An Early Morning Stroll in the Neighborhood

Guess the family of seven (I only caught four in my viewfinder) decided on a walk before it got even hotter.  The Capital Weather Gang says no end in site to this oppressive heat.  Certainly the deer know best.   We need to make sure we do right by our animal companions and keep them cool and comfortable.

• Keep companion animals  indoors when temperatures are extreme and in the shade when they are outdoors.
• Walk dogs  early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day. (Nigel's walks are before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. with short potty breaks throughout the day.)
• Provide plenty of water at all times, especially on walks, to avoid dehydration. 
• Never ever, ever leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.  Temperatures in cars can increase rapidly and become lethal. 
• As always, if you think your companion animal  is in distress due to the heat, call your veterinarian or the local emergency animal hospital immediately.

DC Scores at Powell Elementary School Win Big for the Animals

After an emotional discussion about the prevalence of animal cruelty and what students can do to help the animals currently housed in the Oglethorpe Street shelter, DC Scores students went into action.    
The students, whose after school program is offered at Powell Elementary School, learned that the shelter uses lots and lots of towels every day and can always use more.  So, they appealed to local hotels and asked for their discarded, but usable linens and collected 15 bags of towels for the shelter!
In addition, the students understood that better communication is needed so that folks in the community not only know how to properly care for animals, but where to report  animal control issues and incidents of animal abuse and neglect.   The students' flyer, Saving and Caring for Animals, was handed out to other soccer teams.  
Thank you DC Scores students at Powell Elementary School!

Vamoose! Vinegar Discourages Unwanted Visitors

photo courtesy of The HSUS

I attended a Humane Wildlife Conflict Resolution workshop the other day and was surprised to learn that a kitchen staple is an effective way to "uninvite" raccoons who might move into the garage or attic. Turn up the tunes and place rags soaked in household vinegar near the den and be sure to leave a pathway for an easy exit .  A mama raccoon will not want to expose her babies to blaring rock and roll or the overpowering odor of vinegar.  

Years ago folks were told that ammonia and/or moth balls would serve as a quick deterrent; in fact a quick google search brings up numerous sites that say just that.  But according to the Humane Society of the U.S. and multiple government sources, that school of thought is not only outdated, but possibly hurtful or even lethal -- both ammonia and moth balls emit toxic fumes.  The goal is to get the masked intruders to move on, not to make them sick.  And, both ammonia and moth balls are toxic to people, too.  When encouraging wildlife to exit, always opt for the safest deterrent.  For more information check out wildneighbors@humanesociety.org.

Daisies Do Good!

When Daisy Troop 4839 decided to support the animals they did it in a BIG way; they collected within the troop and posted requests on their school and neighborhood list-serves.  The result of their collection campaign netted bags and bags of much needed toys, treats and linens.  They even raised enough money to sponsor a cat in Kitty City.  
Thank you Troop 4839

Caring Kids -- All About Animals Thursdays Brought Friends Together

For three weeks, eight area young animal enthusiasts visited the  shelter on Thursday afternoons.   We  laughed during a puppy party, got up close and personal with ferrets and rabbits, and clicker trained cats.   And, that's not all -- the students took a crash course in caring for bottle-fed  foster kittens and questioned Cpl. Meg Holeva about her many animal control rescues, including a bird stuck in a tree (long story).  While the program  may be over, the students' commitment to helping animals is undoubtedly a life-long commitment. 
Come back and visit  friends!

Ask and You May Receive

WHS/WARL's wish-list is long.  Toys and treats are always needed and often generously purchased for the animals  in our care. Less glamorous, but  needed just as much, if not more so, are the things that we use, and use-up, everyday -- paper towels, dish and liquid soaps trash bags and Ziploc bags,
Brightwood Education Campus' pre-k, kindergarten and first grade counselor Senovia Hurtado, a long-time Washington Humane Society supporter and proponent of  humane education, guides her young learners through a  series of lessons promoting civic engagement, placing particular emphasis on all acts of kindness -- no matter how big or small --  make a difference. The enthusiastic Brightwood "bucket-fillers" and their families recently completed a supply drive for the animals -- filling boxes and packing my car to the point where I could not see out  the back window.   
Once unloaded, a member of the  WHS/WARL animal care team commented, "This is just what we needed."  Helping shelters to care for the animals encourages kindness throughout the community! Thank you Brightwood Education Campus Bucket-Fillers!

Reading Does Not Need to be a Solitary Event

 As evidenced by the persistence of recently adopted Rozco.  His new BFF seems to be managing reading and puppy-love all at once.   Reading to dogs is good for everyone.   WARL/WHS volunteers read to dogs in the kennels.  It helps the dogs to settle down and enjoy a little quiet time with someone special.  Obviously, little Rozco has the enjoying time with someone special nailed down, not so sure about the quiet time. J

Happy EARTH Day!

Can't Let National Poetry Month Slip Away Without a Jack Prelutsky Poem!

My Neighbor’s Dog is Purple  by  Jack Prelutsky
My neighbor’s dog is purple, 
Its eyes are large and green,
its tail is almost endless, 
the longest I have seen. 
My neighbor’s dog is quiet, 
It does not bark one bit, 
but when my neighbor’s dog is near, 
I feel afraid of it. 
My Neighbor’s dog looks nasty, 
it has a wicked smile….. 
before my neighbor painted it, 
it was a crocodile. 

Max and Katie -- Nearly Two Decades of Togetherness!

When Lisa, one of our Behavior and Training Specialists, was in Kitty City last week she spoke to a visitor who shared one of those heart-warming stories that bears repeating.  

Katie told Lisa that Max, who was adopted by her family when he was just a kitten and Katie was just 3 years old, was celebrating his 19^th birthday!  As promised, Katie forwarded a BFF picture to Lisa; Lisa shared it with all staff, and I am happily sharing it (with Katie's permission) with the world!  My guess is that Max and Katie's common history could be the catalyst for an entire library of stories.   Imagine the secrets they have shared.  

Wishing Max and Katie many more years together!  

ADORABLE!!

This picture is too cute not to share!
 

Luke, adopted from WARL nearly eight years ago and Jane, a recent WARL adoptee, are best buds who, could not only pass for twins,  but mirror each other's mannerisms. 

See Luke.  

See Jane.  

See Luke and Jane!   

See Luke and Jane look!

Music Benefits the Animals Thanks to Troop 4672

When the Highland View Elementary School Girl Scout Troop, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, decided to earn their pet care badge they began gathering information on how to help animals in need.   They sponsored a cat and dog toy drive at their spring choir concert netting a large basket full of enrichment toys that they brought to the shelter last Friday.  While visiting, the girls helped to socialize several pit bull puppies, met adult dogs waiting for their forever homes and walked through kitty city.  In a addition to the toys, the girls donated $193, the proceeds from the after concert bake sale .  Thanks Troop 4672.

Animals Benefit from Historic Merger

It's official!  The Washington Animal Rescue League and the Washington Humane Society, long-established animal welfare organizations, merged to become one dynamic organization providing exemplary care and services for all animals in the District of Columbia.   The historic merger on February 10th was possible, in part, because of cooperation between the two organizations, community support and the need for truly comprehensive services. Joined forces makes for a stronger, more united front to protect animals, place them in loving forever homes, and provide a multitude of services and  programs for animals and the people who care about and for them.  And, with the merger comes a new masthead for warlkids.blogspot.com!  

ABCs at WARL! -- Animals, Brownies and Chaperons

A week after the blizzard a Girl Scout troop of caring Brownies visited WARL. Volunteer extraordinaire, Roxanne, greeted the girls and their moms and introduced the group to the many cats and dogs waiting for their forever homes.   The group brought donations for the animals and their troop leader followed up declaring a new family obsession -- Animal Planet's PUPPY and KITTEN cams housed at WARL.  We would like to send a HUGE Thank You to WARL and Roxanne! The tour was great, and the girls and parents both learned a lot about how WARL serves the community. The puppy and kitty cam are now fixtures in my house. My daughter and son love it!  

Mega Snow Pile Up Can Cause Dilemma for Dogs -- Take Precautions to Prevent Pain and Suffering

Nigel mid-way through the storm.

Although I was out of town for the big one, there was plenty of snow to shovel when I got back yesterday, two days later than planned.  Nigel was home safe and sound and quickly adapted to short outings in the dug-out trenches.  Walking in the street is definitely not an option -- especially with the ton of salt spread thickly on my street.   

Be sure to wash your dogs paws after a trip outside.   Salt and mini-snowballs that lodge in dogs' pads can be painful .

Three days after the last flake fell -- warmer temps, more trenches.

Young Philanthropists' Birthday Celebration Collects Cash for the Animals

Eleanor, Melody, and their mom, Saundra, stopped by WARL last week with a jar full of money!   At each of the girl's recent birthday parties Saundra set-up a party-goers choice game -- either take two dollars to keep or place the two dollars in a charity jar.  Eleanor and Melody pre-selected two organizations to benefit from the birthday-bash donation activity.   Saundra, reported that almost all of the attendees donated their loot to help others.   More than $100 was brought to WARL.  Thank you Eleanor and Melody for including the cats and dogs in your birthday celebration! 

A Large Extended Family for Olivia

Olivia was one of those WARL dogs that EVERYONE was crazy about --  staff, volunteers and visitors.   Finding the right home for her, however, took some time -- Olivia loves people so much that every time her previous guardian left the house, Olivia became anxious and destructive.  This behavior is known to behavior and training experts as separation anxiety.  
And then, a holiday miracle -- the  kind folks at Malta House (an assisted living facility) came to WARL interested in fostering a dog.  The after Thanksgiving foster turned into a New Year's adoption.   One administrator reported that Olivia is the perfect fit. "She has an uncanny knack of knowing which resident needs a little extra TLC, laying at their feet, snuggling up and staying at their side."  Looks like Olivia enjoys the extra attention from the visiting grand kids, too. 
 

Christmas Came Early....

For the dogs and cats at WARL.  When Mila and Freya popped into WARL on Monday they were loaded down with bags of  toys.  The girls went shopping and picked out just what the WARL dogs wanted, BIG bones and squeaky toys -- and lots of them.  They also donated cash  to help care for the cats and dogs in the shelter.  The girls, totally embracing the season of giving, said that the donations were in lieu of their own gifts.   They have plenty and wanted to make sure that the animals had enough, too.   This is not the first time that the young animal welfare advocates have forgone gifts so that a generous donation could be made to WARL.  Check out the June 2, 2014 blogpost to read about the girls 7th birthday celebration donation.  Thank you Freya and Mila and happy holidays!

Helping Animals is a Community Effort!

When Owen and his parents brought their dogs,  Tipsey (left),  Finn (Center) and Mosey (right) to Fitzgerald Auto Mall for a family photo with Santa, Owen also brought his savings to donate to WARL.  One of the holiday elves mentioned the generous donation to the folks at Fitzgerald who, in the spirit of the season, doubled Owen's donation on the spot.   

Surely Tipsey,  a senior dog rescued from Montgomery County Humane Society two years ago, who may be 17, according to Owen's dad, Mosey and Finn, the youngest of the threesome,  are not only enjoying a happy holiday season, but are treated like Santa's special guests everyday!   

Thanks Owen and family for your kindness. 

Thankful for Kind Students & Camera-Friendly Cats!

In this season of thanksgiving, I like to reflect on all of the reasons why I love my job.   One of the very best things about directing the Humane Education program at the Washington Animal Rescue League is meeting students and hearing about the animals in their lives.  It's even better when I get to see those animals.  Maya, a student at D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, sent me a photo of her cat, Tallita. She explained how the kitty got her name,  "We named her that because I wanted to name her Tye-dye, but my mom wanted something kind of Spanish like, so we combined the two and got Tallita!" 

Looks like Tallita is one relaxed cat who enjoys getting her picture taken.  Thanks for sharing Maya!

Be Prepared! Read This Book

Weathering a catastrophic event can be made easier when there is a safety plan in place. Author Howard Edelstein walks readers through disaster planning for animal companions. In his book, Ready or Not, Here it Comes, Fanny, the family dog hunkers down to ride out the hurricane with the narrator and his mom in a small, secure room in the basement only to get lost after the storm is over! Happily, Fanny is quickly reunited with her family thanks to the microchip under her skin and Mom's up-to-date contact information.
This book is a great tool to start a disaster planning discussion. What disasters are possible in your area, what would you have in YOUR disaster kit, where would you meet if you got separated, what special needs should be addressed? Hopefully, a disaster kit is never needed, but Edelstein's straight-forward text will leave readers ready and able to start making a plan, just in case.

Buy it here, http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Here-Comes-Howard-Edelstein/dp/1480917567/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448308628&sr=8-1&keywords=ready+or+not+here+it+comes

Giving is the Best Part of THANKSGIVING

WARL's wish list --
 http://www.warl.org/
support-us/donate/
other-ways-to-give/wish-list/

Halloween 2015 is long gone.  Less than two weeks until Thanksgiving!  The animals at WARL would like to celebrate Thanksgiving with toys, treats, and forever homes! This is the perfect time of year to collect kongs for dogs, mice (toy) for cats, and crunchy treats for all of the homeless cats and dogs waiting at WARL!   

Bat Mitzvah Biscuits Benefit WARL

Emily and Quigley pose before a display board and a container full of money!

Helping animals is easy when you have a cute mascot like Quigely, home-baked dog treats, and information highlighting the good work that WARL does every day on behalf of the animals. It's making it all come together that takes a huge effort.  When Emily decided to support WARL by raising money and awareness as part of her bat mitzvah project, she reached out to us to help gather information. Emily took it from there, creating an information-packed display board and baking dog biscuits, to sell in packages of three and five, at the Westover Elementary School  Fall Flea Market. The booth was a huge success, netting $125 for the cats and dogs at WARL. Thank you, Emily!
 

Ailey's Community Service Project Recycles Towels and T-Shirts to Benefit Shelter Animals

When Ailey chose to help the animals  by collecting towels to donate, plus making dog and cat toys from discarded t-shirts, her service went beyond WARL.  By recycling the towels and t-shirts she was re-purposing items that are often discarded.  Her efforts were good for the animals and good for the earth.   Animals don't care if towels match or have a spot here and there.   And, homemade toys are not only favorites among shelter animals, but they are often far more durable than store bought toys.   In addition to  helping the animals at WARL, Ailey wrote about her efforts and shared the information in a Prezi  presentation with her classmates at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, MD.  Thanks, Ailey, for helping the animals and acquainting others with the Washington Animal Rescue League's mission.

Happy Friday Photo!

"It's been almost a month and I just wanted you all to know we absolutely love Gus (formerly known as Nino)! We couldn't have chosen a better dog for our family. Thanks so much for everything,"  wrote Gus' adopter.  Actually, the old adage, A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words,  is applicable here.    Gus' forever family sent a mini-album with lots of cute shots, but this back-end picture is the sweetest thing to flash on my computer screen in some time.  

Dodger Right at Home!

This is one lucky pooch who didn't take any time to settle in.  Adopted on Saturday, a photo of Dodger (formerly Cha Cha) shared with WARL less than 48 hours later!  Looks like Dodger, a.k.a  Artful Dodger as in Dickens' Oliver Twist fame, knows how to make himself quite comfortable.  Lottie, his new BFF is looking pretty content herself.

The matriarch of Dodger's new clan said if Dodger was a singer, he'd be belting out, "Consider myself at home, consider myself one of the family!"

GREAT Dog and GREAT show!

When Harley, who at the time was dubbed Flacco, was at WARL during the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, he often posed right in front of the Animal Planet Puppy Cam camera.  That's when his people first fell in love with him. Now, securely in his forever home, Harley enjoys tuning in.  And, the ever-present entertainment gives him a chance  to reminisce about his early days at WARL. Thanks Harley's family, we love the great action shots of the very photographic internet star!

Happy Monday!

Have a good day at school.   Elias, a recent WARL adoptee, stands with his new brindle best friend.   Hurry back, kids!