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Life-Changing No paws left behind campaign
Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League Announces Shelter Expansion NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND Fundraising Campaign
For Immediate Release
June 24, 2025 - Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League (AWL) will begin Phase I fundraising for the expansion of the animal adoption shelter with the goal of raising $200,000. Since the last addition to the shelter in 2007, the population of the Village has grown by 61%. Also, the amount of pets and strays needed to care for has proportionately increased. Generous past donations have given the AWL a substantial reserve for the construction cost, but $200,000 is still needed to complete the building.” Beverly Fitzpatrick, President of AWL states, “The 1500 square foot expansion will be a shelter-adjacent building to ensure the AWL complex has the resources and capacity it needs to keep our animals safe and cared for in one location for many years to come.*
The AWL has rescued, rehabilitated, and found homes for 1,347 cats and kittens, and 948 dogs and puppies in the past 5 years. In 2024 alone, AWL cared for 220 cats and kittens with the prediction to exceed this number in 2025. The expansion will enable all cats and kittens who are currently housed off-site in private homes to be all together within the shelter for optimum care, as the foster model is not sustainable with the AWL’s growing number of felines. The expansion will feature rooms for kittens and cats with separate isolation units for cats needing medical care. The existing shelter spaces for the canines we care for will be reconfigured and refined.
Future Phase II of the fundraising campaign includes equipment needed for the expansion with an estimated cost of $100,000. Much of this expense includes modernization of the kitten containment cages for their health and safety.
*Shelter expansion design and construction contracted with Renaissance Homes.
About the HSV Animal Welfare League
The HSV Animal Welfare League, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue organization whose mission is to place all rescued and surrendered adoptable companion animals into loving homes and to prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals.
Since 1991, the AWL has cared for thousands of HSV dogs and cats, and achieved no-kill status in 2014 due to our exemplary annual save rate of over 90%. In 2025, our robust spay/neuter program surpassed the 10,000 milestone for sterilizing community owned pets. The AWL has no paidemployees; all operations and lifesaving work are made possible by more than 200 active volunteers, including a 12-member Board of Directors. We depend solely upon donations, grants, and memberships to sustain our programs. The AWL currently leases a portion of the building adjacent to Animal Control from the HSV Property Owners Association (POA). Although the AWL receives no monetary support from the POA, they are providing non-monetary considerations to the AWL for
the expansion.
How You Can Make a Difference
By contributing to the life-changing NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND expansion campaign, you will ensure AWL’s long-term stability while furthering their mission and help the people within our community. All donations are tax deductible under the 501(c)3 designation. More information will be available in the weeks ahead on the specifics of the new facility and how your contributions are making the expansion possible.
Contact
To learn more about the HSV Animal Welfare League and the NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND Expansion Campaign, continue to visit our website, or contact us directly at: HSV Animal Welfare League, 195 Cloaca Lane, HSV, AR 71909, (501) 915-9337. You can also email President Beverly Fitzpatrick at hsvawlpr@gmail.com.
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SPAY NEUTER PROGRAM
10,113+ OWNED ANIMALS SPAYED AND NEUTERED TO DATE!
At the spay neuter clinic held at the Fountain Lake Fire Station on June 6th & 7th, 62 cats and dogs were sterilized.
Thanks to Petco for providing vaccines for all the animals, and special thanks to our wonderful vet, Dr. Paula Gibson, vet techs Hailey, Abby and Kristin; the Bissell Pet Foundation; Fido Fixers for providing their mobile surgical bus; and to all of our hard-working volunteers.
The AWL is committed to prevent the overpopulation of unwanted
animals through our Spay Neuter programs, and we offer 6 clinics during the year.
IN THE NEWS
AWL receives No-Kill Award from Best Friends Animal Society
AWL was recognized by the Best Friends Animal Society for saving 90% or more of the dogs and cats that entered our shelter in 2024.
Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, recognizes this achievement as a positive step forward and one that can be replicated by other shelters in Arkansas.
*A 90 percent save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark to be considered “no-kill,” factoring that approximately 10 percent of pets who enter shelters have medical or behavioral circumstances that
warrant humane euthanasia rather than killing for lack of space.
Petco Love awards $5,000 grant to AWL
Petco love continues to support our lifesaving efforts. In March, 2025, they awarded the AWL with a $5,000 grant to assist with any of our lifesaving needs and projects.
The AWL is also honored to be one of Petco's top 100 Adoption Partners, and we also promote the Petco Love Lost searchable vast database to help connect lost or found pets with their owners.
Saline County Justices of the Peace visit AWL
We were honored that two Saline County Justices of the Peace - Stephanie Johnson, District 12 (holding Moe) and Karen Crowson, District 13, - visited the AWL Adoption Center on February 12th. Both avid animal lovers, they are pictured with volunteer Cat Care Workers Jennifer Hurd (left) and Chris Frantz. Stephanie, along with AWL board members, also attended the Best Friends Animal Society's Bring No-Kill Home Summit in Little Rock.
As Property Tax bills for both Saline and Garland County will be sent out soon, we kindly ask that you check the $5.00 (Saline County) or $10.00 (Garland County) voluntary contribution for Animal Care and Control that is listed on the form when you make your payment. It really does make a difference to help save animal lives!
Thank You Luncheon Honors Our Volunteers!
More than 130 of our dedicated volunteers were honored at a special luncheon on February 6th at the Coronado Center.
While volunteers socialized and enjoyed a catered lunch from Clampit's, President Beverly Fitzpatrick gave an overview of the AWL's statistics in 2024, and a special presentation was given to extraordinary volunteers Chad and Cheryl Schaefer for their amazing contributions to the AWL. Through the years they have fostered and taken care of approximately 1,400 cats and kittens in a special modified room in their home, and we wish them well as they retire. Also recognized was Grady Shepherd, who was presented with the first Sweetie Award,
in appreciation of his tremendous and tireless help to the AWL. Long term volunteers (20+ years!) Jackie Morris, Angela Nickols, and Mary McCullough were also honored for their service, and Bev gave a special shout out to our outstanding Animal Control Officers, Jim Kull and Payge Farewell.
AWL Board of Directors Members attend Best Friends Animal Society's Bring No-Kill Home to Arkansas Summit in Little Rock
On February 1st, AWL BOD members (from left) Jennifer Hurd, Susan Senogles, President Beverly Fitzpatrick, and Laura Allworth participated in the summit to learn how we can help make Arkansas the first "no-kill" southern state and ban dog breed specific legislation. Workshops were also held to build lifesaving support and networking strategies with other no-kill shelters. Currently, more than half of the total shelters in Arkansas have reached no-kill. Note: The AWL achieved a save rate of 94.5% in 2024; well above the 90% save rate needed to be considered a no-kill shelter.
SAND TRAP'S CHILI COOK OFF & SUPER BOWL RAFFLES BENEFITS AWL!
Mickey Wells (left) and Sandy Wells present Shelley Shepherd with a $665.00 check, the proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off they held at their Sand Trap Sports Bar on January 25th. Eighteen different chilies entered the competition and there were more than 80 taste testers and/or participants in the 50/50 raffle split. Sandy said many generous patrons also separately donated to the AWL.
What a great way to spend a “chile” winter day and we
thank Mickey, Sandy, and their patrons for their generosity!
On Super Bowl Sunday, Sand Trap patrons Candace Morehead (left) and Barbara Aaker held special raffles and football pools to also benefit the AWL. They collected $300 for us. No matter what team you routed for, the AWL was the sure winner!
Check out the Sand Trap on facebook https://www.facebook.com/SandTrap.hsv/
ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT
The Hot Springs Village Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation awarded the AWL a grant for $1,985 on October 23rd to provide Garland County cats with spay and neuter services and rabies shots. Pam Avila presents the grant to Angela Nickols, Spay Neuter Director, and AWL Board Member Susan Senogles
2025 AWL Board of Directors ELECTed at annual meeting
Our Team
All members were invited to AWL's annual meeting on November 7, 2024. Status reports and upcoming events were presented, and an election was held for six Board of Director positions. Every board member serves a two year term, and all candidates up for election currently serve on the board. The current 2025 Board of Directors are (from left) Laura Allworth - at large, Jill Jones - 2nd Vice President, Michelle Alford - at large, Susan Senogles - at large, Rose Johnson - at large, Beverly Fitzpatrick - President, Jennifer Hurd - Secretary, Shelley Shepherd - 1st Vice President, and (inset) Debe Jolliff - Treasurer. Not pictured is Sandie Rickerman, at large. The Board of Directors, along with more than 200 other passionate AWL volunteers, are dedicated to rescue, vet and find loving homes for all our adoptable cats and dogs, and prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals. Update: To lighten the load on individual Board members currently serving, two new At-Large positions were added in January, 2025. Former Board Member Melanie Marshall is serving as our Volunteer Liaison, and Beth Barrows, another former BOD member, serves as our Spay/Neuter Liaison.
Best Friends Animal Society Recognition
The HSV Animal Welfare League was honored to receive recognition by Best Friends Animal Society on achieving over a 90% save rate for 2023. Best Friends acknowledged that we are part of an elite group of organizations across the country who are leading the way toward making us a no-kill nation. Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, added that "this accomplishment represents so much more than just a statistic. It represents a culture of caring and compassion, and the tireless efforts of the AWL and your dedicated, passionate volunteers, and steadfast supporters. Organizations that achieve and maintain no-kill are made up of people who never forget that each tiny fraction of a percentage point represents a life saved." The HSV Animal Welfare League is very grateful for the support we receive from the Hot Springs Village community.
For more information about the HSVAWL, or how you can serve as a volunteer, contact us at hsvawl.org or 501,915.9337
Our DOGgone PURRfect Golf Scramble!
Eighty four AWL friends and supporters gathered on July 13th at Coronado Golf Course for a day filled with fun, camaraderie, prizes, goody bags, and of course, a DOGgone PURRfect game of golf! A great time was
had by all, and many golfers are already talking about next year's event! Special thanks to all our generous sponsors, our team of volunteers, and especially our golfers! The proceeds from the event exceeded $2,800, and will go towards the AWL operating expenses.
CLICK BUTTON BELOW FOR LIST OF WINNERS AND PHOTOS!
AWL voted 1st Place - Non-Profit Organization
The Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League is honored to be voted the 1st place non-profit organization in the
HSV Voice Readers' Choice Awards. We are proud to serve Garland and Saline Counties and our neighboring communities.
PETCO LOVE - Champion for the AWL
The HSVAWL received a $10,000 grant in March, 2024 from Petco Love in honor of our lifesaving work. The generous grant will cover adoption readiness expenses. Since its founding in 1999, Petco Love has invested $375 million in adoption and lifesaving efforts.
BISSELL PET FOUNDATION PARTNER
The AWL joins the Bissell Pet Foundation's Fix the Future
Since September 2023, Bissell Pet Foundation has impacted more than 45 shelters and clinics, spaying and neutering nearly 13,000 cats and dogs. The AWL is extremely excited to be part of this network that provides 140 relief veterinarians that spay and neuter pets in 14 states every day. We are extremely grateful and fortunate that the Bissell Pet Foundation covered the veterinary expense at our S/N clinics on April 26 & 27.
IN THE NEWS
Giving Tree Grant
The AWL received a $2,000 Giving Tree Grant
from the Arkansas Community Foundation in October, 2023 as part of their "Smart Giving to Improve Communities."
We thank them for the generous grant that will be used for our Spay/Neuter program.
AWL awarded 2023 Kia Pet Adoption Grant
We are very grateful to the Petfinder Foundation who awarded the AWL $1,000 to support our lifesaving work. The Petfinder Foundation exists to support Petfinder members through cash and product grants, with the goal of helping to keep adoptable pets healthy and happy. Since its inception, the Petfinder Foundation has given more than $20 million in cash and product grants to Petfinder members
Petco Love Lost Helps Reunite Lost Pets
To help reunite lost pets, our partner Petco Love Lost has announced a new integration with Ring and its Neighbors app. This allows customers to share images of their pet via a Neighbors Pet Profile or a lost pet post with Petco Love Lost.
The AWL encourages you to register with Neighbors and Petco Love Lost, and to ensure your pet data is up to date. Click the button below to visit Petco Love Lost and sign up for this service. It's free, fast, and effective!
HSV ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE recognized by Best Friends Animal Society for exceeding a 90% save rate for cats and dogs.
The HSVAWL was recently honored by Best Friends Animal Society for achieving no-kill status by exceeding a 90% save rate for cats and dogs in 2022. The actual rate was an exemplary 96%!
Best Friends Animal Society operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs. The AWL is proud to be a partner of the Best Friends Network, which provides a variety of professional resources and opportunities to help us increase our lifesaving impact.
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