Adoptees Harper and Candy get to know each other while being held by EASEL vice president Mark Phillips and Tommy and Michelle Carrigan of Hamilton. (Photo by Jacquelyn Pillsbury.)
Luke, a nearly 3-year-old cat available for adoption at EASL.
On a sunny March day, Tommy and Michelle Carrigan of Hamilton visited EASEL Animal Rescue League located in a trailer next to the Ewing Animal Shelter, to adopt Harper and Candy, male and female pit bulls they saw on the organization’s website. Self-proclaimed “dog people,” the couple set out to adopt a couple of pups “so they would have each other.”
EASEL was the first and only place they visited. In anticipation of the Carrigans’ visit, EASEL walked the dogs together to make sure they were compatible. Candy, the female pit, was gently correcting Harper’s behavior as the Carrigans got used to their new family.
“Two dogs are better than one. Dogs are pack animals. They are used to being with each other,” said Christy Garrison, an EASEL board member.
In addition to dogs, EASEL has many cats and kittens looking for homes. Luke, a nearly 3-year-old brown tabby, was brought to EASEL with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Similar to HIV in that it is transmitted through blood, FIV will not affect Luke’s lifespan or quality of life, but if he were to cause another cat to bleed, he could spread the disease. For this reason, the volunteers at EASEL feel it would be best if he was the only cat in a home. “Luke is a ‘purrer,’ very sweet,” Garrison said.
Another part of EASEL’s mission is its Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) program. Members catch stray cats, neuter them so they cannot procreate, adopt many of their kittens and social adults and release the others. Ideally, they want to find each cat a sheltered area to live, such as a barn, horse stable or warehouse. The ultimate goal is to eventually age out the feral cat population.
In addition to TNR, EASEL runs Neuter Scooter events where low-income families can bring their cats and dogs to be spayed and neutered for only $10.
“This time of year animals are multiplying,” said Georgia Arvanitis, board vice president. “Nature calls. A dog or a cat will find a mate. We provide a number of low cost options for people on public assistance, welfare, and Medicaid.”
Owners can bring their cats and dogs to the Trenton Farmers Market on the third Thursday of the month. Cats can also be brought to the EASEL trailer every Monday to be neutered by McSnips, a cats-only clinic located in Hopewell that specializes in spaying and neutering.
EASEL is an all-volunteer team effort. The volunteers do it all. There are volunteers who come on lunch break, or after school, to walk dogs. These dogs need lots of TLC and lots of exercise, and EASEL provides the training needed to handle the dogs. And cats love the attention, too.
As EASEL runs of space, it depends on finding more people willing to foster dogs and cats. Fostering is like owning a pet, but without the lifetime commitment. Many animals do not do well in a shelter environment, but their personalities shine in a home where foster families can teach the dog or cat how to be a member of a family. It is also a great way to test out if you are ready to make the commitment of owning a pet.
Another need is for people to man tables at various social and adoption events, a fantastic opportunity for people who do not want to work directly with animals. Help EASEL to spread the word about the many dogs and cats waiting to be adopted and its many community programs such as TNR and micro-chipping.
EASEL is located in the trailer next to the Ewing Animal Shelter at 2 Jake Garzio Drive. Mailing address: PO Box 5903, Lawrenceville. Phone: (609) 883-0540. On the web: easelnj.org.
,
