What is the mission of the APL?
Our mission is to accomplish the following goals: To maintain a working pet placement network to assist in the permanent re-homing of pets and to serve the needs of the community at large, the establishment and maintenance of an adoption center, animal shelter, and community resource center, the provision of foster care for unwanted animals pending placement, the development of an extensive spay/neuter program, providing humane education for children and adults in the service area, and raising funds to achieve the above endeavors.
Who are APL members?
The Animal Protection League is a non-profit organization of dedicated people working and acting together to help promote the welfare of animals. Through the support and gifts from those who love animals as we do, the League hopes to arrest the tremendous problems of pet overpopulation, animal cruelty, and neglect and abandonment. We envision a day when every dog and cat has a wonderful home waiting for them. We believe that every companion animal has a right to a loving and caring home. We support the spay/neuter alternative to unwanted births as the most effective means of population control.
The APL has members throughout the United States. However, the majority of the membership is located within our general service area of: Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa counties in Iowa, Henderson and Hancock counties in Illinois, and Clark county in Missouri. The 2005 membership roster contains over 400 members and member families.
What programs does the APL have in place?
The APL Pet Placement Network is the most successful animal placement service in the area. We assist in placing more than 800 pets a year into new homes. The Network is supported through our Foster Care program and Network Counselors who deal with all kinds of issues, including animal abuse, neglect, abandonment, cruelty, and grief counseling. We also address behavioral problems, training questions, and many other animal-related requests for information or advice. The APL holds several major community outreach events such as the Feline Festival for household cats and the K-9 Karnival celebration of dogs. Educational seminars and information sharing are presents in area classrooms, camps, service groups and wherever requested.
How can you help?
JOIN US! Support the mission of the Animal Protection League by becoming a member and spreading the word about the work of the APL on behalf of the animals we serve.
VOLUNTEER! Give of your time and your talents in whatever way best suits your individual priorities and schedule.
BECOME INVOLVED! The best way to truly experience the work of the APL is to become part of the organization, sharing ideas, helping to develop new and better programs, leading us toward the future.
DONATE! Your donation is very much needed and protected and appreciated. You may choose to make a financial donation of cash or a memorial gift on behalf of a dear one. You may make a donation in honor of someone special or as a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or other celebratory gift.
You might choose to donate animal care supplies, such as food, collars, leads, bedding, crates and cages, or veterinary care. We can always use office supplies, postage, file cabinets, or printing.
Perhaps the greatest donation you can make to support the work of the APL is to donate your time and effort. Many hands make small work - a proverb that we wholeheartedly understand. Your generosity is the foundation of our success.