Animal welfare takes a new approach

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By EMC News

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EMC News - The Lanark Animal Welfare Society is taking a different approach to animal welfare - an approach that thus far has proved phenomenally successful.

Responsible for the wellbeing of animals for the entire Lanark County, LAWS is focused on promoting the welfare of animals in a positive manner. In doing so, the shelter's animal welfare and right's advocate, Melanie Young, is working with the public to both educate and help them understand the responsibilities of pet care.

This approach utilized by Young, has been "so successful," stated Judy Meyers, president of the board for LAWS. The new position was created after the shelter discontinued their affiliation with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately six months ago. Through the OSPCA the shelter was responsible for animal welfare in Lanark County and paid a fee each year to have an animal cruelty agent trained by the organization. The connection also allowed them the opportunity to call on the chief inspector for help with cruelty cases if need be.

With the de-affiliation the shelter will continue to be responsible for animal welfare for the county. LAWS recognizes there will still be cruelty issues and they will be handled through local law enforcement. Depending on the severity of reported incidents, police may be called in.

Young will be responding to reports of abuse and neglect towards animals called in to the Animal Welfare Reporting Line (613-283-9360 and emailed to advocate@lanarkanimals.ca) and will also be providing the public with information on the laws of Ontario and the Criminal Code of Canada as they pertain to the care of animals. A courtesy call and drop by to assess the situation will be undertaken by Young. If the folks are not cooperative and/or if she feels an animal might be in trouble as a result of whatever might be taking place, the police will get called in.

Young received training for her new role last spring through the OSPCA. Previously she had been a volunteer with the shelter for 10 years and is a former board member of five years.

The shelter, as a no kill shelter, works with dogs, cats and any other animal that comes their way. Founded 30 years ago, initially LAWS was an independent society with a small shelter just outside of Lanark Village. In 1986 LAWS purchased one acre of land on Glenview Road and, with the help of 600 supporters, built a small shelter which housed 12 dogs and a few cats. A cat wing was added and over the years other additions have been created which enables the shelter at any given time to house over 100 cats and 40 dogs.

LAWS provides emergency shelter for approximately 1,200 animals a year. LAWS receives no government funding of any kind. Its operating expenses are met through donations from members, supporters, adoption fees and fundraising activities such as garage sales, raffles, craft sales, bequests from wills and other initiatives. LAWS is run under the supervision of a small paid staff assisted by volunteers. Remember if you have lost a cat or dog and you live in Lanark County, please check the LAWS website, or call the shelter. LAWS now serves all of the county and your lost pet may be at the shelter. Contact information is below.

Lanark Animal Welfare Society is located on Glenview Road, just off Highway 43, about 2 kms west of Smiths Falls. The shelter is open Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Write to us at P.O. Box 156, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4T1 or contact us at 613-283-9308, or email at shelter@lanarkanimals.ca. Visit our website at www.lanarkanimals.ca. Please also check out www.AdoptADog.TV featuring some of our canines up for adoption.

If you have lost a dog or cat please check our website or phone or visit the Shelter. If you have found a dog or cat please visit our website to find the number of your Local Animal Control Officer.

Submitted by the Lanark Animal Welfare Society.




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