D.C.'s animal welfare agency has a new name: Humane Rescue Alliance. The new name was announced Monday after the merger of two of Washington's long time animal welfare agencies, the Washington Animal Rescue League and the Washington Humane Society.
CEO for the Humane Rescue Alliance Lisa LaFontaine made the announcement of the new name Monday at the Oglethorpe Street facility in Northwest D.C., home to what was the Washington Animal Rescue League.
“We will be consolidating all of our operations into two campuses,” she said.
(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
The alliance operates out of the Oglethorpe Street facility and the Washington Humane Society shelter at New York Avenue in Northeast. Eventually, the two campuses will include the Oglethorpe facility and a brand-new shelter, LaFontaine said.
“We will be building a new facility right across from the Navy Yard in the years to come,” she said.
(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
The merger of the two groups will result in a savings of $1 million — without cutting a single program.
“As a matter of fact,” LaFontaine said, “we’re expanding our programs, but we’re able to save money just by eliminating duplication and redundancies.”
Pictured, Skylar is a little impatient with all the fuss over Humane Rescue Alliance’s new name. She’d like to get back to snuggling, playing and preparing for getting adopted.
(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
While officials and reporters gathered outside for the celebration of the new name for the organization, inside the shelter, a little girl and her father stopped outside of the enclosure known as “Kitty City.” Nina Santos said she wasn’t sure which kitten she might be taking home, but she has the collar all picked out — she saw just the right one at her local Wal-Mart. And she’s got the name picked out: “Kitty Purry.”
Her dad explained they’d recently lost their 6-year-old cat, and Nina’s a cat lover.
“They’re furry and cuddly!” she explained.
(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
D.C.’s animal welfare agency has a new name. You’ll call the Humane Rescue Alliance to adopt dogs like Kevin, who is waiting for Monday’s ceremony to end.
(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WASHINGTON — Who do you call when you see a stray animal, or need help training your newly adopted pup?
In D.C., from now on, you’ll call the Humane Rescue Alliance — the new name after the merger of two of Washington’s long time animal welfare agencies, the Washington Animal Rescue League and the Washington Humane Society.
CEO for the Humane Rescue Alliance Lisa LaFontaine said it’s unique because it’s the only urban animal welfare organization that houses animal control, animal protection, adoption and welfare functions in one place. LaFontaine said the two welfare groups merged in February and said each was a powerful force for helping animals.
“This year we came together to form a more powerful organization — stronger and better equipped to serve the animals and people of our community,” she said.
While the name may have changed, the mission of the Humane Rescue Alliance continues to be the same. There are enclosures to be cleaned, dogs to be exercised, cats to be fed. And all of them are looking for that special place in someone’s home: that of a lifelong companion.
As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.
