The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is proud to operate the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, a shelter named after a former City Manager who was a champion for animals, just like so much of our animal-loving community is today. As part of our contract with the City of Alexandria, we offer this open-access shelter to help any animal that comes to us from the city, as well as operating Animal Services for the jurisdiction.  But so much of what we do goes above and beyond the requirements of our city contract, and we are only able to do that thanks to the generous support of our community. From veterinary care to behavioral support, foster attention and an unlimited stay with us while they find their homes: we would not be able to provide these opportunities without YOU!  Animals are helped every day by tax-deductible donations to the AWLA; here are some of their stories:

The Kittens of Kitten Season

Each “Kitten Season”, we see a flood of newborn cats in need of intensive care from the AWLA team. While funds from the City of Alexandria help us provide shelter for every animal in the city, it is thanks to generous donations from our community that we are able to help the kittens who need additional medical treatment (like Pip, pictured, who had an injured leg that required surgery) as well as foster care for the youngest kittens who need round-the-clock care as they grow into happy, healthy cats.  Support from our donors means that we can help more kittens from Alexandria, and across our region, find loving homes each year.

 

Helping Pets Stay in Homes

The AWLA’s Pet Pantry and Animeals programs provide pet food and supplies to pet owners with limited budgets and home-bound seniors to help keep pets in loving homes. Items for these programs, and their goals of keeping pets with families they have sometimes spend their whole life with, are made possible entirely through donations from our community.

 

 

 

 

Space for Seniors

Senior pets at our shelter sometimes need a little extra care before being ready to meet their future family, and at the AWLA we can give them just that. Our contract with the city helps us provide basic shelter and care, but long-term care and medical treatment, often needed by senior pets, is possible because of donations and our committed team of volunteers and fosters who make every animal’s stay, no matter how many days or months it is, one full of happy memories.

 

 

 

All the Time in the World

Some animals meet their new best friend their first day with us, while other animals wait a little longer for the right person to come along. Whether an animal needs a month or is celebrating their one year anniversary at the AWLA, they have as long as they need to meet their future family thanks to support from our donors and team of volunteers and fosters. Cats like Bender, pictured, don’t have to worry about not having a space either at our shelter or in a foster home, so they still get to enjoy their special day, no matter how long they wait for it to arrive.

 

 

 

Animals in our shelter and in our community receive care, shelter and love every day because of our donors. Learn more about how you can help an animal in need HERE.