LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Whiskers
Animal Benevolent League of Albany, New York

WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League of Albany, New York, is cele-
brating its 30th Anniversary this year of rescuing abandoned, homeless,
feral, disabled, older and chronically ill cats and kittens throughout
the Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League is a small, private, not-
for-profit organization that, through its shelter and foster programs,
rescues hundreds of cats and kittens each year, and provides them with a
safe haven, medical care, and love, as well as an opportunity for perma-
nent homes of their own; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League is a completely no-kill
organization, staffed entirely by volunteers who maintain its shelter,
provide basic medical care, offer foster homes, and attempt to find
loving, responsible homes for its many cats and kittens through its
adoption programs; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League had its beginnings in 1982,
when the late Joan Duer, an avid animal lover, became concerned about
the proliferation of homeless cats and kittens in the City of Albany,
and opened the Whiskers Thrift Shop on Delaware Avenue to raise funds to
rescue, spay and neuter stray cats; and
WHEREAS, In the years following, Joan Duer and other animal advocates
joined together to open a shelter to house abandoned animals, adhering
to a strict no-kill policy, while attempting to find permanent homes for
the cats, and initially, some dogs, in its care; and
WHEREAS, The Whiskers Animal Benevolent League shelter, a free-roaming
facility where cats generally live together uncaged, was housed in small
apartments and other sites throughout Albany in its first years, and has
grown into an organization with an extensive shelter program, a thriving
network of committed foster parents, wonderful partnerships with area
businesses and local veterinarians, and an adoption center located in
the Clifton Park Petsmart store; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League, as part of its mission as
a strictly no-kill shelter, provides a safe, loving sanctuary for cats
and kittens who are feral, chronically ill, abused, disabled, infected
with FIV and FeLV, and who otherwise might be at risk of being euthan-
ized; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League strives to find homes for
cats and kittens who may not be easily adoptable to the general public,
and believes that the life of each animal in its care is precious and
worth saving - with a motto of "Making A Difference: One Life at a
Time!"; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League has taken in cats, pregnant
mom cats, and kittens from hoarding situations, and other emergency
circumstances where the lives of these animals have been placed at risk
from abuse or abandonment; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League is fortunate to enjoy the
support of dozens of volunteers in its shelter and foster programs who
give of their time, energy and dedication to advance the mission of this
organization, as well as the support of members of the public who recog-
nize the humanitarian work of Whiskers, as well as this organization's
important role in reducing the number of stray cats and kittens in the
Capital District; and
WHEREAS, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League will be celebrating its
three decades of rescuing and working to find loving permanent homes for

thousands of cats and kittens at its annual Spring Gala on April 19,
2012; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Whiskers Animal Benevolent League of Albany, New York, on the
occasion of celebrating its 30th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Whiskers Animal Benevolent League.