From nothing to something....
Angels For Animals·Monday, July 8, 2019· Angels for Animals was seeded as a dream in the minds of Polly Wardle and Diane Less. It took root on top the backs of horses, a mutual love of the two co-founders. With the help of a lawyer, Angels for Animals then officially sprouted and was incorporated in 1990.
From the fertile thoughts of such a mission, education was chosen as the nurturing trunk from which all would branch off and bud. By educating the public and pet owners on responsible guardianship and the "importance" of spaying and neutering, these two women could change the perception of animals as property to companions and reduce the senseless number killed because of overpopulation.
The two women; Diane a cat lover and Polly a dog in a prior life, began the pet project out of their homes and farms running ads promoting spaying and neutering and meeting with vets and other groups. While obtaining their own education elsewhere, irresponsible humans dumped litters of cats and dogs at their homes. It became so overwhelming that it inspired them to renovate a vacant industrial chicken house into a shelter for the animals rather than house the multitudes at their homes.
The move into the chicken house took place in 1994 and brought with it new interest from the community. Mutual animal advocates began to volunteer and the blossoming effect made the two Angels realize the situation was much bigger than they were. So began the cultivation of a bigger, better shelter.
The chicken house was utilized for six years while adoptions grew and volunteers became more plentiful. Great new ideas and programs abounded with education and spay/neuter always priorities.
In search of a new location, an abandoned slaughter house was considered; and, through some scheming, was finally purchased. (The proprietor in charge of selling the property had an aversion to allowing "girls" to purchase the property.) What a motto they envisioned, "From Slaughter to Salvation." Despite their dedication to recycling paper, glass, plastics and pets, the old building was not to be used and was demolished.
Upon the barren site and 37 acres the planting of a new idea began; a beautiful 2.8 million dollar, 13,500 sq ft animal friendly facility. Angel Place would consist of multiple buildings.
The first building ‘The Lariccia Animal Center', (completed in Feb 2002) is the actual animal shelter with a two story, man made cat tree, play areas for the dogs and a clean warm, "fuzzy-all-over" atmosphere.
The second building would serve our educational goals and as a site for fundraising. This was Andrews Hall Education building, (completed in 2003) a rental hall with complete kitchen for parties, bingo, and used for Angels own events for fundrasing and education. This is where we have many training classes and seminars for our staff and occasionally the public.
The third building was a small storage building and crematory unit for the end of life care for our former patients. Where clients and non-clients could bring their former pets back for final care one last time.
And finally coming this year is the Angel Wing our new veterinary hospital which will take over all our spay & neuter programs, and provide full service vet care at an affordable rate, with all profits going back into running the shelter and spay/neuter clinic so that we can keep providing low-cost spay & neuter and homes for the homeless for many years to come.