MARL E-Newsletter July 2008

2008 Summer Camps
Yes I know, we are very late in getting out the July E- Newsletter. However, we have a wonderful excuse. For the first time in the history of MARL we were able to hold a summer camp for kids. In fact two summer camps. The second one is going on right now.

On Tuesday, July 8, seventeen campers arrived from the ages of nine through thirteen. One of our volunteers, Alicia Lewis had to bring her little six year old daughter with her in order to help and Carley kept up with the older students just fine. Campers got to learn about MARL and the work that we do and how we benefit the community along with the number of animals that we take in.

Billy Barr, our cruelty investigator and livestock manager took the campers to our barn and taught them about horse care and the costs involved. Of course, our donkeys, seeing children decided that they had to get in on the act and they managed to surround themselves with kids. The kids loved it.

Staff member Mary Crosby allowed the campers to pick out a dog to train and gave them lessons in obedience training. Sit, stay and lie down. The kids and the dogs were excellent.

In addition, our Veterinarian, Dr. Mary Foshee discussed pet overpopulation and then took all 17 campers to the operating room and allowed them to watch her neuter a male dog. The kids were thrilled.

Campers got to bathe dogs, wash a baby pig and learn how to work at the shelter and wait on customers. The highlight of the camp was Friday, July 11, when Percy King from the Jackson Zoological Park came with his private reptile collection and gave a presentation on snakes and other creepy crawlies. Our Director, Debra Boswell didn't want to hold the alligator, but put on a smiling face for the kids.

So folks, forgive me if I am late getting the newsletter out this month, but I couldn't be with the campers and on the computers at the same time. Least you think this was a one woman show, it definitely was not. This wonderful experience would not have been possible without the help of some fantastic volunteers: Alicia Lewis, Jan and Betty Rhoads, Nena Cross, Sara Anderson and Nancy O'Bryant, were not only my legs (I'm still on a walker) but ran their legs off getting things, watching the camper and doing my bidding like I was the Queen Bee. We cannot thank them enough. Our staff came through with flying colors, seventeen campers in the building while you are trying to work is not easy, but our staff did it with patience and a smile on their faces. We even had two Board members show up, Allision Pittman came and taught a class on cat care and Dr. Jane Sanders came and watched the activities.

At the Shelter
We have had some of the cutest dogs adopted lately. An adorable Pug, some Min Pins and some of our mixed breed large dogs found that perfect family. Our adoptions are way up since we have moved into the new shelter.

Speaking of the shelter, adoptions aren't the only thing that is up. We now have a full time veterinarian on staff, Dr. Mary Foshee, and getting the hospital equipment and veterinary supplies has costs us dearly. $2,900 for a surgery table, and vet supplies which include vaccines, de-wormer, flea shampoo, and the different drugs has come to over $8,000 in the past 90 days. Our electric bill was $3,696.00. We need your help now more than ever.

Also needed are:
• Dry adult and puppy dog chow
• Dry adult and kitten chow
• Dog toys (we have none)
• Cat toys

You may bring or send donations to: MARL, 5221 Greenway Drive Ext, Jackson, MS 39204 or you can go to our web site at www.msarl.org and click on the Guidestar button to donate.

Thank you for all you do for MARL and the animals in our care.

Aileene Maldonado
MARL Programs Manager
aileenem@netdoor.com
www.msarl.org