Lakefield Animal Welfare Society Caring for Animals, One Paw at a Time
What began as a group of women working with feral cats, to get them spayed or neutered and to eventually find homes for them, has evolved dramatically. Twenty-seven years later, the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) is a testament to the efforts of those women.
LAWS is funded entirely by private donations, and the shelter for abandoned cats and dogs is run by a staff of nine, as well as over 120
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volunteers. While LAWS is located in Lakefield, they have never turned down an animal, no matter where it came from, according to Mary Werner, who has been involved for 17 years.
When asked about the biggest challenges they face, Mary replies “Hoping we have enough room for all the animals that need to be taken in, and always worrying about having enough money, and a building”. Besides the ongoing expenses related to the care and feeding of the animals, LAWS is hoping to upgrade the outdoor activity area for their dogs, including constructing a pagoda to provide shade for the animals and volunteers. They also have plans to renovate the main cat area.
Mary adds, “We are proud to be part of this organization, and of this community which has supported us for over 25 years. We live in a very giving community, and they have made it possible for us to keep our doors open. My biggest hope is for the next generation to carry on our passion for animals, keeping LAWS viable for many years to come.”
Contact LAWS at www.lakefieldanimalwelfare.org, drop in at 2887 Lakefield Highway (formerly Hwy 28), or call 705-652-0588.
They are open Monday-Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.
There are several ways people can help:
• Regular monthly donations through the S.T.A.R. Program (Support The Animals Regularly)
• CanadaHelps.org for secure online donations, using VISA, MasterCard and PayPal
• Visit their Amazon.com Wish List to donate supplies online
• LAWS Thrift Shop – proceeds from the sale of donated items support LAWS. Thrift Store is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am • 4:00 pm for shopping and for receiving donations.
• Annual lottery which runs until December – anyone willing to sign out a few books of tickets is welcome to do so.
• Delta Bingo – be a player or a volunteer
• Volunteer – anyone 14 years or older can help. Download the application from their website to get started. Students are eligible for their community service hours.
