November 5, 2004/Cheshvan 21 5765, Vol. 57, No. 10
A sheltered life
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
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 Cheryl Weiner, senior vice president of operations, marketing and public relations for Arizona Animal Welfare League, plays around with Elsa, a Rhodesian ridgeback. Elsa just had a litter of puppies and is available for adoption. Photo by Stephanie N. Henschel |
Various shelters in the Valley, including the Arizona Animal Welfare League, deal with the problem daily, taking in new cats or dogs and trying to find them the new, loving homes.
This is not an inexpensive process.
Nov. 7-13 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation week. This week, take the time to help local shelters.
Give time. Shelters rely mostly on volunteers. AAWL for example has about 200 active volunteers and is constantly searching for more.
"If it weren't for the dedication of the volunteers, we would struggle to get everything done that needs to be done," says Cheryl Weiner, senior vice president of operations, marketing and public relations for AAWL.
And dedicated they are. Bea Siegel, a New York native, has been volunteering at AAWL for the last eight years. For her, the experience is vastly rewarding.
"Your payback is, after working with the animals, you see them get a great home," Siegel said.
Give money. Outside of city or county shelters whose funding comes from taxes and registration fees, shelters rely solely on donations from the community and some foundation donations and grants. Adoption fees often barely cover the total cost of boarding and caring for an animal. Donations are used mainly for running the shelters, and include food, supplies and spaying/neutering.
Adopt a pet. If the circumstances are right, visit a local shelter and find the right pet for you. Nothing makes the staff at a shelter happier than knowing a pet has a good home to go to.