Dear David Schumm:

I am enclosing a picture of Haywood, although you were so good to her I expect you still remember her. On July 12, 1996 while reading the local paper in Katherine Armitage's kitchen, I saw a notice that there was an English setter in the animal shelter. The next day I went down and adopted her, named her Haywood and then flew back to Washington state the next day.

The HAWA Mission Statement:  Haywood Animal Welfare Association strives to reduce pet overpopulation by providing low-cost/no-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs of Haywood County and through public education.  In doing so we hope to promote a community in which animals are valued, properly cared for and have a safe place to live.

The need for pet food at local food pantries HAWA supplies has risen by 50% since mid-2008 from an average distribution of 800 pounds per week to an average of 1,600 pounds per week. Many, many individuals, school classes, businesses, foundations and groups have pitched in and made it possible for us to stretch our limited budget for pet food yet supplies remain short and hard to come by.

Haywood Animal Welfare Association, Inc. (HAWA) provides pet food at county food pantries distributing much needed pet food to pet owning low-income individuals and families and to Meals on Wheels for the pet owning shut-ins they serve. The pet food distributed helps these pet owners keep their pets healthy and well nourished and because they don’t have to spend scarce funds on pet food, they can purchase more nourishing food for themselves.