A GOODBYE LETTER FROM AWA TO ALL OUR FRIENDS
| Dear Friends and Animal Lovers, They say that all good things must come to an end. Sadly, this has become true in the case of Animal Welfare Association of Hamilton. For over 66 years our organization has rescued and found homes for thousands of strays. And this has all been made possible by the hundreds of volunteers who, over the years, have given so much of their time and effort because of their love for animals. But the past few years have been very difficult. Our adoption numbers have declined drastically, perhaps due to the bad economic times, and our volunteers have struggled to keep the organization going. Stress became an issue with older members not being able to retire because there were no younger members able to take over. So it was with very heavy hearts that we decided we must close down AWA rather than let our high standards slip away. We stopped taking in new cats and concentrated on finding homes for those already in our care. This was more difficult than it sounds as many of these cats had been with us for years and had not been adopted because of extreme shyness or special diet requirements. But we finally managed to find homes for all but a couple and they have been taken on by Animal Adoptions of Flamborough (AAF), a rescue group with their own shelter in Waterdown. AAF has similar values to AWA (no-kill, all volunteer, registered charity) and if any of you were looking for another worthwhile rescue group to support, we would highly recommend them. When we have finally and legally ended the charter of AWA we are donating all our remaining funds to AAF. If any of you have made a bequest to AWA in your will, please remember to update your will and name another deserving animal rescue charity as a beneficiary, such as Animal Adoptions of Flamborough, so that your legacy to animals will not be lost. Thanks to everyone who has supported AWA over the years, with donations, fundraising or by adopting one of our homeless cats (and an occasional dog). We truly appreciate all you have done for us! The board of directors, members and volunteers of Animal Welfare Association bid you all a fond farewell and leave you with 'A Prayer For Animals' by Albert Schweitzer: Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that will be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful. |