Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Donna Yarri, all adoptable pets at The Humane Society of Berks County are free to a great home on Saturday, April 7, during its “Think Spring” Free Pet Adoption Day in memory of Donna’s mother, Dorothy Yarri.
Dr. Donna Yarri, Professor of Theology at Alvernia University, is an advocate for the animals and allocates much of her time as a volunteer to the Humane Society. In the last five years, Donna has provided efforts to socialize cats and critters, walk dogs, fundraise for events, and has fostered countless litters of cats.
“I love working with the Humane Society,” Donna expresses. “The staff are wonderful and the smaller, more intimate feel of the shelter has made volunteering an overall great experience.” Her love of animals is in her genes, stemming from the devotion of her late mother, Dorothy Yarri.
“My mother grew up with cats at a very young age and carried her love of animals with her when she married my father and raised a family,” says Donna. “It’s the classic story where I, as a young child, found a grey kitten and brought it to our home in New York City. My mother needed very little convincing for us to keep it.”
Dorothy cared for many cats throughout her lifetime, including the strays that lived outside the Yarri home. Donna affectionately gave her mother the nickname, “St. Francis of the Cat Set,” and remembers how she longed to volunteer for an animal shelter but there were none locally. In addition to her passion for animals, she was dedicated to her roles as a wife, mother, gardener, and churchgoer.
All pet adoption fees are waived during this spring-themed adoption day Adoptions include Humane Pennsylvania’s 30-Day Adoption Health Guarantee, spaying or neutering (prior to adoption), vaccinations and microchip registration. Normal adoption policies still apply.
Meet your new fur-ever friend and spring into a new life, together! To view the many pets available for adoption at the HSBC, visit humanepa.org/adoption or meet the animals at the shelter, in-person, during scheduled operating hours. The HSBC is located at 1801 N. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604. For more information about this exciting promotion, please call 610-921-2348 or email adoptreading@humanepa.org.
