We are dedicated to the protection and well-being of all animals–domestic and wildlife.
The S.A.F.E. Foundation’s vision is a commitment to saving and improving the lives and health of animals in need. Helping to protect their natural environment is key to their survival. Assistance is offered to animal shelters in finding loving, forever homes for homeless animals, with the goal of eliminating euthanasia. We look for opportunities to work with and support organizations that provide rehabilitation to animals in a safe, natural environment for their release back into their habitat. The S.A.F.E. Foundation offers assistance to and will join animal rescue groups to successfully relocate animals displaced by natural disasters, forest fires, and loss of habitat.
“Save Animals From Extinction”
MAKE A DIFFERENCE… VOLUNTEER
As a volunteer, you are key to the success of helping animal shelters get these animals adopted into their loving forever homes. Volunteers are the “unsung heroes” who do this because of their love and concern for animals.
As a volunteer…
1. You will be making a difference to get animals ready to be adopted.
They need care, grooming, feeding, health checks, clean living quarters, human interaction, affection, exercise, socialization, and playtime.
2. You will be making a difference in your community.
Abandoned and scared animals wander neighborhoods and city streets. They are rescued and brought to a safe environment to the local animal shelter or rescue center where you’ll be caring for them until they’re adopted.
3. You will be making a difference in your sense of responsibility.
The awareness knowing that these animals are completely dependent upon you. The shelter and its staff will also depend upon you as a representative of their organization.
4. You will be making a difference not only in the lives of the animals, but also in the lives of many people.
When families and individuals adopt an animal into their forever homes, their lives will be enriched with unconditional love and appreciation from their newly adopted “family member” that you had cared for.
5. You will be making a difference in your life with a sense of purpose.
You’ll experience fulfillment knowing you are doing something that matters. It will change the lives of these innocent animals and their new families who adopt them. As you care for and interact with these special animals, a bond will form and you’ll be thanked with lots of affection, lots of purring, and lots of wagging tails.
6. You will be making a difference in your mental and physical health by staying active.
Whether you are retired, working, or a student, spending some time helping out at an animal shelter or rescue center, you will feel a lift in your mood and life. You will be with other people who share the same interest in helping animals find their forever homes. Enjoy fresh air and a little exercise taking the dogs on walks, playing catch, and grooming them. Or engage the cats with play time to enjoy their entertaining personalities or enjoy quiet time with them as nap and purr on your lap. Spending time with these incredible animals is enjoyable, fun, and very rewarding.
Whatever your reason may be for volunteering, when you make the commitment to volunteer, you will be making a difference not only in the lives of many animals, but also your own. Contact your local animal shelter.
Be their hero and change their world…ADOPT!
Do you want to do more? For just one dollar a day, your donations can help save the lives of many of our fur friends.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT… “Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA)”
All of us at S.A.F.E. Foundation are excited to include the Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) in our “family” that we have the opportunity to help and support. The OCPCA is a nonprofit organization representing all law enforcement agencies in Orange County that have a K-9 Department.
We interviewed the OCPCA and learned so much about what they do and how their “work” depends on the public’s help with donations.
We are looking forward to be able to work with all of OCPCA’s law enforcement members to offer our financial assistance, from helping to purchase safety equipment for their K9s, helping with the needs of retired K9s, with medical expenses for the K9s that aren’t covered, or however we can help.
Because of our past work with the Orange County Sheriff’s K-9 Department (purchasing safety equipment for their K9s), S.A.F.E. Foundation has been invited to participate in OCPCA’s annual fundraiser on October 18th as a title sponsor. Our booth will be offering many fun fundraising items to choose from, including delicious bake sale desserts!
Proceeds will be going to Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) and to continue our financial assistance to local animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and animal rescue groups.
Please come and show your support Orange County Police Canine Annual K9 Demonstration – Saturday, October 18th at University High School (Irvine). Find out more at www.ocpca.org
Learn more about the Orange County Police Canine Association in their interview S.A.F.E. Foundation did with them.
Download Information For Orange County Police Canine Association’s Next Event, October 18th:Â OCPCA Event Flyer
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Q&A INTERVIEW
Q: When was the Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) established as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization?
A: The Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) was founded in 1983 by a group of local law enforcement canine handlers who wanted to unite agencies, share training, and support K-9 programs across the county. Over time, it grew into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting active and retired police dogs, assisting handlers and families in times of need, and educating the community through demonstrations and events like the annual OCPCA K-9 Benefit Show.
Q: What is OCPCA's main purpose/goal(s)?
A: The main purpose of the Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) is to support law enforcement K-9 teams in Orange County by providing resources for training, equipment, and medical care, while also fostering community engagement. As a nonprofit, OCPCA raises funds to care for active and retired police dogs, assists agencies and handlers in times of need, hosts training, helps purchase equipment and police service dogs, and educates the public on the vital role police dogs play in keeping communities safe.
Q: How many law enforcement agencies belong to the Orange County Police Canine Association?
A: The Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) consists of over 80 active-duty police canines and several retired canines, representing 27 law enforcement agencies across Orange County.
Q: Does that include every law enforcement agency in Orange County that has a K-9 Unit/department?
A: All law enforcement agencies in Orange County that have police dogs are automatically members of the OCPCA, ensuring every K-9 team in the county is represented and supported.
Q: Are there any law enforcement agencies that are members, but do not have a K-9 department?
A: We currently do not have any member agencies without a K-9 program – all OCPCA field police service dogs.
Q: About how many K9s and handlers are there in total within all the enforcement agencies in Orange County?
A: There are currently over 80 canine teams in Orange County, with disciplines that include apprehension, narcotics detection, bomb detection, firearms detection, tracking, electronics detection, and arson detection.
Q: There must be situations that are quite emotional and devastating that might need OCPCA to step in and help. It must be heartbreaking to have one of those situations be a fallen or injured fellow officer. How can OCPCA help those grieving families?
A: In times of tragedy, the OCPCA stands beside grieving families and fellow officers by offering emotional and financial support, assisting with services, and ensuring they feel the strength of the K-9 community. Our support canines also play a pivotal role, providing comfort and healing during these heartbreaking moments.
Q: And, if a K9 is killed or injured while on duty, it must be so difficult and heart wrenching forthe handler and his/her family, and also for fellow law enforcement agencies. What can OCPCA do to help?
A: When a police K-9 is injured or killed in the line of duty, the OCPCA ensures the dog is properly honored for their service and sacrifice. Just as importantly, we rally the entire K-9 community to stand behind the handler, their family, and their department-providing emotional and financial support so they know they are not facing the loss alone.
Q: Can you briefly share a recent example of a common situation where OCPCA reaches out to give assistance?
A: A recent example of how OCPCA provides assistance is when a police K-9 retires after years of service. Since many departments do not cover the full cost of a retired dog’s medical care, OCPCA helps with veterinary expenses and other needs up to $1000 annually per canine, ensuring these loyal partners are cared for in retirement and easing the financial burden on their handlers and families. In addition, OCPCA recently provided $2,000 to assist an Orange County agency in purchasing a new police canine, helping strengthen their K-9 program and continue serving the community.
Q: Does the Orange County Police Canine Association receive any financial assistance thorough grants or funding from the federal or state government? local law enforcement agencies? County of Orange?
A: The Orange County Police Canine Association does not receive any financial assistance from federal or state grants, local law enforcement agencies, or the County of Orange. All of our funding comes solely from the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community supporters who believe in our mission to care for and support police service dogs, their handlers, and their families.
Q: Are there challenge(s)the Orange County Police Canine Association encounters that makes what you do harder?
A: Yes – one of the biggest challenges the Orange County Police Canine Association faces is the ongoing need to raise funds to support active and retired police canines. Since we do not receive government or agency funding, we rely entirely on donations and community support, which can be difficult to sustain year after year. In addition, the rising costs of veterinary care, specialized equipment, and training make it harder to meet the growing needs of K-9 teams across the county. Despite these challenges, the dedication of our supporters allows us to continue our mission.
Q: The Orange County Police Canine Association has its annual fundraiser in October. Can you please share some information about this special event and its importance to the OCPCA? Where can people find out more information and how to get tickets?
A: Each October, the Orange County Police Canine Association hosts its Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show, our largest fundraiser of the year. This family-friendly event features exciting K-9 demonstrations including obedience, detection, and apprehension scenarios-along with a vendor fair, food, music, and a spectacular drone show finale. The fundraiser is critical to OCPCA because it generates the majority of the funds we use to support active and retired police canines, provide training opportunities, and assist handlers and their families in times of need.
For more information and to purchase tickets, people can visit our website at www.ocpca.org or follow us on social media, where we share updates, event details, and links to ticket sales.
Q: How can a person make a donation to the Orange County Police Canine Association?
A: Donations to the Orange County Police Canine Association can be made securely online through our website at www.ocpca.org. For those who prefer to donate by check, contributions can be mailed to:
Orange County Police Canine Association
P.O. Box 10182, Santa Ana, CA 92711
Every donation directly supports our mission to care for active and retired police canines, provide training and equipment, and assist handlers and their families.
Q: In addition to making a monetary donation, can a person also donate any items that the OCPCA might need? If so, who can they contact and how?
A: Yes, in addition to monetary donations, the OCPCA also welcomes in-kind donations such as dog supplies, training equipment, raffle or auction items for our annual fundraiser, and other goods or services that support our mission. Anyone interested in making this type of donation can reach out to us directly through our website at www.ocpca.org or by emailing info@ocpca.org. A member of our team will gladly connect with you to coordinate the donation.
Q: Is there anything else the Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) would like the public to know (e.g., what you do, who you are, or how the public can help, etc.)?
A: The Orange County Police Canine Association (OCPCA) is so incredibly grateful to our community of supporters, whose generosity makes everything we do possible. Because of you, we are able to stand behind the amazing K-9 teams that protect our neighborhoods-whether it’s helping purchase new police dogs, providing equipment and training, covering retirement medical costs, or ensuring fallen K-9s are honored with dignity. Your support allows us to give back to these courageous dogs and their handlers, and we cannot thank you enough for being such an important part of the OCPCA family.
QUICK LINKS
Find helpful information-use these quick links:
CONTACTÂ US
Address:Â
S.A.F.E. Foundation
P.O. Box 80177
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Phone: (833) 609-0684
DISCLAIMER