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Mr. Bill Dunn
Ms. Candy Cain
Dr. Francis Lattrell
Ms. Jane
Tarner
Ms. Anna Mary Walsh
Ms. Ann Trumble
Ms. Mina Goodrich
Ms.
Dixie Dunn
Ms. Annie Roina
Mr. Robert Main
Ms. Lynn Wagner
Mr.
Jeff Bresee
Ms. Janet Bailey |
Stephanie Jenkins
Peggy Jenkins
Tasha Jenkins
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| Animal Welfare Society in Jefferson
County, WV |
| Principally serving the Eastern Panhandle
of West Virginia, AWS has placed animals in states depicted in maroon. |
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| The Board is a "working" Board. Below,
Board members "beg" for contributions during an annual fundraising event in Ranson.
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We DESPERATELY need your financial support.
A financial contribution, no matter large or small, helps us continue providing
care for animals.
Please send your check today to AWS, PO Box 147, Charles
Town, WV 25414.
AWS is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charitable
organization. |  |
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Compassion & Caring . . .
 Serving
our community continuously for over 49 years, the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson
County, WV was incorporated in West Virginia on February 7, 1952 as a non-profit
corporation. Founding members included Mabel B. Venable, William S. Venable, W.P.C.
Perry, Cora I. Chambers and Forrest A. Brown.
The Animal Welfare Society
was formed to provide care and protection for suffering homeless and unwanted
animals; to educate the public in respect to humane treatment of animals and to
encourage and assist in the enforcement of laws against mistreatment of and cruelty
to animals.
During two decades encompassing the period of 1958-1978,
the Society passed through a period in which there was little growth and in which
rising costs and limited membership income hampered the activities of the organization.
Still, the founders persevered in their mission and vision. The 72 member AWS
had been the only organization in the county trying to solve the problem of acute
population explosion of stray animals.
Among the projects undertaken
by AWS was a spay/neuter and adoption program in cooperation with Friends of Animals,
Inc. and local veterinarians; cooperative efforts with the county on a rabies
prevention program; and a project designed to increase knowledge of county children
in proper pet care. These programs, while having gone through a number of changes
and enhancements, to this day continue to form the core mission of AWS.
There was no place within the county where homeless cats, kittens and puppies
would be taken for a second chance at life. The county only handled dogs. There
was also great concern over the manner in which the county dog pound operated,
particularly in regard to unsanitary conditions. AWS attention soon focused on
solving this significant problem - construction and operation an animal shelter
in Jefferson County by AWS.
In January 1981, a committee was selected
to develop and present a formal proposal to the Jefferson County Commission. After
5 years of work, the West Virginia legislature approved a bill that allowed Jefferson
County Commissioners to donate an acre of land to AWS for construction of a shelter
for homeless, stray and unwanted animals. AWS board members devoted themselves
to fundraising activities during this period accumulating $34,000 during a 6 year
period. Groundbreaking occurred in August 1985 and the dream of AWS founders became
reality in October of that same year.
Upon completion, the AWS shelter
included 10 dog runs, a cat room with 15 domiciles, an isolation room to accommodate
5 cages, a small office and reception area. For the most part, animal accommodations
have changed little in 49 years.
In August 1999, a the driver of a motor
vehicle lost control of the car and demolished the front of the shelter building.
No animals were injured however, significant structural damage occurred. The Board
of Directors, voted to rebuild the front of the building adding 20 feet to provide
more comfortable reception areas and to allow the old small office to be used
for additional animal handling and isolation facilities. A commercial loan to
cover costs above and beyond the vehicle drivers insurance settlement was sought
and approved. This is the principal reason for expenses exceeding income in the
year 2000 financial statement included in this document.
In the year
2000, AWS enjoyed financial support from 648 members. AWS is also a United Way
Agency with over 80 individuals who specifically designate the Animal Welfare
Society of Jefferson County, WV as the recipient of their United Way donations.
Today, the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers continue to share and
carry on the vision of those who in 1952 recognized the plight of unwanted and
abused dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats and the need to provide a place devoted
to providing love, compassion and a second chance at life to these wonderful beings.
 The
Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson is all about compassion! Compassion for
animals and their suffering and a willingness to do “whatever it takes” to provide
our wards with the second chance at life they so deserve.
Take Jeremiah,
a 7 month old male black Labrador mix who arrived in the shelter on January 1,
2000 after being struck by a car. The managing director sought medical care for
him, worked with the staff to nurse him back to health and sought to draw him
out of being withdrawn from humans. Fourteen months passed and while Jeremiah
became a well adjusted, outgoing and playful dog, he became the shelter mascot.
Then, it happened! A home of his own with doggie pals. This is the meaning of
compassion. A willingness by all involved with AWS to never give up on placing
an adoptable animal in a home full of love and compassion.
There is Blizzard,
a Dalmatian puppy with a degree of medical problems. Many outside shelter staff
and directors regularly said that she should be euthenized because no one would
adopt her with her problems. AWS resisted this advice and in the end, Blizzard
was adopted by a family with 2 other Dalmatians.
These are but two of
our success stories. There are many, many more.
The Society's adoption
rate is above the national average. In 1998, over 1,000 animals passed through
our doors. Each year, on average, over 400 cats, kittens, dogs and puppies
pass through our doors! | |
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