LAAR Serves the Community by Saving Abandoned Domesticated Animals

May 6, 2012 - PRLog -- In May of 2010, Su Roos and Hans Petersen founded Los Angeles Animal Rescue. Although Su and Hans had been championing the animal rescue cause for several years, they had done so as independent rescuers and volunteers for other organizations. They were unable to find an organization completely suited to their philosophy, and henceforth they launched LAAR. This nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization relies mostly on volunteer support and donations to perform the daily acts of caring for and rescuing animals. The mission of LAAR is simple—decreasing the overpopulation of domesticated animals through spaying and neutering. LAAR believes the problems of animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment stem from overpopulation, which in turn stems from the lack of sterilization. Educating people on the importance of spaying and neutering is one of the organization’s goals, and eliminating animal cruelty remains an ongoing crusade. LAAR is a full-spectrum animal rescue. The organization is not limited to only cats and dogs. The rescue group also houses horses, a pig, a bearded dragon, and rabbits.

Los Angeles County alone has a staggering number of abandoned dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals, and consequently rescue organizations also abound. LAAR distinguishes itself from other organizations by stressing certain aspects of animal rescue. Spaying and neutering is a primary objective, but so is the relationship between the organization, the general public, and the animals. LAAR believes in creating harmony and maintaining a symbiotic bond between people and animals, whereas other organizations may ignore the fact that human beings are an essential part of the equation. While other rescue organizations have frequently been accused of turning away people in need of their services, Su and Hans believe one of the avenues to saving animals is to also assist people who ask for their help.

As a nonprofit organization, LAAR relies solely on the goodwill and support of the community by way of monetary donations and volunteering. The generously donated money is used in several aspects of animal rescue—veterinary care, spaying, neutering, micro-chipping, licensing, and pulling animals from shelters before they are euthanized. Furthermore, the everyday comfort and maintenance of the animals taken in by the organization cannot be overlooked. While LAAR uses funds to pay for spaying and neutering, the organization also makes an effort to help financially strapped pet owners pay for the operation. The reasoning is that a little money spent up front will be an enormous amount of money saved in the future.

Volunteers add enormous value to the organization. Some have individual skill sets that benefit LAAR. Others are willing to foster animals until they are adopted. The fostering program is an indispensable part of animal rescue, as LAAR has a finite amount of space to comfortably board the animals. Foster families can save many lives by giving an abandoned animal a warm and safe place to stay. Therefore, the rescuers can pull more animals out of the kill shelters.

If you have any questions or would like to lend a helping hand, please give LAAR a call at 888-861-6155, or go to http://www.laar.org. You can make a monthly donation on the website; even one dollar a month helps the organization further its goals. LAAR is also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/laanimalrescue, so please give Su, Hans, and the other volunteers your support by “liking” them.