Los Angeles Animal Rescue Of The Week: New Leash On Life

Bobby Dorafshar, founder of New Leash on Life, began volunteering for the Department of Animal Regulation in 1994. Realizing that he could help more animals by increasing general public awareness about shelters and rescue programs, Dorafshar developed and coordinated mobile pet adoptions throughout the city and was able to place more than 5,000 animals in new homes. Building upon his success, Dorafshar followed through on his lifelong dream of opening a no-kill shelter when he and wife, Kelly, launched a New Leash On Life in December of 1997.

New Leash On Life is a nonprofit organization designed to "increase adoptions, reduce animal abandonment and euthanization in Los Angeles and increase public awareness on responsible pet ownership through education," according to Sean Tanner, who works with the organization. In 2002 New Leash on Life acquired a 13-acre property in Santa Clarita Valley. Other achievements include launching programs like the M.P.A. (Mobile Pet Adoption) program, the P.E.T. (Pet Education Trainers) program, which focuses on teaching children about animal awareness, care and safety, and a literacy assistance program where children build reading skills and confidence by reading to rescue dogs. Additionally, the foundation's Lend a Paw (LAP) program provides social and therapy dogs to people experiencing physical, mental, emotional or life challenges.

The organization holds fundraising events to help fund its programs. One such event is its annual NUTS for MUTTS, which features the 5K Walk for Paws and the Dog Show. Awards at the family-friendly dog show include "Best Kisser," "Fastest Eater," "Most Vocal," and "Mystery Mutt." To see some of the dogs currently available at New Leash On Life, check out the photos below!

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Nova

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Nova sure has surprised us since she's been here at New Leash. At first glance, she seems very laid back and mellow. But now that we've gotten to know her a little better, we now know that she's the complete opposite. Nova loves to play fetch, run around, and play tug-o-war with whoever will play back. She loves to be on the go and out and about on walks and runs. Don't let her age fool you. Nova will bring many years of loyalty and lots of fun and adventure into your life! A stray, Nova wound up in the shelter unsure of where she was or what would happen to her. A confident girl who makes an excellent doggy role model to her fellow kennel mates by teaching them manners, lovable Nova is waiting patiently for a family who can love her as much as we do.

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Nova sure has surprised us since she's been here at New Leash. At first glance, she seems very laid back and mellow. But now that we've gotten to know her a little better, we now know that she's the complete opposite. Nova loves to play fetch, run around, and play tug-o-war with whoever will play back. She loves to be on the go and out and about on walks and runs. Don't let her age fool you. Nova will bring many years of loyalty and lots of fun and adventure into your life!

A stray, Nova wound up in the shelter unsure of where she was or what would happen to her. A confident girl who makes an excellent doggy role model to her fellow kennel mates by teaching them manners, lovable Nova is waiting patiently for a family who can love her as much as we do.

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Not my Breed! Can we keep him?

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Comments

[terryfan]

09:03 PM on 05/19/2011

This has nothing to do with jealousy among rescues, but educating others to do their research. Be sure you review their financials first and what you will see is a small amount of money being spent on the animals and an exorborant amount of money being spent on a ridiculously large property – a property that houses just a small number of dogs (just check out their website to see photos for yourself of their “ranch” and the number of dogs up for adoption). I have no idea what kind of house they live in, but they do drive some pretty fancy cars. At the same time they were claiming New Leash was closing due to financial crisis, they showed up to their “ranch” to lay off their staff while driving a Porsche and a Mercedes! I stopped volunteering because I did not like how Bobby uses a "heavy hand" with the animals nor how they try to use their nonprofit to benefit their profit business.

[terryfan]

10:45 PM on 05/19/2011

It is also correct that Bobby has no credentials. If he were such a great trainer/behavorist, then why has Beau been sitting waiting for adoption for years? And what happened to all the money supporters donated for kennels that have never been built?

[Siren Song]

03:32 AM on 05/13/2011

Thank you and bless you, New Leash on Life!

[Pema]

11:36 AM on 05/12/2011

thank you s much hp. the network of animal activist are drowning, so many animals sufferring horribly. thanks for this segment. its most appreciated.

[topkatnc]

08:14 AM on 05/17/2011

Indeed it is .. I come across so many strays that it breaks my heart .. there are so many dogs and cats that have never felt the love of a human , and there lives are shorten by disease and fighting .. we need more of this !

[Pema]

10:13 AM on 05/17/2011

i love you micro bio!
the problem is god awful. free dogs and cats can end up at a torturers house. i just read a wb man forced his ex girlfriend to watch. he had her tied up. we need program for kids on abuse, we have tons of tv and games teaching them violence without consequences. why isnt there a program that teaches about abuse, what it is, how to take action.
thanks for what your doing.
f&f

[Pema]

10:32 AM on 05/17/2011

ps. if your on fb you can come onto my animals activist page. i just started tinking with it. its soley for animal activits to express their feelings. many time we just need to cry to people who really understand.
no posting of adoption no judgements no fighting. just a safe place to let doen our hair and support each other. i am trying to see if i can get guest bloggers to write something from time to time. maybe even have a live chat with an expert from time to time.
anyway Dana Lee is my FB page :)

[myml]

05:59 PM on 05/11/2011

troubling how people get blind-sighted by the magic words "dog rescue". instead of asking hard questions, looking into a rescue's financial records, they give $$$ for the love of dogs... reality check please!!
because of people's generosity and ultimately their love of dogs, bobby dorafshar and his wife live lavishly in a multi-million dollar house. not long ago they opened up a fancy business called k-9s only, whilst claiming 'hardship' for their rescue.... he does a great job marketing, and portraying himself as a charming and loving "dog rescuer". he can be very persuasive and has even been able to dazzle some celebrities. the truth is he makes a ton of money and most of his rescue dogs are being fostered off site, costing him very little.. the board of directors for his non-profit organization (501c3/tax-free!!) are all family members. i am not saying he does not care for dogs, but everything this man does ultimately IS self-serving and FOR profit entirely. btw, his overpriced dog training programs (and he is NOT a certified 'behaviorist') are done with excessive force, based on harshness and outdated training methods.

[KellyD2011]

09:12 PM on 05/12/2011

I'm Kelly Dorafshar. I do not live lavishly nor is my home a multi-million dollar house. Since when can two people not run a profit business and also a nonprofit? NLOL does not pay Bobby or I for any work that we do. We founded the organization, we are not taking advantage of it. K9s Only, the 'fancy business" is a haven for dog lovers which also sponsors New Leash On Life's Lend A Paw Program, a donation of over $6000 a month. We don't make a TON of money... lord I wish. Not sure how you would know how much money we make...
Also, we currently have 1 dog that is fostered off site.... not really sure where you are getting your information from.
Lastly, Bobby and I are the only board members who are related. I'm sure that the other would be surprised to learn of their supposed family ties to us! LOL!
Your comment is offensive and abusive. You have no idea who we are or what we do. I wish you luck and hope that you find happiness.
Kelly Dorafshar

[myml]

09:33 PM on 05/12/2011

but of course you would respond exactly as you did. I understand....

[juliaseyes]

09:56 PM on 05/12/2011

SADLY...I have witnessed jealousy and pettiness between our Los Angeles rescue organizations. However the above commentary is beyond the pale. One must ask...is this a competitor or someone who has "heard" these things and has not taken time to check out the FACTS? Whoever, you are...you certainly impaled an ax into the hearts of many New Leash on Life supporters.

Here is the truth and it comes from someone who worked thirty years as an investigative reporter. The Dorashar home is not a "lavish multi-million dollar house"...rather an electic little wood bungalow almost 2,000 square feet and beautifully furnished with family hand me downs and heirlooms. Their back yard is large and a haven for their two young children and six dogs. They have fruit trees and chickens, with whose produce they are generous.

New Leash is a legal 501C3 organization and their records are public! There is not ONE family member on the Board. It is true the two location K9's Only is their business . Since when is it "bad" for rescue founders to also be business owners? In FACT, New Leash would not be the state of the art rescue is is...had it not been continually underwritten by the Dorafshar's!

FACTS make up responsible journalism...the above commentary is what a first year journalists would be told is a perfect example of the YELLOW press! I demand a retraction!

[Mary Cummins]

06:36 PM on 05/10/2011

Bobby Dorafshar is a fantastic guy. He is a true animal lover and a great dog trainer. New Leash on Life is also a great group. Thanks for featuring him.

Mary Cummins
Animal Advocates
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us

[fantomette]

03:37 PM on 05/10/2011

omg. my heart just melted.. lunchbox, cookie and macgyver...i get a bigger place to get u 3!