Dear Friends,

2011 is off and running, and as we gear up for what we hope to be an active year, we also hope for the opposite. Even as we forge ahead with plans to have bigger, better, and more fund raisers to finance our programs, we long for a better world…one in which our programs are not needed.

2010 was a year of some disappointment, but also one of great triumph for us. As we look back at the losses and success stories of the last 12 months, we have mixed emotions. We are disappointed that young, healthy, animals are continuing to be left at the Cleveland County Animal Control Facility facing near certain death (Animal Control forced an 82% kill rate at the shelter last year), but we are happy to have been able to assist in the placement of several in loving homes. We are disappointed to know that the criminal who burned Coco has yet to be brought to justice, but we continue to remember that precious life, and remind others of what she endured in the hopes of keeping the reality of this incident before the public eventually leading to prosecution of the offender. We are disappointed to know that unique and loving animals of all ages and sizes are continuing to be abandoned either on roadsides or right in the backyards where they once lived with families who moved but failed to take them along, but are overjoyed to know that we have been able to assist in the placement of several from circumstances just such as these. We are disappointed to know that we still have three one-of-a-kind, adorable and adoring animals (Heidi, Charro, and Miss Ruby) yearning for their forever homes and families to give them the security and love that they so deserve.

In our efforts last year to provide aid to the animals mentioned above, one of our directors was able to cultivate a relationship with an organization by the name of Cloud 9 Rescue Flights. Our volunteer secured safe passage for her first animal in March of last year. Since then, with her help and that of Cloud 9, the lives of 14 dogs from Cleveland County have been saved, and 12 of them at this writing have already been placed in wonderfully caring and loving homes. Cloud 9 is every bit as small as we are, but what an awesome network they have created in order to save the lives of homeless but adoptable animals!! As you might assume, they arrange air transport for pets in need, and they do an awesome job, but it doesn’t come cheap. Though the cost was not minimal, the result of flying animals to areas where they are wanted was well worth it.

In 2010 we stretched our budget to the absolute limit as we worked on the above cases. We have had some great successes, but it has been at great cost to our spay/neuter program. In 2010 we were tested no less than in past years, but our resolve to continue our efforts on behalf of animals is as strong as ever, so as we begin 2011 with renewed focus on providing low-cost spays and neuters to those in need, we ask that you rejoice with us at the lives saved, and join with us to prevent the birth of those destined for abuse and neglect.

Any donation made to AWA is tax-deductible, so please consider a membership in our organization. (Our brochure is enclosed.) If a one-time contribution is more suitable, we hope you will consider a gift of $20 or more. Some folks choose to make a monthly donation, and we are ever grateful to them, for we truly could not survive without them. No amount is too small because we are an all-volunteer organization that owns no facility, so over 80% of our budget pays for animals’ needs, and NOT salaries, rent, or mortgages. As you consider the ways you can help, we thank you for taking time to share in the news of our heartbreaks and victories. We hope to hear from you soon, and would love to share with you firsthand the events of 2011!


Sincerely,



Nancy Six, President, Association for the Welfare of Animals