Thanks to the Animal Welfare Coalition of Hampton Roads, the lives of two chocolate labs were spared. Animal Control responded to a complaint regarding two chocolate labs running at large. When they arrived on the scene only one lab was found, she appeared to have an injured foot. While putting the lab in the city vehicle, another lab appeared from the woods and jumped into the vehicle. She obviously wanted to be with her sister.

As strays, Animal Control was bound by law to keep the labs for at least five days in hopes their owner would come and claim them; unfortunately this was not the case. The following Friday afternoon, Suffolk Animal Control contacted ART (Animal Rescue of Tidewater) in hopes of ART could take in the two labs. ART was full, so they contacted K-9 New Life Center. A volunteer from K-9 New Life responded to the call and arrived just minutes before closing for the day

When the two labs were evaluated, the K-9 New Life volunteer discovered the injured foot which appeared to need medical attention immediately. Academy Animal Care, although not a member of the coalition, rallied to help the injured lab. She remained at the hospital overnight and was operated on early Saturday morning. She needed to recuperate so ART provided a temporary foster home for the lab, where she received outstanding care. The other lab stayed at K-9 New Life Center. Following her recuperation, the injured lab was reunited with her sister at the K-9 New Life Center where they were given the names Xena and Kallie.

Although not inseparable, Xena and Kallie preferred to be together, which is often a difficult task when finding a permanent home for our canine companions. ART knew of a family who was interested in adopting two dogs. They saw Xena and Kallie and fell in love. The two sisters are now happily living the life of luxury with their new family.

It was collaboration-together we saved two wonderful dogs.

YES ! TOGETHER we can make a difference!

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Generosity by the TRUCKLOAD!

One of the constant needs that any animal welfare organization has is pet food as well as cat litter; this is a fact of life in the animal welfare world. It's also a fact that an average sized animal shelter that holds about 150 animals at any given time can use up to 2,000 pounds of cat litter each month. Donations of cash or pet supplies to shelter and rescue groups often make the difference in having the supplies they need. By working together in 2007, the members of the Animal Welfare Coalition of Hampton Roads, using the collective talents of our members enjoyed a banner year for donated pet supplies! Thanks to the generosity of MasterFoods, USA the Animal Welfare Coalition of Hampton Roads took delivery of over 120,000 pounds of donated pet food, that's three semi-trucks of high-quality pet food for the animals in our care!

The members of the Animal Welfare Coalition of Hampton Roads also enjoyed the added blessings of the Nestle'/Purina Pet Care Company and received over 250,000 pounds of donated cat litter. Municipal and private animal shelters as well as local rescue groups all shared these wonderful gifts totaling over $100,000.00!

Can you imagine the expense of having to care for 5, 10, 100 or more animals? Cooperation among agencies is so critical, when we pull together, we can really make some great things happen! The food and the cat litter are a few of many examples.

The Animal Welfare Coalition would like to thank:

MARS/MasterFoods-USA

Nestle'/Purina Pet Care

Brooks Transfer & Storage

Givens Transport

Crete Carrier Corporation

Without the help of these companies, many of the great things we have been able to accomplish would not have been possible.

It's a wonderful feeling to know that you have more than enough pet food and cat litter to last for weeks and months. By working together, we did it!

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