Alliance Magazine_Winter 2016

Alliance
Animals. People. Community.
A
NEW
START
Winter 2016
Surgery Allows
Stray Pup to
Savor Life
ALLIANCE
1

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
Dear Friends,
Editor: Pam Townsend
Cruelty/Neglect Reports:
202-723-5730, press 1
Cruelty reports accepted
24 hours a day.
Animal-Related Emergencies:
202-576-6664, press 1
Main Number: 202-723-5730
Adoptions (New York Ave.):
202-727-5494
Adoptions (Oglethorpe): Ext. 503
Behavior and Training: Ext. 236
Development: Ext. 315
Finance: Ext. 326
Media Inquiries: Ext. 267
Special Events: Ext 325
HOURS AND LOCATIONS
71 Oglethorpe Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
Adoption Hours
12 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Closed for adoptions on Mondays
1201 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Adoption Hours
12 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Closed for adoptions on Mondays
Stray animals are accepted
24 hours a day at New York Ave.
National Capital Area Spay
and Neuter Center
1001 L Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Surgeries by appointment only
Call 202-88-ALTER (202-608-1356)
Walk-in Vaccination Clinic
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roger Marmet...................Chair
Jay Timmons......................First Vice President
Lisa LaFontaine................President and CEO
Amy Meadows..................Second Vice President
Gwyn Whittaker..............Secretary
Hon. Mary Schapiro......Treasurer
Theresa Fariello...............Vice President
William Herman..............Vice President
Gregory Riegle.................Vice President
On a cool and crisp October morning, with bright sunshine and a slight autumn
breeze in the air, I announced the new name of our organization and presented
our new logo at a press event outside of our Oglethorpe Street Adoption Center.
We unveiled a newly rewrapped animal control truck as well as a mobile adoption
vehicle, took the covers off of our new building signs, and raised the flag of
the Humane Rescue Alliance. When the new logo was introduced, a group of
staff members and volunteers, along with adoptable dogs (wearing new Humane
Rescue Alliance shirts and bandanas respectively), came out from the
building to greet the assembled media and dignitaries.
At the same time, just a few miles away, staff members at our New York Avenue
Adoption Center removed the covers from that facility’s signs and put on
their new shirts as well. While we have operated as one organization since we
merged in February, it now feels like we are truly one.
For those of you who were not there that day, I wanted to share with you the very thoughtful and methodical
process we went through to develop our new name and logo.
Before the merger was finalized, members of the board of directors for both the Washington Humane Society
and the Washington Animal Rescue League determined that our newly merged organization would have a new
name—one that reflected the united programs and services and expanded capabilities of the new entity. At
that time, a process was put in place to identify a new name and to rebrand the organization.
A small naming committee of board members was convened to develop a name for recommendation to the
executive committee of the board, which would vote on the final choice. The committee worked with Catchword,
a nationally recognized firm specializing in organizational naming, which offered its services pro bono.
Catchword took us through an extensive process that included three rounds of analysis. First, considering 775
names, which we narrowed to 15. A second round followed, with 748 names developed, narrowed to 77, and
then again narrowed to 15. Ultimately, this process led to a short list of half a dozen names for consideration.
During the process, we had significant discussion about whether or not to use a descriptive place, recognizing
that both legacy organizations had the word “Washington” in their names. Although we will always be based in
the nation’s capital, and the District’s residents will always be our priority constituents, we knew that our services
had already expanded to touch the entire metro region. The committee also wanted to have a name that
could allow for other animal-related organizations to join the fold in the future.
There was also discussion about whether to use the word “Animal.” We ultimately decided that because we
serve animals as well as people, the word “Humane” would reflect our animal welfare work—and the first five
letters of the word spell “human.”
At the same time the naming process was unfolding, we began work with the Washington office of Ogilvy
Public Relations, who also provided its services pro bono. Together, we spent several months developing our
brand. After multiple thoughtful and challenging discussions, we developed the following brand values for our
organization:
• We believe in protection: We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and welfare of all animals.
• We believe in building connections: We bring people and animals together and work with all communities to
support these relationships.
• We believe in innovation: We excel at bringing new ideas forward that improve the lives of the animals and
communities we work with.
• We believe in creating joy: We help people experience happiness, comfort, and companionship through the
love and care of animals.
While the name was being discussed and tested, Ogilvy began to design our new logo. After months of focused
effort, which included public surveys and testing through focus groups, the committee settled on a
name: Humane Rescue Alliance. The name was approved unanimously by the executive committee of the
board of directors, and Ogilvy developed the logo that you see here on these pages.
Our logo represents our values and graphically brings our new tagline to life: Animals. People. Community. We
believe that the name Humane Rescue Alliance honors the legacy of both the Washington Animal Rescue
League and the Washington Humane Society with the strongest word from each legacy name featured prominently.
Both the logo and our name represent the strength and energy of our new organization—a bridge from
our past toward a brighter future. Our staff and volunteers are ready to start this journey—and we invite you to
join us to make that future a reality!
2 ALLIANCE

CUTTING EXPENSES,
NOT SERVICES
Spay and Neuter
Operations Relocate
By Claudia Roll
Senior Director of Operations
(New York Avenue)
For almost 10 years, the Washington Humane Society
and more recently the Humane Rescue Alliance
has provided affordable spay and neuter services
for companion animals at our National Capital Area
Spay and Neuter Center. Located at 1001 L Street,
SE, this high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter
center has averaged 40 surgeries a day for pets of
the public, our adoption center animals, community
cats, and animals in the care of other animal rescue
groups.
Our 10-year lease on the building that houses this
vital program ends in February 2017 and the strategic
decision has been made to relocate L Street
operations to a new expansion of the Medical Center
at our Oglethorpe Street, NW, location. To accommodate
this relocation, we are embarking on
the build-out of a surgical suite in what is currently
the community room. Staff working groups are
collaborating on various details of the relocation
project, such as staffing transitions and volunteer
assignments.
A key consideration in the planning process is our
commitment to the community in Southeast DC. We
currently host three low-cost vaccine clinics every week at L Street,
SE, and the demand is high, with lines of companion animal owners
often extending around the corner. We are working full force on
a transition plan that enables us to continue serving these valued
clients—a plan that includes vaccine clinics in Southeast and transportation
assistance for DC residents as needed.
As our plans come together, we are proud to be saving more than
$150,000 each year on rent at L Street. Medical equipment will be
moved to the new surgical suite so purchasing is minimal. As we
consolidate our staff, inventory, IT, and other operational details, the
cost savings will continue to rise.
We look forward to sharing more details and successes as we cut
the ribbon on our new surgical suite in early 2017.
Donate Now to Double Your Impact
As this year quickly comes to a close, the animals at Humane
Rescue Alliance need your help. Your generosity literally saves
lives.
Right now, through December 31, you can double your lifesaving
impact. A generous group of donors has committed to
matching all gifts made prior to December 31, 2016. When you
support us today, your contribution will be doubled, helping us
touch even more lives.
Working behind the scenes, staff and volunteers turn your generosity
into loving and lifesaving care for each and every animal
who comes through our doors. Not a penny goes to waste. Every
gift makes a difference.
Together, step by step, gift by gift, we offer second chances
to thousands of animals each year. We can’t do it without you.
Please send your gift before December 31 to double your impact.
Your donation to Humane Rescue Alliance is tax deductible,
so a year-end gift is both incredibly kind AND smart.
Please give now at www.humanerescuealliance.org/YearEndDouble
ALLIANCE
3

A NEW
LIFE
for Hoarding
Survivors
By Lisa Stemcosky
Behavior and Training Specialist
4 ALLIANCE

On the evening of July 19, animal control and humane law enforcement officers with the Humane
Rescue Alliance (HRA) removed 63 cats and kittens from a home in Northwest Washington as
part of a case of hoarding and inhumane treatment of animals. The vast majority were kittens under
a month old who were placed in foster homes. Several adult and adolescent cats were taken to our
adoption center on Oglethorpe Street. All of them were unsocialized and shut down.
MUSIC, TREATS, AND MORE
The first thing I did was set up a boom box and put in a CD
called “Through a Cat’s Ear,” a collection of classical music
recorded acoustically for the feline ear and proven to relieve
stress in cats, setting the player for play and repeat. Then,
armed with syringes filled with baby food and packages of
flaked salmon, my behavior and training colleagues and I
went to work.
Our first goal was to help these hissing, swatting, growling
cats to develop a new association with us approaching them.
For this, we used classical conditioning, the pairing of two
stimuli to produce a new learned response. In this case, really
delicious food appeared when people approached. Several
times a day, we would simply open a kitty condo door, present
ourselves, and deliver a yummy dollop of chicken baby
food or flakes of salmon. Some of the cats ate, some didn’t. A
handful of the cats hissed, swatted, or charged at us, but we
didn’t stop. By the third day, we started seeing a difference.
We celebrated little victories. Cliff, a stunning white cat, had
moved! He was no longer curled up under his raised bed; he
was sleeping on top of it. Bowie, a handsome ginger tabby,
who would hiss and spit at anyone who opened his cage,
blinked his eyes at me, a feline signal for “I mean no harm.”
CONTINUE ON PAGE 6
ALLIANCE 5

“Four weeks after these cats were
removed from deplorable,
inhumane conditions, four of
them were made available for
adoption.
Lisa Stemcosky
Behavior and Training Specialist
”
6 ALLIANCE

I blinked my eyes at him and he blinked back. Reciprocating eye
blinks—yes! Sia and Sybil, two of our adolescents, approached
the front of their cage and sniffed a hand. Rick, another ginger
tom, however, was still hissing, spitting, charging, and swatting.
While each of the cats progressed at their own pace, it was obviously
time for some of them to move on to the next step: touch
and engagement. Using operant conditioning, we rewarded the
cats with a tasty treat when they performed the behaviors that
we wanted to encourage. If a cat offered eye contact, moved
forward, or touched their nose to a trainer’s hand or a target stick,
we would mark the behavior with a clicker and give them a highvalue
treat because behaviors that are reinforced have a higher
likelihood of being repeated than those that aren’t. Again, some
cats continued to become more comfortable with us while others…not
so much.
RELOCATION BRINGS REWARDS
Three weeks into this process, one of my colleagues had an
idea. Because these cats had never been confined and had lived
amongst one another, perhaps we should move them to the behavior
and training department office where they could move
around at will. One by one, we loaded cats into carriers and took
them to our office. Some of the cats were easily handled while
others had to be wrapped in a towel to reduce their stress. Rick
was his usual fractious self and had to be cornered by carrier
until he stepped inside.
We placed the carriers on the floor of our large, multi-person office
and opened the doors, letting the cats come out at their own
pace and explore. For the next two days, our team continued
with the plan, tossing treats toward the more cautious cats and
rewarding touches and pets with the more social ones. One day,
three cats—including Rick!—were lined up next to each other
beside my desk. So I sat on the floor and placed a few flakes of
salmon in front of each of them, which they all ate. I repeated this
exercise over and over. Then, I began to rest my hand near them
without giving any food. If they solicited any kind of engagement,
I rewarded them. When it was Rick’s turn, he reached out
his paw toward me in an inviting way; I moved my hand closer
and he rubbed his cheek and head on my hand!
On August 16, exactly four weeks after these cats were removed
from deplorable, inhumane conditions, four of them—Sia, Sybil,
Georgie, and Rick—were made available for adoption. And by
September 10, all of them—including Rick—had begun new lives
in loving homes where they receive the care and individual attention
they deserve. Bowie soon followed and it’s just a matter
of time before Cliff, too, gets a happy ending and new beginning
of his own.
RESCUING
RICK
When I saw Rick, I knew I needed him. It
was definitely love at first sight.
My boyfriend Peter and I adopted him the
Tuesday after Labor Day. When we first got
Rick home, he hid in the bathroom, wouldn’t
look at us, and was very scared and unsure.
Within two weeks, however, he started
trusting us more and more. I think we set
ourselves back a day or two when we took
him to the vet, but he has since forgiven us.
Rick is a happy, healthy kitty. He loves the
cat tower we got for him and is finally comfortable
and totally trusting of us as cat parents.
He loves his food, his treats, his feather
toys, and his laser pointer. He greets us at
the door, meowing nonstop; it’s his way of
saying, “I want food!” or “Play with me!” He’s
active and spry and a total crack-up once
he gets going with his eye on the prize (his
feather toy or catnip mice.)
Anytime I nap on the couch, Rick comes up
and sleeps right in my lap. He wakes me
up by sniffing and licking my face and is so
sweet and gentle.
I am so glad we were able to give Rick the
home he deserves. He is a beautiful and
wonderful kitty and just gets better and
better each day.
BRITTNI W.
ALLIANCE
7

SHYLOH'S STORY
By Beau Archer
Director of Strategic Operations
Surgery Allows Stray Pup to Truly Savor Life
ll the animals that pass through
A
our doors are important to us and
special in their own way. But some
just tug a little harder at the heart
strings. Take Shyloh, for example.
Humane Rescue Alliance intake coordinator,
Maureen Sosa, was making a regular
visit to one of our local partner shelters
when a staff member asked if she could
show Maureen a special case. What Maureen
saw was a young, petite female pit bull
terrier mix. At first glance, the dog—who
had been named Shyloh—looked perfect:
healthy, happy, and wiggly. So what made
her “special”?
Apparently, this darling girl, who had been
picked up as a stray, couldn’t open her
mouth—at all. The only way she could eat
or drink was through a small gap between
her upper and lower teeth on one side of
her jaw. How she came to be in this situation,
we’ll never truly know, but it was obvious
she needed help.
The shelter she was in didn’t have the necessary
resources so staff there were hoping
that we could give her a second chance.
They were thrilled when we said yes. “I
knew there was a reason you came today,”
the rescue coordinator told Maureen. “It
was to save Shyloh.”
As soon as we received Shyloh, we sent her
x-rays to the Veterinary Orthopedic Sports
Medicine (VOSM) team for review. They
advised us to consult a veterinary dental
surgeon who told us that he could perform
surgery that would improve her situation
and gave us an idea of what we could expect
as far as aftercare and her healing process.
After examining Shyloh and considering
our options, one of our veterinarians, Dr.
Baker, recommended that we proceed with
the surgery because the result would defi-
8 ALLIANCE

“
She will be able to
pick up a toy or ball
for the first time in
her life.
Beau Archer
Director of Strategic Operations
”
nitely increase her quality of life.
We are thrilled to report that Shyloh’s
surgery was very successful and she
is now recovering in a foster home.
Her resilient spirit continues to amaze
us all; she is happy, energetic, and
full of life.
Because Shyloh’s jaw had been fused
for so long—most likely following untreated
trauma early in her life—she
would never have been able to chew.
But thanks to the removal of the forward
portion of her lower jaw, she can
now drink and eat soft food like any
dog. She can also pant—essential to
prevent overheating—and give doggy
kisses. And most exciting of all, once
she heals completely, she will be able
to pick up a toy or ball in her mouth for
the first time in her life!
ALLIANCE
9

IN HONOR AND MEMORY
Tributes listed here were received August 1, 2016, through October 31, 2016.
HONORS
Abbey and Penny
Robert Craycraft
Ali Davis and Joe Cafferata
Meredith Judy
Albert J. Dobson and Larry Francis
Gina Dobson
All the WHS Cats We Have Known
John and Susan Warshawsky
Ann Brody Cove
Ruth Cove
Annie Barbera
Courtney Hall
Annie Lyon
Anslie Stokes-Milligan
Appledore and Haruki Kamal-Grayson
Patricia England
Astro Mills-Mogavero
Denise Mogavero
BadFoot
Heather Johnson
Baxter
Carol Havelka
Blue, Moonshine, Ringo, and Teddy
Robert Craycraft
Caden Stover
Alaina Kulikowski
Camerin Downs and Lindsay Tolle
Anslie Stokes-Milligan
Charlie
Valentin Suazo
Checkers, Catan, and the 12th St. Litter
Yoon Kim
Christian Berle
Anslie Stokes-Milligan
Cleo and Woody
Eric Schultz
Colette
Tom Watson
Corbin Benesch
Kamlesh Lele
Dad
Colby Eyler
Dana Landow
Lori Rodman
Dean the Basset and Dutchess
Luna Levinson
Deena Loeffler
David and Sandy Loeffler
Dr. Boozer
Shana Glickfield
Erin Compton and Anderson
Mesquita
Sheri Bale
Kathleen Carey-Fletcher
Steve and Ginger Hill
Teresa Johnson
Janet Lottero
Elise McCallum
Erin Pollack
Lisa Pelstring
Fiona McClure
Virginia Sloan
Frances, Matt, and Horace
Jenny Fogarty
Frank Daspit
Patrick Hennessy
Hibah Hussain and Timothy Grayson
Hannah Emple
James Epp
Rachel Goodson
Chris Martin
Priyanka Pathak
Jacob Warner Olson-Timmons
Keith Smith
Jaya
Robert Craycraft
Jennifer Jones
Janey Nodeen
Jess and Russell Grooms
Patricia Colbert and Laura
Steenberg
Jessica and Ryan Jefferson
Nicole Winning
Jill Suzanne Baker
Dorothy Bell
Joe Howe and Pancho
Joe and Ducky Loveless
Jonathan
Diletta Doretti
Jozy Kitty
Tina Frost
Kim Bryant and Chris Willey
Stacey Dodd
Laura Ostenso and David Kosub
Elizabeth Hogan
Laura Thomas and Mary Lindsey
Tiffany Farchione
Helene Koenig
David and Barbara Thomas
Sarah Thomas
Laurence Cove
Ruth Cove
Leah Litman
Bailey Garber
Elizabeth Keegan
Pamela Reingold
Eileen Reingold
Leslie Harris
Jon Deisenhaus and Jill Lesser
Louie Dweck
Rudolph and Lulu Leibel
Luke and Eleanor Rosiak
Anslie Stokes-Milligan
Lynn Lambert
Bart Trescott and Liza Baron
Mary and Greg
Carla Fletcher
Mary Pamela Godwin
Rosemary Fluman
Matt Do and Frances Wang
Charlene Cerra
William Ho
Matthew McCartney and Joseph Waggle
Mary Drake
William Yagatich
Max
Barbara Peterman
Max and Abby’s Wedding
Michael and Sara Chapper
Moira Hopkins
April de Bremond
Ocean Radovitskiy
Brandl Radovitskiy
Ollie
Andrew Lin
Perry
Robert Craycraft
Poppy Staniak
Stacey Staniak
Rachel and Mai-Trang
Scott and Liz Stankus
Reba O.
Erik Lyon
Sarah and Mayur
Jenny Polakowski
Leon Blondin
Sarah Hamrick
Raymond White
Sarah Schifferle
Peter and Elisa O’Keefe
Shana Zallman
Nadav Tanners
Sidra Hoffman
Alison Adkins
Harry and Karen Kissileff
Solomon Perl
Virginia Sloan
Tim Collins and Andrea Austin
Christina Kruger
Upper St. Clair High School Field Hockey
Team
CustomInk
Yael Nemeth
Jacob Bardin
Marisa Goldstein
David Harris
Tracy Thomas
Laura Thomas and Mary Lindsey
Kusuma Prabhakara
MEMORIALS
Abbott Riggs
Sally and Alan Tassler
Achilles
Valerie Barton
Annabelle Macleod
Sarah Penndorf
Annemarie Maguire
Sandra Barrett
Astro
Brock Boss
Cate Hollenbeck
Alli Holte
David Jurkiewicz
William Mallison
Adam Mistler
Kenneth Quam
Samuel Sherwood
Lisa Waldschmitt
Sarah Wides
Atlas
Sheya and Mike Baker
Auggy and Zeus Gray
Julie A. Conway
Barbara Toms Gray
Glen and Suzanne Bottoms
Gertrude Burr
Gregory Eickwort
F. Joyce Fernandez
Lillian Kronstadt
Ellena O’Toole
Alex Postpischil
John Winn
Barkley and Watson
Mindy Jacobs
Baron Lee
Stephen Lee
Baz
Vicki A. Lancaster
Ben and Jerry Salsgiver
Mary Elizabeth Price
Bernie
Meagan Duffy
Bhai, Hatudada, Kakiba, Mota Papa, and
Dadi Ma
Binal Mehta
Bill LaSalle
Mary Gawronski
Bob
Ellen Silverstein
Bobby
Justine, Liz, Sparkle, and Minnie
Boomer Eisman
Eric Nerenberg
Buddy
William Kilstein
Buddy, Ginger, and BK
Helen Kay
Buster
Suzette Derrevere
Butters
Carolyn Noelke
Carl Roberts
Ashley Lahey
Charlie
Elizabeth Soltis
Charlotte Hampton
Diane Powell
Chester
Annelise Selvaggi
Coco
Jay Timmons and Rick Olson
Cody
Meagan Duffy
Cathy, Harold, and Sophie Levin
Dallas
Pamela Braden
Dan Sherm
Alicia Cagnoli
Darby
Mallory Norvell
David B. Leavitt
Kim LaBarbiera
Dipper
Tom and Linda Dols
Dorothy Gordon
Samuel and Marcia Wolff
Dorothy Slate
Barbara Schroeder
Doyle
Emily Tamlyn
Dr. Kate Plaisier
Eva Freitag
Drakie Massenburg
Sondra Frank
Elby
Lynn Karcich
Ellie
David Bitterman
Emma and Riley
Ann Steinecke
Eris
Tracy Hanafin
Flop
Tara Sofia
Frank
James Fletcher
Freddy McDog
OIL’s Team 15
Gail and Park Carroll
Alena Carroll
Gelato
Virginia Sloan
Your Friends at TCP
Ginger
Marie Griffin
Gio
Justin Epner
Giorgio Gabrielli
Kathryn DiBitetto
Miriam Lasar
Gordy
Nancy Masterson
Grace the Dog
Niva Kramek
Hatfield Wald
Sara and Brad Hinman
Hercules
Meagan Duffy
Hillery Harvey-Hays
Terri Dunahay
Jay and Fran Laroche
Ashley Pate Brosey
Hines
Lindsay Ismer
HobGoblin and Magellan
Heather Johnson
Holly Burke
Nancy Abbe
Nancy Cherry
Jackie Onassis the Cat
Paul Sevigny
Jackson
Meagan Duffy
Jake Nicoll
Sara Qureshi
Janet Cook
Julia Glover
Jennifer McCartin
Sheryl Bowanko
Jesse James Hill
Donetta George
Judith Margaret Combes Dewolf
Kay Kuhlman
Karen Diane Triplett
Danni Leifer and Amin Halem
Kathy Diane Phillips
Cynthia Lewis
Kitty Richards
Jennifer King
Kobe Chung
David Thomas
Larry Francis
Gina Dobson
Laurel Bergold
Miriam Lynch
Leo
Ana Jara
Lesley
Susan Holland
Lil Jen
Joshua Johnson
10 ALLIANCE

Lloyd Emerson
Alice Herbst
Lola
Meagan Duffy
Louie
Emily Tamlyn
Louie Carroll Driver
Ashley Harper
Lucy
Meagan Duffy
Sam Roberson
Mary Kathryn Williamson
Lulu
Mary Vogt
Margaret McInturff
Anjanette Kichline
Martin
Heather Zichal
Mary Catherine Albert
Heather Benjamin
Mary Elizabeth Lerit
Rajendrani Mukhopadyay
Matilda “Mattie”
Katie Garrett
Mattie
Christine Nassikas
Max
Joan Shaffer
Chip and Linda
Mic Rose-Seckman
Daniel Martinage
Michael P. Roth
Katie Oakley
Millie
Dave and Tracy Rimdzius
Minerva
Cheryl Fields
Molly
Elizabeth Chappelear
Momo
Meagan Duffy
Monty Goldstein
Sophy and Aji Chen
Mosby
Carole Jacoby
Moth
Meagan Duffy
Mother of Kirsten Lyke
Andrea Berry
William Blackwelder
Mark Travassos
Mr. Cappy
Mary Bird
Thug and Lily Knapp
Robert Mikolitch
Kelly Wilson
Mutley
Lynda Wright
Nana
Larry and Bonnie Lindberg
Nancy Ransom
Family & Nursing Care
Nate
Bruce Green
Newey Vardaman Hickey
Karen Hamrick
Nicky, Zane Earl, Earl Grey, and Simon
Catherine Niehaus
Norso
Lynda Wright
Oliver
Meagan Duffy
Pearl
Claire Harrington
Pepper Jack
Richard Burnheimer
Pippa Thomas
Lynda Wright
Pippin
Heather Johnson
Pookie Kualii
Margaret Caulk
Puffin
Matt and Kaitlyn Raymond
Randall Duke Diener
Robert Krahe
Rascal Brimsek
Laura Groth
Ray Ridge
Emily Bergantino
Richard Del Belso
Sharon Zepel
Riley Zazzaro
Joanne Broderick
Rockne
David Bitterman
Rosie Scott-Caldwell
Dorothy Robinson
Ruskin Frite
Russell Armstrong
Sadie
Andrea Brown
Sammy
Carole Shifrin
Sarge
Alexandra Miller
Scarlett and Luigi
Elizabeth Bartheld
Scout
Bernadette Taylor
Scrapper
Sam Roberson
Seth Rich
Heart of America
Newfoundland Club
Shakira
Lynn Bulan
Shay Panas-Barndt
Raymond Panas
Sierra Ryan
Ray and Carol Armstrong
Siggy
Michele Rhine
Simba
Robin Goldstein
Simon
Christine Nassikas
Skaneateles “Ateles” Hallinan
Keith Smith
Skittles
Diana Spendelow
Smokey
Frances Sweatt
Sarah Wegner
Sofia Hansen
Lee Minichiello
Sonny
Lauren Taylor
Sophie
Ted and Mary Hartz
Elizabeth n Scherer
Sparky
Julie Blust
Stella
Jill Baker
Beth and Jim Brown
Sterling
Theresa Schlafly
Stitch Khosla
Melissa Culp
Stuart
Jen Spaziano
Sweet Cole
Kim Jones and Peter Legg
Teddy
Caitrin and Darwin
Tess Frederick
Sharon Frederick
Tevvy
Bethany Bridgham
Tilly
Kristin Westmoreland
Tina and John
Marsha Dubrow
Tommy Kelly
Elizabeth Dahlman
Brett Geranen
Nicole Jensen
Michele Swiertz
Tulla
Christine Nassikas
Twist
Meagan Duffy
Uly Bolland
Rachel Gill
Wuzzy
Susan Pizza
Zachary Benavidez
Ashley Bellin
Zara
Bethany Bridgham
Zora Mindlin-Leitner
Todd Barnes
Stephanie Shain
Designs For Felines
JANUARY
25
2017
6:00-8:00 pm
www.humanerescuealliance.org/D4F
ALLIANCE
11

MEET THE BOARD
Gwyn Whittaker
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
Being a board member is an amazing experience! Having the ability
to collaborate with others who share a love for animals and who
want to make a difference in the lives of those who cannot speak for
themselves is such an awesome opportunity and responsibility. These
shared goals create a congenial and collaborative board with a grand
vision of people and animals living in joy and peace; they drive all of our
decisions and are the focus of our work.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING ON THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS?
I love working with other people who care about animals and dedicate
their time and resources to constantly improve the Humane Rescue
Alliance’s effectiveness and impact on animals and the community in
which we serve. The events are fun and knowing that they all support
such a great cause increases the enjoyment! The newly expanded
board brings a wealth of talent and energy together with a cohesive
mission and set of goals.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU ARE PARTICULARLY
EXCITED ABOUT FOR OUR FUTURE?
I am very excited about the integrated organization of the Humane
Rescue Alliance and the opportunity to have a larger impact with more
resources and greater efficiencies.
WHAT IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE VERY
PROUD OF?
I am most proud of the partnership between HRA and the Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VA-DGIF) that I worked to
establish to allow injured and sick migratory wildlife to be brought to
Virginia rehabilitation facilities from the District of Columbia. This partnership
gives these animals a better chance of recovery by allowing
them to be taken to the nearest facility even if that facility isn’t in DC.
Scott Giacoppo, chief community animal welfare officer, and Lisa La-
Fontaine were very supportive in working together with this government
agency to put this agreement in place.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STORY TO
SHARE WITH OTHERS ABOUT YOUR
INVOLVEMENT IN OUR
ORGANIZATION?
My favorite story is about Vinnie, an injured puggle,
who I fostered for about four months. He was
a puppy who had been hit by a car and I was told
to keep him calm while he was on meds and healing.
Anyone who knows how puppies are realizes
that this is a tall order. Nonetheless, he recovered
amazingly well and was adopted by a neighborhood
family, so I get to see him on a weekly basis
now!
HOW MANY PETS DO YOU HAVE? TELL
US ABOUT THEM.
I have three Shetland sheepdogs: Duncan, Sally,
and Dillon. They are each unique and emblematic
of what all animal lovers already know: each has
their own personality and regardless of the species,
they are all special.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL AND
WHY?
I love all animals.
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
www.humanerescuealliance.org
www.facebook.com/humanerescuealliance
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
www.instagram.com/humanerescue/
www.twitter.com/humane_rescue
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