A.W.A.N. is a small, yet growing, grass roots rescue group located in Ulster County, "the gateway to the Catskill mountains" at Woodstock, New York.
We have a 20-year history and a 501c(3) status. The heart of our mission is the fostering of cats in A.W.A.N. network homes until loving adoptions can be arranged.
Most of our budget pays vets for spay/neuter, rehabilitation of abused animals, and support of special needs animals.
We encourage no-kill shelters. Sad to say, whenever an area shelter goes no-kill, our modest resources are stretched even thinner, as the rejects are dumped, surrendered to us, or left to starve.
Within the limits of our space and money, we cannot and will not say no to them.
A.W.A.N., in its hands-on way, gives shelter and sanctuary while fighting the ancient battle against cruelty, ignorance, and indifference. Each of us feels the tragedy of not being equipped to do it all. The fact that we can't save every animal who needs us is heart breaking! For all the work of dedicated rescuers, the suffering seems to be increasing. We need help to continue and expand our effort. Every day, more unwanteds are born to lives of horrific neglect and pain. Without more money we have no power to turn this around.
If passion and hard work were enough, we would have solved it already.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
* Encouraging more members of our community to participate in our foster network and sanctuary program.
* Finding boarding accommodations which are less costly than those offered by veterinarians.
* Networking to find groups in and near our area which can take on some of the rescues and surrenders.
* Making sources of free and affordable spay and neuter known to the public at every opportunity.
* Since it is clear that we will continue to be responsible for many elderly and infirm cats for the rest of their lives, and since their vet care mounts up and is specialized, we must look at a way of providing excellent, compassionate care without devoting the bulk of our budget to animals with no hope of adoption. To manage this it would make sense to care for them collectively. "Hospice" is a bittersweet word, one known to many of us in a personal way. What is granted to humans in their last days shouldn't be denied our animal companions.
* Providing advice and information to help people avoid surrendering animals or having them euthanized.
Thank you for your support!!
Helen Mendoza
Director, A.W.A.N., Inc.
Good news for cats:::::::
We have dates for the feline spay and neuter van for the next month.
Dr. Avery Smith will be operating in Accord on these dates: 1/30, 2/5, 2/6, 2/19, 2/20
Call 687 7619 x 202 to reserve space.
Dog neuters are not yet worked out but are on the way.
This is what we have been working for and waiting so long for. Please use this service and spread the word.
Remember, please, that the current economic disaster is having an horrific effect on animals in shelters and feral colonies.
Homes are falling into poverty so folks faced with feeding the kids or getting the cat or dog spayed generally need to opt for the kids.
Result? More kittens and pups born with little hope of the sort of life they need & deserve.
Those of us who care must re-double our efforts to slow this tragic cycle.
So let's round 'em up and get 'em to the van!
If you really need advice on how to catch or trap cats for spaying/neutering please contact us at this page for helpful tips.
Please ask your friends and neighbors to help with donations for strays and ferals... any $ will make a difference.
PLEASE don't wait for warm weather... just start.
Thanks!
Helen Mendoza
