Lakeland has been caring for animals for 53 years Non-profit organization operates boutique to help raise funds by Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER
The Lakeland Animal Welfare Society Inc., a non-profit organization, was founded in 1968 by nine people who decided they could no longer accept the lack of care for homeless animals in Walworth County. Their original mission was “to be dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals and to providing relief for animals that are suffering.” In 1978, the Lakeland Animal Shelter was built and since that time, has seen more than 60,000 homeless animals pass through its doors, according to the organization. The shelter’s mission statement was updated to adequately represent the fact that the shelter’s “legacy and our ongoing work enrich the lives of both people and animals throughout our community.” While it’s a no-kill shelter – animals are only euthanized if they are too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be suitable for adoption and rejects euthanasia as a means of population control – shelter representatives believe use of the terms ‘kill’ and ‘no-kill’ are neither constructive for animal care agencies or informative for the public. “(They) can actually be damaging to the humane animal movement as a whole. We therefore resist being labeled in this way,” the organization states. Annually, Lakeland Animal Shelter accepts more than 3,000 stray or neglected animals and staff do not limit the intake based on health, temperament or age. “Each of these animals is treated with respect, kindness and compassion throughout their stay with us which can range for one week to more than a year in some cases,” it states. In addition to there not being a time limit on how long it houses and cares for each animal, Lakeland’s practices are consistent with the belief that each animal in its care deserves a chance be adopted into a new home. This belief does not simply apply to those animals that are healthy and of acceptable temperament upon intake, according to the organization. “We go to great lengths to rehabilitate animals that we receive that are, or become… unhealthy, sick or of unacceptable temperament into animals that
9 Lives Boutique is a resale shop in Lake Geneva that is operated by volunteers to help support the Lakeland Animal Shelter. FILE PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes
are healthy and of appropriate temperament for the adoptive home to which they are going,” it states. Services Lakeland Animal Shelter provides includes the following: care and intake of stray, abandoned and unwanted animals; animal cruelty and neglect investigation; adoption placement services for unclaimed and unwanted pets; animal rescue assistance to local law enforcement agencies; and education services on the subject of humane animal care.
Volunteers are vital
Volunteers play a critical role at the Lakeland Animal Shelter. “Without our volunteers, we would never be able to provide the current level of programs and services to assist the animals and the community,” the organization states. Below are some of the many volunteer opportunities available at the shelter: SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES
• Dog walking – get some exercise and help four-legged friends do the same. “Our dog walkers provide exercise and mental stimulation to each of our ready for adoption dogs on our five-acre land,” the shelter’s website states. The property is also equipped with three smaller pen areas for “drop the leash” time, or its fenced in pastures for some “off leash” time for those dogs that won’t jump the fence. Dog walkers must be willing to learn and use commands from the Bright Futures Obedience class. Training is set up with the volunteer coordinator or a current, experienced dog walker; • Cat room monitor – stay indoors and spend time with a furry, feline friend. Volunteers provide supervision and assistance to potential adopters while spending time with the cats and maintaining the cleanliness of the cat room. Must be at least 18 years of age however, there are cat room monitoring assistant volunteer
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