Five Baby Bunnies -- Count the Dots!

Ever heard the expression "Reproducing like rabbits?"  Well, the phrase came about for a reason. The five bunnies in the window at the HRA Oglethorpe Street shelter are two months old.  Did you know that if their mother had not already been spayed she could have given birth to more babies by now?  A mama rabbit is pregnant for only 31 days and can get pregnant when her baby bunnies are just a few days old. So, if you have a bunny, make sure that your bunny is spayed or neutered.  A spayed or neutered bunny is a healthier bunny and won't be bringing more rabbits into the already crowded world of rabbits!  Call our Medical Center at (202) 726-2273 to schedule an appointment.

A Busy Monday -- Pit Bull Spay/Neuter Day



Shawn and his buddy, Cocoa,

wait to check into the

free spay/neuter pit bull day

hosted on the second Monday

of every month.  Look at the smile

on that dog!







King, a kissy-face 8-month-old pit bull pup, plants a wet one on Sean's face as they wait to check into the clinic.  King is a lucky dog.  His guardian really cares!



Today is Albert Einstein's birthday.  It's also the League's monthly FREE pit bull spay-neuter day.  What does the League's pit bull spay-neuter day have in common with Albert Einstein?  They are both really, really smart -- Albert Einstein was a smart man with great ideas and spaying or neutering your animal companion is a smart idea.   Spaying or neutering your dog or cat is not only the right thing to do, but it shows that you know how much healthier your cat or dog will be post surgery.  That makes you really smart -- just like Einstein.  Spaying or neutering reduces or eliminates the possibility of reproductive system diseases.  It also reduces an animal's urge to roam, making him less likely to get lost, injured or become a victim of abuse.  And, it shows that your Einstein-like action is helping to end animal suffering.    It is estimated that there are 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year.  That exorbitant number doesn't even begin to reflect all of the stray, feral and cast-off animals who never make it to a shelter.  Twenty-one pit bulls were spayed or neutered today at the League's FREE spay/neuter day.   None of those dogs will be contributing to the animal overpopulation crisis.  I'm sure that Albert Einstein would agree that those are some pretty smart people who took advantage of a pretty smart idea.  The next FREE spay/neuter day is set for Monday, April 11th. 

Doing the Right Thing

Our July 12th FREE pit bull spay/neuter day was such a success, with so many people showing up with their dogs, that we had to schedule several overflow appointments on July 30th.  People were happy to return.  "We believe in being responsible and that means getting our dog neutered," one guardian said as she waited with her big bruiser of a dog.  If only every dog and cat guardian would feel the same.  This is a particulary tough time of year for animal shelters -- puppies and kittens, litter after litter, all needing homes showing up daily.  AND, there are still lots and lots of wonderful, deserving discarded adult cats and dogs anxiously waiting for their opportunity to be placed in forever homes.  

I nominate the  caregivers who brought their pit bulls in for surgery on Friday as my heroes of the week.  Thanks for making sure that your dogs are NOT contributing to the overpopulation crisis.  AND, considering that pit bulls remain one of the most abused and most misunderstood breeds of dogs, those guardians get an extra gold star in my book.

Our next FREE pit bull spay/neuter day is Monday, AUGUST 9th --

• No appointment necessary
• No income or residence restrictions
• Plus FREE rabies, DHPP, and bordatella shots
• Drop off is between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.  -- Spots often fill up by 8:15 a.m
• Pick-up between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

FREE Spaying & Neutering for Pit Bulls Brings Caring, Responsible Guardians to the League

Robinson and his friend Cocoa

waited outside this morning for their clinic appointment at our monthly

FREE Pit Bull Spay Neuter Day

Our lobby was full this morning with dogs and their people.  Black and white dogs, gray and white dogs, brown dogs, brown and white dogs, big dogs, medium-sized dogs, and puppies, too.  The dogs had at least three things in common -- all had caring, responsible guardians, all were pit bulls or pit bull mixes, and all were about to be spayed or neutered at our monthly FREE Pit Bull Spay/Neuter surgery day.  Thanks folks for seeing to it that your canine friend is not contributing to the overpopulation problem.  There are way too many animals and not enough homes.  Area shelters already have many dogs, including lots of pit bulls, waiting for forever homes.  To see the dogs currently available at the League, check our our web site www.warl.org

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.