About H.A.R.P.

Homeless Animals Response Program (H.A.R.P.) is an all volunteer animal welfare organization with activities in East Contra Costa County.

Our mission is to end pet overpopulation through community education, spay and neuter programs, and adoptions.

Our program includes the following:

• Dog and cat rescue and rehoming
• Community education regarding responsible pet ownership
• Youth programs
• Fundraising
• Volunteer development

Adoptions

HARP takes in homeless cats and dogs and finds appropriate homes for them through weekly adoption events. Many come from local shelters, including the Antioch Animal Shelter and Contra Costa County Animal Services in Martinez. Volunteers learn of people who need help and refer them to our program managers. HARP also receives phone calls on the HARP message phone (925-431-8546) from people who are unable to keep their pet.

Community Education

HARP participates in many events in the East Bay Area in order to educate people about responsible pet ownership. Spaying and neutering is an important topic, as there are far too many unwanted puppies and kittens who are put down every year at local shelters.

For a list of upcoming events we will be participating in, click on the Calendar of Events link on this website.

Youth Programs

HARP is interested in bringing information regarding responsible pet ownership to children.

We have programs aimed at teaching children to care about animals. We utilize the six pillars of character that are a part of the education model used in this community.

• INTERACTIVE PRESENTATIONS FOR K-2: For example, one presentation teaches children that pets have needs similar to theirs such as food, water, medical care, and safety.
• PUPPET SHOWS FOR K-2: A volunteer has a puppet show with a script that raises awareness of the responsibility of pet owners to love and care for a dog after it has grown out of its puppy stage.
• ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM. HARP is partnering with Antioch Animal Services to provide Kind News publications to classrooms K-6. See the Adopt-a-Classroom form below which can be downloaded.
• KIDS' CLUBS K-6: We will help organize an after-school club for students interested in animals.

If a teacher is interested in having a puppet show or classroom presentation, please call (925) 431-8546 or email us at harpmail@harp-rescue.org. If someone is interested in adopting a classroom, please fill out the following form and send it to HARP at P.O. Box 3167, Antioch CA 94531.

Adopt-a-Classroom Form

Fundraising

Besides our adoption fees, HARP raises money through fund raising events such as summer yard sales and Santa pictures in December. For a list of events during 2009, click on the Calendar of Events link on this website.

Volunteer Development

HARP periodically conducts Volunteer Orientation meetings at the Antioch Public Library, 501 W. 18th Street, in Antioch. We also have potlucks and other informal gatherings. We celebrate our anniversary with a dinner party at a local restaurant every February.

For more information, click on the Volunteer Opportunities link on this website.