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 …
Good Pet, Great Life! Behavior 101 for Cats, Dogs, and Their Humans
AWLA’s Senior Manager of Behavior and Training Joe Miench will provide tips for living harmoniously with your dog or cat at home, answer specific questions about your pet, and chat about AWLA’s Alexandria Animal Academy. Learn about how positive reinforcement is the key to living harmoniously with your dog or cat! Joe, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, will provide some general guidance and …
Howl-o-Ween Party & Pet Costume Contest
Join us Thursday, October 30 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Alexandrian Hotel (480 King St., Alexandria) for a Howl-o-Ween Party & Pet Costume Contest! Registration to participate in the contest is just $25 and we’ll be awarding prizes for Most Creative Costume, Funniest Costume and Spookiest Costume! Contest begins promptly at 6 p.m. in the Alexandrian’s courtyard. If …
Making Room for Animals in Need: Cat Topia Sponsors AWLA’s Cat Transfer Program
We are incredibly fortunate that the Alexandria community has a strong commitment to animal adoption, fostering, and animal welfare. This dedication to ensuring our four-legged friends are lovingly provided for means the AWLA rarely faces challenges related to animal overcrowding. When we have extra space in our Cat Condos and Dog Dorms, as well as the financial resources to welcome …
SOLD OUT Holiday Pet Photos: Registration Opens Oct. 5
Thank you for joining us and our fantastic volunteer photographer for our annual Holiday Pet Photos fundraiser! The photos are scheduled for Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Registration for photos will open Sunday, October 5 at noon! Text “AWLA” to 833-360-5466 to get a reminder the day before! You can …
CANCELLED: Join Us at Paws in the Park
October 10, 2025: We are devastated to announce that we’ve made the EXTREMELY hard decision to cancel Paws in the Park. While we were prepared to hold the event in the rain, the predicted high winds and flooding in the park on Sunday can’t be ignored. Just our luck that a Nor’easter (first time in 46 years) decides this Sunday …
Pets & Pumpkins Halloween Pet Photos
Thank you for your interest in our Halloween photoshoot! The photoshoot will take place at the AWLA (4101 Eisenhower Ave). You can register for each (limit two per person) 10-minute session using the link below. Each session is a $50 donation. Before registering, please read everything below: The background in the photo on this page is the backdrop we will …
Pets & People Community Wellness Event
FREE Vaccinations for Pets AND Services & Supplies for Humans Join the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at John Adams Elementary School, 5651 Rayburn Ave., Alexandria, VA 22311 at for our September Pets & People Community Wellness Event. Attendees can receive free vaccinations for cats and dogs against rabies, FVRCP, distemper …
Pets & People Community Wellness Event
FREE Vaccinations for Pets AND Services & Supplies for Humans Join the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at for our September Pets & People Community Wellness Event. The event is held at Four Mile Run Park, 3831 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA. Event is held in the park behind MOM’s Organic …
6 Things to Consider When Choosing an Animal Trainer
Your animal’s behavior has you considering a trainer – great idea! You want the best for your animal, but how do you know if a trainer’s approach is humane? Trainers typically refer to themselves as either “positive reinforcement” or “balanced.” Positive reinforcement rewards the good and ignores the bad. To effectively change behavior, we need to identify the behavior(s) we …