WARL PARTNERSHIP

In the autumn of 2007, Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare (SCFAW), well known for its trap-neuter-release program and high volume spay/neuter clinics for pet cats in Worcester County, was at a cross road. Although SCFAW is not struggling financially, the organization is limited in scale. Without a bricks and mortar headquarters and larger infrastructure, SCFAW makes less impact on the lives of animals in need than it is capable of given the compassion and commitment of our volunteers, staff and leadership. Since announcing through a recent Worcester Telegram & Gazette article that the Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) on Holden Street was in need of financial support - and without it may have to consider closing - Doreen Currier, WARL Shelter Director, agreed to meet with SCFAW's Director, Jan Beckwith to consider a new strategy. WARL takes in an estimated 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year. Currier started at WARL twelve years ago as a volunteer and worked herself through the ranks into the role of supervisor and then manager. She became shelter director in 2004. Through her leadership, the shelter was transformed from a sub-par place where a lot of animals died, to a clean, bright, friendly life-saving haven. However, Currier wanted more. She wanted WARL to grow and become a place where the life of every homeless animal in Worcester County would be protected and cherished.

Today, the shelter can only take in 10,000 of the estimated 20,000+ animals in need in Worcester County. SCFAW offers the shelter the opportunity for growth by complementing WARL with our pet retention programs. These include the spaying/neutering of pet cats and homeless cats, medical support and behavioral counseling. All of these programs help to keep many of the needy pets in Worcester County in their homes rather than going to the shelter or ending up in the streets.

The WARL/SCFAW partnership has only just begun. In the coming months the two groups will get to know one another, strategize, raise funds, and seek volunteers and advisors. Grant writing, budgeting, data compilation and developing programs are strengths for SCFAW, with three of our board members seasoned MBAs, experienced in running multi-million dollar programs in our former corporate lives. Combined with WARL's shelter and clinic, staffed by a well established team of resourceful and committed hands-on veterans, and with the directors of both our organizations having "glass half full" attitudes, our partnership is destined for success.

If you would like to learn more about the partnership or to join our efforts, please feel free to email Jan Beckwith at Jan.Beckwith@comcast.net.