Eagles help dogs and cats in Delaware

Following the signing of quarterback Michael Vick last August and a subsequent backlash from animal lovers, the Philadelphia Eagles announced plans for several initiatives designed to reduce animal abuse.  As part of the Treating Animals With Kindness (TAWK) effort, the Eagles presented Faithful Friends, a no kill animal shelter in Wilmington, with a check for $20,000.  "One of the things that has become so important to the work that we  at the Eagles is shining a light on this dysfunctional activity that takes place 9in our community with the incredible overpopulation of animals," said Eagles Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations Pamela Browner White.

The money will help with the shelter's Pit Stop program.  Through the program, pit bull owners can get their dogs spayed or neutered and vaccinated.  At the same time, the owners can get other support services including micr0chipping and training advice.  Last year, the program helped 222 pit bull owners, and there were nearly 100 people on a waiting list to take advantage of the service.

Wilmington Mayor Jim Baker (D) says it's especially important to get dogs in the city spayed or neutered because that's where a lot of the problem with pit bulls has been located.  Baker says in addition to fighting the dogs, "People use them as guard dogs against the police for drug activities."

Last year, more 1,200 cats were spayed and neutered through the shelter's CatSnip program.  There are currently about 400 cats and a number of dogs awaiting adoption at Faithful Friends.  On average, the shelter saves 1,400 abused or homeless dogs and cats every year, spays or neuters 2,000 animals, and offers a free pet food bank to more than 1,500 families.