Canines Granted Outdoor Play Area At Warren County Humane Society From American Humane

Denver (July 26, 2007)

Dogs who stay at the Warren County Humane Society in Warren, Pa., will soon be able to frolic outside in safety during regular playtimes at the new shelter. The American Humane Association awarded the humane society a $4,000 Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant to purchase chain-link fencing for an outdoor canine exercise area at the society’s new shelter.

The Warren County Humane Society is currently in the process of building a new shelter facility to better serve the animals in their care, and better serve the community. While new kennels are already in the works, there is still no suitable area for dogs to play with one another outside and no safe place for volunteers and potential owners to spend time with the animals.

As the humane society is located next to the Allegheny River, it is important to have an enclosed outdoor space that will allow the dogs to socialize and get exercise while keeping them away from the water. American Humane’s Meacham Grant award will contribute to the cost of buying and installing the necessary six-foot chain-link fence so the dogs will get the best possible experience while they stay at the shelter.

The Warren County Humane Society expects the outdoor exercise area will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the new facilities, and create interest in the adoption of animals from the shelter. After a 2005 break-in that resulted in the theft of animals, the humane society staff is hoping that a new fence will help secure the building and protect the animals from the threat of criminal activity.

“American Humane is glad to help fund this project,” said Debrah Schnackenberg, interim vice president of Animal Protection Services. “This will complete their renovations and make the area safer and more accessible for both the dogs and the people. They’re doing great things with their new shelter, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

The Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant was established in 1969, in memory of Tressa Meacham, to provide financial assistance to agencies for shelter expansion or improvements. The grants are awarded annually by American Humane to qualified animal welfare agencies in order to fund projects that will contribute to the humane treatment of animals at the agencies, and within the agencies’ communities. Several grants are awarded each year to assist with the costs of building, renovating, and equipping shelters to improve the quality of care given to their animals.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane® Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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