Several times a week I see a post on Facebook regarding a stray or lost animal, with the postscript that the animal has been taken to Oak Park’s Animal Care League. This is very good news for the animal and the people concerned for its welfare. It will be housed, fed, health needs will be addressed, and attempts will be made to locate an owner. Failing that outcome, plans for adoption to a new home will be put in place. In the meantime, the animal will be given attention and affection by staff and volunteers, and they’ll do it for as long as it takes.
But there is a problem. Like every other animal welfare organization, Animal Care League’s resources are limited. With each new arrival, resources are stretched a little thinner. Right now, Animal Care League is well over capacity, but they somehow always make room for every animal that comes in. Staff will set up housing in offices, they’ll stay later, they’ll work harder, they’ll recruit additional volunteers, they’ll search for new foster homes. Every animal is precious at Animal Care League and each will receive exemplary care.
I consider Animal Care League to be a community treasure, but it needs community support to keep doing the remarkable job it does daily. There are many ways to show support: when it’s time to add a pet to the family, adopt. Donating, volunteering, fostering, and spreading the word help immeasurably. Going to their website makes everything easy.
If everyone does what they can, we can continue to breathe a sigh of blessed relief when the end of that Facebook post says, “The animal is now at the Animal Care League.”
Kathy Capone
Oak Park