Staff Writer

Time for another check-in with operations at the Worcester Animal Rescue League, our closest local nonprofit animal shelter in the Worcester district.

The month of November has been busy and heartlifting, characterized by quick adoptions and quality care. As of mid-November, WARL staff have reunited seventeen lost pets with their owners, and found homes for fifty-five new animals through adoption initiatives.

At their Worcester headquarters, new systems have been implemented to increase recycling efforts and promote community engagement, keeping shelter-pet intake low and adoption rates high!

WARL is celebrating November as National Adopt a Senior Pet month, and they highlighted ten-year-old Maggie on their instagram account. Maggie is a Yorkshire Terrier with a sweet personality and lots of love to give. She is known for carrying around an avocado stuffed animal around everywhere she goes.

As an older pet, she struggles with a variety of health issues – she is mostly blind and has a heart murmur. WARL is hoping to find Maggie a family to provide her with lots of love, affection, and relaxation for her later years.

The Ethical Pawprint: What’s something YOU can do to make an impact on earthly and animal welfare as a college student? Consider giving this holiday season to organizations like WARL who provide non-profit services to our local animals. Most animal shelters are in need of monetary donations, volunteers, and promotion via social media. As winter break approaches, consider engaging in the holiday spirit by supporting your local shelter – spending a few dollars on pet food or a few hours helping with dishes or laundry goes a long way. If you are hoping to contribute to the WARL, they are kindly asking for specific donations of Purina cat and dog canned food, laundry detergent and bleach, cat litter, large dog toys, cat toys, and leashes. Don’t forget about the animals too this holiday season!

Staff Writer

Welcome back to the Provoc’s recurring column highlighting adoptable shelter-pets, the organizations that support their welfare, and applied sustainability to the modern world through the college student’s perspective. Please consider supporting the local Worcester Animal Rescue League via donations and volunteerism.

Since their company’s reset over the summer, WARL has had tremendous success in getting animals adopted after a short time in the shelter. Their current average intake duration is about ten days! Since their adoptable pet turnover is so rapid, it is likely that any specific animal highlighted will probably be adopted by the time this edition is released. However, if you know anyone in the market for dog or cat adoptions, visit worcesterarl.org or email info@worcesterarl.org with inquiries about adoptable pets.

On October 28th and 29th, WARL offered a walk-in low cost vaccine clinic at their shelter headquarters. Sponsored by a grant from Suburaru of America and local givers from Patrick Suburu, WARL was able to provide vaccines and microchips for community animals at a reduced cost until supplies lasted. This initiative was a trial-run for promoting more community-centric events, promoting education and resource accessibility.

WARL’s instagram explained the purpose and importance of microchips for domestic pets: “Losing a pet is every family’s worst nightmare—but a simple microchip can make all the difference. A microchip is a quick, safe, and easy procedure, just like a routine vaccine. It gives your cat or dog a permanent form of identification. If your pet ever slips out or gets lost, a microchip can help bring them home.” They further promoted the event by advertising, “Don’t miss this chance to give your pet an added layer of safety and peace of mind—this tiny chip could be a true lifesaver.”

Promoting community education about responsible pet ownership practices will hopefully result in less pets getting lost if they run away from home, and should decrease the amount of stray pets that wander into the shelter.

The Ethical Pawprint: What’s something YOU can do to make an impact on environmental sustainability or animal welfare as a college student?

One easy adjustment is being more conscious about purchasing naturally-fabricated clothing. The next time you look to buy a new outfit, make sure to inspect the tag for the material composition. Natural fibers, like organic cotton, hemp, linen, or ethically sourced wool, are better for the environment and ensure your clothes will have greater longevity. Quality clothing helps the environment by promoting ethical farming practices and lowering environmental impact, since many synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, require emissions from fossil fuels for production. The microplastics in their composition flow into waterways each time they are washed. Take better care of your personal belongings and our common planet by shopping smarter. Try to aim for items that are at least 70% natural fibers.

Staff Writer

Welcome back to the Provoc’s recurring column highlighting adoptable shelter-pets, the organizations that support their welfare, and applied sustainability to the modern world through the college student’s perspective. Please consider supporting the local Worcester Animal Rescue League via donations and volunteerism.

This edition’s adoptable dog spotlight goes to Poppy, a five-year-old female Pit Bill mix. Poppy is spayed and weighs about seventy pounds. She is a sweet, affectionate girl with quite the personality, and would do best in a home with adults. Poppy loves the spotlight and would prefer being the only pet in a home to get full attention.

Poppy has tested positive for heartworm disease, which is a noncommunicable sickness transmitted by mosquito bites. Many dogs are able to maintain a healthy recovery from heartworm with access to medications, antibiotics, and other treatments. WARL is committed to covering the cost of her treatments – they are just looking for the right family to care for her! Ideally, Poppy would be involved in a foster-to-adopt home to bond with her new owners to receive treatments while bonding with her new family.

Email info@worcesterarl.org with any questions about Poppy or other adoptable pets.

WARL ran a “Creep it Real” campaign earlier this month, offering to waive adoption fees for many dogs during the week of October 13-19. Thanks to support from the MSPCA, all canines over a year old were completely free for adoption, helping initiatives to clear the kennels and find forever homes for loving animals. WARL offers walk-in adoption hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12-4 PM.

The Ethical Pawprint: What’s something YOU can do to make an impact on environmental sustainability or animal welfare as a college student? One easy adjustment is switching your plastic usage habits. Try investing in reusable cooking supplies, utensils, straws, and other day-to-day items to reduce waste. And always make sure to clean and dispose of plastic products using recycling bins around campus! Plastic pollution has a life-threatening impact on our world and the creatures that inhabit it – try to be more conscious of your habits to make our campus, our creatures, and our own lives safer and cleaner!

Staff Writer

Welcome back to the Provoc’s recurring column highlighting adoptable shelter-pets, the organizations that support their welfare, and applied sustainability to the modern world – especially through the lens of college students who want to make a difference! As always, please share the profiles of these animals with any friends or family in the market for a new pet, and consider supporting the Worcester Animal Rescue League via donations and volunteerism.

This edition’s adoptable dog spotlight goes to Wilson, a nine-year-old male American Pit Bill mix. Wilson is neutered, weighs seventy pounds, and is currently residing in a foster home. Common misconceptions about Pit Bulls and mixed terriers suggest that they are aggressive breeds, but Wilson is active, playful, and loves giving kisses!

This edition’s adoptable cat spotlight goes to Spunky, a four-year-old domestic medium hair cat. Spunky arrived at WARL as a surrender. He has quite the personality and is described as talkative, affectionate, and curious. Spunky has been neutered and weighs eleven pounds. Adopting middle-aged cats allows them to enjoy life to the fullest, as they are embraced by love and companionship. Cats like Spunky deserve a second chance!

Two additional very important updates – shelter-pets Shyla and Antonio, highlighted in our last edition, have been adopted!

The Ethical Pawprint: What’s something YOU can do to make an impact on environmental sustainability or animal welfare as a college student? One easy adjustment is being more conscious about paper usage when printing on campus. Many students are required to print long readings for each class period, especially for classes in the humanities. To reduce your carbon footprint, make an attempt to print double-sided, and if possible fit multiple pages on each sheet. Take notice of your “Environmental Impact” rating on the AU printing portal, and stay vigilant about your printing habits!

Staff Writer

Welcome back, Hounds! In the spirit of our university’s mascot, I am happy to continue to share local adoptable pets from the Worcester Animal Rescue League, a Worcester-based animal shelter. But aside from seeing some furry friends, this column serves a greater purpose – advocating for supporting animal shelters via donations, volunteerism, and adoption. I additionally hope to touch upon animal welfare issues with each edition, and to provide some facetime with the wonderful services that animal support organizations provide to society.

This edition’s adoptable dog spotlight goes to Shyla, an eight-month-old mixed breed. Shyla is spayed, and is currently 34 pounds but is expected to grow as she comes into age. This pretty girl is a bit shy, but extra sweet, and needs a patient and loving home.

This edition’s adoptable cat spotlight goes to Antonio, a three-month-old orange domestic shorthair kitten! One common misconception about animal shelters is that they only have older pets, but oftentimes there are plenty of puppies and kittens too! Antonio has been neutered and has two other brothers who are available for adoption from WARL.

Looking to support WARL without adoption? The Worcester Animal Rescue League wishlist includes essential pet supplies, toys, medical and cleaning items, office materials, and gently used tech to support the care and comfort of animals awaiting adoption. Their Amazon wishlist and other ways for donations can be found on their website, worcesterarl.org.

The Ethical Pawprint: What’s something YOU can do to make an impact on environmental sustainability or animal welfare as a college student? One easy adjustment is shopping more consciously and only buying vegan & cruelty-free products, especially for cosmetic goods. Use PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) “Bunny Free” app to scan products and determine if they are safe from unethical animal testing.

Staff Writer

This edition’s Worcester Animal Rescue League shelter-pet shoutout will go to Tatum, a two-year-old male German Shepherd mix!

Handsome Tatum had a rough start in life—his original owner was not able to accommodate his needs as a high-energy dog, but he is ever-deserving of finding a forever home.

Tatum is shy, affectionate, loyal, and eager to have a job. He is friendly with other dogs if introduced slowly and gently. Tatum is great on a leash and his curious personality loves a long, sniffy walk. He enjoys playing fetch, hanging outside in the yard, spending quality time with his family, and exploring. Tatum is very food motivated and would make a wonderful companion.

Tatum is a slow burn and does not appreciate people or other dogs coming up to him quickly. He appreciates his personal space—a king with boundaries!

WARL suggests a home for Tatum with adults only who have experience with dogs and their body language. Tatum might be able to live with other pets, if they have a calm personality.

Coming from a current owner of a German Shepherd puppy, this breed is a LOT of work, but equally worth the effort. A dog like Tatum will require consistent training and enrichment but will become a true best friend for his owner.

Interested in Tatum, or finding another furry friend at the shelter? Visit worcesterarl.org to view all dogs, cats, and small animals available for adoption, or to donate in support towards the continued rescue, rehabilitation, and release of these sweet animals.

Staff Writer

Introducing Provoc’s newest shelter-pet column! “Rescue Report” will highlight adoptable animals from the Worcester Animal Rescue League, a local animal shelter, each edition.

As a former volunteer at WARL, I am familiar with the overcrowding issue of animal shelters. Many times, prospective pet parents choose to work with a breeder instead of adopting an older animal from the shelter. This is especially true of kittens and small animals such as guinea pigs and bunnies.

Through this column, I am hoping to change the stereotypes of shelter pets and boost adoption or awareness of the lovely animals that are looking for a forever home. Please share these animals with prospective pet parents or support the Worcester Animal Rescue League through donations!

Provoc’s first shelter highlight will go to Kaizer, a four-year-old Pitbull mix! Kaizer’s personality is relaxed, gentle, and sweet. He is one of WARL’s longest residents, and both a staff and volunteer favorite. Kaizer enjoys going for walks, swimming, playing fetch outside, treats, and companionship with his human friends at the shelter.

He is not a fan of the dog park. Kaizer would be best suited in a home with adults only and no young children. He also requires a fenced-in yard where he could sunbathe outside during the day.

Interested in Kaizer, or finding another friend at the shelter? Visit worcesterarl.org to view all dogs, cats, and small animals available for adoption, or to fill out an adoption application.