Adoption Tips

Considerations Before Adoption

Companion animals enrich our lives. Every adopted animal requires time and attention; before adopting, consider the time and resources you can spend caring for a companion animal.  At the AWLA, we have hundreds of different animals available for adoption, and our knowledgeable staff can provide realistic estimates of the exercise, housing and general care needs for each of our adoptable animals.

Shopping for Your New Companion

The AWLA has developed different shopping lists for each type of companion animal available at our shelter.

Click here for a shopping list for a new dog.
Click here for a shopping list for a new cat.

Ask our staff for more information about the supplies needed to care for other animals.

We are proud to feed our cats and dogs Hill’s Science Diet.

Bringing Your New Friend Home

When picking up your new companion after your adoption consult, please remember to bring the following items:

• A flat leash (for dogs): A six- or four-foot flat leash will ensure that your new companion remains safely near you.
• A carrier (for cats): All cats should leave our building in a secure carrier. We recommend plastic airline carriers, which have plenty of ventilation and are easy to clean (available at pet stores).
• A travel cage (for birds) or travel container (for small animals and reptiles).
• A towel or blanket will help protect your car’s seat covers.

First Days Home

Remember that every companion needs time to acclimate to his or her new surroundings. See a 3 day, 3 week, 3 month timeline here. Some pets may be excited to explore their new home, and some pets may want to sleep and relax.  We encourage adopters to prepare their home for the new arrival— create a cozy sleeping spot, and put away anything which may be a tempting chew toy or easily broken. Introduce your new companion to other people and places slowly, and try to avoid situations which may overwhelm him or her (such as a family reunion on your new dog’s first day home or a large dinner party on your new cat’s first evening home).

The AWLA asks that all adopters bring their new companion to a veterinarian for a wellness check shortly after their adoption. More than 20 area veterinarians provide this first check-in” free of charge (not including any medications dispensed) to those who adopt from the AWLA.

Setting Up an Amazon Pet Gift List

Amazon’s Gift Lists make it easy celebrate your newly adopted animal from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and meet their unique needs. For milestones like gotcha days, birthdays, or a welcome home gift, friends and family can shop your Amazon pet gift list to help support your newly adopted animal. Start your Amazon pet gift list here.

Stay Involved

We encourage our adopters to keep in touch! We love to post photos and stories about our alumni on our website, and our staff and volunteers greatly appreciate these updates. Remember that our staff is here to help; if you have any questions or concerns about your new pet, please contact us.

The AWLA hosts many special events throughout the year, and we welcome our adopters’ participation. Join us for our annual calendar contest, Paws in the Park, and other events for the whole family. Check our calendar for upcoming special events.