SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T
IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT AN ANIMAL IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
PLEASE CALL ANIMAL CONTROL,
202-576-6664
OUR OFFICERS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP 24/7



Monday, June 29, 2009

RESCUED!!! Puppy Mill Dogs Saved from Deplorable Conditions

[Click Here to Watch the Fox 5 Video] Check out the puppy mill puppies arriving at the League.

The Washington Animal Rescue League is providing refuge to 100 of 300 puppies and adult adogs seized from a Lehigh County, Pennsylvania puppy mill. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to obtain custody of the dogs. The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement investigated the Almost Heaven kennels, and took permanent custody of all of the dogs. Rescuers found typical puppy mill conditions; many of the dogs were suffering from skin and eye infections as well as other medical ailments. It is likely that many of these animals had never known life outside their cramped enclosures.

Imagine spending your entire life in a cage? The dogs brought to the League have been examined by veterinarians and will be spayed or neutered. They will be made available for adoption later this week. Adopters will need to understand that puppy mill dogs can be harder to house train than other dogs since most have had to eliminate where they eat and sleep. The League offers special classes to help adopters deal with issues that are common to puppy mill dogs and we recommend that potential adopters check out the Mission Dog (http://www.missiondog.com/) video on understanding and addressing common puppy mill problems.



Tuesday, June 23, 2009

It is Easy to Do the Right Thing

This adorable puppy's guardian brought him to the Washington Animal Medical Center today for a free health screening, plus free vaccinations and neutering.

The Washington Animal Rescue League's Free Pit Bull Health Screening and Spay Neuter Day is today. Fifteen responsible guardians were at the Medical Center early this morning to admit their dogs to the hospital. The dogs will be checked by our veterinarians, given all of their vaccines and spayed or neutered. Those responsible guardians are taking action to ensure that their dogs are not only healthy, but are not contributing to the dog and cat overpopulation crisis.
Throughout the United States animal shelters continue to take in hundreds of thousands of surplus animals. In addition to overcrowded animal shelters, thousands more animals are left on the streets; they suffer and die from disease, starvation, abuse or accidents. Animal overpopulation is a tragedy that people can control. All animal guardians should make the responsible decision to spay or neuter their dogs and cats.
The League's June Free Pit Bull Healthy Screening and Spay/Neuter Day was a HUGE success. Help end the dog and cat overpopulation crisis. If you have a pit bull that is not yet spayed or neutered please call 202-726-2273 to get the date for the next Free Pit Bull Healthy Screening and Spay/Neuter Day . People needing to get other breeds of dogs, and cats, spayed or neutered for a nominal charge, can schedule an appointment by calling the Washington Animal Medical Center at 202 726-2273.
Email me pictures of your happy, healthy spayed or neutered cat or dog. Send the photos to debbie@warl.org.

Monday, June 22, 2009

A Serendipitous Adoption discovery

I was on a power walk with friends the other day when we ran into other friends who were walking an extremely cute and energetic dog. I didn't know that they lived with a dog, but I knew that the family -- four people and two cats -- had been thinking about adopting a dog for a long time. They were waiting for just the right time and just the right dog. And, they found her at the Washington Animal Rescue League.

I asked what it was about the dog (formerly Blossom, now Leah) that made them choose her; it was love at first sight.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Update from a Happy Home




There are never enough happy adoption stories. We love it when an adopter sends a note, an email or pictures. Recently we got an update from Jenn who adopted Venture. Venture was one of those dogs who needed a little extra work, he had had a hard life prior to coming to the League. It was important that his new person understood that it might take some time before Venture was totally at home. Lucky for Venture, he got that person. (Venture is safe and secure snoozing in bed)

...Venture had made himself at home now and is finally settled into the family. He loves to play outside and to go for walks in the neighborhood. I have introduced him to my aunt's white german shepherd, Sitka , and they both seemed to get along/play/interact rather well. Venture still has a tendency to bark at people when they walk past the house or come to the door, but he isnt not as bad as he used to be. He is learning to accept guests when they visit and wants to interact with them, but I am still working with him on that. I am also still working on nail trimming with him....he is a great dog and I am glad that I adopted him! :) I really couldn't ask for a better dog!
Thanks, Jenn, for adopting Venture and letting us at the League know that all is well.

Friday, June 12, 2009

A Parked Car Can Be Deadly for a Dog

A ride to the grocery store can be fatal. Most dogs love to ride in the car with their guardians. A ride is good, but being left in the car when people get out to run errands can be deadly. With the summer temperatures rising, even a few minutes in a locked car can be dangerous.
Cars heat up like ovens, even with the windows down part way. To find out just how hot a car will get, go to http://www.mydogiscool.com/. This web site will show you the temperature in your zip code in real time and let you know if it is safe for Rover to relax in the back seat when the human occupants run into the store.
My dog, Nigel, loves to ride in the car. He rides often in the early spring, late fall, and winter months, However, this time of year he stays home. When I leave the house I give him one of his favorite treats -- a bully stick or a stuffed kong -- to let him know that staying home can be just as good as going for a ride.
If you see a dog in a parked car during a warm summer day, call 911. A dog baking in a parked car is a definite emergency!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Know Your Pit Bull Facts



To find out more about pit bulls check out the websites http://www.badrap.org/ and http://www.pbrc.net/.

I'm still thinking about Phoenix -- the dog who died several days after being set on fire.

Washington Humane Society's Shakela Brown told me that officers are currently investigating an animal cruelty case, also involving a pit bull, in the 200 block of 37th Place, S.E. Someone forced a pit bull to attack a gray and white cat. Anyone who has information about this animal cruelty case should call the Washington Humane Society at 202 723-5730. Calls can be made anonymously.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The Cruelty Continues

I've been following a tragic story. A dog, dubbed Phoenix by her rescuers, died of her injuries. Last week, in Baltimore, the pit bull had been doused with gasoline and set on fire. A police officer happened to see the ball of fire and threw her sweater on the burning dog. A crew of healthcare professionals stepped in to save Phoenix, but in the end, her injuries were far to severe. The question remains, WHY would anyone treat any living creature so horribly.

I cannot imagine the suffering Phoenix endured. I cannot imagine the hatred someone would harbor that would cause them to act so violently.

To read more about Phoenix, and see a picture of her go to http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/05/phoenix_the_burned_pit_pup_pas.html