As the Richmond Animal League’s 5th annual Woofstock approaches, pack of pet lovers have been raising funds to help the organization continue its mission of saving lives by providing hope, help, and homes to animals in need.

One such pack, headed by long-time RAL volunteer Carolyn Turner, is named in honor of a dog named Mozart. As Carolyn tells it, Mozart was not the easiest dog to love.

“To say that he was a bit neurotic would be putting it mildly, although… I suppose quirky would be a better term. He came completely unglued not only during a thunderstorm, but for a day or two afterwards. He guarded anything in his run, including empty food bowls.”

Another volunteer, Doug Bullett, gave Mozart his name. Doug refused to give up on “Mo,” even after Mo rewarded his perseverance with more than one bite.

Carbon footprint. Green communities. And adopting a shelter pet? With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, Richmond Animal League wants to help raise awareness of their “100% recycled, earth-friendly” pets, and how you can help make your pets earth-friendly, too. 

There is an argument to be made that in and of themselves, pets just aren’t that great for the environment—there’s the environmental cost of producing pet food and the by-product waste it generates, the trash produced by old toys and other items, and then of course there’s the waste that comes out of the pets themselves!

Richmond Animal League is celebrating St. Patrick's Day this weekend with adoption specials--show your St. Patty's Day pride and wear green when you visit the shelter this Saturday, March 17 and receive $15 off any dog adoption fees, for both puppies and adults (regular dog adoption fees are $125, hounds and beagles are $75, and puppies are $150). Cat and kitten adoption fees continue to be just $10 total. In addition to those specials, stop by to enjoy holiday-themed sweets and treats!

RAL is open to the public from noon to 4pm this Saturday. The shelter is located at 11401 International Drive, Richmond, VA 23236. For more information, please call 804-379-0046 or email adopt@ral.org. You can visit them online at www.ral.org.