Part 1 – Animal Welfare Before the AWLA
The dawn of the animal welfare movement looks very different from the field of animal welfare today, which just goes to show that these efforts, spanning more than 200 years, are succeeding. Before the 19th century, in much of Western society there were no laws governing how animals could be treated; in fact, there weren’t really many laws about how humans were treated either.
While the animal welfare movement has shifted over time, one element of those earliest efforts is again emerging as important: the focus on animals and people. Now that animals are afforded certain rights and protections by the law, their importance in our lives, as people, is clear. Loving a pet is in itself not a privilege; it is a right, and a right that should be afforded to everyone, regardless of race, nationality, income, culture — even regardless of where you live. Just as humans improve the lives of animals, so too do animals improve our lives, which is why the AWLA’s current efforts focus not just on connecting animals with people but on keeping animals with people. Pets have been proven to increase health and decrease stress; they are our best friends and, in some cases, our sole companions. Every person should have that opportunity. Read more…
Part 2 – Dog Catchers No More!
Last month, I shared some of the history of the animal welfare movement and how it led to the establishment of the AWLA 75 years ago, in 1946. The movement started in an effort to help working animals, and over time, that focus expanded to care for unowned or “stray” animals, with the goal of bringing them to shelter locations so they could no longer roam the streets.
Enter the “dog catchers.”
But as the AWLA diverged from “the pound,” our “dog catchers” changed their role with the times as well. In 1989, “animal control services” became part of the AWLA’s contract with the City of Alexandria; along with offering in-shelter adoptions, the AWLA provided services outside the facility, with our Animal Control Officers assisting with trapped or injured wildlife, responding to concerns about potentially dangerous or endangered animals, and, yes, picking up found animals, with the goal of reconnecting them with their families. Read more…
Part 3 – Building Families with Open Adoptions
Have you ever adopted a pet? Maybe in the 1980s, or ‘90s, the 2010s or even in the last year? Were you asked a lot of questions, about the size of your house and yard, what kinds of pets you’d had before, your schedule, what vet you used, and maybe even your salary? How did the adoption process make you feel?
The “Adopters Welcome” approach turns previous adoption processes upside down. Rather than requiring that families “prove” they are good enough to adopt an animal, it focuses on helping each family make the right match for them. So many of the people who are interested in adopting a pet do so because they want to help an animal in need, to give that animal a home and find a new best friend in return. The welcoming approach invites more people to make the difference in the life of an animal, and in turn, helps new animals find wonderful and loving homes. Read more…
Part 4 – Celebrating 75 Animal-Loving Years
As the Executive Director of an animal-focused non-profit, I regularly consider just how lucky we are to be located here, in Alexandria and the wider Northern Virginia region. Every day I can clearly see how important pets are to our community. When the weather gets warm, and water and treat bowls line King Street, waiting for canine passers-by (with their people, of course), you can tell there is something special about our City. The number of specialty businesses that cater to pets runs the gamut from veterinary to training to grooming and other wellness services, not to mention the many dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, turtles, guinea pigs and more adopted in Alexandria each week. And I know I’m not biased here: Alexandria has been named one of the dog-friendliest cities in the country. Anyone can see: our community loves animals!
So when we looked into the history of the AWLA as we celebrate our 75th anniversary on June 28, we weren’t surprised to uncover a long tradition of community support for animals and the AWLA. Read more…
