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



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pre-Halloween Weather Tricks Leave a Welcomed Treat for the League

Power!!  We have power.  We anticipated the worst and was pleasantly surprised.   Lucky for the League we never lost power.  We've got some leaky spots, but the cats and dogs are fine and their quarters aren't directly impacted.  We were fully staffed the entire time.  Staff and volunteers are here today.  I left extra food and water for Jules and Donny last night-- just in case --  they ate what they needed and left the rest.  They were happy to see us this morning, but not overly ecstatic.

We did okay at home, too.  The power is on.  Nigel braved the outdoors around 8:00 p.m. for a quick potty break and went on a long walk before 9:00 a.m. this morning.   Merl slept with Max and Charlotte, well Charlotte, was Charlotte.  When I got up this morning at 8:00 a.m. and opened the front door for Nigel Charlotte dashed out.   I got my boots and plodded out in the rain to get her.   She would have happily continued exploring the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy! Once again, I reminded Charlotte that cats live indoors.

Our shelter is full, so for all of those folks who have been thinking of adopting a forever friend, we will be open for business tomorrow, so please stop by.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Hunkered Down!

Donny
Jules
 Do you know what is more amazing that the span of hurricane Sandy?  The incredible dedication of the Washington Animal League staff!   The League's shelter and hospital are fully staffed today.  We have emeregency supplies on hand, and plans in place.  Jules and Donny, my office friends, are on my desk serving as the my able body feline assistants!  Keep checking our web site, www.warl.org and our Facebook page for updates on possible power outages at the League and special requests.  We are set for now.  Everyone be safe.    

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

No New School Visits for Nigel!

Nigel, flat on the floor, making his pitiful "I'm not getting in the car" face.
I am totally baffled.  Until four or five months ago one of Nigel's absolutely favorite things to do was to ride in the car.  Short rides, longs rides; to the shelter, to Max's  baseball practice -- it didn't matter the destination, the treat was the ride.  And then, suddenly, Nigel refused to get in the car.  His apparent car-terror is so severe that if he even thinks that he is being lured to the car he will go flat to the floor.  And, if he makes it out the front door and then realizes that there could be a possible road trip, he glues his bottom to the porch and won't budge until he can successfully turn around and skedaddle back into the house.

I have absolutely NO idea why the dramatic change.   I've tried luring Nigel to the car with peanut butter, cheddar cheese, pasta, and bully sticks.  He hungrily eyes the the treat, but won't take the bait.    I can say the magic words, "Let's go," and these days he drops to the floor. 

There is a chill in the air on my morning  drive the League.  It's perfect Nigel travelling weather.  Nigel, however, has become a recluse and watches me leave from his pitiful belly-to-the-floor pose. 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Good Deeds Make a Difference

Lots and lots of young people are helping animals.  I try to spread the word when area students help the animals at the League.  Many of those good deeds are listed at the very bottom of the blog.  Scroll all the way down to read about some of those generous efforts. 

We could  host a
Pet-A-Thon at the League.
It would undoubtedly be
a huge success!
Today, I read about a number of students helping animals in other communities.   One of my favorite publications BARK --Kids Speaking for Animals, published by the BCSPCA, http://www.spca.bc.ca/ always highlights kids doing good deeds to help animals.   One that was totally new to me was a "pet-a-thon."   It's not what I initially thought.  For every dog Stella was able to pet, her parents donated $.50 to the BC SPCA.  Somehow, Stella, armed with a sign promoting her one-person event, in what I think is a public park, managed to pet 101 dogs in five hours!  Including donations from friends and family, Stella raised more than $2,000 for the local shelter!  What an interesting and fun fund-raiser.   It could be done locally, but remember to never go up to a strange dog without permission to pet the dog.  Even the friendliest looking dog may not want the attention.

Closer to home I read a story showcasing Sandy Spring, Maryland Girl Scout Troop 681.   KIND News, a publication for kids by The HSUS, humanesociety.org/kindnews, described how the girls researched the horrors of puppy mills and decided to do something about it.  They testified before the state House and Senate and were present when Governor Martin O'Malley signed a bill that would identify the number of puppy mills, the first step toward regulating the money making torture chambers. 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Jules and Donny Move into the Office -- Temporarily

The only thing better than living with cats, is having cats in the office.  Donny, a striking long-haired gray tabby, and Jules, a portly round black kitty, are hanging out with me until a permanent home can be found.  They are seven-years-old, like to be brushed, and love to sit on  or near the keyboard.   And, I believe that this reserved duo must party-hardy all night long.  I wish I had an office cat-cam because I am certain that Jules and Donny are enjoying all sorts of adventures when no one is around.  I notice when I come in in the morning that they have done a  little redecorating -- moving books and pictures.   Lately, the last thing I do before turning off my light  at bedtime is check the kitten cam, http://animal.discovery.com/tv/too-cute-kittens/kitten-cam/ and I see five snoozing kittens.   If I could peer into my office with the click of a mouse, I'd probably see Jules and Donny having a grand ol' time.   Hopefully, before too long, they will be enjoying a new and forever home.

Friday, October 5, 2012

A Guided Tour Through Congressional Cemetery

Callie contemplates her next move.
 
Thanks to Callie, a very lucky WARL alum, I spent this beautiful fall day learning how fast a squirrel can run from a herding dog -- VERY FAST.  Not only that, but Callie's person, Diane, gave me a an insider's tour of the Congressional Cemetery -- a cemetery with a history that is more than 200 years old!  I saw where John Phillip Sousa is buried as well as Herbert Hoover and some lesser known,but no less important  people, like baby Clara.  The main reason that we were visiting the cemetery is because it serves double duty -- it is a members-only dog park, where dogs can run and play and chase squirrels right in the heart of the District of Columbia.  Obviously, some of the people buried would be very happy to know that dogs and their people congregate in the cemetery.  Congressman Tom Lantos, a champion for animal welfare is buried there.  For in more information on the cemetery visit www.congressionalcemetery.org for information about the wonderful dog park hosted by the cemetery click herehttp://www.cemeterydogs.org/.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Really, Too Cute!

Okay, guilty pleasure,  we have  a kitten-cam at the Washington Animal Rescue League.   Animal Planet designed one of our kitten windows to reflect the nation's capital, complete with a scratching post in the shape of the CAPITOL!   And, when I heard that the kittens were going to be broadcast 24/7, I thought I should check it out.  Trouble is, I can't turn it off.  They are really just, too cute!  I find myself talking to the kittens, asking the tortishell to move a bit so I can see the brown tabby, or tell the black and white one to cuddle with the skinny orange tabby.  I should be reading my book, it is due back to the library in three days.  And, I should shut down the kitten cam on the computer  because I am on my son's machine  and he still has homework to do.  But I can't, these little guys,  are just too cute.  Check it out -- http://animal.discovery.com/tv/too-cute-kittens/kitten-cam/