Date
December 7, 2006
Contact
Kristie Phelps
(757) 423-0093
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael
CA 94901
IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
Tony La Russa Named IDA’s “Guardian of the Month”
2006 World Series-Winning Manager Goes to Bat for Dogs and Cats
San Rafael, Calif.—In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members worldwide, is proud to honor baseball legend Tony La Russa as “Guardian of the Month” for December.
La Russa is considered one of the greatest managers in the history of Major League Baseball. His team—the St. Louis Cardinals—won the World Series in October, beating the Detroit Tigers four to one in the seven-game series. But when it comes to La Russa's other passion—rescuing animals—he's in a league of his own.
In his long and storied career in sports, La Russa has set many records. For instance, he is ranked third in all-time career wins as a manager, and has been named Manager of the Year five times. Yet, La Russa is also setting records with his Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), the organization he co-founded with his wife Elaine in 1991 to help dogs and cats find permanent homes and to strengthen the bond between people and companion animals.
The 62-year-old La Russa is also a family man. He and Elaine have two daughters, Bianca and Devon, as well as four dogs and thirteen cats. Although La Russa always loved animals, he didn't have any growing up, so his first experience as a guardian was with Elaine's cat when the couple married over 30 years ago. It was another cat who ran onto the field during a 1990 game when La Russa managed the Oakland A’s that inspired the creation of ARF. La Russa coaxed the terrified cat into the dugout and later tried to place her in area shelters, but was told she would be euthanized. Unwilling to see her destroyed, the La Russas found a home for Evie themselves, and soon after started a new organization to help others like her.
That would be ARF, a state-of-the-art, no-kill animal shelter in the San Francisco East Bay city of Walnut Creek. They mostly acquire cats and dogs from local shelters just before they are going to be euthanized, and can hold over 200 animals in their 37,000 square foot facility. Last year, ARF adopted out over 1,500 dogs and cats to caring families. They also spayed/neutered more than 1,700 animals at their clinic, helping to stem the tide of unwanted dogs and cats in Contra Costa County.
Spacious condos and apartments are the norm for the pampered pooches and kitties who are up for adoption at ARF. Cats who like solitude live in lofts, but larger "apartments" are available for those who prefer the company of feline friends. In this nurturing element, animals are able to thrive and show potential guardians their true personalities.
ARF also provides many unique forms of community outreach that benefit both animals and people. La Russa realized the importance of this connection when he read research about the physiological and emotional benefits people get from being around animals. ARF is therefore not only a place to adopt a new family member, but also where "animals rescue people." For example, ARF's innovative People Connect programs facilitate humans and animals helping one another.
La Russa is also a vegetarian on ethical grounds. "I don't eat anything that had a mother," he has said, and supports efforts to bring more meat-free options to Busch Stadium. He also stands against dog fighting, cockfighting, bull fighting, rodeos, circuses and sport hunting. Colleagues respect La Russa's tendency to speak his mind and he respects them by being non-judgmental.
IDA is honored to name Tony La Russa as our Guardian of the Month for December. His life and work serve as an excellent example that everyone—especially sports fans and professional athletes—can learn from. Just as he has led the Cardinals to victory time and time again, he will continue working to make sure animals get the respect they deserve. Tony La Russa is, without a doubt, a real MVP for the animals..