Two D.C. animal-rescue groups unite

Now the cops and docs work for the same group. Vets Daniel Shillito and Megan McAndrew, formerly of WARL, the new group's CEO Lisa LaFontaine and officers Ted Deppner and Dan D'Eramo formerly of WHS with Daisy, the new group's inaugural animal transfer. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Now the cops and docs work for the same group. Vets Daniel Shillito and Megan McAndrew, formerly of WARL, the new group’s CEO Lisa LaFontaine and officers Ted Deppner and Dan D’Eramo formerly of WHS with Daisy, the new group’s inaugural animal transfer. (WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
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Now the cops and docs work for the same group. Vets Daniel Shillito and Megan McAndrew, formerly of WARL, the new group's CEO Lisa LaFontaine and officers Ted Deppner and Dan D'Eramo formerly of WHS with Daisy, the new group's inaugural animal transfer. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WASHINGTON — The Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League are merging with hopes their combined resources will help save more local animals.

“Truly, we will save more animals — we’ll serve more people and that’s what this is all about,” said Roger Marmet, board chair of the soon-to-be-named combined organization. “[WARL was] doing great work that complimented work at Washington Humane, but now it’s all under one roof.”

The two groups have some duplicative functions such as adoptions, foster care, spay and neuter and behavior and training programs. Bringing together programs unique to each organization means the city’s single animal rescue now will have a unified medical center, wildlife program and law enforcement to address cases of animal cruelty.

Merging the two groups also means they no longer will compete for donations and can share staff and facilities. When the merger is complete, D.C. will have five animal-care facilities throughout the city.

The group’s new name, brand, mission and vision statements will be developed in the near future — but CEO Lisa LaFontaine says the region’s animal needs are clear.

“The systemic problem is the overpopulation problem,” said LaFontaine. “That’s why we want to put a lot of resources into spaying and neutering.”

Another local challenge is families not being able to afford veterinary care for their pets.

“So, together we’re going to look for ways we can create better safety net medical programs that will help people keep their pets,” LaFontaine says.

The two D.C. animal rescue organizations have served the city independently for more than 100 years. The Washington Humane Society was founded in 1870.

When the Washington Animal Rescue League was established in 1914, it opened the city’s first animal shelter that assisted dogs and cats, but specialized in helping sick and injured horses.

Watch a video from the news conference about the merger:

Editor’s Note: WARL and WTOP are partners for the Pet of the Week segment where adoptable pets are showcased.

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

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