Introducting ARP at Water Street Coffee Joint

It’s September at Water Street! To us that means seeing the return of study sessions at our tables as students return, fall drinks making their debut again, and of course, our new food menu hitting the cafes.  This year we are also excited to announce our second time partnering with Animal Rescue Project (ARP). It’s coffee to the rescue!  For the entire month of September, you will find one pound specially labeled ARP bags of our West Coast Breakfast Blend on the shelves at all of our cafes. For each of these bags of coffee sold, Water Street will be donating $4.50 to the shelter to help fund the care and maintenance of all of the animals they rescue.

Who is Animal Rescue Project and what are they all about?

ARP is a local animal shelter that opened in October 2010 at 219 Peekstock Drive. After giving the building a face lift, improving drainage and ventilation, and installing all the equipment needed to care for their furry friends, the shelter started on a passionate journey to save homeless pets one at a time.  ARP provides medical care and safe housing, as well as adoption services for potential owners all with only 50 experienced volunteers!  Today that number has grown to over 150 volunteers and the entire organization is completely volunteer run and sustained by fundraising and donations.

With every pet that is rescued, ARP has a 4 Commitment Policy:

1. They are a no kill organization. They believe that every pet has a right to life as well as human care and companionship.  Euthanizing is used only when a pet has been diagnosed with an incurable disease that severely limits the quality and duration of their life.  It is never done out of a need for space.
2. They provide a lifetime safety net for every animal they adopt out.  If a pet loses their home any time after adoption, ARP readmits the animal to the rescue program and begins again to look for their forever home.
3. They rescue without borders.  Their program considers all homeless dogs and cats regardless of regional, state, or national origin.
4. Pets are their only priority.  They rescue pets regardless of health status and provide the best possible medical care to cure or reverse conditions brought on by prior living conditions. They also use 95 cents of every dollar received toward the rescue, care and placement of homeless pets. Volunteers provide and perform all administrative tasks so that the maximum amount of funds can be used on each pet.

How can we help?

ARP has a number of ways you can help contribute:

• Volunteer and help ARP by walking dogs that need more exercise as they age to stay healthy, hang out and socialize with their cats, clean out cages and living areas, or ask about office related work.
• Donate to offer financial support.
• Adopt a pet and give some lucky pet a forever home!
• Advocate for ARP on your Facebook or other social media by spreading their message and mission that all animals deserve to be loved in a good home.
• For the month of September you can stop by any Water Street Coffee Joint and know that the bag of coffee you bought for your morning cup of joe is making a direct contribution to the organization!

We will also be providing FREE dog treats through our Portage Drive-Thru with any purchase all month long – so bring your pup by for a visit (tip: you can purchase your special ARP bagged coffee through the drive-thru as well).

Special ARP Label bags are also available for purchase on our website!

Want to find out what the animals are up to or what events are going on? Visit ARP’s Facebook for pictures, updates, and more.  Open visiting hours at the shelter are Monday through Friday from 2-7pm and Saturdays from 11am-4pm and they love visitors – they’re especially in need of foster families and dog walkers right now!  For more information or to get in touch with ARP about opportunities to get involved please visit their website animalrescueproject.org or call 269-492-1010.