Women’s Animal Center Hosting Spring Open House

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —America’s First Animal Shelter is hosting its spring open house this Saturday.

The Women's Animal Center will hold the event at the center on 3839 Richlieu Rd. on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrating the organization’s 155th anniversary.

The community is invited to learn about Women’s Animal Center’s services, including community programs, pet adoptions, its AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, dog training, and more.

The Open House —presented by Laurel Hill —will feature fun and educational activity stations, including dog treat decorating for the adoptable shelter pets, themed raffle baskets, Story Tails Read to a Shelter Pet, Storytime and book sales/signing with author Ricky Dean, Dog Licensing and Safety courtesy of the Bucks County Treasurer’s Office, Amigurumi by Alonna crochet creations, and event partner Laurel Hill to spotlight their pet services and present a $15,000 partnership contribution in honor of Women’s Animal Center’s 155th Anniversary to support the organization’s lifesaving mission for animals in need.

The open house is free.

Proceeds raised from the basket raffle fundraiser, and author book sales/signing will support a safe shelter, nutritious meals, and medical care for the shelter pets waiting for their forever homes, and available for adoption at the Open House. (This is a people-only event unless adopting a shelter pet or visiting the veterinary hospital for a scheduled pet appointment)

This year marks the 155th Anniversary of the Animal Sheltering and Adoptions movement in America. It began with women —30 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.

The 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.

About Women’s Animal Center

In addition to Animal Sheltering and Adoptions, Women’s Animal Center provides a variety of vital services, including dog training, animal enrichment programs, behavioral and veterinary resources, community programming, pet food pantry for pet owners in need, and humane education.

Women’s Animal Center is located at 3839 Richlieu Road in Bensalem and can be reached by phone 215-750-3100. For more information: www.womensanimalcenter.org.

About Laurel Hill

Laurel Hill is a privately owned, non-denominational organization located in Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd consisting of two cemeteries, a funeral home, pet services, and a nonprofit membership organization, the Friends of Laurel Hill. Laurel Hill is dedicated to three pillars —Eternal Rest, Recreation, and Civic Value —that sustain the cemeteries and serve local communities. For more information: www.laurelhillphl.com.