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Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic has been around Arlington for over a quarter of a century and for many of those years, John and Shirley McManus have been around Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic. Long-time clients at CVC, the McManus' have a history of helping those animals most in need, whether by finding aid for injured wildlife or by adopting many neglected or abused pets through the years. The couple has a long-standing history of helping people too. John spent many years with the United Way and has been a social worker for 40 years, a labor of love which he describes as "coming from the inside". Spending her younger years as a TWA flight attendant, Shirley later did her part to preserve our nation's history with the National Trust. Most recently, she has found her most rewarding hours spent volunteering with the Wildlife Rescue League Hotline.
Usually one day a week, Shirley spends several hours monitoring the Hotline's voice mailbox, fielding calls from the public regarding stranded or injured wild animals throughout Northern Virginia. The day we talked to her, Shirley received calls regarding a family of skunks living under a porch, a field mouse found as a garage was being cleaned out, and "several calls" about injured pigeons.
After logging such calls from home during their 3-4 hour shift, Hotline volunteers such as Mrs. McManus then contact the callers with information leading them to local wildlife rehabilitators.
Helping animals in distress is something the McManus' do in their personal life as well. Both of their current pups were rescued from unfortunate situations. Cody, their 4-year-old Lhasa Apso-Poodle mix was on a choke chain tied to a stake in his owner's backyard when they heard about him.
 Shirley says, "The owner was basically a nice person but just didn't have the time to take care of him". Through the efforts of local dog trainer Carol Knock, Cody was adopted by the McManus', who brought him into Cherrydale to have him treated for an ear infection and skin disease. Since then, they say Cody has been a great companion and a constant source of smiles.
Cody's current playmate, Lucy, also found her way to the McManus' doorstep from a life of neglect. A 6-year-old Cairn Terrier, Lucy was abandoned with a couple of cats by a family in Warrenton. All three pets were left to wander around the townhouse development for weeks, dodging cars and becoming infested with fleas and skin infections. After eventually being rescued by a pair of Greek orthodox nuns, Lucy gained the attention of Carol Knock, who again called on the kindness of the McManus household.
Today, the pups romp together, "chasing each other all over". Saved from lives of distress and hunger, Cody and Lucy now have happy and healthy lives, thanks to a pair of Good Samaritans called John and Shirley.
The Wildlife Rescue League is an all-volunteer organization founded 15 years ago in Northern Virginia. According to President Sharon Birdsong, "the group currently has about 75 member rehabilitators, 35 hotline volunteers, and 30 drivers/transporters". These hard-working individuals work primarily in NOVA but also serve Maryland on occasion and some of the outlying areas in Virginia when needed.
In addition to running the Hotline since the spring of 1997 to answer calls regarding wildlife in need of assistance, the Wildlife Rescue League also provides education programs and holds quarterly meetings with a featured speaker, the next meeting being held the first Saturday in March at a place to be announced.
Ms. Birdsong says the League's biggest wish right now is to find individuals interested in becoming hotline volunteers or licensed wildlife rehabilitators. She says the League can help people with training classes and guide them through the licensing process. In addition to cash donations, the League can always use:
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heating pads
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dry dog & cat foods
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bird seed
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small scales for weighing birds & small mammals
cages
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pet carriers
- old fur coats, used by the area rehabilitators to comfort small mammals during rehabilitation
To contact the Wildlife Rescue League, call 703-391-8625 or write to: P.O. Box 704, Falls Church VA, 22040.
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