The Washington Animal Rescue League recognizes that many animal welfare facilities within our region and neighboring states are often faced with the challenge of handling more animals than they can care for and place in homes. Due to society's failure to promote and provide—let alone require—accessible spay/neuter services, millions of unwanted animals are turned in to shelters or forced to live on the streets.  The sad fact is that shelters are all too often forced to turn to euthanasia to deal with the pet overpopulation crisis.  What is worse, the biggest burden often lies with those shelters that have the fewest resources.

The ShARE program (Shelter Animal Rescue Effort) addresses this persistent problem by transferring animals from overburdened area shelters, primarily the Washington Humane Society and the Prince George’s County Animal Division, to the League for adoption.  The League also works with PetSmart Charities’ Rescue Waggin program, which transports dogs from more distant shelters twice a month.  Finally, the League regularly assists the Emergency Services Department of the Humane Society of the United States by taking in animals seized when puppy mills or hoarders are shut down.

At any given time, as many as ninety percent of the animals at the League are ShARE program transfers.  A substantial number of these are “special needs” cases: animals with illnesses, injuries, or other conditions that are beyond the capability of the original shelter to treat or accommodate.