thePULSEA Dog and Cat’s Best Friend
By Mel Pingeton
As a six-year-old girl she lined up her animals to play veterinarian and take care of them. Now, Allie Simone is now working with real animals ~ from dogs and cats to a bunny and even a 22-year-old African Gray Parrot named Ruby ~ at the Worcester Animal Rescue League.
At only 24, Allie is the Acting Executive Director of the Worcester Animal Rescue League, located at 139 Holden Street in Worcester. The West Boylston resident began working there in 2005 as a kennel technician taking care of animals. In February ‘09, she was promoted to Office Manager and in September ‘09, she became Acting Executive Director.
“I’ve always loved animals; growing up I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian or shelter owner” explains Simone. “The job just fits… it’s one of the few jobs you just find very fulfilling, very gratifying.”
The Worcester Animal Rescue League is a non-profit animal shelter founded in 1912. The shelter is a no-kill shelter: Allie explains there’s no time or space limit and that any pet deemed “happy or healthy” by temperament and medical evaluations stays at the shelter until he or she has a home ~ ideally, what is referred to as “a forever home.”
“Every day is different,” says Allie of her duties. From overseeing the shelter to organizing community outreach and fundraisers, her job ensures that the animals are properly taken care of and are adopted by families. In fact, “[we] rarely get the chance to sit down and play with the animals.”
The animals come to the Worcester Animal Rescue League for a number of reasons including “irresponsibility of owners” and “overpopulation.” “When people are in difficult circumstances, animals are left behind,” she explains.
With the current situation of the economy, Allie notes that many pets are staying at the shelter longer and not getting adopted immediately. “It’s difficult to see the unfortunate situation that pets are put in,” says Allie.
Allie praises the hard work and effort of the people she works with, describing them as “very professional and experienced.”
“I have a great support system at the Worcester Animal Worcester League… and they definitely keep me motivated,” she says.
Among the fundraising events that Allie helps organize is the Kitten Shower on Saturday, March 20th, which helps the shelter get ready for the spring kitten litters. Items that are needed include baby food, kitten food (dry and canned), kitten formula, cat litter, little bottles and “anything in the kitten section” of pet stores.
How does Allie see the Worcester Animal Rescue League? “I’m a very optimist person,” she says with a smile. “The only way we can go is up.”
For more information on the Worcester Animal Rescue Shelter ~ including how to adopt an animal and make donations ~ please visit www.worcester-arl.org/index.htm.
