Update: Have a Heart

First CatThe Have a Heart fund continues to make a difference in the lives of stray pets in our area. During this quarter, our fund has supported a mother cat and her 5 kittens, three dogs, and approximately 10 adult cats. Two of the adult cats, pictured here, are in need of homes. They are females, approximately 1 year old. They have been spayed and vaccinated. They are both a little skittish and need someone with patience and TLC. Our fund also contributed to the initial evaluation and treatment of 10 adult cats that were seized by the county animal warden as a result of neglect.

Our thanks to our contributors for this period:

* Judy Gallagher
* David Cummings
* Peggy Bercher
* Rachel Gilbert
* Paul and Linda Boland
* Sterling and Margarette
* Johnsen (In memory of Bootsie)
* The Scott Werner Family (In memory of Leibchen)
* Melinda Whitman (In memory of Nancy Crawford)

Community Spotlight: Pet Assistance League

Our hospital works with a number of pet and wildlife rescue organizations in the community. In support of their efforts, our care and treatment is provided at a significant discount. We would like to highlight some of these organizations, beginning with the Pet Assistance League.

The Pet Assistance League (P.A.L.) is a nonprofit animal rescue and adoption service that has been helping homeless animals in Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties since 1986. They rescue animals from a variety of sources, including local animal shelters where they may be scheduled for euthanasia. Many of the animals have been lost, neglected, abandoned, or abused. Some are older animals with special needs.

P.A.L. provides safe and caring foster homes for animals until they are adopted. Last year they placed approximately 300 animals. They work with area veterinarians, like ours, to provide spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and general medical care for these animals.


They hold adoption sessions every Saturday at the Potomac Mills Petsmart from 12-5 and at the Spotsylvania Petsmart from 12-4 (cats only). They also have a program to educate the public about the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

P.A.L. is staffed by volunteers who provide their time, and often money, because of their love for animals. Jane Froelich and Wendy Lackey are the primary contacts for the organization. If you have other questions about P.A.L., please contact Jane Froelich (703- 221-8937) or Wendy Lackey (703-441-9310). Their website is currently in transition. However, in the interim, they can be reached at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FRIENDSofPAL.

If you would like to help P.A.L., you can do so in several ways. You can volunteer to foster animals. You can make a monetary donation via the Combined Federal Campaign (agency #7075) or mail it directly to P.A.L., P.O. Box 1076, Stafford, Virginia. You can also donate a variety of items from their wish list including: food, blankets, towels, crates, kennels, collars, leashes, newspaper, kitty litter, toys, catnip, and chain link fencing.