Pet Matters
Western Arizona Humane Society
Victoria Cowper,
Community Relations Manager
This is a regular column, presented every two weeks to provide information about pet and animal care, including the legal responsibilities of pet ownership. We invite you to send your questions to answer in upcoming issues.
Please send your questions and comments to the Today's News Herald or directly to me a W.A.H.S. 855-5083 or wahs@ctaz.com
In the spirit of the Holidays we tend to loose sight of the wonderful gifts we have been given all year long. The hectic schedules, the never ending search for the perfect gift, traveling, guests and parties take up our time and energy. As we reflect on the many wonderful "presents" we have received, a collective thank you goes out to everyone, in whatever capacity, who has been a part of our family this year.
What do the volunteers contribute?
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. In the last year, volunteers contributed over 4,200 hours of dedicated services. These range in a variety of tasks, none more or less important than the others. We have volunteers that brave the hottest of summer to the coldest of winter to make sure that every dog and cat is exercised at least once a day. Volunteers contribute countless hours to administrative duties that provide us the opportunity to serve you, the public. Volunteers go into the classroom and educate on animal safety, animal responsibility and promote the humane treatment of all animals. Volunteers promote our different fundraisers and work long, hard hours. Volunteers script and direct the Adopt-A-Pet program, which promotes our available animals. Volunteers spread the message of the many benefits to spay/neuter your companion animals. Because of these dedicated volunteers, we are realizing our continued goals of education, public service, the placement of unwanted and homeless animals, and the elimination of pet overpopulation. THANK YOU!
How do businesses get involved with the shelter?
We are very appreciative of the business community in Lake Havasu City. As a group, they are very receptive and supportive of our efforts. Businesses get involved with sponsorships of our various fundraisers, donate gifts in-kind to the shelter such as food or building materials, and get involved through business memberships. They also provide us the opportunity to appeal to their employees and offer volunteer positions.
THANK YOU!
What kind of support do you get from the veterinarians?
We are very fortunate in Lake Havasu City to have veterinarians that participate with the Western Arizona Humane Society. The veterinarians work with us to provide low cost spay/neuter for all of our adopted animals, participate in the Vet of the Month program providing us with emergency services, teach Pet First Aid Class at no cost so that we can offer this program to the public for free, and participate in our Rabies Vaccinations Clinics. (For your information, the next Rabies Vaccination Clinic is Saturday, February 26th near Lions Dog Park. Rabies Vaccinations will cost $5.00) THANK YOU!
What are the results of all of this "giving"?
In 1999 we were able to: Adopt 1018 companion animals, return 478 animals to their owners, provide veterinarian care for 6 injured animals through our Chester Fund, provide 12 companion animals to senior citizens through the Purina Pets for People and inoculate 273 animals through our Rabies Clinics. We also assisted in 166 wildlife rescues, that included nursing 2 Great Horned Owls until they were mature enough to be transported to the rehabilitation center at Adobe Mountain. Through our SNIP Program (Spay/Neuter Incentive Program), we provided financial assistance to 994 families that would not otherwise be able to alter their companion animals. THANK YOU!
How can I get involved with the Western Arizona Humane Society?
We like to encourage the community to get involved and we offer a complete range of activities, based on your comfort level. It can be as easy as saving your aluminum cans for recycling, bringing us your old blankets and sheets for the animals or picking up some extra items on your next shopping trip (dog/cat food, non-scoopable litter, laundry detergent, bleach).
You can make a financial contribution by becoming a member, supporting our fundraising events, sending an Honorarium or Memorial for a loved one, or sending us a Gift of Love.
If you are at least 18 years of age, you can volunteer at WAHS to exercise animals, answer phones, help distribute information, work with our Adopt-A-Pet TV-45 show, wear a cat or dog suit at community events, data entry, make presentations at local schools and community service groups, and the list goes on. Maybe you have a unique talent or service that we haven't listed. We are flexible and open to suggestions. Our goal is that the volunteer service is as fulfilling for you as it is for our organization.
We appreciate all of the work from the many volunteers, financial supporters, and those that gave us gifts-in-kind, adopted companion animals from our shelter, recommended us to friends, and got your animals spayed/neutered. The lives of our guests are far better off for your efforts. Thank you for giving so much from the heart. We hope that we can provide as much service to you in the coming year, as you provide to us. THANK YOU
The dedicated staff and volunteers at the Western Arizona Humane Society wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season. We are available to answer questions and assist you in the selection of a companion animal.
We invite you to visit our facilities and see our staff and volunteers at work at 1100 Empire Dr., 855-5083, or we will be happy to schedule a presentation of the many functions of the Western Arizona Humane Society to your club, group or classroom. Also, watch our Adopt-a-Pet program on TV-45.
