A note from the Board of Directors: February 2013

AWLMC has achieved so much since its inception in September 2005. We continue as an all-volunteer, not for profit organization dedicated to running a no-kill shelter in the Washington, DC metro area. Our every effort is guided by our mission: improving the lives of Montgomery County residents and animals through programs directed at education, adoption, animal shelter, and low cost spay/neuter services.

We are now one year in our more homey adoption friendly shelter in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. We have modified the interior to have 5 group rooms for the cats and allow space for floor cats to roam throughout the facility. We also added an outside storage shed on the property. We are utilizing all of the building to make the cats in our care safe and comfortable, and to offer potential adopters space to meet the purrfect cat for their household.

Since moving to the larger building in September 2011, we have had an amazing year. We have facilitated more adoptions in the last year than ever! So far in 2012, 149 cats, including 48 kittens and 15 senior cats, have found loving homes. Naturally, we continue to work with local veterinarians to provide the highest quality care for our cats. Every cat and kitten is spayed or neutered and receives appropriate vaccinations before being offered for adoption.

Our low cost spay/neuter program, begun in February 2010, has been wildly successful and now includes dogs. Over 1,600 pet Spay Neuter Certificates have been issued, including over 1,320 cats and nearly 300 dogs. Local partner veterinarians make this program possible by offering reduced cost services so that we can help families not financially able to alter their cats and dogs.

Another program started in December 2010, our Chompers Pet Food Bank offering free pet food monthly to those pet owners unable to afford feeding their pet has helped 550 residents keep their pets as part of their family which would otherwise end up in the county shelter. We have distributed over 12,350 pounds of food.

The tireless and dedicated effort of our growing volunteer base enables AWLMC to help many people and animals. Also critical to continuing our mission is the support of donors who, like us, love animals and want to help. We have set a goal of raising $30,000 to support our shelter and programs. We need your help. Every donation, large and small, is greatly appreciated and goes directly to helping people and animals in Montgomery County.

Thank you for helping us reach our goal,

The AWLMC Board of Directors
President: Jeanne App
Vice-President: Charlotte Oslund
Treasurer: Roger Gagne
Secretary: Janet Culp
Director: Doris Bryant
Director: Maureen Williams