Caring For Alexandria's Animals. Loving Alexandria.
\Since 1946, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has been a resource for our community and a shelter for homeless animals. Through adoptions, spay and neuter assistance, education, field and community service, the AWLA positively impacted the lives of more than 6000 animals in the community each year including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, iguanas, chinchillas and many more.
WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST:
The AWLA depends on fundraisers like the calendar contest to operate an “open door”, “no-kill” animal shelter. We accept all animals regardless of age, species, medical need, behavior, breed or age. We never know what we might get in next. For example, early this month we had four large, aggressive Tegu lizards dumped in our parking lot!
We meet the definition of “no-kill” animal shelter since we euthanize a very small percentage of the animals that we receive - less than 5% (not including the animals we euthanize because the owner can not afford the procedure). The animals that we do euthanize are either extremely sick (or injured) and treatment would simply not be humane or the animals are a danger to the public.
We choose not to regularly use the “no-kill” terminology because we believe in helping shelters in Virginia euthanize fewer animals and this term can be divisive and prevent collaboration. Just last weekend, we took in 41 animals who would have otherwise been euthanized in shelters in Virginia. We provide services and information to those pet owners most in need of our support and work hard to find ways to keep animals with their owners. These programs include the successful “Animeals” program where we provide pet food and supplies to pet owners who utilize the "Meals on Wheels" program.
In addition, we have introduced a new program entitled "A Plan for Pets" to help pet owners plan for the care of their pet should the pet outlive the owner – hopefully ensuring that the pet will not end up in a shelter. Finally, we will be conducting a number of animal care fairs in neighborhoods with the most need in order to provide pet supplies, spay/neuter vouchers, vaccines and general advice to pet owners.
Enter your pet today to help raise funds for animals in need in the community! Thank you!
