Washington Animal Rescue League

Re-designed and expanded in 2006, the Medical Center programs include: 

Care for Pets of Low-Income Residents: In 1996, the League extended its scope of services to include low-cost veterinary care by opening its Medical Center to exclusively serve the pets of low-income guardians of the District. The Medical Center provides a full range of services discounted as much as 85%, ranging from physical exams, laboratory tests, radiology, vaccinations, treatment of medical problems, dental disease, and conditions requiring surgery. In 2010, the Medical Center provided care to 6,912 pets of 3,058 guardians. The Medical Center holds weekly clinics at which pets from any local jurisdiction can receive low cost vaccinations and micro-chips. In 2010, these vaccination clinics provided care to 2,210 animals. 
Combating Pet Overpopulation: To combat the animal overpopulation crisis, the League performs low-cost spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats of residents living in the metropolitan area. In 2010, the Medical Center performed over 2,755 spay/neuters.  
Care for Shelter Residents: The Medical Center also provides comprehensive veterinary care to the shelter residents, many of whom come to WARL with serious health issues resulting from life in puppy mills or the impacts of natural disasters. In 2009, the Medical Center cared for 1,254 dogs and cats in the shelter.

Humane Education: The League’s Humane Education programs engage elementary and middle school children in Washington, D.C. with the organization’s work. The staff visit schools and bring groups of children to the shelter. The League also provides age appropriate books with humane themes to classrooms, school libraries and students, so that a message of compassion, responsibility and action can be obtained through literacy. The Humane Education staff and volunteers work closely with Washington, DC Animal Control officers to also teach children the importance of public health issues like spaying and neutering. In 2010, special programs included a photography workshop and summer camps that emphasized learning about animals, building compassion, and creative expression. More than 700 students participated in 2010 programming with about 300 of them coming to the shelter for a tour or service learning project.

 

The Washington Animal Rescue League's education program is generously supported by Friendship Hospital for Animals.