C.A.R.E.

Companion Animal Relief Effort
Mission Statement

C.A.R.E. is a coalition of Lehigh Valley and Reading area concerned citizens, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations. Our mission is to assist in significantly reducing the companion animal overpopulation. Our goal is to make the killing of companion animals unacceptable and to reach the state of "No More Homeless Pets Lehigh Valley and Berks County".

To achieve that goal we will:

-Increase availability of spay/castration by means of neutering.
-Educate the public concerning companion animal overpopulation.
-Provide increased adoption and fostering options.

All in all, we believe that a caring community is the best shelter.

Our recent rescue efforts have been quite successful, with cooperative efforts of volunteers from One By One Animal Rescue, The Fairchild Foundation (Wyomissing), Peaceable Kingdom (Allentown) and several individuals. A colony of more than 20 cats have been residing on a farm, well fed but allowed to breed freely. This case came to us via Carolyn Rentschler, a real estate agent and reptile rescuer who happened upon their plight while looking at the property. The property will be sold shortly due to a tragic shooting incident next door, where a man shot and killed his family and then himself.

To date (February 16), 12 cats have been rescued, sterilized, vaccinated, tested and placed in several foster homes based on their 'sociability' factor. Those not accustomed to people will be moved to their wonderful new forever home with Jill Berger and her husband's farm of 20 odd acres as mousers, loungers, and generally happy barn cats. We are in the process of trapping the remaining cats as quickly as possible, especially before the household auction is held the weekend of 2/21. We are in desperate need of anyone that can assist in transporting the cats to the clinic and to their foster homes following surgery as well as transporting traps and carriers to the home for further trapping.

We are appreciative of the very generous donation from Helen Olena, a volunteer for the Fairchild Foundation; CatShack and Peaceable Kingdom's low-cost clinics when time and schedules allow; Dr. Margie Metlitz in cooperation with Peaceable Kingdom (she drive 80 miles every time she comes to A-town for the clinics); and Dr. Vail of Alternative Veterinary Services, Lebanon. They just accepted the last cat we trapped and have very reasonable prices for ferals.

These cats have been through much trauma the past few weeks, and with more to come. Please help us any way that you can so that none get left behind. Any assistance or financial donation for this case will be greatly appreciated by all, especially the animals.