Nonprofit group integral to mission

Published 4:41 pm Friday, October 1, 2010

I would like to thank The Herald for running the Sept. 15 story on the Everett Animal Shelters’ veterinarian, Lisa Thompson. As a member of both the advisory board to the shelter and A.R.F., the Animal Rescue Foundation, I really appreciate any and all coverage to inform the citizens of Everett about our wonderful new shelter.

A.R.F. is the nonprofit of the shelter. This small group of people spend a huge amount of volunteer time with fund-raising and outreach projects to educate people all over Western Washington about their efforts to save injured animals that Everett and its taxpayers cannot afford to save. While the shelter, a city entity, can not expend money to save injured animals, A.R.F. can. And does.

The article had a slight mention of the group that contributed nearly $40,000 to the Everett Animal Shelter’s spay-neuter clinic. This group was A.R.F. This money came from our fund-raising activities, and donations from people in Everett, Snohomish County and the state.

Some people look at the work we do as simply the frosting on the cake, which is, in fact, this wonderful new facility, our new Everett Animal Shelter located across from Langus Park on Smith Island just north of Marine View Drive along the Snohomish River. We are looking for volunteers who want to share skills in many areas, but primarily fund raising and outreach education, as this is our mission.

Send us your messages at everettarf@hotmail.com or check out our website: www.EverettArf.org. A.R.F., the Everett Animal Shelter and the movement in general, are making huge strides in the welfare of our companion animals. We made them, they can’t speak for themselves, obtain an education, or get jobs to pay for their own food or shelter. In my opinion they easily earn that shelter and food with their unconditional love for humans. We owe them this compassion.

Doug Kimball

Everett