“If all the animals were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit.” These are the sage words of the legendary Chief Seattle, and his spirit — and that of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals — lives on via a humane organization here in our own region, the New London-based Animal Welfare League of New London County.

“Our organization exists to help people help their animals,” said Armand Lambert, a man who has been a member of the Animal Welfare League since right after its inception, many years ago.

How long has the League been around? Well, to put it in perspective, it was formed while a vivacious young U.S. president named John F. Kennedy was deep into his first term; while a cocky young heavyweight boxer, then named Cassius Clay, was still 10 months away from challenging Sonny Liston for the world title; at a time when a small Asian country named Vietnam was not a contentious issue in the eyes of Americans, and barely a passing thought in the minds of U.S legislators.

Fifty-four years is a lengthy time to be active in the pursuit of humane treatment toward animals — domestic pets especially — long before much of the general public was on board.

Decent-hearted people like Lambert and Wendy Eckholm (and others) have been on that front line during an ongoing quest to bring humans and animals together in ways that enrich the lives of both.

“I was new in town and just out of college when I joined in 1966,” said Lambert. “A shelter existed then on the property that is now New London High School. My first volunteer assignment was to be sure the dog runs were open during the day, so they could move about more freely outside, and then to be sure those runs were closed at night when the dogs came back inside. This was especially important during cold wintry months.”

Lambert has been with the League ever since, reflecting back on those early days during an interview at Dev’s Bean & Leaf Café on Bank Street in New London. He was a young man just out of the University of Connecticut, hired to teach remedial reading and math in the local elementary schools.

A pet owner and one who has always believed firmly in compassion and in the kindly treatment of animals, he volunteered with the vision of helping people understand the importance of animals in their lives.

“It took time for a lot of people to recognize that animals actual feel pain and loneliness, just as we do,” he added. Lambert held up a massively thick notebook, explaining, “This is filled with requests by pet owners in need of financial aid and assistance with vaccinations, spaying & neutering, adoptions...”

With the 1967 sale of land on which the shelter operated, abandoned pets wound up being housed temporarily (sometimes permanently) in the homes of League members. The mission of this quiet but busy organization is to help rescue and find worthy homes for abandoned and abused domestic animals; and to assist those in need of financial assistance to care properly for their own pets ... while also better educating the public.

“Animal welfare has grown enormously. It’s been an evolution in thought,” longtime member Wendy Eckholm said. “And it’s totally this change in outlook — people recognizing, for example, how cart horses strained constantly and suffered for years — that established our need to treat animals more humanely.”

The Animal Welfare League has done just that, often being the place of referral by regional vets as the organization to contact for help. And with that in mind, the much-needed help is possible due to volunteers (always welcome) and crucial donations from the public.

The League survives almost entirely on those two factors. Anyone who would like to join or contribute in any way should call 860-447-9363.

When asked what animals have meant to her life, “Eckholm replied, “My pets have always been there for me … They’ve saved my life at times. When my body had been impaired physically, due to strain at work, and I had to recover during the span of over a year, the company of my two cats got me through the darkest of days.”

Closing her eyes as though reliving some of those very moments, Eckholm reflected, “Their purring was medicinal. Unconditional love is priceless.”

Last month, the Animal Welfare League of New London County held its annual Paws to Celebrate fundraiser. This event represents the backbone of the League’s ability to continue benefiting domestic pets and their owners.

For further information, call 860-445-0280.