Dear Highland Park neighbors and friends, I'm a volunteer with the Animal Rescue League who spends many hours each week helping out at this amazing organization. When I read the recent email about the Malamute mix dogs, it concerned me because I felt that it showed a misperception about the ARL. Please read the following directly from the ARL with regard to our policies and also the Malamute mix dogs. "The Animal Rescue League is an open door shelter that has been serving the Pittsburgh community for over 100 years. Animals on the adoption floor at the ARL remain on the adoption floor until they are adopted unless they show a significant decline in terms of health and/or behavior. Time limits are not imposed on animals. When animals are euthanized it is after careful consideration of each individual case. All options are considered with euthanasia being the last resort solution to the overpopulation problem. The Malamute mixes are currently waiting for a foster home and will hopefully be adopted soon. They are not for the novice dog owner and are not adjusting well to life in the shelter. We are making every effort to successfully place them in permanent adoptive homes."Janice Barnard, Program DirectorAPDT #2255IAABC - Supporting MemberThe Animal Rescue League of Western PennsylvaniaI would also like to add that the ARL is an excellent shelter that Pittsburghers have every reason to feel proud of. The ARL is the only shelter in the region that takes in all animals, domestic at the shelter on Hamilton Avenue AND wild as well at our Wildlife Center in Verona. Please get to know us, and to know all the incredible things that are being done at our facilities every day by a staff and volunteers who are passionate and dedicated animal lovers. Thanks for listening.MaryVisit the Animal Rescue League's website at http://www.animalrescue.orgMary Kennedy WithrowPlease spay/neuter and LOVE your pets! Mary Kennedy WithrowCell - 412-853-0796 Please spay/neuter and LOVE your pets! From: ecwilliamson916@gmail.com Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:39:00 -0400 To: neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com Subject: [Highland Park] Urgent: Two Alaskan Huskies In Need of Homes Dear Neighbors: If you are experienced with the Northern Breed Group and are seeking to adopt or even foster, please read this email! There are two Alaskan Huskies currently at the Animal Rescue League on Hamilton Ave in desperate need of homes. If these two are not adopted or taken into foster homes soon, they may be put down by Friday. Slice and Niche are from the same litter and are not even one year old. We have been to visit them twice and have even introduced them to our two Siberian Huskies. All four dogs got along very well and played vigorously! Both Slice and Niche (female and male) are incredibly sweet and extremely beautiful. They are a Malamute-Siberian Husky mix. Unfortunately, the breeder could not find proper homes for the entire litter, so four of the puppies were brought to the ARL. So far, two of the four have been adopted and are adjusting well to their homes. Slice and Niche still need to find homes as soon as possible! Please call the Animal Rescue League at (412) 661-6452 if you are interested in fostering or adopting these dogs. You may ask to speak with Lacey; she is the Adoptions Coordinator and is very familiar with these dogs and their situation. I will send another email with pictures as soon as I can. Thank you. Best regards, Elizabeth Williamson --