This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care.
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed
I'd like to open my baggage
Lest I forget
There is so much to carry-
So much to regret. Hmmmm…..
Yes, there it is, right on the top.
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss
And there by my bed, hide Fear and Shame
As I look on these things I tried hard to leave
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain
I love them, the others, the ones who left me
But I was not good enough - For they did not want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Or will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things -
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage
And never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
Author Unknown
The Washington Animal Rescue League - NW Washington, DC
The website is here
Support Us
Adoption information is here
About Us
Such Courage, Such Heart – A Centennial History of the Washington Animal Rescue League. Order your copy by clicking here.
Celebrating its Centennial Anniversary in 2014, The Washington Animal Rescue League is the oldest animal shelter in the District of Columbia. Its mission continues to evolve as conditions change and animals face new and different challenges, but the core of that mission remains unchanged: to honor and strengthen the human-animal bond by providing the best quality care for homeless dogs and cats, and supporting companion animals in their homes through affordable veterinary care, community outreach, and education.
The Washington Animal Rescue League is known not only for its long history of compassionate care for animals, but for its innovative shelter, which is designed to promote the physical, emotional, and social healing of animals recovering from past traumas, and for the progressive programs that benefit animals and the community.
It’s Barktoberfest!
Buy your tickets today for Barktoberfest at Yards Park, Sat., Oct. 25th!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
(Raindate: Sunday, October 26th)
Yards Park
355 Waters Street SE
Washington, DC
1-5 p.m.
(Leashed dogs are welcome
Tickets
VIP Tickets $50: VIP entry, unlimited tastings, commemorative Barktoberfest tasting glass, pilsner glass, and t-shirt. Limited number available!
General Tickets $35: Event entry, unlimited tastings, and commemorative Barktoberfest tasting glass.
Non-Beer Ticket $10: Event entry and complimentary root beer, lemonade, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Free admission for children 12 and under.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE BARKTOBERFEST TICKETS
Can't Attend but Still Want to Support the Animals of the
Washington Animal Rescue League?
Click here to donate now!
Is your business interested in sponsoring Barktoberfest?
CLICK HERE for more details on our variety of sponsorship opportunities!
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Oktoberfest goes to the dogs when the Washington Animal Rescue League presenBarktoberfest Logo Dog 2.jpgts its first-ever Barktoberfest! You and your four-legged friend are sure to enjoy a festive fall afternoon.
You will have the pleasure of tasting interesting and unique beers brewed both locally and beyond courtesy of Premium Distributors. For those with a preference for wine, Total Wine will provide a tasting table for your pleasure.
In addition, you will enjoy a day of:
Live music by The Morrison Brothers Band
Food Vendors
Doggie Halloween costume contest
Agility park for your dog
Vendors offering an array of items for you and your pet
And much more!
Thank you to our Barktoberfest Honorary Chairs:
Sen. Sherrod Brown
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
Sen. Chris Murphy
Rep. Jim Himes
Rep. Ed Perlmutter
Rep. Randy Weber
Rep. Bill Posey
Rep. Luke Messer
Rep. Peter Roskam
Affordable Pet Care
The Washington Animal League Medical Center provides veterinary care to PuppyMillBabyShihTzu1all families with companion animals in the national capital area. Regardless of income level, the Washington Animal Rescue League’s Medical Center opens its doors to everyone in the metropolitan region. Considered one of the top veterinary clinics in the area, WARL’s medical team is experienced in a broad range of medical care, treating more than 5,000 pets each year as well as our “temporary” residents, our shelter animals. An added benefit to being a Washington Animal Rescue League Medical Center client: using our veterinary services directly supports the rescue and care of homeless animals that we shelter and find homes for.
The Medical Center also accepts canine & feline patients — by appointment only — belonging to income-qualified residents of the Washington, D.C. region. If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and make $55,000 or less annually, you may qualify for discounted veterinary services at the Washington Animal Rescue League.
BrochureStaceyAndCatThe Washington Animal Rescue League opened its Medical Center in 1996 to treat shelter animals and to provide full-service, discounted veterinary care to the pets of income-qualified community members. Its veterinarians currently treat about 5,000 local pets each year. To see if you qualify for discounted care or to make an appointment, please call the medical center at 202-726-2273.
The Medical Center conducts a range of programs, including caring for WARL’s shelter animals, caring for companion animals of clients throughout the Washington, D.C. region, caring for companion animals of income-qualified pet owners in the metropolitan area, reduced-cost spaying and neutering, Wellness Clinics, and training interns, veterinary students, and veterinary technician students.
Among the first and most comprehensive shelter-based hospitals, the Medical Center has become one of the country’s foremost teaching hospitals for shelter medicine. Each year the center attracts dozens of veterinary students and interns, who come to study under its veterinarians.
Click here to meet our Medical Team
Care for Shelter Animals
BrochureGeraldineAndPupThe Washington Animal Rescue League Medical Center’s team of veterinarians, volunteer veterinary specialists, and technicians provide all medical care for the dogs and cats housed at WARL at any given time. Besides routine physical examinations, spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and dental work, the WARL Medical Center may handle diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and heartworm that are not regularly seen in private clinics. Partner shelters from across the region often transfer their sick and injured animals to WARL for treatment.
Care for Companion Animals of Income Qualified DC Residents
BrochureShilito1croppedThe Medical Center is the only local veterinary facility that offers discounted, full-service care to income-qualified residents of the District of Columbia; Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties in Maryland; Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Warren counties in Virginia; the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park in Virginia; and Jefferson County, West Virginia. To qualifiy, clients must have an income of $55,000 per year or less and be able to show a photo identification.
Without its help, the clinic’s clients might be unable to care for their animal companions when they became sick or injured. Each year, the Center treats about 5,000 income-qualified patients.
Spaying and Neutering Services
In response to the area’s severe and ongoing pet overpopulation problem, the Medical Center offers discounted spaying and neutering of dogs and cats to the public. Our spay and neuter fees and other important information can be accessed by clicking here.
Wellness Wednesdays
Wellness Wednesdays allows our medical staff to examine your pets and identify potential health problems before they become more difficult and expensive to treat.
“Wednesday Wellness” takes place every Wednesday, with appointments seen from noon—3:30 p.m. and “walk-in” clients seen from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This flexible scheduling gives our clients the option to make an appointment or to simply arrive prior to 6 p.m. to have their pets seen by our medical staff. Walk-in clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Services include:
A brief $20.00 Wellness Examination. This exam will be required for every dog/cat (not required for vaccine boosters if the animal has had an exam at the Medical Center within the past year).
Vaccines
Deworming
Microchips
Heartworm and FELV testing,
Parasite preventative
Nail trims
Patients with medical problems will be required to come back for a scheduled “sick” appointment. The $20.00 exam fee will be applied to the charge for the “sick” appointment, provided it is scheduled within the next month.
To find out more about our Wellness Clinics, click here.
Training for Veterinary Students
The Medical Center attracts dBrochureAnaKittenEyeDrops1ozens of senior veterinary students each year to train in shelter medicine under its veterinarians. Students come from as far away as California and overseas for the two- to three-week externships.
The Medical Center welcomes volunteers and veterinary students. For more information, read the Washington Animal Rescue League Veterinary Externship Program description or call 202-726-2556.