They don't fly around and have wings on their backs but they can truly be considered angels of mercy. For three months now I've been checking out their events and each time I walk away with more respect for the time they put into their efforts and their sense of duty despite the weather. In December they had Christmas for the animals with gifts and pet food give away in below freezing temperatures. Last month they had their first give away at their new donated location in the old Sterling Outlet building with snow falling. That building has absolutely no heat and with windows missing and holes in the roof it is in a word cold. This past week-end they did it again. To be perfectly honest I could only take it for about an hour. Call me what you will but my toes were going numb. These ladies toughed it out for more than four hours each Saturday & Sunday to make sure the pet food donations went to good use. That's not including the time they spent last week preparing for the give away. If that isn't considered devotion to fulfill the mission than my friend you have an agrument with me.
This past week-end the ladies of the Alley Cat Aid Brigade (ACAB) had their third give away. It was reported in the newspaper that they had more food available this time than the two previous occasions. They weren't lying! They had bins, bags and cans of the stuff. I got there Saturday a little after noon and their self proclaimed "maintenance man" told me people were lined up at 10:30 in the morning waiting. He said he counted around 65 folks by the time I got there. Even after the opening rush they still had plenty to last them Saturday and for two hours Sunday before it was all gone. When I got there Saturday I was thinking they were going to have left overs. I was wrong. Connie Carmichael told me every bit of it was handed out and they even went out and bought more cat food.
As a pet lover myself I would like to thank the Humane Society, the merchants, the private individuals and members of ACAB for their donations. It means a lot to a lot of people. Although they didn't keep an exact count Connie told me, conservatively speaking, she would guess they had somewhere near 150 to 160 customers for the give away for the two days this month. While I was there I saw a steady stream of folks. Also, I want to thank the people who generously dropped money into the donation can. One fellow dug loose change out of his pocket saying "it ain't much but it's all I got". As I said before every little bit helps and the ladies were tickled pink that they got enough to pay the electric bill. You would think they hit the lotto!
Next month is already in the planning stage. It will again be on the third week-end of the month. They are possibly thinking of only having it on Saturday, March 21, with extended hours from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. Also in the works is the Trap-Neuter-Release program.
Right now they are targeting two, maybe three areas, in the village were feral cats are a problem. They work with the Humane Society & Angels for Animals for this program. The number of places they get to depends on how much funds they have available. I've been told that non-domesticated cats breed on average of four times a year. Just doing the math you can imagine how easy it is for the ferel cat population to rapidly grow when each cat gives birth to a new litter.
Pictured above is Bella, a pretty mixed breed dog that was all gussied up with a red kerchief standing at attention for a treat from her master. Bella stopped by for some chow and to check out the action. The other picture is Angel Sharon Buswell getting things organized with puppy chow going here, big dog food going there and smaller dog food going over there.
If you would like to donate time, money or food to the program or just want some information you can call Connie at 330-532-9064 or Faye at 330-532-4331.
Thanks ladies for going the extra mile for our four legged friends. As one commenter said the ACAB is something Wellsville can be proud of. I couldn't agree more. Your halos may not be visible but I'm sure they are there.
ole nib
10 comments:
Old Nib? Was that you that took those pictures?
It was me but don't tell anyone!
nib
Your secret is safe with us!!!!
Nib,
that is a great picture of my pup Bella. She really don't eat much but from what I seen so far she loves the small bite size bits that we get for her and what we got from the shelter. Believe me it will go fast. I want to take my hat off for those who volunteer their time and effort for this great cause.
And Nib, if you ever drive by that building and you see a golden/black lab mix pup running around out there, it is my pup.
Bella, bella...beautiful Bella!
My niece nad her husband, who have fallen on hard times (both job-wise and medically), took advantage of the program because they had actually NO food for their two dogs last weekend.
Thank God for the brigade or I don't know what they would have done (I couldn't help them, either because of my own financial plight).
The niece just got a new job this week (again, Thank God) so hopefully they may not need the giveaway next time but it's great to know these people are there if she does.
Many would say, "Get rid of the dogs," but in today's economic climate, that isn't easy. Most people are putting "free dog" ads in the paper, not taking on more, and the pounds, rescues, etc. are overflowing and don't need more.
"Get rid of the dogs"...I think I would eat nuthin but peanut butter sandwiches myself and feed the dog before I'd let my pooch go hungry....
Seems that some people don't realize that dogs are extremely intelligent, very perceptive creatures...someone once said that a dog is the closest thing to a real angel a person will ever encounter.
Take care of your animals, folks. Don't frickin just chain 'em up outside and forget about them. If you hear a dog barking outside on a cold night, they are saying just that - they are COLD! Either talk to your neighbors or call animal welfare/control! If all else fails and the dog is friendly, go get the pup and take it into your own house!
If anyone lost a big dog or knows somwone who did, please leave info here. The dog has a very large head and huge feet. It is tannish, blonde color. Very timid and seems scared. Darker face, seems to like lying around the yard. He/she is seen on 5th street, quite regularly.
After looking at pictures, I'd say it's an English Mastiff, or partly
I've seen that dog a couple of times myself. First time it was going up 6th St. toward Main & yesterday he was standing on the corner at 5th & Broadway.
It's a good looking dog & you may be right. It may be a Mastiff mix. He's got a collar on and seems to be fed well enough that he doesn't look emaciated. He's got that square head look of some kind of Bull dog.
nib
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