| 12 | 16 | | |
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| 13 | 17 | | |
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| 14 | 18 | | |
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| 15 | 19 | | WHEREAS, for 80 years, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of animals in Northern Virginia and strengthen the bonds between people and their pets by providing care and support; and |
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| 16 | 20 | | |
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| 17 | 21 | | WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington was established in 1944 by a group of 12 volunteers who recognized the need for a humane society in Arlington County; and |
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| 18 | 22 | | |
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| 19 | 23 | | WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington quickly expanded the scope of its mission and began rescuing animals across the Commonwealth, then partnered with Arlington County to open an official animal shelter, which opened in 1949 and cared for more than 13,000 animals in its early years, from domestic pets to more exotic species; and |
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| 20 | 24 | | |
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| 21 | 25 | | WHEREAS, in 1976, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington constructed its current facility on Arlington Mill Drive; the organization garnered a reputation as one of the leading animal shelters in the nation, and in 1978, it became one of only three shelters in the nation accredited by the Humane Society of the United States at that time; and |
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| 22 | 26 | | |
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| 23 | 27 | | WHEREAS, recognizing the challenges of pet overpopulation, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington was the first animal shelter in the Commonwealth to spay and neuter all pets prior to adoption, a visionary practice that significantly reduced the number of homeless pets; and |
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| 24 | 28 | | |
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| 25 | 29 | | WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington's forward-thinking leadership has resulted in an incredible rate of success for its animal rehoming programs, with 97 percent of animals being adopted, transferred, or reunited with their families each year; and |
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| 26 | 30 | | |
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| 27 | 31 | | WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington has developed many other innovative programs over the year, including low-cost spaying and neutering vouchers, vaccine clinics, emergency housing for pets, and the Pet Resource Center, which provides essential support for pet owners during times of crisis; and |
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| 28 | 32 | | |
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| 29 | 33 | | WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington has fulfilled its mission through generous donations and support from community partners and the hard work of countless volunteers, who have cleaned kennels, fed animals, facilitated adoptions, walked dogs, and made many other contributions to ensure that the organization upholds the highest standards of care; now, therefore, be it |
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| 30 | 34 | | |
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| 31 | 35 | | RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Animal Welfare League of Arlington on the occasion of its 80th anniversary; and, be it |
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| 32 | 36 | | |
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| 33 | 37 | | RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's vital mission and legacy of contributions to the well-being of animals in Northern Virginia. |
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