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Katrina Pet Adoption Event
Monday, February 20, 2006
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will hold a special adoption event on Monday, February 20, 2006 (Presidents’ Day) for pets affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Animals will be available for viewing and adoption applications from noon until 5:00 pm at 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr. All of the League’s normal adoption procedures will apply. The League adopts to residents of Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, and Washington, D.C.
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington joined a coalition of Northern Virginia Animal Shelters that sent a caravan to Gulfport, Mississippi to assist the Humane Society of Southern Mississippi (HSSM), an organization devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.Representatives from Loudoun County Animal Care & Control, Fairfax County Animal Care & Control, Prince William County Animal Care & Control, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, and Manassas Animal Control Services & Adoption Center traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi in a united effort on February 3 to bring homeless animals to Northern Virginia for adoption.
Two Animal Welfare League of Arlington staff members drove an animal control van to Gulfport and returned with puppies, dogs, and cats that were displaced as a result of the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region. Some of the animals are in foster homes until they are ready for adoption.
HSSM receives an average of 75 dogs and puppies per day. Many of these pets are surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them due to a loss of housing after the storm, while others are puppies born to unaltered animals who are now running loose after losing their homes. Last year, the HSSM shelter took in over 15,000 animals, and they expect this number to grow in 2006.
"Our area’s homeless pets will be ‘Katrina Victims’ for months and years to come," says Tara High, Director of HSSM. "We pray that there will be enough reputable groups [like the Northern Virginia coalition] who will help us relocate these animals and place them in forever homes where they can be cared for and loved."
In addition to the animals rescued from Mississippi, all of the League's adoptable pets will be on view for adoption on Presidents' Day. Please consider spending your holiday helping a homeless pet.
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