ASTRO Foundation
Turning Passion into Action
The ASTRO Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing cats and dogs in Oakdale, Riverbank, and Escalon, CA. Our journey began in 2012, when a small group of passionate animal lovers started rescuing animals through foster homes. In 2014, ASTRO was officially founded, and over the years we have grown from a foster-based rescue into a full-service adoption organization making a lasting impact in our community.
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We opened our first adoption center at 157 N Fifth Avenue in Oakdale in 2021, marking a major step forward. Our rapid program growth quickly made it clear that we needed a larger facility, and thanks to a second capital campaign, we moved into our current home at 20 S Stearns Road, Oakdale in April 2025. Today, ASTRO rescues hundreds of animals each year, helping them find loving homes while also addressing the root causes of animal homelessness.
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Our programs go beyond adoptions. Our Community Cat Programs reduce feline overpopulation, and the Happy Pets Food Pantry provides pet food and supplies to families facing financial hardship, helping pets stay safely in their homes. We also provide humane education, teaching compassion, responsible pet ownership, and community stewardship.
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ASTRO is led by a wonderful Board of Directors: our founder and board president Jaydeen Vicente, vice president Anita Morphew, treasurer Lynette Fletcher, and board chairs Laurette Wagner-Neumann and Jennifer Gowans. Our dedicated staff includes Executive Director Megan Scoullar, Programs Manager Georgina Reteleas, Adoption & Retail Specialist Ashlee Brown, and Retail Specialist Katie Gilbreath. We also rely heavily on an incredible team of volunteers, without whom our mission would not be possible.
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We do not receive government funding, and rely entirely on grants, thrift shop sales, and the generosity of our community to continue our lifesaving work. Our Thrift & Gift Shop, located at 250 E. E Street, Oakdale, is open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 AM–4 PM and offers a high-end boutique experience with all proceeds directly supporting our rescue pets. All goods are generously donated by community members.
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Our Adoption Center is open Wednesday–Sunday, 9 AM–5 PM, and many of our pets are also available in foster homes or at Petco in Riverbank. To make it easy for the community to meet our animals, we hold larger adoption events every Sunday at Petco Riverbank from 12–3 PM.
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Whether through fostering, volunteering, adopting, or shopping in our thrift store, the ASTRO Foundation welcomes everyone to join us in creating a compassionate, animal-friendly community.
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