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



Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Animal Advocates Have Their Own Special Place at the Ross Elementary School Library

 Mr. Flanagan, Ross Elementary School's librarian, oversees an  interactive library.  The Stand Up Against Animal Cruelty area is not only stocked with fiction and non-fiction selections for animal lovers of all ages, but the yellow animal cruelty activity books, that Mr. Flanagan created, encourage students to speak up for those who can't.  Caring about animals is a Ross Elementary School core value.  Ms. Jaffe and Mr. Markus' fourth and fifth grade classes are participating in a year-long Washington Animal Rescue League program that, like the animal awareness section in the library, promotes responsibility and social action.  The Ross library, an inviting, cozy space with Mr. Flanagan, and his welcoming smile and festive bow-tie serving as host and guide, encourages students to enjoy all that the library has to offer.   WARL hopes to help  Ross continue to build its animal selection in the library.   If you would like to purchase a book (or two) contact me at debbie@warl.org or leave a book at the shelter for the Ross partnership.   Possible titles are Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, The Tenth Good Thing About Barney or any of the others selections listed further down the page on the side bar.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

It Happens -- Love at First Sight

Oliver going in the crate
Buster settled in the crate,
For as long as I've worked in shelters -- and, that is a very, very long time -- people have said to me, "Oh, I could never work there, I'd take them all home." I always smile and give my standard answer, Well, my house is only so big, my budget is even smaller, and the amount of time I have to spend with my animal companions can only be divided in so many ways.
It's a good idea when people begin to work in a shelter to set a personal limit. Something like I'm not going to adopt an animal until I've been there for six months, or I'll only adopt a Dalmatian, because I've always wanted to live with a Dalmatian (not). I remember falling in love with a black and white cat at my very first shelter job in Tallahassee Florida in 1982. My heart wanted to adopt him but my head knew better -- my apartment was only so big, my budget even smaller, and the amount of time I had to spend with my animal companions was very limited, There were already three cats vying for my lap. But then, a few weeks later, SamMelvin (who at the time was just an orange tabby identified by a five digit number) was put in a cage. I fell hard. SamMelvin and I were meant to be together. So, with very little thought, I adopted cat number four, SamMelvin was a truly awesome cat!

When our new Adoptions Assistant started at the League, she was in no position to adopt a second dog. Her beloved Oliver was undergoing chemotherapy and was definitely entitled to extra pampering. But then she  fell hard. Flint stole her heart. He'd at been at the shelter for a long time. Potential adopters were drawn to him, but when they learned he would need expensive surgery to correct a luxating patella (a knee cap that slides in and out of place), they would pass him by. She could not just walk by. So, she and her boyfriend decided that if Oliver liked Flint, then Flint would have his forever home. Without hesitation, Oliver said yes. Flint got a new home, a new name (
he's now Buster) and two people who love him unconditionally. And, best of all, he got a BFF who insists that the two of them share one crate.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Help, We Need Towels!

Our towel supply is running low, very low.  We go through many towels every day.  We use them to clean the glass, clean the kennels, and clean the dogs.  And, right now, we have lots of puppies, which means lots of messes, which means lots and lots of cleaning!  AND, not enough towels.  So, if you are thinking of helping the animals by organizing a linen drive at school or cleaning out the linen closet at home,  collecting towels -- all sizes --  would be greatly appreciated.  Towels can be dropped off at WARL any day of the week.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

A Kitten at Home Makes Every Day a Celebration

Saturday, October 4th marks the 83rd celebration of World Animal Day.  Originally created to bring attention to the plight of endangered species, the annual event celebrates all animals, especially our companions.  We received an update from the family of the  the newly adopted, Tasha Olivia Ivypool Barker,  declaring her totally adjusted to her forever household.  The photo of Tasha and her favorite being, Lily, embodies the sentiment behind World Animal Day 2014,  a day for remembering and paying tribute to all animals and the people who love and respect them. http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/