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The Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc.
provides shelter and care for unwanted and homeless animals. Services
include an adoption program, investigation of animal abuse by state
certified humane and animal control officers, humane education
programs for schoolchildren and community groups, a modern surgery
center with spaying, neutering, and vaccine clinics, and grooming and
boarding facilities. ARL is a membership-driven, 501 (c) 3 non-profit
founded in 1952.
ARL is situated
along Kennel Road off Route 724 near Route 176 in Cumru Township. Our
mailing address is P.O. Box 69, Mohnton, PA 19540 and our phone number
is 610-373-8830.
The Animal Rescue League’s mission
is to impact all aspects of humane treatment of animals through
quality service, accommodation, and education of pet owners and the
community.
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Shelter hours:
Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday
5 p. m. to 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Phone Number - 610-373-8830
Fax Number - 610-372-6374
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Taking a bite out of animal abuse
By State Rep. Tom Caltagirone
As
you may know, the Oprah Winfrey Show this year
exposed horrific conditions in Pennsylvania's "puppy
mills," underscoring the need for tougher laws to
combat widespread neglect and deplorable conditions.
More recently, dozens of dogs were killed right here
in Berks County by selfish, lazy kennel owners who
used the animals to prove a point that under current
state law, they could kill the dogs rather than
comply with authorities to ensure the dogs were
healthy. This week, eight puppies were seized by the
Berks County Humane Society from a kennel in
Maxatawny Township for the owner's failure to
provide basic veterinary care.
The time to act is now, which is why updating the
state's 25-year-old dog law is the first issue my
colleagues and I in the General Assembly will take
up when we return to session in two weeks.
The range of abuse and cruelty cases involving
Pennsylvania's dogs is appalling. On one end, this
outdated law enables owners and breeders to abandon
regular health checkups and. On the other, many
owners assume the role of "doctor" to personally
perform serious surgeries on dogs in their care.
I
have introduced legislation (House Bill 2532) that
would restrict the ability of untrained individuals
to put Pennsylvania dogs under the knife. As the law
stands now, owners and breeders without any formal
training are permitted to perform serious and
painful surgeries on dogs in their care, often
without the use of anesthesia or proper sanitation.
These procedures include tail docking, debarking
(cutting or destroying a dog's vocal cords),
removing dewclaws and Cesarean sections.
My
bill would require these procedures to be performed
by a licensed veterinarian. Personnel working in
federally registered research clinics would be
authorized to perform Cesarean sections, but only in
compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and while
under the supervision of a veterinarian. The bill
also would permit dog wardens to file cruelty
charges against kennels when there is no humane
society police officer to do so.
The legislature also will consider legislation to
set minimum standards for the safety, health and
care of dogs raised by and housed at commercial
kennels in Pennsylvania.
It is an unfortunate
fact that animal cruelty occurs beyond the walls of
puppy mills. Without question, there is a clear need
to change and update the state's dog law and animal
cruelty law.
As chairman of the
House Judiciary Committee and an advocate for the
safety of every animal in this Commonwealth, I am
committed to advancing this legislation to preserve
and promote the beauty and good nature that comes
naturally to well-cared for animals.
If
you have questions about this or any other
state-related issue or subject, stop by my office at
645 Penn St., Second Floor in Reading, or call
610-376-1529.
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CONTACT: Carolyn E. Touma
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
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Donations Needed!!!
We are in need of many items to help the animals
and the staff. Please take a look at the list and
consider dropping off whatever you can. Thank you for
your ongoing support!
Shredded Paper
Commercial Washer & Dryer (for pet's bedding) Kitten food
Hard Dog Toys (such as kongs)
Soft Dog Treats
Wet (canned) dog food
Critter Bedding, pine only (for hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs,
bunnies & rats)
Copy paper Clorox or Lysol spray Bottled bleach
Dish detergent Sponges and Miracle Erasers Toilet paper Paper towels Hand soap Hand sanitizer Laundry detergent
Candy for the Mohnton Parade
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Upcoming Events -
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Pet of the Week
I’m
Precious, a gorgeous black torti with white. I’m a
2-year-old female and I get along great with other
cats. I’m sweet and calm and I need a good home!
More adoptable pets!
Rainbow Bridge
Mural Unveiled at the Carnival for the Animals!
ARL president Barrie
Pease unveiled a mural of animals waiting at the
Rainbow Bridge, now hanging in the ARL’s new lobby.
The mural was painted by talented local artist Terry
Flannery whose work can also be seen on the Governor
Mifflin’s school building.
Memorialize Your Loved
Pet: The entire border of the mural will be created
with 50 original acrylic on canvas portraits of
individual memorials. Your pet can be part of the
mural! These border portraits can be purchased for
$500 on a first come, first served basis. While the
original canvas will become part of the mural, you
will take home a framed print which will be signed
by the artist. All proceeds are donated to the ARL
in yours and your pet’s honor! Contact Barrie Pease
for information on how to purchase your memory.

Other Fun at the
Carnival…
Besides the mural
dedication, visitors to the Carnival had loads of
fun with kids’ games, face painting, pet contests, a
book signing and the highlight of the day…a dunk
tank featuring Board President Barrie Pease, several
ARL employees and local police officials! Take note
that in one of the pictures, mural artist Terry
Flannery is attempting to dunk Barrie. She did it
on her second throw! A very good time was had by
all on the last day of summer. We hope to see you
next year when we do it again!
EXPANSION AND RENOVATION PROJECT
As you can see
from the pictures the expansion and renovation project is moving
along on schedule at the Animal Rescue League. The photos show the
new front entrance and the side of the addition, but there are many
more changes that are also taking place.
New kennel
additions, a new larger parking lot and improved driveway are just
waiting for spring so the finish coat of blacktop can be applied,
the boarding area has a new kitchen and cat boarding is being
relocated and improved, grooming is being relocated and improved to
make room for a new cat quarantine room, the cat room is being
expanded, a critter room is being added, the kennel kitchen is being
upgraded with a commercial dishwasher, and all of the kennels are
being upgraded with new fencing.
All of this is
being accomplished while we handle more animals then ever before.
Thanks to the greatest staff anywhere in animal rescue there has
been no impact on any of the animals.
Keep checking back
for additional photos as the work continues and for information on
other improvements such as a larger cat room, a new critter room,
and improved areas to serve you on your visits.
We will also be
listing details of our capital campaign and of the many naming
opportunities that will be offered.
ANNOUNCEMENT
ARL
IS REDUCING THE ADOPTION FEE OF SPAYED & NEUTERED CATS
TO $25.00.
Our goal is to find more
homes for the many cats we receive especially during
"kitten season". There are many cats who are already
spayed and neutered. By reducing the cost, we hope to
find more homes for the many, many cats we get in.
SAVE A LIFE - ADOPT!
LOST/FOUND PET HOTLINE
610-373-6064
This
number is to be called when the Animal Rescue League (check our
hours of operation on the homepage) is CLOSED to report a lost or
found animal. You will ALWAYS reach a live person who will take your
information and it will be given to the Animal Rescue League of Berks County and the Humane Society.
Be sure to check out our billboards
throughout the county promoting our lost/found pet hotline.
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE SERVICE AREAS
The
Animal Rescue League of Berks County currently covers over 90%
of the municipalities which are CONTRACTED with
our Animal Control Services. Click here to view of a map of our
service areas. Anyone in these areas needs to call the ARL for
assistance for any problems concerning animals.
Click here to view
a map of Berks County
ANNOUNCEMENTWe
would like to send out announcements about upcoming
events or important issues concerning the Animal
Rescue League and/or animals via email. If you would
like to receive these emails, please send your
information, including name and email address to
berksarl@berksarl.org. Please write upcoming
announcements in the subject line. Thank you!
BEHAVIOR HELP
In conjunction with the Matthew J.
Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the ARL is pleased to announce an effort to help people with their
pet's behavioral problems before considering surrendering their
pets.
If you are thinking about
surrendering your pet due to a behavioral problem that you
don't think you can handle, the University of PA Behavior
Clinic is offering assistance to those by allowing a
professional from the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital to
help guide and offer solutions to your problem(s).
The contact information is as
follows. Please allow at least 2 days for a response.
The Animal Rescue League is
offering 2 senior citizens per month half off the
adoption fee of a dog or cat . The only qualifications you
need to meet are approval of your adoption application and
you are serious about adopting a pet.
This special offer is
brought to you by one of our volunteers and fellow
adoptees. On behalf of the ARL, we thank him for his
generosity.
If you are thinking about adopting a pet, please
remember it is a full time and lifetime
responsibility.
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