Nine years ago, I adopted a dog from Angels of Assisi. I was so impressed with the work of this organization, that I became a volunteer. I have been with them ever since.
Angels of Assisi believes that pets improve our lives. The adoption center is open seven days a week and mobile adoption events are scheduled several weekends a month. They maintain satellite adoption centers. It is easy to find a pet to adopt. Based on this belief, that pets improve our lives, AoA works not only to help animals, but also their people. They offer affordable medical care seven days a week. They are partners in the Pets for Patriots program. Their Guardian Angel program helps people struggle to care for their pets due to domestic violence, hospice, or homelessness. The compassion this organization shows to all living things is something I am most proud of.
Angels of Assisi works tirelessly to fight the pet overpopulation, both in our city and in communities throughout southwest Virginia. They offer affordable pet care, including low cost spay/neutering, in their clinic. They transport animals from rural areas, where veterinarian services are not readily available, to the clinic for spay and neutering. More than that, Angels of Assisi sends veterinarians to these rural communities for mobile pet health clinics Offering low cost spay/neutering services, as well as affordable medical care is reducing the number of wanted pets in many communities.
#helpishere in not just some motto, it is the focus of this organization. Angels of Assisi makes a difference.
Not only have I been a volunteer for this organization, I have also used their services for my own pets, one of which was adopted directly from Angels. I have never met so many caring, hard working individuals who go way above and beyond the call of duty! Every person who works and volunteers here cares about these animals from the bottom of their hearts. Whether the adoption center or the pet clinic, they love what they do and it truly shows.
I discovered Angels of Assisi when I moved to Virginia and my first friend in the state found out she was dying of Pancreatic Cancer. It was an emergency to re-home her cat,and I reached out to Dr. Kelly Farrell who was the medical director at the time. Understanding the severity of the situation, Dr. Farrell took the cat into the adoption center and invited me to participate in the adoption process. It didn't take me long to fall in love with this organization and I offered to volunteer writing bios for the animals on their website. That led to other volunteer positions and a few years later I was invited to serve as a board member. Since that time I have watched Assisi grow exponentially. It is amazing to see the incredible work this small group of tireless individuals have accomplished in the years I've known them. This work includes but is not limited to rural outreach to communities with little or no veterinary services, mentoring rural shelters, frequent participation in ASPCA and HSUS hoarding situations, reducing euthanasia in local shelters by accepting animals into their adoption center. Offering safe haven for animals of domestic violence victims, and matching veterans and animals through their Pets for Patriots Program. They also run a daily low cost spay neuter clinic and often receive grants for Trap Neuter/Return of community cats. Angels of Assisi is led by a creative and compassionate Executive Director who has amassed a dedicated staff of individuals in its clinic, surgical and adoption center. And their volunteers are the most dedicated individuals with boundless energy.
The motto 'Help Is Here' is not just words on a piece of paper but a true operational philosophy. I am proud to be affiliated with this wonderful organization.
