Bill Text: VA HR319 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Friends of Homeless Animals.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House (HR319ER) [HR319 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR319-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Friends of Homeless Animals, an animal shelter in Loudoun County dedicated to saving the lives of cats and dogs by adhering to a strict no-kill policy while housing and caring for abused, abandoned, and homeless animals, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023; and
WHEREAS, the origins of Friends of Homeless Animals date to the 1970s, when the Honorable Anne Lewis, an administrative law judge for the United States Department of the Interior, was drawn into the world of animal rescue after a feral mother dog and her puppies were found on her family's property and, against her wishes, ultimately euthanized; and
WHEREAS, Anne Lewis set out to bring an end to the needless euthanasia of rescued animals, but was unable to find an animal rescue organization that followed a strict no-kill policy, leading her to found her own organization, Friends of the Animal Shelter and Guardians of the Homeless Animals, doing business as Friends of Homeless Animals, in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Friends of Homeless Animals sets itself apart from other animal shelters through its strict no-kill policy, resorting to euthanasia only in instances when animals are suffering and cannot be helped medically; and
WHEREAS, guided by its mission statement, "home with us until they are home with you," Friends of Homeless Animals is defined by its lifetime commitment to every cat and dog that is served by the organization, requiring all individuals who adopt their animals to agree to return the animal if they are no longer able to care for it; and
WHEREAS, Friends of Homeless Animals embraces the responsibility of caring for its less adoptable animals who become long-term residents of the facility, providing them with a plethora of amenities to improve their quality of life; and
WHEREAS, since its founding, Friends of Homeless Animals has rescued and placed more than 17,000 dogs and cats in safe and caring forever homes; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of Friends of Homeless Animals are the result of the vision and leadership of its founder and the tireless efforts of the organization's staff and volunteers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Friends of Homeless Animals hereby be commended on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of Friends of Homeless Animals as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's history and mission.
