We, the staff of the Animal Welfare League, would like to respond to recent letters to the editor. Unfortunately, many of the people writing letters have not been to the shelter in quite a while to see all the improvements. There are too many improvements to list, you need to come and see them for yourself.
Every year, the AWL has improved. Under Darla's leadership every animal that comes in the door (unless untouchable and quarantined) gets a vaccine. This is a $3.50 cost that was not spent before. So, a lab pays $3 for a cat (a cat that we are sure would willingly help other cats in a similar way that humans donate their own organs to help other humans). This animal goes for the education and improvement in life and health of other animals. This is a good thing, not something to be criticized. (Only a few cats are euthanized, and only when necessary. No one adds last-minute animals. This process is scrutinized very carefully and monitored thoroughly).
We now also do behavior tests and additional diagnostic tests that were not done before. A new procedure we also do is give heartworm tests for cats. As we said, very many improvements have been made, more than can be listed here.
As employees and volunteers we are comfortable with each other and make group decisions. We are happy employees. About the board being unapproachable, some of them are at the shelter regularly, volunteering. They can better understand what the shelter needs firsthand.
Volunteers now can do much more than just walk dogs and cats. Under Darla's direction they have many useful jobs, helping us tremendously to make things run smoothly. We also definitely utilize many foster homes. We are a pretty nice place to visit. We have welcoming areas inside and out. This was done by donation, by the way, a wish list Darla created on our website, www.awl-warsaw.org
It is a bit unrealistic to think that generations of employees and board members have a conspiracy of cruelty. Anyone who was here even three years ago and comes in now has recognized and told us about the drastic improvement in appearance, odor control and the whole environment.
We would call this a well-run democracy now. These former disgruntled employees getting together to complain are all gone for a good reason. The only ones they are hurting are the animals they claim to love by trying to make people turn their backs on the AWL.
Darla is a great lady and we have a wonderful family of staff and volunteers. We don't always get our way and it's frustrating, of course. But it's exactly the way it should be.
God, keep blessing our shelter and all those in it, four legged and two. Thank you.
