Shelters that keep animals alive need holiday help, too

"It is an absolutely rewarding and wonderful experience to be able to save animals' lives, to be surrounded by unconditional love all day long and just to be able to take care of these critters that can't speak for themselves - to be their voice," said Susan Scherl, who founded Hope five years ago with Karen Hoyt and Tucson veterinarian Kayomee Daroowalla.

Scherl said the goal of the nonprofit, a no-kill shelter that currently houses 75 cats and dogs awaiting adoption, is to make Tucson a no-kill community by working with other local animal shelters and rescue groups to encourage responsible adoptions, form spay/neuter programs and educate the public.

"Some people say that will never happen because there are too many animals, and I don't believe that. I don't believe it can be done overnight; it will take a while, but I hope our contribution is a step in the right direction," she said.

Hope focuses on caring for abandoned animals, including older ones and those that are sick or injured and in need of veterinary care, until they can be placed in permanent homes.

Scherl said support from businesses and individuals has been vital to sustaining the organization. She and fellow volunteers encourage people to remember animals when they consider making donations to those in need this holiday season.

"Homeless animals need advocates. Some people say human beings are more important than animals, but if everyone worked in just one area - with just children or just the environment - what would happen with all the other issues in the world?" said Hoyt, a retired teacher and founder of the Tucson Waldorf School who enjoys the challenge of "pioneer work."

Hoyt, who believes the no-kill movement is growing, is convinced that 100 years from now people will look back with shock at the treatment homeless animals often receive now.

For now, she is buoyed by the happy endings Hope helps facilitate.

"People come back and visit us with the wonderful animals they have adopted or send us pictures … these animals have a wonderful life," she said. "It is heartwarming to know we have helped to give the animals and families this wonderful experience."

Plenty of ways to volunteer / B4

Give an animal Hope for the Holidays

• Hope Animal Shelter will hold an adoption event from noon to 5 p.m. today at the shelter, 2011 E. 12th St.

Animals also will be available for adoption from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at PetSmart, 4740 E. Grant Road.

You can also help Hope while buying books and select items at Borders Saturday and next Sunday: Visit www.hopeanimalshelter .net and download a voucher that can be used for purchases online or at Borders locations at 5870 E. Broadway in Park Place mall or at 4235 N. Oracle Road.

Hope will receive a portion of proceeds from purchases made with the vouchers. For more information or to make an online donation to Hope, visit the website or call 792-9200.

• The Hermitage Cat Shelter is a nonprofit, no-kill cat shelter for up to 160 cats, nearly half of which are special-needs cats that require permanent shelter.

The Hermitage and other animal-rescue groups will be at PetCo, 5405 E. Broadway, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Hermitage is also selling 2011 Hermitage Cat Calendars for $15 each. For more information, or to support the shelter through the purchase of gift items or by sponsoring a cat, go online to www.hermitagecatshelter.org or call 571-7839.

• Rescue a Golden of Arizona

RAGofAZ will offer free gift-wrapping at Barnes & Noble, 5130 E. Broadway, at the following times: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and next Sunday. Hours will be extended from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day from Dec. 20 through 23; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Gift-wrapping is free, but donations are accepted; all proceeds benefit RAGofAZ. For more information on RAGofAZ, or to make a donation, go to www.golden-retriever.org or call 292-5649

• The Tucson Wildlife Center has rescued, treated, rehabilitated and released more than 700 large birds and mammals such as eagles, hawks, owls, bobcats, coyotes and javelinas; it also works with other rehabilitation centers to place smaller animals.

Donations are needed to support operating costs for the nonprofit organization, which has more than 70 volunteers.

For a donation of $10, you can get a 2011 calendar; the public can also "adopt" an animal for $75 to $100 a year or schedule monthly donations to foster orphans before their release into the wild. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.tucsonwildlife.com or sent to Tucson Wildlife Center, P.O. Box 18320, Tucson, AZ 85731.

For more information or to volunteer, call 290-9453.

Contact Loni Nannini at ninch2@comcast.net