Dog Shelter Assistance Goes on in Las Vegas and Los Angeles

Crucial dog shelter aid is being provided by two pet welfare nonprofits in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas in the midst of decline in donations from private donors and funding from local governments.

In Los Angeles, the nonprofit named New Leash on Life has launched its temporary deluxe boarding center for dogs at its 13-acre ranch to generate revenue so that it can continue helping dogs in animal shelters despite the sharp decline in donations and funding.

NLOL rescues dogs from public shelters, rehabilitates them and then places them in adoptive homes. It is known for its annual Nuts for Mutts event, its Lend a Paw initiative and its dog rescue efforts during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

According to Sean Tanner, business development director for NLOL, the nonprofit will operate the temporary boarding facility while waiting for funds to build a permanent facility.

The deluxe facility features 12 temperature-controlled dog kennels and three mini houses with a fenced-in yard. The enclosed dog park also features a swimming pool and an area for off-leash recreation. The ranch is run and supervised 24 hours a day by professional dog trainers, handlers and volunteers experienced in caring for all breeds and in dog shelter operations.

NLOL has been rescuing dogs since 1999. It has already rehabilitated and placed more than 5,000 dogs, including 65 dogs helped during Hurricane Katrina.

In Las Vegas, despite a substantial drop in donations, the third Santa Paws, an annual pet-supply drive that runs from December 1 to December 20, was carried out to collect supplies for five of the largest animal rescues and shelters in the city – Adopt-A-Rescue Pet, Saint Bernard Rescue, Nevada SPCA, Noah’s Animal House and German Shepherd Rescue.

So far, the biggest non-cash donations were from premium pet food producers Rachael Ray Nutrish and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.

Barbara Yumart, coordinator of the Santa Paws drive, said that the donation from Nutrish was the biggest non-cash donation it has ever received. She added that she never expected that a prominent television host and author like Rachael Ray would make an effort to help a small organization.

According to Crystal McIntosh, house manager of Noah’s Animal House, said that the annual Santa Paw drive is a big help to the cat and dog shelter, which is part of the Shade Tree shelter that helps and serves homeless and abused wives and children.