October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, so named to help bring awareness to the many adoptable dogs who are waiting to meet their future families at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and at shelters and rescues across the country. But in October 2020, our pups don’t have to wait long. Since switching to virtual adoptions in April and then expanding to add in-shelter adoption appointments in July, we have seen record numbers of adoptions as families sign up to meet their new best friend. This means dogs have often had to wait no more than a single day before heading home. So this Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we want to recognize our community who is always eager to help animals even as we adapt to best health practices to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past few months, we have received a flood of interest as adopters are excited to begin their search for a new pet. We created our adoption appointment process to help adopters do just that while keeping them and our staff safe. Adopters have the option to schedule a virtual appointment, where they meet animals over a Zoom call. Our adoptions team plays with the pups, shows off their “sits” and “paws” and answers questions. Many pups even give kisses to the camera. For our in-shelter appointments, we have rigorous cleaning schedules and earned our ALX Promise certification so we can let one household at a time meet with animals safely in person. The rest of our adoption process, from the phone consultation to bringing your pet out to your car is done at a safe physical distance, so we can keep helping animals in need.

The hundreds of appointments have meant hundreds of Happy Tails stories as those animals bring comfort and joy to their people during these unprecedented times. Read about some of our earliest adoptions HERE.

Even though October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, for many it might not be the right time to welcome a new furry friend into their family, but there are still plenty of ways to lend a paw to a shelter pup. Our Amazon Wish List is always up to date with what our animals need the most, and you’ll find everything from harnesses to help them stay safe and secure during walks to tasty treats to keep them smiling all day long.

So much of our community is reaching out to support shelter dogs this month, including our friends at Beyer Subaru and Subaru of America! They’re donating to support dogs and cats at our shelter as part of Subaru Loves Pets month this October. Subaru of America, Inc. and its Retailers will donate $100 for every dog or cat adoption to partner shelters from October 1, 2020, through October 31, 2020, up to $3,100 in total.

Nothing makes a pup’s day like being spoiled with love, toys and treats, and that’s how dogs at the AWLA feel this month and every month thanks to our generous community. Follow their stories all year long on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.