Daisy inaugural 1st 'transport' fr @Wash_Humane to @WARLDC #WTOP pic.twitter.com/rAmJAuNCoz
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) February 10, 2016
Lisa LaFontaine of Washington Humane Society to be Pres/CEO of combined group @Wash_Humane @WARLDC #WTOP pic.twitter.com/zh2toSMkJx
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) February 10, 2016
Promise is combined group will save more animals together @Wash_Humane @WARLDC #WTOP pic.twitter.com/xNnrVt1AQF
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) February 10, 2016
Jay Timmons of WHS sz merger may help solve resource challenges @Wash_Humane @WARLDC #WTOP pic.twitter.com/uZUvWkB5Wm
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) February 10, 2016
New NAME tbd for merger of Wash Animal Rescue League & Wash Humane Society #WTOP @Wash_Human @WARLDC pic.twitter.com/wMsaeVAGFq
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) February 10, 2016
Missions of each group will have one/stronger voice sz new CEO of @Wash_Human @WARLDC merger #WTOP pic.twitter.com/J4SI2T0o0L
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) February 10, 2016
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.
