Adopted by Amanda & Jason  Reynaert - Nov 14, 2011 - Ontario, Canada

Hello Friends, It's Kopol here.  

I'm so happy to be here in Canada with my new family! They changed my name to Polo. They were inspired from their recent trip to Venice Italy, and the fact that just like Marco Polo I travelled the world too!

Adopted on Jan 08, 2012 - Archer Family 

When Opal first came to us on January 8, 2012, she was a very shy girl.  After the first month she adjusted to our schedule and routines beautifully. Nothing better than living with two old retired folks.

Fostered/Adopted on Nov 23, 2011 - Stephenie James - Vallejo, California

On November 23, 2011, I picked up Yasha in order to foster him over the long Thanksgiving holiday. By November 24 (Thanksgiving Day), I had decided to keep him.

Adopted on Jan 11, 2012 - Keihani Family - Tehran, Iran

Six year old Foxy is another one of Vafa's little guests who got lucky lately with efforts of Ms. Gandom Tadrissi.

Ms. Bahareh Pour-Ahmadi tells us how this union came about:

We had been thinking about getting a small dog for a while but didn't know what breed would suit our lifestyle.

Adopted by Mazloomi Family - Jan 1, 2012 - Vancouver, Canada

I was about 4-weeks old when I was dropped off at the shelter.  A very kind family (Khachatourians) offered to foster me while I get vaccinated. Within a few days of my arrival at their home, I was sick with Parvo.

Adopted on Dec 11, 2011 -  by  Sebastien, Cheryl & Carver Voigt - Vancouver, Canada

A few lines by Gandom's foster mom in Iran:

It was Mid-October when I got a small puppy from a woman, who lived near Lavasan area. The puppy was a month old and was only drinking milk and sleeping. Because of the wheat grain color I named her Gandom (wheat grain). Gandom was so small when I first brought her in that she couldn’t run up the estairs and she would sit by the stairs and whine until I carried her up.

Adopted by Schott Family - August 3, 2011 - Besance, France

This is the story of Nazgol who has touched us all and will always have a special place in our hearts

Adopted by Kelly & Bobby Dorafshar,  Feb 6, 2011 - Los Angeles, CA

On the eve of Niru’s 1st birthday, aka “Charlie”, I am finally sitting down to write his adoption story.  As the founders of New Leash On Life Animal Rescue, a California based dog rescue, we value letters and pictures from our adopters, even 8 months later!

Adopted by Palister Family - Oct 20, 2011- Vancouver, BC, Canada

On October 20, 2011, I made the first step in my journey to my forever home, flying from Iran to Vancouver with my brother Billy.I spent the first few weeks in a very foreign land with a temporary family.

Adopted by Zubin Mobedshahi - Morgan Hill, California - Sept 18, 2011

We had posted Jenny's picture and her story on our facebook page back in August 2010:Jenny is very kind and she seems to be a great protector! She was found with terrible scabs when they brought her here.

Adopted by Conyers Family  on June 29, 2011 – San Jose, CA

A few words from Marlee’s foster mom in Iran:
Marlee (then Nelly) came to us like a stuffed little cute toy, she was adorable, stubborn and full of character. She loved to play and friendly to everybody. She was a beautiful dog and everybody loved her.

Adopted by Dunham Family on Oct 20, 2011 - Vancouver, BC

On October 20, 2011, I flew all the way from Iran to Vancouver Canada to meet them.  At first I was really scared....of everything!   I didn’t want to come out of my kennel for a long time and when I did I was faced with stairs!  

Adopted by Dartnell Family -  August 27, 2011 - Belmont, CA  

Friends, do you remember the story of the mama dog and her puppies rescued by a kind gentleman (from Germany) in Amol near Caspian Sea? Leo is one of the lucky puppies who survived and made it all the way to Northern California , now living with his forever loving family.

Adopted by Barbara & Matt on June 11, 2011 - Pescadero, CA

We had been looking for a dog for several months when my husband Matt saw a sign for a dog adoption fair in Half Moon Bay.

Adopted by Farrah and Matt (CA) August 23, 2011

When Bulleit was just a small puppy, he and his brothers were rescued by Vafa. Lucky for us, he soon arrived in America and we had the opportunity to meet him.

"Lucy was first fostered by Douraghy family on June 18, 2011 -- and adopted on July 31, 2011"

We had a dog who unfortunately got cancer and we were all very sad because the vet told us that the best thing to do was to say goodbye to her and put her to sleep. My two sisters and I were very sad and we could not forget her.

Adopted by Gretta - London, Ontario, Canada -  Oct 16, 2011 
Bennie (originally known as Bambi):

If it weren't for our dear friend and supporter Soheila - who for years have been helping local canada rescue groups with transport of the dogs, fostership and more - we would not have had the pleasure of meeting Vicky who helped us place Bambi (now Bennie) in his forever loving home.

Adopted by an Iranian family in Washington, DC area - Feb 27, 2011

If a by-passer looks through the windows of our house around ten a.m. she or he will witness my three year old son walking on his toes, holding a peanut butter sandwich over his head as a large black and white dog cruises next to him. Later in the afternoon the same dog will be chasing gently after my daughter and my son as they play tag.

Adopted by Penny & Ken Donnelly - May 4, 2011

Merry was one of the Quarantine House's most beloved dogs. She's extremely good natured, playful while laid back, kind and loving. She was found at the Metro in Tehran beaten so badly all her legs were broken. How anyone could do that to a creature as beautiful and loving as her is astounding.

Adopted by Katie & Matt Allen-Goebel  on May 22, 2011 - San Pablo, California, USA

Lily has been with us now for about 3 months.  When she first arrived, Lily attempted to push around her older brother, Scooter, stealing his treats, not allowing him to lay on his bed.

Adopted by Siamack & Nasrin Yeganeh - March 29, 2011

We feel so lucky to have adopted a puppy from Vafa Animal Shelter. It's hard to find the words to express the joy this little one has brought in to our lives.

Adopted by  Lei and Jacob Kraup -  June 18, 2011

We have been following VAFA on Facebook for quite a while, as well as many other dog rescue groups.  After a recent move we finally felt ready to welcome a new member into our family. 

Adopted by: Katie Wilson - March 23, 2011

I had thought about getting a second dog ever since moving from the city to rural Sonoma County.

Adopted by Mary Lester: April 16, 2011

A few lines from Mary:
Poonak is the sweetest dog ever.  She is gentle and good natured and she steals every heart that comes near her.

Mina Adopted April 19 2011 by Karen Montgomery

You may have read the piece written a few months ago asking friends to help me rescue Mina.
This is the rest of the story.

Date of adoption: March 13, 2011 - Naghmeh Amini (Fereydoon Shahr, Mazandaran, Iran)

Hi. My name is Lucky. My savior angel gave me this name wishing me to be lucky and happy as long as I live.

On a hot Summer day in Tehran, I found refuge near a house. I was terribly tried and starved, and had been bitten by other dogs. I learned to steal the chickens' food to survive until one day the chickens noticed me and then the lady of the house caught me in the action. She was very surprised to see me.

Adopted by Amiri Family in Los Angeles, CA on Feb 5, 2011

I always wanted a dog. Loved B.C. since they are known for being so smart. I was desperate for a dog, preferably a black one. I was told by my dad about this rescue operation for Dogs in Iran and one Border collie being on his way to the States from Iran.

Adopted on 22 dec, 2010 by Ramos family and lives in Hayward, CA

Ms Azari wrote the following about our Hadook:

Hadook was found on a hot August day in Lavasan. His leg was broken, one eye was red and swollen, and his ear was soar. From the pain of his injuries he had been unable to move form the front of the house he had gotten to for a few days. Thank God the young girl that lived in the house called Vafa Shelter.

Date of adoption 8/31/10 - Dr Shabnam Balali-Edin and Mr Mark Edin

While visiting my mother in Iran this summer, VAFA Shelter asked if I would take a puppy to the USA for Shabnam, a VAFA supporter who wanted to adopt Darya. I agreed. They also asked if I could keep her for a few weeks as Shabnam couldn't take her right away. I also agreed to that. Darya was delivered to me the day before my departure. I would take her out for walks during the day since she was not house trained. She had a few accidents indoors, but was quick to learn that when we were outdoors, that was the place to go.

**Saachi moved to Connecticut on Dec 12, 2010 - Adopted by Sheyda Ardalan

Saachi is a white German Shepherd mix dog. She must have been very cute as a puppy and taken in by a family. By the time she was nine months old and still growing, they didn't want her anymore and abandoned her in the streets of Tehran.

Saachi was seen roaming the neighborhood of Shahrakeh Gharb in early September 2010 for two weeks.

Adopted on Dec 29, 2010 by Mr Alireza Shafayi & Julie

Most of you may remember my story when I was first featured.

I don't think I am more than six months old, as I just lost my first baby tooth.

Maryam and Neda who took care of me when I was first found called me Bijan.
Now that I live with new family in order for my name to rhyme with my sister, Julie, they call me Bijiou.

Adopted on Nov 23, 2010 by Mr & Mrs Saeedi

Bobby:  Our Gentle Giant

It is a quite an experience to adopt a dog! We always wanted to do that, feeling sort of guilty getting two pure bred dogs, where there are so many that needed home and family. We had a dalmation who grew old with us who we had to say goodbye to a while back and a young Viszla, Vida.

Adopted on Oct 18, 2010 by Sebastian Family

I met Chance at Boston's Logan Airport on October 18th, 2010.I was excited to meet him but was astonished when I observed him walking. He was unable to walk a straight line and he persistently circled to his left.  Chance was unable to recognize or perceive objects in his right field of vision and he turned to the left in order to compensate.

Adopted Nov 24, 2010 by Zand Family

Dear Faranak,

I wanted to thank you and your organization for bringing Honey to us. 
We are extremely happy with her. She is very active, tough and all together a happy puppy. We are trying to potty train her. With accidents now and then, we are doing better every day. She is getting accustomed to the English language as well and understanding us all better every day.

Adopted by Gelareh Hojjati on Nov 12, 2010

"True Love"
One night I was really down and didn't feel like being around any one. At 4AM, I opened Vafa's Facbook page in search of a pick me up.It was meant to be. Felfel's picture and story touched my heart deeply. I read it over and over. I decided to look into his status that day and I prayed that he was still available.

Adopted August 18th 2010 by Neda Abdoh

A lovely lady contacted me from Paris - inquiring about the procedures to adopt from Vafa -- as she had her eyes on Selina (Now Rotsi) -  By the time we spoke about the process and we finally found a traveler who was going to Paris from Tehran and offered to help, it took a good couple of months.

Adopted Oct 3, 2010 by Tina & Marty Gillum

Murray was first featured in a group picture at the quarantine house -- along with Darya, Rocky (now Vafa) and Naani.One of our beautiful supporters asked about Darya and decided to adopt her.  When I talked to Ms Mahmoodi and asked her to get Darya ready, she was very happy--but at the same time, sad for Rexi as she said he is Darya's playmate and he'll be left behind, and will miss Darya.

Adopted Sept 8, 2010 by Mehrnoosh Nayak

I found Rocky whimpering from being beat up. There were 7 to 8 people who had gathered around him, and were just looking. Apparently a few kids fed him some raw meat, which made him blost.I took him to the vet, and he was given a shot and some pain meds and cream to put on his sores.

Adopted Sept 4, 2010 by Cathy & Don Straub

Daisy found her forever loving home with a wonderful American Family!

Here's a few lines from Daisy's mom, Cathy:

"As fate would have it my son and his wife Lori live next to the kind hearted and amazing Farah.

Adopted Aug 8, 2010 by Ara Serjoie

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Iran was meeting Ms. Esna-ashari and seeing Vafa animal shelter firsthand. If there is such a thing as God'swork on earth, then I truly believe she and her team are doing it. Taking care of helpless and innocent creatures with love and compassion is within all of us. However, very few of us indeed rise to the occasion and do it so beautifully and with heartfelt interest. I am honored to have met her and grateful to Lucky for bringing me to this wonderful opportunity.

Adopted March 24th of 2010

When Shoko came to our shelter she was a cute little puppy who soon grew to be a beautiful 50 pound dog. She gained her name, Shoko, due to her chocolate milk color. She was always very gentle mannered and never got involved in tackles with other dogs.

Adopted July 2009 by Sheyda Ardalan, Tim Clarke and their son Bijhan Clarke

On my first visit to VAFA in late July of 2009, I noticed a puppy with his ears and tail cut off. He was very timid and when I approached him, he would run away.

I was able to pick him up after I cornered him but knew he was not comfortable. I knew right away that he had suffered a very cruel and painful beginning and decided to adopt him. Once I made my decision, the shelter and the veterinarians started working on getting his papers together. I named him Max because he reminded me of my sister's dog, Pax.