals feel special! Your generosity was on full display as you helped Homeward Pet raise more than $28,000 during the Seattle Foundation’s #GiveBIG giving day challenge. 

These funds will provide dogs and cats with high-quality medical aid, help animals overcome behavioral issues, find seniors loving homes, give special-needs animals the care they need to thrive and create bright futures for our newborns.

Thank you for #GivingBIG. Together, we will continue to make sure every cat, dog, puppy and kitten is given the second chance they deserve.

Here are just a few lives you’ve already changed in 2017:

Callie, Binky and Francine – Callie required an emergency c-section to save all three of their lives.

Mr. Kitty – is a 14-year-old “underdog” senior cat who has been given his second chance at life and love.

Levi – was a backyard dog. He came to the shelter under-socialized and scared. The Dog Behavior Team worked with him on a daily basis teaching him he could trust and could love.

Ginger – arrived at the shelter under-socialized and fractious. The Cat Behavior Team taught Ginger that petting and touching is okay, and actually quite nice!

Cooper – needed extraordinary medical care.  He tore both ACL’s and had surgeries for both. He was placed in foster care for several months during his recovery.

Thanks to supporters like you, all of these animals have since found loving homes.

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