Women’s Animal Center Hosting Fall Open House

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Women’s Animal Center, America’s First Animal Shelter, is hosting its Fall Open House on Saturday to showcase community programs and services for pets.

The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center at 3839 Richlieu Rd.

The community-driven day invites all to learn about Women’s Animal Center’s services, including community programs, the adoption center, an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, dog training, and more.

The Open House —presented by Bucks County-based Mercer Bucks Technology —will feature fun educational activity stations for kids: Art with Animals, Be a Vet for a Day, treat making for the adoptable shelter pups, and ‘Story Tails Reading Program’ inviting children to read to and socialize with a shelter cat or small animal available for adoption.

Dog enrichment demos featuring adoptable dogs, Dog Licensin,g and Animal Safety information courtesy of the Bucks County Treasurer’s Office, Amigurumi by Alonna crochet creations, and event partner Mercer Bucks Technology to feature their services.

The Open House is free to the public.

Proceeds (cash donations to support the Center’s mission) from basket raffle fundraiser, Crochet Creations and Tribute Tree Ornament Decorating help provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, and medical care for the shelter pets waiting for their forever homes.

Women’s Animal Center welcomes and appreciates donations of dry cat and dog food to be distributed at their pet food pantry to families in need. (*This is a people-only event unless visiting the veterinary hospital for your pet’s appointment, or the adoption center to adopt a shelter pet)

This year marks the 155th Anniversary of the Animal Sheltering and Adoptions movement in America. It began with women – 13 of them to be exact, led by Caroline Earle White, who formally joined forces on April 14, 1869, in Philadelphia to establish Women’s Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, now called Women’s Animal Center, America’s First Animal Shelter.

Concerned by the cruel way stray animals were captured and killed, the founders successfully petitioned the mayor to take over the municipal pound as their initial order of business, repurposing it as the first facility in the U.S. for sheltering and rehoming animals.

Remarkably and in addition to standing as the first Animal Shelter and Adoptions Program, Women’s Animal Center also pioneered the nation’s first humane education programs; first free veterinary clinic; and first anti-vivisection society.

The founders of Women’s Animal Center, led by Caroline Earle White, used what little voice they had to speak on behalf of the voiceless. And this lifesaving work continues today.

Women’s Animal Center can be reached by phone at 215-750-5252.

For more information, visit www.womensanimalcenter.org.