Alexandria Animals

Behavior & Training at the Del Ray Farmers Market
2025-11-15 08:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Oxford St. and Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Living harmoniously with your beloved companion animals is one of life’s greatest joys! Almost always though, you have to do a little work to get there. Do you have questions about your dog or cat’s behavior? We’ve got answers (and solutions)!
Get free animal behavior and training help from the AWLA’s Behavior and Training Manager Joe Miench, CPDT-KA, ABCDT at the Del Ray Farmers Market on Saturday, November 15 from 8 a.m. until noon at Pat Miller Square.
At the AWLA, we use and teach positive reinforcement training or relationship-based training only (compared to punishment or “balanced” training). We also encourage animal lovers in our community to only seek out positive reinforcement trainers for their own animals.

No Place Like Home Adoption Event
2025-11-22 - 2025-11-23 | Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, 4101 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22304, United States
There really is no place like home, especially around the holidays. To bring more animals to their new homes for the holidays, we are excited to partner with MetLife Pet Insurance to offer waived adoption fees this weekend only!
This Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23, MetLife Pet Insurance will be covering the adoption fees for all animals 6 months and older.
Stop by any time during adoption hours (noon to 5 p.m. both days) to visit with our adoption counselors and meet animals who could be the perfect fit for your family.
Meet Our Animals

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
2025-12-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria, United States
AWLA is thrilled to join this Alexandria holiday tradition and kick-off celebrations for our 80th anniversary in 2026!
We will feature how AWLA has grown and evolved since 1946 to offer programs that support families, keep animals in loving homes, and provide holistic care that recognizes the deep bond between humans and their furry companions.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can participate with us!

Alexandria Animal Academy: Winter Session
2025-12-07 - 2026-01-18 | Online Meeting, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22304, United States
Cost-Effective Canine Behavior and Training for the Community
We are now enrolling for all 2025 cohorts of our Alexandria Animal Academy – a cost-efficient option for dog behavior and training courses for our community! However, the course is open to anyone in need – you do NOT have to be an Alexandria resident.
The Winter cohort begins Sunday, December 7, 2025 and runs through January 18, 2026.
2025 Alexandria Animal Academy Sessions
The canine courses have been crafted to teach pets and people to live better together.
The 7-week virtual course features group and individual instruction, plus personalized training plans, and offers three different learning tracks for you to choose from. You can choose one, multiple, or all of the educational tracks. We use a positive reinforcement approach only. The learning tracks include Confidence Building (great for puppies and new dogs to your home), Chill Out (perfect for dogs lacking manners or impulse control) and Leash Reactivity (ideal for dogs with big feelings on walks). Read more about each track here.
Class cost begins at $200 for one track. Opportunities to audit the class for a reduced cost are available. A limited number of scholarships are also available. Email behavior@AlexandriaAnimals.org to inquire.
The courses will be taught by our on-staff behavior and training coordinator Beth Tumlin, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed).
Find out more about Alexandria Animal Academy and enroll here.

ALX Dog Walk
2026-04-18 07:00 - 11:00 | Old Town’s Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA, VA, 22314, United States
The beloved ALX Dog Walk event returns on April 18, 2026 with an exciting new collaboration and an expanded mission. The ALX Dog Walk is partnering with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria to unite two powerful causes – sustainable living and animal welfare – for one joyful celebration of pets and the planet.
HERE’S THE SCOOP!
When: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7 AM-11 AM; the Walk starts at 8:15 AM.
Where: Oronoco Bay Park, Alexandria, VA.
The Walk: Join 2,000+ dog lovers and their adorable pups for a scenic 2-mile walk through historic Old Town Alexandria. The route follows down Union Street, loops back along the breathtaking Waterfront Walk, and ends with a celebration waterside at Oronoco Bay Park. Along the way, walkers enjoy fun surprises—including pop-up performances by The Alexandria Singers and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra!
Sustainable Goodie Bags: Walkers receive a drawstring backpack filled with eco-friendly treats, including a sustainably sourced t-shirt, a dog bandana, and other plastic-free goodies.
Adoptable Dogs & Park Activities: Enjoy a wide range of fun including adoptable dogs, a dog obstacle course, DJ music, kids’ play stations, park games, and even a puppy tattoo artist and puppy portrait artist!
The Dog Show: Three lucky winners take home a prize in our Dog Show – theme to be announced soon!
Sustainability Festival: Explore a bustling festival with vendors showcasing and selling eco-goods and services for everyday living.
Plastic Art Show Competition: In partnership with The Art League and The Alexandria Arts Alliance, the first 30 local artists to register will be invited to create and display works made primarily from plastic — cash awards to three winners. Register Here!
Nonprofit Village: Meet incredible local nonprofits making a difference, just ahead of ACT for Alexandria’s annual Spring2ACTion Giving Day.
Free Coffee for Reusables: The first 500 walkers with a mug receive a free cup of Hypergoat Coffee Roaster’s ethically sourced coffee.
Registration: Opens 1/1/26! NEW… form a team and join the fun! We love providing complimentary participation to the first 150 active/retired military who register. Students and groups of 6 or more receive discounts, and kids 12 and under walk for free!
Find more information at the ALX Dog Walk website!
