Back to School -- Already?

Wow, where did the summer go? Today's the first day of school for many kids. It's my first day back at the League -- I took some time off -- and, when I got back today, I discovered many new faces. While I was away construction on our cat room was finished -- the cats have their own playground (pictures coming later in the week) -- and lots of new arrivals, dogs and cats, are waiting for forever homes. Two teeny-tiny dogs, rescued by someone who found them running around in a busy intersection nearby, have settled into one staff member's office.


Leash laws protect dogs and people. A scared dog may not only run into traffic and get injured or even killed, but a scared dog may react out of fear when someone tries to help, and hurt the helper. Dogs can't use language to say, "Help me, I'm scared out here!" A frightened dog may bite the hand of someone trying to do good. The person who was able to capture and bring the two dogs to the League was an adult who took a BIG chance. Luckily, for the dogs and the person no one was hurt.

On your way to school, I'm sure you obey all traffic rules including cross only in crosswalks and cross with green or walk lights. Dogs (and cats, too) are oblivious to such rules. If on your way to school you see an animal running in the street or without a guardian, get adult help. Don't try to physically rescue the animal -- You could get hurt. Get a parent or teacher or crossing guard. Or, if you have a phone, plug in the number of the animal control agency in your area. In Washington, D.C. Animal Control is the proper agency to call, 202-576-6664. Be sure to give as much information as you can. For instance,

• what color is the dog?
• Do you know the breed?
• Where is it?
• Is it in the intersection of Blair Road and Kansas Avenue, N.W.?
• Or is it sitting in front of the 7-11 store on Kansas Avenue?

The more information you can give to the dispatcher, the better for a fast and safe rescue. Let's make the 2009-2010 school year safe for everyone.

Caring Campers Encourage League Visitors to Adopt Dogs

The League's first-ever Caring Kids Camp concluded last Friday with certificates of completion, media interviews (WUSA-channel 9 interviewed Carolos, Delicia, and Tselote), hugs and promises to keep in touch. Evidence of the 14 campers commitment to making the world a better place for the animals continues to be displayed in the shelter. On Tuesday of last week the campers created adoption posters highlighting many of the dogs' best qualities. Artist Carol Hilliard, who illustrated the book I Like Dogs, conducted a workshop focusing mostly on drawing dogs, but demonstrated with a cat drawing, too. The campers applied those techniques when designing their adoption posters. A couple of the dogs have already gone home; their new families got to keep the camper-created posters. We're looking forward to Bogey, Keiffer, and Thunder heading out to their forever homes soon.

Caring Kids Camp in Full Swing

Fourteen D.C. kids are participating in the first-ever Caring Kids Camp held at the Washington Animal Rescue League. The League and the Metropolitan Police Department joined forces to host the week-long camp that promotes kindness, compassion, responsibility and lots of puppy time.

Caring Kids Camp is truly a community effort. The camp was made possible because of the generosity of Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring, Papa John's of the National Capital Region, Safeway, Council member Bowser and community supporter Keith Jarrell.

More on the camp and the week's many activities including a field trip to Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary and interesting speakers including Fire Investigators and their four-legged partners in a later post. In the meantime, check out the expressions on our happy campers' faces and their cute photo buddies.

Alana Leaves Mom & Dad in Charge

Bashert is doing great, last night we were doing some commands with her and she sat all by herself. Of course she wouldn't do it again, but it's still a big step up.

Also yesterday she met one of our bunnies Thumper and our guineapig Cuitea. For Cuitea we kept Bashert on a leash and let her follow Cuitea but with Thumper we held them both tight and

let Bashert sniff Thumper. She gave him a lick bath ( he was soaked literally) and Thumper didn't mind at all. (Great photo to the left by Jesse Rowton, photographer and League volunteer) We also discovered that she does not like rain when we let her out side she went straight under the canopy and would not come out. Then this morning we discovered she went to the bathroom inside.

She's learning a lot and so are we.

Sadly this will be my last entry (I am going to camp for a month). I will miss Bashert very much but my mom promised to send me pictures.

Alana