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                                                                    The Washington Area Humane Society

Overview

The Washington Area Humane Society is a no-kill shelter located in Eighty Four Pennsylvania.  Being a no-kill shelter, it is constantly faced with overcrowding due to a lack of space to house the animals.  The organization is completely funded by private donations and it takes in more than 4,000 animals every year.  The shelter provides many medical services that help to control the pet population, such as spaying and neutering.  The Washington Area Humane Society's Mission is: Provide shelter, safety and food for the orphaned and abused animals of Washington County with the goal of placing them in loving homes.  Provide public education about the humane care and treatment of animals.  Provide affordable veterinary outpatient services including spaying or neutering.  Investigate and resolve abuse cases in the best interests of the animal and community.

Description

The Washington Area Humane Society is located in Eighty-Four Pennsylvania several miles away from campus.  The shelter is in poor condition and could really benefit from a complete renovation.  Because they have a no-kill policy, the shelter is very overcrowded--forcing the workers to house animals in bathrooms and other rooms that are not fit for housing animals.  The outside of the shelter could also use some fixing-up.  It is old and faded and not very noticeable to cars driving past.  The shelter is a finalist to win a $1,000,000 make-over and it could really use the money.  It is difficult for the shelter to spend money on the building because all of the money that is donated goes into caring for the animals.  With a limited budget, the shelter has to spend money on what is more important, taking care of the animals.  It would be really benefit the Humane Society to win the makeover because that would then enable the shelter to improve in two main areas.  First, the shelter would be able to provide better housing and equipment for the animals.  Second, it would also be able to take in a greater amount of animals, cutting down and taking care of the stray population within Washington even more.

The Humane Society and the Community

The Washington Area Humane Society plays a key role in the local community.  By providing services, such as spaying and neutering, they are able to help control the pet population so that it is not necessary for more animals to be sheltered or put down.  The shelter actively attempts to help mistreated animals by investigating cases of animal abuse and cruelty and they provide information to people to teach them how to properly care for their pets.  The shelter also takes in stray animals, provided they are non-aggressive.  The Humane Society is a great place for people to give back.  The shelter is very welcoming to volunteers and they greatly appreciate all who help.  There are many ways to volunteer including: pet walking, grooming, cleaning up after the cats, planning fundraisers and seeking donations, taking pets to local nursing homes for visitation, and many more.  Another great thing about the Humane Society is the classes they hold.  They have classes to teach young children the importance of taking care of pets daily and for the lifetime of the animal.  This is a great way for children to learn about the responsibilities associated with having a pet.  The Humane Society is also a great place for people to get a new pet.  Since they are a no-kill shelter they are always seeking homes for the animals.  Many people have received their family pet from the shelter and are very happy for doing so.  The shelter is an important part of the local community and it is vital to have such a great organization to protect animals.

The Humane Society and Washington and Jefferson College 

The Washington Area Humane Society and W&J College have had multiple important interactions between them.  Old houses in Washington PA are getting torn down and the stray cats that live in those homes are not simply getting thrown onto the streets.  When an old house behind the Delta Tau Delta Theme House, 211 E. Chestnut St., was torn down, the Humane Society was called in to take the stray cats that were living in the home to the shelter to be put up for adoption.  Recently, Zootoo started a competition for Animal Shelter in the hopes of winning a $1,000,000 make-over.  Representatives from the Washington Area Humane Society came to campus and talked to students and faculty to gain their support for the contest.  Also numerous organizations on campus, such as the Fraternities and Sororities, as well as Alpha Phi Omega, the National Service Fraternity, concentrated their efforts to help the Humane Society become one of the finalists in the $1,000,000 contest.  In recent news, Saturday, May 3rd, was the Washington and Jefferson College annual Street Fair.  Participating in the Street Fair was be a booth for the Washington Area Humane Society.  This was an adoption booth for the cats and kittens that the shelter currently houses.  The shelter's intent was to get students, faculty, and staff, who attend the fair to adopt one of the animals in order to cut down on the high population that the shelter currently houses. 

Personal Narrative

Based on a personal interview with Margaret Lapp, Conducted Tuesday, April 29th:

When I came to college I really missed my animals from home.  It was very different for me to walk into my dorm room and not have my dog there to welcome me.  Since I lived too far away to go home and see my pets that often, I decided to look for a local shelter or humane society where I could volunteer.  I searched the Internet and found the Washington Area Humane Society.  The shelter was located fairly close to campus (about ten minutes away) so I decided to fill out an application to volunteer there.

Throughout the fall semester of my sophomore year, I volunteered at the shelter once a week for two to three hours at a time.  I really enjoyed walking the dogs and playing with the other dogs and cats.  There was one dog that I became particularly fond of, Tyson.  He was an old, gray-haired mutt that had the biggest, warmest eyes that I have ever seen.  His previous owner had abused and neglected him and I could see the love and care that he needed.  I was able to foster Tyson for six months while trials were going on to take him away from his owner.  After the trial, Tyson's owner was not allowed to keep him and I was able to adopt him!

Tyson and I became roommates at school in the new Pet Theme House.  We have enjoyed many morning and afternoon walks around campus and he has been a great and loving companion.  I would greatly encourage other people to volunteer at the shelter as well.  Volunteering at the Humane Society has been a wonderful experience for me.
 

Ways to get Involved!

Shelter Hours: Everyday: Noon - 5pm

Visit the WAHS: 1527 Route 136 Eighty Four, PA 15330

Call: 724-222-PETS, or Office: 724-229-0404

E-mail: www.washahs@fyi.net

View the Website: Washington Area Humane Society

The Washington Area Humane Society is truly a great organization and they would really appreciate any help that can be provided.  With a donation of either time or money, you can be assured that you have saved the life of an animal!