Published: March 01, 2009 12:23 am

OUTREACH: Alliance for the animals

New organization hopes to help pets in need

By April Amadon
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Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

In a small room at her Willow Street home Friday, Bobbie Mael turned on a CD player, filling the air with soothing classical music.

Two cats — one too skittish to come out from under the couch, the other so friendly he was soon purring loudly rubbing up against Mael with affection — have taken residence in the spare room, and everything in it is made up especially for them.

“It all starts right here,” Mael said, picking up the friendly cat and stroking his fur gently. “(The music) soothes them. It’s just like humans.”

These are cats who need soothing. Mael is director of the Eastern Niagara Animal Welfare Alliance, a new non-profit animal rescue organization.

Mael often gets calls about stray or abused animals who need her help. The alliance finds homes for these animals, provides them with medical care, then finds new homes for them.

It’s part of a life-long mission for Mael.

“People who know me know I’ve saved animals for a long time,” she said.

She has been joined in her quest by several local residents, including city Alderman John Lombardi, who serves on the board.

Lombardi said he was spurred to action by the stray cat problem in the city.

“There’s just no avenue out there the city can actually take hold of an act on,” Lombardi said. “(There’s) a need for us to have a little more control over the feral cats. ... Not only the feral cats, but also provide a service to those people that want to take care of their animals and can’t afford to do it.”

An ultimate goal of the organization is to obtain a building to house a shelter, where they can keep several animals at a time and have them spayed or neutered.

Mael said spaying and neutering is key.

“We keep saying it and saying it, but it’s just not happening the way it needs to.”

There are several fundraisers planned, including a “Lend a Hand” Benefit scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 16 at the Lockport Country Club. Tickets for the casual event are $36 per person, which includes one hour of an open bar and a buffet dinner, with live music and entertainment.

Funds raised from that evening will go toward fostering the animals of women who are victims of domestic violence during their times in shelters or transitional housing.

Mael said she believes some women have trouble leaving domestic violence situations if they think their animals will be in danger.

“If you know your dog or your horses are going to be starved to death or just killed, most people don’t just walk,” she said. “We have an out for those people now.”

She said she recalls one instance where a woman did not want to leave her horses behind.

“They had been hurt, and they were going to be killed,” Mael said. “I’m not sure if the woman made it out alive.”

Once the domestic violence victim has finished their time in transitional housing, they can be reunited with their pets.

“It’s a win-win all around,” Mael said.

The alliance is also planing a basket sale, an Easter plant sale and other initiatives.

Lombardi credits Mael for her hard work.

“Bobbie is one woman that you don’t get in her way,” he said. “She’s got a project, she just rolls with it.”

He said the alliance is ready for any challenges it may face.

“If we can get a facility together and we can start raising some funds, I honestly think the impact is going to be great,” he said. “(We) look forward to the challenge.”

  
Published: March 01, 2009 12:23 am