The Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Berks County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 23 to launch its new mobile adoption and clinic unit. The new vehicle, purchased in part by Petco Love Foundation, will allow the shelter to host adoption events and offer vaccine and microchip clinics throughout Berks County.

The mobile vehicle can house up to 18 kennels, which vary in size to accommodate different animals. The adoptable pets can be seen from the outside of the unit. The vehicle also has an exam table and a refrigerator to store vaccines and other medications.

The ribbon cutting was held in the parking lot of the Reading Exeter Petco during a rainstorm, but that did not deter the enthusiasm of those in attendance, who were huddled under tents. "The mobile adoption and clinic unit is one more piece of the Animal Rescue League's mission of promoting innovative programs to help animals throughout Berks County," said Tom Hubric, ARL board president. "As board president and having being involved with this organization for over eight years, I am proud to see the ARL expanding in this way."

"I always said that pet people are the best; now I know you are the heartiest," added Staci Seltzer, general manager of the Reading Exeter Petco. "It's appropriate that it is raining and miserable today because rescue does not take a break. They are there 24/7 and 365 days a year. We are very proud to be partnered with the ARL, which does such wonderful things." She added that Petco Love, Petco's charitable foundation, has donated more than $330 million to animal welfare organizations since it was founded in 1999.

Also on hand at the event was Sen. Judy Schwank, who presented a congratulatory citation to Ashley Mikulsky, newly appointed CEO of the ARL. "Thank you to our board members, staff, volunteers and donors but most of all to the animal lovers who show up regardless of the weather and the situation to support the animal rescue," said Mikulsky. "This (mobile unit) will expand access to our community. Not only will this van bring our services, but it will also give pets an opportunity to find new homes."

Following the ceremonial cutting of a red ribbon, the mobile unit remained open throughout the afternoon for cat adoptions. Hubric's company, Hubric Resources, sponsored all the cats' adoption fees on March 23. "We brought 12 cats and eight got adopted directly from the vehicle that day," reported Jose Joel Delgado-Rivera, the ARL's chief communications officer.

He said that the ARL will soon post a schedule for the mobile unit. "In April, we will have another cat adoption during our Kitten Shower event, but the date and location is still pending," he stated. "In May, we will have the first clinic. It will be a microchip clinic during the First Friday event in Reading." 

"We are planning to do one monthly adoption event and one quarterly clinic," Delgado-Rivera added. "These clinics will (offer) either microchips or microchips and vaccines."

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County, located at 58 Kennel Road, Birdsboro, is a nonprofit organization that cares for more than 5,000 animals each year, helping them to find permanent loving homes or reuniting them with their owners. The ARL also offers human/animal support resources, low-cost veterinary services, animal control programs and animal cruelty and humane law investigation throughout Berks County. To learn more, call 610-373-8830 or visit http://www.berksarl.org or http://www.facebook.com/berksARL.