THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
FEBRUARY 24, 2012
VOL. 29 NO. 7
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Sigonella Welfare Animal Society (SAWS) paraded animals available for adoption during the annual Navy Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) parade. Orphan puppy held by parade participant is available for adoption. (Photo by Nikol Black/Released)
Sigonella Welfare Animal Society helps strays find forever homes BY MATTHEW C. HAWS NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
I
t isn’t possible to adopt every stray animal is Sicily, but you can help foster animals in need of care or give them a forever home with the help of the Sigonella Welfare Animal Society (SAWS). Relying solely on the efforts of efforts of volunteers, SAWS, a nonprofit organization provides animals, primarily cats and dogs, with foster homes until they can find permanent ones. “SAWS actually closed a few years ago due to the closure of the base’s stray control facility, so I decided I would start the program back up again,” said SAWS President Chelsea Humphrey. “It’s been a lot of long hours and advertising but we have had a good response for volunteers and foster care.” While each animal varies in size, color and breed, each one is neutered and spade through the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s base vet clinic. With a book of colored photos and descriptions of animals, Humphrey is hopeful for new owners.
“We have a lot of puppies right now and one thing that is great about this program is that all of the animals undergo immunizations before we find homes for them,” said Humphrey. Rules, regulations and laws are set into place to protect the owner as well as the pets that are adopted or fostered. Each new owner signs a SAWS adoption form or foster agreement that lists a breakdown of rules for the pet. “Once someone adopts a pet through SAWS they are stating that they agree to the base guidelines and they are also held responsible to take the pet with them to their next duty station,” said Humphrey. Contractor Don Lheureux recently rescued four dogs and turned to the SAWS program for guidance on how to find foster care for them. “I found four puppies in a cardboard box at the end of my street in Pedara,”said Lheureux. “These are helpless animals without our care. It’s completely inhumane to leave a young
helpless animal to fend for itself.” While SAWS continues to search for homes for these strays, Lheureux is confident that the four dogs will be rescued and is happy that they’re off the street and living with a foster family. Hours spent fostering a SAWS animal in need count toward volunteer hours. To find out more information on how to volunteer, adopt or foster a pet with SAWS, visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/Sigonella.animals. Featured animals available for adoption can also be found in the The Signature’s Il Mercato section.
QUOTE
“Giving is more a dictate of the heart than a command of the brain.” - Henry A. Rosso
Save at the NMCRS Nearly New Shop
Euroscene takes you to Carnevale in Venice!
Go behind the scenes with NEX floral designer
Learn more about the shop run strictly by volunteers
Find out how to get your travel photos featured!
Learn how to make a bridal bouquet in six easy steps
Page 3
Page 7
OF THE WEEK
Page 8
Scan for direct links to NAS Sigonella