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Fall Newsletter 2005
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National Homeless Animals Day: |
A Powerful Statement at the U.S. Capitol
On August 20, DC's animal welfare advocates packed picnics, snapped leashes on their dogs, and gathered at the U.S. Capitol for a vigil addressing our country's animal overpopulation crisis.
Hosted by Channel 7 News' Christianne Klein, the program featured speakers from national and local animal welfare organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Welfare Institute, Alley Cat Allies, the Doris Day Animal Foundation, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, and International Society for Animal Rights, which founded the day 14 years ago. A representative from Congressman Chris Van Hollen's office also participated.
The evening focused on decreasing the number of homeless animals via spay/neuter (and pushing through legislation that all animal rescue organizations mandate spay/neuter prior to adoption), adopting pets from rescue organizations and shelters (not breeders or pet stores), and educating the public about these issues.
With the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop and attendees holding white glow-sticks in lieu of candles, a prayer for the animals was led by WARL Executive Director Scotlund Haisley. The evening ended with a dramatic moment of reflection.
Many thanks to the evening's speakers and our dedicated volunteers, who made DC's first National Homeless Animals Day event a great success.
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Serenity Now: WARL's New Puppy Room Opens! |
 | | The beautiful new puppy room offers a tranquil, stress-free environment. |
WARL's new puppy room feels much like a Zen sanctuary. Simple and effective, it provides a quiet, tranquil environment and dramatically reduces stress. The walls glow a warm, burnished orange. The room is bright with natural light. A fountain trickles soothingly. And visitors can interact freely with the puppies in their glass-enclosed, waist-high living spaces.
"We're absolutely thrilled," says Scotlund Haisley, the League's executive director. "We're eliminating the stereotype that animal shelters are dark, dismal prison cells."
It's as pleasant for people as it is for animals. When one awe-struck visitor entered the room, her mouth dropped. "It's amazing," she exclaimed, "so beautiful and serene. And the animals seem as comfortable as they deserve to be."
Our cageless philosophy and concept are developing as planned. We're sure you'll love it as much as the puppies do—please come visit!
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Jeep Yappy Hour hosted by Animal Fair Magazine: Party in Style for a Critical Cause |
Roll out the red carpet—the pooches have arrived!
 | | Among Yappy Hour's guests were NBC4's Wendy Rieger and John McLaughlin of the McLaughlin Group. |
On September 15, almost 200 party-goers and over 35 fancy four-legged friends arrived in style at the glamorous Hotel Monaco Washington, DC.
The event, hosted by Animal Fair Magazine, was studded with local celebrities—emceed by NBC's Wally Bruckner and attended by John McLaughlin of the McLaughlin Group, Nick Rimando of DC United, DC Councilmember Carol Schwartz, NBC4's Wendy Rieger, ABC Radio's Mike Silverstein, and NewsChannel 8's Bruce DePoyt.
 | | Good times all around for party-goers and their four-legged friends |
The evening raised $21,000 for the League's Medical Center. "Obviously, we hadn't budgeted for Hurricane Katrina," says Scotlund Haisley, the League's executive director. "Yappy Hour couldn't have come at a more needed time. Animal Fair really enabled us to continue our lifesaving efforts."
Many thanks to Paul's Wine and Liquor and Clipper City Brewing Company for providing the evening's refreshments, to the Association of Legal Administrators' Capital Chapter for coordinating the evening's successful silent auction, and to Doggie Style Bakery & Boutique and The Big Bad Woof for their support. We couldn't have done it without them!
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