House Speaker J. Joseph Shekarchi (center) presented checks on Oct. 11 to three rescue animal organizations The funds are the proceeds of the charity golf scramble he held in August at the Quidnessett Country Club. Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter was the recipient of $31,000 and Anchor Paws Rescue and Vintage Pet Rescue each received $13,000. With people relinquishing their animals at an alarming rate, animals remaining unclaimed at the shelter or being abandoned in the community, and many animals, especially older animals, requiring expensive veterinary care in order to be adoptable, this donation comes at a crucial time for these three organizations said Judy Salvadore, president of the Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter. In appreciation of his efforts on behalf of animals, Shekarchi was presented a portrait of his dog, Merlin, who he adopted. The artist Karen Chris is pictured with Shekarchi and Merlin. (Warwick Beacon photos)