THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407150533
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
A daylong carwash Saturday in Virginia Beach will help pay for an operation performed last week on Ink, a black Labrador retriever.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Amoco station at Virginia Beach Boulevard and Newtown Road, cars will be washed for $5 by volunteers from PETS4U.
Or, spelled out: Pets for You.
Created three years ago, the organization finds places for homeless dogs and cats.
In April, Deborra Horowitz, PETS4U's director, took Ink to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Raleigh for an evaluation.
Because Ink was only 6 months old, the staff decided that an operation to realign his hip was in order instead of a hip replacement.
It was successful. Ink is recuperating in Virginia Beach at a foster home with volunteer Beth LaSalle. He will remain there until someone gives him a permanent place in his or her home and heart.
Just now there are seven active foster homes hereabouts. This story began to unfold for me with a call Thursday from foster parent Jennifer Turner, who wanted to spread the word about the carwash.
Two years ago, when a neighbor had to give up a Lab/shepherd with 10 puppies, Jennifer called Deborra. At that time, there was no opening in a foster home. So Jennifer, when her husband, Soloman, agreed, became a volunteer.
``People want puppies,'' a friend told her. ``You're going to have that mother Lab forever.''
But the momma was adopted shortly after the first pup, Jennifer said Thursday. The others departed during the next three months.
Just now, among other charges, she has Blackstone, a huge 2-year-old Lab mix who was abandoned, along with pet supplies, in someone's back yard.
Jennifer has three children and a couple of cats, so those who adopt a dog from her home may rest assured that it can get along with children, other dogs and cats.
People ask how much she earns as a foster mother. The entire venture, she noted, depends on unpaid volunteers who find their reward in helping animals.
Deborra was known for helping homeless animals, so three years ago she and veterinarian Lynn Scarcelli began placing newspaper ads to tell the public about the animals needing permanent homes.
Recently, PETS4U was recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt nonprofit group, so donations are tax-deductible. Anyone who cares to help volunteers wash cars Saturday may call 721-PETS. And there is always a need for foster parents. ILLUSTRATION: BILL TIERNAN/
Color photo
Staff
Jennifer Turner with Blackstone, an abandoned 2-year-old mixed Lab
she is caring for as part of the PETS4U foster-home program.
by CNB