This article originally appeared in the Desert Sun, February 2022
In 2008, Linda Biggi founded Loving All Animals with a mission of being a conduit for the welfare of the animals in the Coachella Valley. The organization sought to assist shelter and rescue organizations in working cooperatively to maximize the programs that keep animals from being euthanized.
In 2018, the Pet Rescue Center in Coachella was transferred to Loving all Animals. Today, the organization continues with its mission of ensuring that adoptable animals and those with treatable conditions are not euthanized. Loving All Animals provides adoptions, facilitates the intake of lost and stray animals, and works with community partners to transfer animals out of animal control.
“We are one of the few shelters in Eastern Coachella Valley,” the organization’s executive director Michael Phipps-Russell said. “We want these services to be accessible to all of the Valley.”
Loving All Animal’s shelter has the capacity to hold ten adult dogs, and its capacity to foster animals is only limited by the number of foster families that volunteer with the organization. In 2021, Loving All Animals was able to assist 168 animals, of which 139 have since been adopted. A few animals were transferred into the care of partners with more capacity. The organization also dedicates space and time to animals needing extended medical care.
Working to treat animals instead of euthanizing them increases costs significantly. The organization depends on donations and grants to help with these added medical expenses. The animals that receive the medical attention needed to become adoptable are worth every penny, according to Phipps-Russel.
Zoomer is one of the many animals with treatable conditions that has given back joy to her foster family and everyone who meets her. Zoomer struggles with juvenile cellulitis, a condition where the immune system attacks the skin. This resulted in serious hair loss and scabbing around her muzzle. The medication to treat the condition compromises the immune system, and Zoomer also had to fight a terrible ear infection. Working with a veterinary dermatologist, Zoomer has since turned a corner and is getting healthy. Loving All Animals is working hard to help the puppy overcome her rough start and find a permanent loving home.
Recently, Loving All Animals received a grant from the Todd Barajas Legacy Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation. The organization welcomes donations to assist in the care of animals like Zoomer and especially needs support following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout 2020, spay and neuter services were deemed non-essential. This has led to an explosion of the cat population, and currently, the organization is working to raise more funding to underwrite spay and neuter clinics.
Loving All Animals always welcomes additional volunteers, especially for the transportation and fostering of animals. There has been a high demand for veterinary services and the organization has had to transport some animals outside of the valley to receive care. There is also a need for volunteers to help with maintenance of the facility as well as the care and social interaction needs of the animals.
In 2021, 97 volunteers provided 5,842 hours of their time to the organization.
Phipps-Russell encourages the community to vaccinate and spay or neuter their pets if they were putting off veterinary care during the pandemic. He also encourages pet owners to microchip their pets. Those who have lost a pet or found a stray can visit the organization’s website to find instructions on how to make a report with the appropriate entity.
“We are available for the community to receive their animals or answer questions about strays and work diligently with our partners to share resources,” Phipps-Russell said. “We are working really hard to keep animals out of kill shelters.”
More information: https://www.lovingallanimals.org/ or (760) 834-7000
