SAN FRANCISCO RAW FEEDERS (SFRAW)
a newsletter (finally!)
species appropriate | community | support | local | truly pasture-raised | eat wild
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So, here we are. If you are fortunate enough to read this, you (and we) are one of the lucky ones. Through a year of tremendous struggle, with resilience and strength through great challenge, together, we have made it to the end of 2020 (nearly) and are now looking towards how we'll navigate through 2021.
Goodness! There's a lot of clouds, misty hills and steep mountains ahead of us to move through -- just so much uncertainty ahead. But we have our eyes and hearts focused on every little glimmer, every ray of light - even if it seems really dim at times. With LOVE and compassion for ourselves, our animals and our community, we will make it.
SFRAW is here for you. We are doing everything that we can to provide you with what you need, to support our community of producers and YOU, our members, to make our space a safe place for our members to visit, and to "keep the boat afloat" - despite days and times when it seems nearly impossible or too sad, too hard, too unbelievable.
(( service focused | heart focused | animal focused ))
We keep on connecting with and sending love to all of the animals in our lives - we are SO incredibly fortunate to know them. So fortunate, so grateful.
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On the Menu @sfraw Tim's Production Report for BULK/FRESH & Holiday Hours!
👉SFRAW is OPEN & bursting with GOOD FOOD! We're committed to remaining OPEN normal hours as an essential business during the current lockdown but, we'll be CLOSED on DEC 24-25th & DEC 31st-JAN 1st. Open Sat, Jan 2nd 2021, from 9am-5pm.
🤩We've got a few🌲FRESH LOCALLY MADE WINTER WREATHS🌲& SFRAW 2021 Wall Photo Calendars $25/ea
🤶🎅🎄Happy Holidays🌲🥂❄
SFRAW Gift Certificates 💝🎁🧧are available in $25 increments. We also have a collection of beautiful dog/cat seasonal cards made by local artist @rigelstuhmiller and a selection of gift wrap supplies (ribbons, baskets, bags) for you to package up with goodies for anyone on your list!💝
Ready to go Wed Dec 16th
(open 12-5pm)
🦆DUCK GRIND
❄GOOSE GRIND🎄(non bulk & VERY limted!)
🐂BEEF GRIND
🐇RABBIT GRIND
🦃TURKEY GRIND
🌿VEGGIE MIXES
Ready Thurs Dec 17th
(open 9am-7pm)
🐂BEEF FORMULA
🐖PORK GRIND/FORMULA
🐑LAMB GRIND
🐓CHICKEN GRIND/FORMULA
🐇RABBIT GRIND (extra batch!)
Ready Fri DEC 18th
(open 9am-7pm)
🦃TURKEY FORMULA
🐂BEEF GRIND (extra batch!)
🦆DUCK FORMULA
🐂BEEF ORGAN BLEND
🐖PORK ORGAN BLEND
🐓GROUND CHICKEN BONES
🌺FRESH RAW ORGANIC TURMERIC GOLDEN PASTE starter! MOBILITY MIX, Satin Balls, Prey Model Packs, RED GOLD, all BONE BROTHS & last bags of our limited run DEHYDRATED BISON LUNGS 💘
HIGH OMEGA3 FOODS In Stock:
🐟ROCKFISH FILLET CUBES
🐟WHITEFISH BONE GRIND
🍣WILD SALMON ROE
🌊WILD COD LIVERS
🦪OYSTERS
🦐WILD USA SHRIMP
👉Canned: no salt wild salmon, cod fillets, anchovies, sardines, clam juice = liquid TAURINE boost! 💗
🤩LOTS of fresh seasonal LOCAL ORGANIC PRODUCE🥬 & FRESH ETHICALLY PRODUCED LOCALLY MADE ORGANIC VEGAN CHOCOLATES & Holiday Gift Boxes from @CoracaoConfections 🍫
👉Seasonal Local Pasture-raised🥚&🥛shortages in effect! 👉IN STOCK: 🐐RAW GOAT MILK & KEFIR, Mary’s local ORGANIC duck eggs. Focus on MarinePhytoplankton, Cod Livers, Red Gold and/or extra liver during the❄season to provide omega3s, minerals, and vitamins. Then, return to the abundance of pasture-raised eggs & raw milk for the 🌞seasons.
@sfraw #sfraw
@sfrawmembers #sfrawmembers
We rely on your continued support to survive. This year has been really difficult; really tough (on everyone). Thank you so much for showing up, for paying your membership dues (on time!), buying all the good stuff that we work so hard to source and produce, and for participating in our unique community. Remember, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"; we are resilient and inspired - and very grateful for every moment, which we appreciate as both a gift and an opportunity. 💖
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STARTING JAN 2, 2021
AS EXPECTED: ADJUSTED PRICING FOR SFRAW GRINDS & FORMULAS
PLUS: NEW PRICES FOR GROUND BONES & GROUND OFFAL BLENDS
Please note: above graphics show the member 30% off discounted pricing per lb. for either 16 or 32 oz sized containers; 8 oz. containers cost a bit more & 64 oz. sized containers cost a bit less per lb.
From my last newsletter, "Easing us into what's to come: shortages and price jumps may very well occur before the end of the year. We want to be ready for this, to buffer/protect our members from any dramatic shifts, when possible. We have been working with our suppliers to come up with sustainable solutions to support one another long-term through this crisis, and when possible, to secure inventory now with this in mind."
As predicted, prices/costs indeed started to skyrocket for us around October/November, but we did not adjust anything at that time, and will keep our prices as they are now until Jan 2, 2021.
Buy now if you can!
Industry insiders expect general marketplace increases - especially on all things in lamb, beef & likely chicken, in 2021. We will keep prices on all the DIY ingredients as they are now, too but we expect more adjustments in 2021 across the board. It would be a relief if the costs were to go down - if they do, we promise to pass any and all savings on to you at every chance.
We've been working very diligently on managing costs and protecting our members from cost increases for many of our products all year. You may remember how we moved everything into categories earlier this year with the expectation that prices were going to adjust (go up dramatically on staples like beef & turkey) towards the end of the year. Well, they did, indeed, go up - we also experienced a dramatic change in our rabbit, which was unexpected.
Nearing the end of 2020, we have been working very closely with our producers to be involved with their 2021 programs of which we play a significant part. We have had to make some difficult decisions as for commitments/advance purchasing to lock in prices that help us all to plan financially. We are struggling small food and farming businesses exposed to incredible market risks, and by making these commitments we hope to better support future solvency for our valued producers.
Now, more than ever, future prices and availability are extremely uncertain. That being said - we're betting on our producers by investing with a commitment to their programs. We trust that by securing the best in quality inventory, even while prices have been skyrocketing, will pay off in the end.
With things the way they are now, it feels like we're buying "high" but we do expect prices to only go up with available inventory for high quality meats/poultry may become scarce due to drought in some areas, and many other factors come into play, including the pandemic. We hope that the economy will improve in 2021 - all fingers, toes, paws and tails crossed!
As you might notice: Formulas now cost only $1 more per lb. compared to the Grinds (difference being $2 more per lb. previously). We are able to lower the price on several of our products: Seafood Formula, Pork Grind, Pork Formula, while for others we can maintain current pricing: Chicken Formula, Lamb Formula, Rabbit Formula.
For other products - namely beef & turkey - we needed to bring the price up just to cover the costs of the ingredients we use and are securing now for 2021. Please understand that this is just to "make it" on these products. We've done everything that we could to keep our prices as low as possible while still maintaining our quality standards (not switching over to less nutritious, less healthy, lower quality, less humanely raised ingredients).
We're working hard and doing our best to provide you with the best food and invest in everyone's future by supporting producers doing all that they can to producer better, healthier, more nutritious, safer, humane and environmentally responsible food.
With Love and tremendous Gratitude, Kasie & Jeff who has worked very diligently and earnestly on building these critical relationships with me, and on all the various number crunching that is required to negotiate and advocate in the best interest of all involved, by putting these collaborative programs together with me
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MAUI NUI VENISON
STEW MEAT, LEG MEDALLIONS & GROUND VENISON IN STOCK NOW
OUR VENISON GRIND R&D BATCHES WERE INCREDIBLE - SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW SFRAW GRIND & FORMULA COMING VERY SOON!
The founder of this program, Jacob ("Jake") first reached out to me in 2016. I get inquiries from producers seeking to sell to us weekly, but very few make a real impression. So, we started the conversation during a time while he was just getting established; and we made a genuine connection. I'm so pleased to see how he's gone on to develop one of the most unique, successful and unbelievably cool wild harvesting programs that I've seen. We reconnected this year and I can't tell you just how excited I am about our developing partnership with this incredible producer. Now we've got some pretty exciting plans underway!
As you can see in this video, Maui Nui wild-harvested venison is unlike any other meat in the marketplace: from the origin of the species, to the environmental impacts, through every carefully considered and thoughtfully executed detail. This venison resides in a league of its own.
Their genetics, and how/where the animals are raised has a direct impact on the level of nutrition that they provide. From the preliminary information we've gathered thus far, this venison is off the charts when it comes to how valuable a food source and how nutritious it is. How it's humanely harvested, processed and brought to market is all done with honor and an exceptional level of care.
The super exciting SFRAW options we're developing using this meat will be just outstanding.
I'm so honored to work with a supplier such as Maui Nui - stay tuned for more wonderful venison options from SFRAW and Maui Nui!
And drop in today to give it a try by picking up a few packs of what we have in stock right now. Enjoy!
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AVAILABLE NOW: SFRAW 2021 WALL CALENDARS
Below you can review the final images included in our 2021 SFRAW Wall Calendar photographed and compiled by multi-talented SFRAW Member/Mentor, professional artist/musician, portrait photographer David Kim @ddaesh_k
Lucky WINNERS from our last supersale's giveaway were gifted a photoshoot session with David. Aren't the images David chose from these sessions just beautiful?   As you can see, our 2021 Wall Calendar is absolutely stunning. We love how each month is represented by our much loved members. 
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😍MERCH ALERT! NEW SFRAW MERCH – squee!🤩
So happy with the beautifully embroidered #certifiedorganic, #locallymade and manufactured #merch by @farmfreshshirts ! 🙏🙏🙏
🌟They did an awesome job!🌟
👉Our new SFRAW hats, tees, pullover hoodie and zip-up hoodie plus tote bags & decal stickers all AVAILABLE now. These are what I wear and use every single day. The totes are washable workhorses that hold up beautifully under VERY heavy use - SO well made. #cutetotebag #organictotebag #sfrawmerch
👉The tees and hats are offered in a variety of shirt/hat colors/thread color combos and we've got a fitted style as well as the regular fit tees.
💪LOCALLY made, even the actual shirts themselves are manufactured in Petaluma! 🤩So cool!
🌿100% Certified ORGANIC Hats, Tees, Hoodies (zip & pullover styles)
💗Super soft & comfortable
🌟Embroidered (not screen printed)
😻BONUS (found out while ordering): made by a fellow raw feeder (even her mom is a SFRAW fan – this is so seriously awesome!)🐾🦄🙏
#rawfeedingcommunity #sfrawcommunity
Also: SFRAW LOGO DECAL/STICKERS
Represent! Stick on your car, crates - wherever! FUN & FREE to any member that asks for them -- if you have an order for volunteer rendez-vous pickup/delivery just ask us to pop a decale in with your order if you'd like!
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I was a return guest on Dr. Falconer's excellent new podcast! I love this episode for newbies. In this episode, I go through my step-by-step guides to switching dogs and cats over to raw. This one is a great episode to share with people interested in switching over to raw feeding. If you find it useful, please share widely -- thank you!
Vital Animal Podcast #013 with Dr. Will Falconer, DVM
Kasie Maxwell: How to make the jump to raw
"Kasie Maxwell is back, this time sharing her decades of experience in helping pet owners make the transition to raw feeding. We discuss kittens, puppies, kibble addicted cats, and dogs and how each is unique in their needs to make the jump smooth.
Not only has Kasie worked through her SFRAW buying club to help people climb to a higher nutritional plane for their pets, she also shares how a walkabout in Kenya helped shape her recommendations on feeding your cats. She was lucky enough to visit the Masai for a spell and learned how lions actually eat. And what “normal” big cats stools look like!
If you’ve ever needed a little help getting your animals switched to raw, you’ll want to listen to this episode closely and read the accompanying material linked in the show notes.
Bottom line: all those groups of animals need a somewhat different transition but none of it is difficult when you learn from an expert like Kasie."
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Speaking of switching to raw...I have made several informational postcards that are now available to pickup at SFRAW (see images below). Currently, I have the following postcards prepared, printed and available in-store:
- Switching Adult Dogs to Raw
- Switching Adult Cats to Raw
- Using SFRAW Grinds
- How Much to Feed
More to come! I'm currently working on additional cards including basic information on the following topics:
- Raw Meaty Bones
- Organs/Offal
- Omega-3s & Seafood
- SFRAW Grinds & Formulas
- SFRAW Veggie & Vitality Blend
- SFRAW Apothecary:
- Making DIY Tick Spritz; Starter's Blend/Stomach Soothing Detox Herbs, Seaweed Blend & Healthy Powder; Seasonal Herbs
- DIY First Aid Kit Essentials
I've been working a lot of writing this year. In addition to a book I'm working on, I am working on a little booklet for the shop that will review our DIY Budget-Friendly Menu Ideas - there's too much information to fit onto a single postcard, so this will be a small booklet available in-store once completed.
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SFRAW Raw Frozen Wild Cod Liver Cubes, Portioned
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$4.44
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🌊YES! WILD ALASKAN RAW COD LIVERS!🌊
Clean, line-caught, sustainable, fresh frozen (frozen at sea -35 degrees for safety/ready to feed) third-party tested for contaminants (undetectable levels of PCBs, mercury) Verified analysis shows extraordinary levels of beneficial omega3/omega9 fatty acids & bioavailable fat-soluble vitamins A, D & E.
Little goes a long way for this potent, ancestral food & culinary delicacy. Incredible health benefits! A true SUPERFOOD! Edible WHOLE FOOD VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT! Years of searching, research, and consideration behind sourcing.
AVAILABLE NOW: CUBED & Portioned & now added to our new/improved REFORMULATED SEAFOOD FORMULA.
Cut into cubes for easier feeding. They "melt" super fast and really should be kept frozen or the cubes might turn into blobs:)
KEEP FROZEN FOR BEST RESULTS: Simply cut off a piece, straight from the freezer. It's like butter and cuts very easily while frozen. Once defrosted please feed cod livers within 24 hours. They start to break down and begin to "ferment" which is not dangerous, but can be yucky.
BEST SERVED FROZEN! Best method? Like anchovies, smelt, mackerel and sardines, we recommend feeding the cod liver frozen. I bet that will work great for most people...please, let your dogs decide!
Omega UP with this incredible superfood! Super high in omega3s and no PCBs or mercury concerns! Cod Liver is one of the best sources of bioavailable safe, wholesome, wholefood sources of vitamin A & D you can get! Rich in a greadetoxifierer, selenium, too. For indigenous populations that live in polar regions, cod livers are a traditional source of vitamin C, too! Pretty cool.
DID YOU KNOW? Most dogs (not sure yet, but I'm going to assume, indoor cats, too - just lack of data) and MOST humans are dangerously low in Vitamin D. It's a huge problem! Vit D is provided by adequate exposure to direct sunlight and in certain mushrooms that provide this essential "nutrient " that functions more like a hormone than a vitamin, really. When you get adequate (depending on time, season and distance from the equator) sunlight exposure to the skin, fur or feathers, it's important to not bathe for 24-48 hrs so that it has the desired health effects. Eating cod liver is another way to get proper levels of vit D. When provided in a whole raw/natural food, not the oil or a synthetic forms, the risk for toxicity is eliminated entirely. WELL before a dog would consume "too much" to reach anywhere close to toxic levels of this critically important nutrient, they would experience digestive upset (vomiting and diarrhea). So, don't go crazy with it, but if you feed too much, you'll know! Take a break, go back to 1/2 the amount and then feed regularly to maintain healthy immune system functioning. Most pressing for our dogs, is the role vit D plays in regulating autoimmune diseases such as allergies, plus healthy teeth/bones, eyes and cardiac health! @ San Francisco Raw Feeders (SFRAW)
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SFR Mobility Mix, 8 oz cup
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$16.00
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🐾🏋♀️MOBILITY MIX🤸♂️🐾 READY TO M O V E
(move those🐾 overworked/achy joints, that is! 😆)
Our Magical 🤸Raw Mobility Mix🏋♂️ is a total #gamechanger when it comes to wholefood supplementals - a special blend of raw, wholesome, species appropriate ingredients provide joint/mobility supportive sources of ancestral foods rich in natural glucosamine, chondroitin and 5 different forms of collagen! There's nothing else quite like it and we're thrilled to hear about all the goodness this has been providing our members' animals! 🏋
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SFRAW Wholefood Vitamin C Powder 4oz
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$29.71
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💗🌞SFRAW WHOLEFOOD VITAMIN C 🌞💗
🐾Unlike humans, dogs and cats manufacturer their own Vitamin C in the liver, and so it normally does not need to be supplemented. However, the amount that they naturally manufacture can sometimes be insufficient, especially seniors who produce less as they age, young/growing animals at risk for infections or developing joint diseases.
❣A wholefood source of vitamin C can help with a healthy and strong immune response when dealing with illness and disease. When the body is stressed, sick, or worn out it taps into vitamin C stores as part of the repair process. When stress wears down the body's reserves, boosting levels through supplementation may be beneficial.
👉Besides being a potent antioxidant that strengthens the immune system to help fight many diseases, vitamin C encourages the production and
maintenance of collagen, the connective tissue that helps make up cartilage which is so important to joint health. It also can keep teeth and gums healthy, counteracting the buildup of harmful bacteria and reducing bad breath; and has been helpful in treating feline immunodeficiency virus while protecting against free radicals which cause oxidative stress and damage in the body.
🐾Consider using supplemental vitamin C for the following health concerns:
👉#Arthritis #patellarsubluxation, degenerative bone and joint conditions including dysplasia
👉Inflammatory conditions such as #allergies and #glaucoma
#Liverdisease
#Addisonsdisease
#Felineimmunodeficiencyvirus
👉Can be supportive while #fightingcancer or for dogs at higher risk for cancers
❣#Antiviral properties this may be a useful supplement for dogs/cats exposed to the risk of communicable infections due to their lifestyle (#showdogs, while
being #boarded, frequently in a #daycare facility, etc) or can be a great supplement to include during periods of acute physical or #emotionalstress
(extreme weather - hot/cold, changes in routine, introduction of new family
members moving, traveling, etc).
❣If you currently use a synthetic "natural" Vitamin C in your animal's diet/menu or protocols, please consider trying our Wholefood Vitamin C powder.
@SFRAW
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💗💖💘🐺KONA🐺💗💖💘
Gorgeous * Healthy * Happy * Vital * and 17 YEARS OLD
SFRAW Member for LIFE and for LONGEVITY - since 2003!
While what we offer isn't always a cure-all or panacea, the truth is, Kona's amazing healthy lifespan is not uncommon for long-time dedicated SFRAW Members! It has been such an incredible experience to know her and her other packmates/family members and other 15, 16, 17 year old members, all these years - such an inspiration! 🤩
🐺Maybe KONA and other🐕🐶🐱🐈 SFRAW seniors raised using Natural Rearing might inspire YOU to make a change for your own animals? 🤩
⏳The best time, the right time, is right now! You can do it! It's not as hard as you might think - really! And, it's never too late or too early to start your unique and special journey! SFRAW is here to help and support you, "Leading the curious to the courageous!" 🏞🐾🐕🐈
Reposted from @santarosa95403 My lovely wolf Kona.. She will be 17 this month.
#seniordog @sfraw #rawmeatdiet #wolfdog #holistichealth @sfraw #sfraw #longlivingpets @longlivingpets
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Speaking of longer living pets and longevity -- we have been big fans of the work being done by Thomas Sandberg for many years and we were early enrollers in his study years ago, and recently did a small fundraiser for his LONG LIVING PETS RESEARCH FOUNDATION project. Thomas was recently featured on Dr. Falconer's podcast in Episode #009 Thomas Sandberg: Laughing at life expectancy statistics
(he has featured really influential guests including Dr. Richard Pitcairn, Dr. Andrea Tasi, Dr. Scott Treadway Dr. Julie Anne Lee (Adored Beast), Dr. Madalyn Ward, Dr. Todd Cooney, Eleni Gkikakis!) - to hear about the incredible work he's doing, what he's accomplishing with his own Great Danes, and what evidence he's gathered for determining which are the most significant contributing factors involved in dogs living longer, healthier lives, please check it out!
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What do 17 yr KONA (previous post @santarosa95403 @team2k9 ) & in this post, 12 yr #canecorso SID @sid_the_canecorso have in common?❣They're both healthy giant senior dogs!
✋let's pause for a moment 🙌
🧘♂️just let that statement really sink in! Because it's, sadly, not common and rare these days 😿 to enjoy:
🌟HEALTHY
🌟GIANT
🌟SENIOR
🌟DOGS
Yet, it's proven possible and achievable as these dogs (and many others) continue to show us! 😺 #longlivingpets #rawfeedinginspiration
Truly thriving 🤩 they have not required veterinary intervention or treatments for any illness/dis-ease during their lifetime.❓What do they have in common and what is it that their people attribute to their remarkable success? 👉Here's the list:
❣SFRAW Members that adhere to Natural Rearing principles #naturallyreared #naturalrearing #sfrawaspectsofahealthypetlifestyle
❣Feed only SFRAW foods #sfrawsourcedingredients primarily (Sid also enjoys supplemental raw frozen wild elk meat provided by family in Montana) or 💯 exclusively for well over a decade 🔟
❣As we suggest, they incorporate regular fasting and feeding large #wholefoods #wholeprey meals as part of their regular menus
❣Avoiding other foods and treats in the diet
They're true inspirations! Ambassadors for not just raw feeding, but for adherence to a specific lifestyle 👉
SFRAW's Aspects of a Healthy Pet Lifestyle Below please find our list of what we feel are the critical aspects of a healthy pet's lifestyle:
*Pure, Clean Water
*Fresh, Whole Foods Diet
*Daily Exercise, Play, Mental Stimulation, and Social Contact
*Safe, Regular Exposure to the Outdoors (Earth/Flora/Nature/Sunshine)
*Uncontaminated, Fresh Air
*Avoiding Toxins and Chemicals
*Love, Patience, and Gentle Handling
*Behavior/Training: Thoughtful *Management and Setting Them Up To Succeed
*"Do No Harm" When Treating Health Imbalances
*Celebrating (and allowing them to safely express) Their Innate/Natural Behaviors
*Adequate, Uninterrupted Restful Sleep in a Warm, Dry, Comfortable Space
*Minimize Stress: Generally Feeling Safe and Relaxed
*Peaceful Home Environment
*Regular Grooming
*Clean Toxin Free Bedding, Home, and Garden
@SFRAW #sfraw |
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MEMBERS: Please don't forget to order before MONDAY at 9AM (usual weekly schedule, even with the holiday!)
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TRY VIRTUAL SHOPPING WITH SAMEDAY PICKUP NOW!
Contact us directly and we can shop with you, one-on-one via private and safe video calling -- yes, we literally walk you through the store with our cell phone and help you find things!
We love doing this for you! This has been a fun new way for us to serve our members -- book right now for sameday service with immediate curbside pickup today! Find the "BOOK" button on Facebook, Instagram or schedule to shop right now for any time via our website: sfraw.com/book-now
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MEMBERSHIP DUES: SPLIT PAYMENTS FOR THOSE IN NEED
If you are concerned about being able to afford your annual membership dues at this time because you have experienced a change in your finances due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are happy to accept dues paid in two installments ($50 down and $50 "next visit"). Your Membership will start/renew on the date that you make your final payment and will remain in effect for a full year. We hope that this might help some members.
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SFRAW Individual Standard Membership
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$100.00
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YES! NEW VIRTUAL SERVICES available @sfraw 
NOW SERVING: 
Check out SPECIAL MEMBER-ONLY virtual services, TOO!
Simply click on the "BOOK" link found right at the top of our Instagram and Facebook pages and on our website under "BOOK NOW"!
kitties from their homes, and say hello to all our 
canine friends, too! 
