PRESS RELEASE: City of Alexandria Commemorates 75th Anniversary of Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Media Contact: Regina Hardter
(703) 746-5662
communications@alexandriaanimals.org
City of Alexandria Commemorates 75th Anniversary of Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 28, 2021) — Much has changed in the City of Alexandria over the past 75 years, but one constant has been the community’s love of animals. So it is no surprise that Mayor Justin Wilson and the Alexandria City Council issued a proclamation commending the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) on 75 years of supporting animals and people throughout the area, effective June 28.
Highlighting the AWLA’s work with the City as well as the community support it provides — including adoption services, a Community Pet Pantry, veterinary assistance, emergency boarding and more — the proclamation recognized the 75th anniversary of the nonprofit’s incorporation on June 28, 1946. In that time, the AWLA has helped tens of thousands of pets find homes, worked with city-wide agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of animal abuse and assisted wildlife in need as part of its Animal Services efforts. In recent years, those programs have extended to pets across the community, and the AWLA expanded its robust support of pet owners in crisis, providing supplies, advice and even financial support to help pets stay in their homes, with the people who love them.
The full text of the proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) celebrates the 75th anniversary of its incorporation on June 28th, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the AWLA has helped tens of thousands of animals find homes and reconnect with their families during that time; and
WHEREAS, the AWLA has worked alongside the City and its community to make Alexandria a better and more welcoming place for animals; and
WHEREAS, the AWLA strives to help not only animals but people in our city, providing thousands of pounds of pet supplies, veterinary assistance, emergency boarding and more; and
WHEREAS, the AWLA has been an integral part of the services that the City of Alexandria provides to its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JUSTIN M. WILSON, Mayor of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and on behalf of the Alexandria City Council, do hereby recognize on Monday, June 28th, 2021:
“THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF the ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE of ALEXANDRIA”
In the City of Alexandria and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens, all the while asking that citizens acknowledge the contributions that the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has made to improve our fair city for pets AND for people.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the AWLA’s abilities to host a public celebration of this anniversary, the organization has commemorated this momentous year with accomplishments like performing their first onsite surgeries in their new mobile surgical suite and hosting Alexandria’s first OneHealth-inspired Community Wellness Event. More information about the AWLA’s first 75 years can be found at AlexandriaAnimals.org/75-Years-and-Counting.
AWLA staff and canine guests proudly display City proclamation commemorating 75 years of service. Photo courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Individual high-resolution photo also available upon request. Photo courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
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About the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Celebrating 75 years as a community resource, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is a local 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to helping animals not only at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter (Alexandria’s only open-access animal shelter) but also across the community. In 2020, they expanded their outreach programs to offer more than 40,000 pounds of donated pet supplies across the region, as well as finding more ways to reach and assist pet owners through drive-up vaccination and microchip clinics, spay and neuter assistance, grooming and veterinary aid and more. More information about these efforts can be found at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Community-Services.