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Animal aid group forms Participants sought
nCalled LancasterCARES (Coalition for Animal Rescue, Education and Services), the no-kill volunteer entity was launched in December. BY PAULA WOLF, Staff Writer
A new coalition that will serve as a kind of umbrella organization for smaller animal-rescue groups and adoption centers will occupy the site at That Fish Place, That Pet Place formerly used by Humane League of Lancaster County.
Called LancasterCARES (Coalition for Animal Rescue, Education and Services), the no-kill volunteer entity was started in December by Melody Sanders, founder of Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, and Mary Jo Meinzer, founder of The Furever Home Adoption Center. The Humane League left the spot at That Fish Place, That Pet Place in late December.
Sanders said that Meinzer approached her with the idea of forming the coalition, and That Fish Place, That Pet Place was happy to provide the space.
The site, which opens Feb. 23, will be used for education programs, microchipping, adoptions and administering low-cost vaccines, she said. Volunteers have been renovating the area, cleaning and painting it and giving it "a fresh new look," Sanders said.
Cats and dogs won't be the only pets that can be adopted, she said. Birds, reptiles and small mammals will be available, too.
LancasterCARES wants to help highlight what these lesser-known animal organizations do, Sanders said, "and make the public more aware of what's out there" in order to prevent unnecessary euthanization.
According to a press release, "the mission of CARES is to empower and enhance the work of small, volunteer, not-for-profit animal groups in the county to improve the lives of companion animals."
Sanders said she hopes these organizations will put aside differences they may have and "remember this is for the animals."
The coalition, which is seeking volunteers, also wants to create a lost-and-found pet database online that's easily accessible to Lancaster County residents, she said.
LancasterCARES will hold an open house from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at That Fish Place, That Pet Place, 237 Centerville Road.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or donate to LancasterCARES should email petpantryoflancaster@gmail.com or fureverhome@verizon.net, or attend the open house.
pwolf@lnpnews.com
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