It’s the time of year when Alexandria’s wildlife comes to life — foraging, making nests and raising their young. That translates into action-packed days for Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s (AWLA) Animal Services Officer and wildlife specialist Megan Lawrence. A recent call concerned a common wildlife issue: squirrels. “A tree had been cut down In Del Ray, and in the trunk …
It’s a Wild Day in the Neighborhood
Few people complain that they don’t have enough mosquitoes, mice, rats, ticks or lice in their backyards. Fewer still complain about not enough dead fish on the shorelines. But local animal protection officials often receive complaints about the very beings who help to keep these populations under control. A baby raccoon takes shelter at the AWLA. Residents should call the …
Wildlife in Trouble? Experienced Team to the Rescue
The call from distraught Alexandria city employees was urgent. They needed the AWLA to help with a tiny, furry problem: A baby raccoon was stuck on top of a city dump truck that the workers had been driving around town. AWLA Animal Services Officers Howard Stanback and Megan Lawrence were dispatched to the scene, where Officer Stanback climbed atop the …
Remembering a Friend to Wildlife
Over the past decade, one of Virginia wildlife’s greatest resources was Dogue Hollow Wildlife Sanctuary, a nonprofit in Lorton dedicated to rehabilitating wildlife, especially raccoons. Last week we lost the organization’s director, Jenna Such, a champion for wildlife, but we will always remember her generous spirit and determination to help animals in need. Pictured: A baby raccoon who went to Dogue …
SPEAKER SERIES: Get Ready for Spring Wildlife!
Join the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria to learn more about the animals who will be populating your backyard this spring, from the wild to the domestic. Alexandria’s Animal Services will provide more information about spring babies, how you can help keep them safe and what to do if you find an abandoned animal, whether it’s a squirrel, a bunny, …
Shelter Feeling Peckish after Hawk Influx
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) had an unusual number of hawk experiences in the last month. It all began on January 30 with the arrival of a hawk who was found injured on the side of the road by a good Samaritan and transported to the shelter in the back of an SUV. On February 21, another hawk was carried into …