Who We Are Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. We are your neighbors, friends, family and co-workers, pulling together to help alleviate the pain and suffering of stray animals. We realize that the stray dogs in many Iowa counties have no animal shelter to take them in and therefore, have no chance of being adopted. In many areas, strays are held for 7 days and if not claimed, are automatically euthanized. Most strays are not claimed because their families have intentionally abandoned them. Animal Welfare Foundation is working to give these dogs and cats a chance to be adopted into secure, caring homes. Our efforts have saved the lives of homeless animals in the following counties: Jones, Linn, Johnson, Cedar, Poweshiek, Benton, Keokuk and Muscatine.
Our Mission Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa is dedicated to supporting and promoting humane principles, preventing cruelty and alleviating the pain and suffering of animals. We believe, because human cruelty, ignorance and irresponsibility have created a world of pain and suffering for animals, that society must rectify this situation and assume full responsibility for providing all pets with a peaceful, safe and healthy life.
Our First Program: “Save the Dogs” Our initial program was launched in March 2003 to help the stray dogs in Jones County, Iowa, where AWF founders Mike and Nancy Crist live. Since the county has no animal shelter, the Sheriff’s Office (the designated animal control for the area), routinely picked up stray dogs, held them for seven days and if not claimed, euthanized the dog. The majority of dogs went unclaimed because their family had abandoned them. The county devoted no time or money to advertise the fact that these dogs were available for adoption, yet the county paid to have them killed.
The procedures established by AWF in March 2003 to save the lives of dogs are still in effect today. AWF volunteers take digital photos of each stray dog picked up by Jones County, create a flyer and route it to a list of 200+ people in four counties. These people print the flyer and post it at veterinary clinics, grocery stores and local businesses—in an attempt of find the dog a home within the seven days he/she is held by the county.
If at the end of the week no permanent home has been found, AWF will choose one of several routes for helping save the dog’s life: place him in an AWF foster home or move him to a credible rescue group or shelter.
As a result of our efforts, 500 animals have been saved. Notably over 410 dogs that before AWF’s founding were automatically killed.
Oh, How We’ve Grown Since that first year, AWF’s programs and efforts have grown to help stray dogs and cats in counties throughout Eastern Iowa. Last year, there were times, we had 50 animals in our care. Our efforts also include a spay/neuter program for the pets of low-income families and educational programs for the public. Past programs include a Pet Parenting Class with information on caring for dogs and cats and How to Identify and Report Animal Abuse and Neglect. Volunteers have also attended seminars on evaluating dog behavior and have studied books and DVDs on dog behavior to better educate the group and increase our success in finding the home that is the best match for each dog.
The Future In May 2006, AWF announced its plans to raise $265,000 for an animal shelter in Jones County. After meeting five times with the Jones County Board of Supervisors and providing them all the information they requested, they denied our request for land. We are currently searching for a building in the commercial or industrial area of Anamosa that can serve as an interim shelter as we continue to raise funds for our 3,000 square foot facility. If you know of a building that is for sale, please contact us at (563) 826-2208. For more details on the building campaign, go to the Shelter Project page of this web site.How We Use Donations
“Buy” extra boarding days to give people the chance to meet and adopt dogs. (Seven days is not enough time!)
Monthly maintenance fee for Web site. (Web site design was generously donated by Business Solutions Group LLC in Cedar Rapids.)
Provide veterinary care for homeless dogs and cats that includes spay/neuter, heartworm check for dogs and HIV/leukemia test for cats, flea and heart worm preventatives, rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations, and bordetella for dogs. If an animal has specific health needs, these are provided for as well. Examples include ear infections, bladder infections and surgery to repair injuries.
Shelter fees, ranging from $25-$50 per out-of-county dog.
Purchase newspaper ads in Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, Monticello and Anamosa that encourage people to adopt a Jones County dog, visit our Web site, etc.
Purchase T-shirts, raffle items, etc. that in turn will be sold to raise funds.
Print brochures and flyers.
Contact Us You can reach us at... e-mail: wesavepets@netins.net Phone: (563) 826-2208 Mailing address: 2512 Davenport Ave., Oxford Junction, IA 52323
We Need Your Help! If you would like to support the efforts of Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa, you can donate by sending a personal check made out to Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa. Donations of dog food, collars, leashes, Pet Porters and old blankets, rugs and towels are always welcome. All donations should be sent to Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa, 2512 Davenport Avenue, Oxford Junction, IA 52323.
In addition to helping the stray dogs of Eastern Iowa, you can also use your donation as a tax deduction because AWF is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization.
If you have questions, please call us at (563) 826-2208 or e-mail us at wesavepets@netins.net.
