Before losing his fight with cancer a few months ago, my uncle Steve spent many years adopting dogs from and fostering dogs for the Nevada Humane Society in Reno, NV. Steve’s obituary mentioned that he often took the shelter dogs that no one else wanted or could handle. Like hundreds of other NHS volunteers, Steve [...]
Archive for the ‘AWLA Policies’ Category
A Model for AWLA
Posted in AWLA Policies, Principles, Yardsticks on March 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Open Letter, Continued
Posted in AWLA Policies, Principles, Yardsticks on March 25, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Dear AWLA Board of Directors, You now have the rare opportunity to hire a person who can make Arlington County an example for the rest of the country in its treatment of homeless companion animals. As you search for AWLA’s new Executive Director, please contact the nationally-recognized organizations listed below for suggestions and guidance. Few [...]
An Open Letter to the AWLA Board of Directors
Posted in AWLA Policies, DC Area Rescue Orgs, Principles on March 23, 2010 | 5 Comments »
Dear AWLA Board, Arlington County’s animal-welfare advocates applaud you for seeking new leadership at AWLA. Under the right Executive Director, AWLA can make Arlington’s animal shelter one of the most effective and compassionate in the country. Accomplishing that will require, among other tasks: – using the standard Animal Statistics Table designed by Maddie’s Fund to [...]
What’s Possible, Part Two
Posted in AWLA Policies, DC Area Rescue Orgs, Principles on March 22, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Today, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington confirms the resignation of Kay Speerstra, Executive Director, effective March 31, 2010. “We thank Kay for her service to the League and wish her the best,” said Joanne Del Toro, President of the Board of Directors. This announcement was posted on the AWLA website and e-mailed to AWLA [...]
Pay for Underperformance
Posted in AWLA Policies, DC Area Rescue Orgs, Principles, Yardsticks on March 15, 2010 | 3 Comments »
If you haven’t been following our Yardsticks series, here’s the recap that compares animal-outcomes data for AWLA with the most recent available data for selected peer shelters. Because AWLA saves a much lower percentage (and kills a much higher percentage) of its homeless animals than the other shelters listed, you might hope AWLA’s Board of [...]
One Step Forward?
Posted in AWLA Policies, DC Area Rescue Orgs, Principles on February 26, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Arlington-based animal-welfare advocate Debbie Marson pointed out to us that AWLA recently took a step in the right direction by simplifying the application that 501(c)(3) rescue organizations must complete in order to have a relationship with AWLA. Once this relationship exists, AWLA can theoretically transfer animals to the group (though this rarely happens.) The original [...]
Help Support VA HB 429!
Posted in AWLA Policies, Principles on February 1, 2010 | 1 Comment »
A reader asked us to post this important message explaining how you can support VA House Bill 429. Don’t let AWLA undermine this legislation, which will give thousands of homeless animals a chance to survive and find homes! ***** A new Virginia law has been proposed (HB 429) which will prohibit city or county pounds [...]
AWLA Explains Stance on VA HB 429
Posted in AWLA Policies, DC Area Rescue Orgs, Principles on January 31, 2010 | 4 Comments »
Last week, the agricultural subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates considered House Bill 429, which would add the add the following sentence to section 3.2-6546 of the Virginia Code: However, no pound may euthanize, or prohibit the adoption of, any dog based solely on breed. AWLA Executive Director Kay Speerstra traveled to Richmond to [...]
Insider View of AWLA Dog Evaluations
Posted in AWLA Policies, Principles on January 29, 2010 | 6 Comments »
Here’s a post sent to us by an AWLA insider who read the front-page article in AWLA’s Pawpourri newsletter about dog evaluations and felt compelled to present a less whitewashed view of those evaluations. ***** When a dog is brought into the AWLA shelter, either as an owner surrender or as a stray, a lot [...]
