League News

Check this page for League news and press releases.

 

“Baby Shower” Helps Homeless Kittens and Puppies

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria collecting supplies for animals entering foster care.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is preparing for kitten and puppy season by holding a “baby shower” at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter on Saturday, April 6, from 12pm to 4pm. The open house event will introduce guests to the AWLA’s foster care program, which will be the destination for many of the puppies and kittens arriving at the shelter this spring. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Announces New Executive Director/CEO

Megan Webb will lead the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter and Alexandria’s animal services.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria announced today they have hired Megan Webb as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer. Beginning Monday, March 11, Webb will lead AWLA’s staff and volunteers to operate the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, an open-admission facility and Alexandria’s only animal shelter, and implement the City’s animal control contract. Click here to read the full press release.

 

3rd Annual Mardi Growl Gala to Benefit Alexandria’s Homeless Animals

Charity fundraiser brings Big Easy to the Beltway.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is once again hosting the Mardi Growl Gala, the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year. This year’s gala has been dubbed MG3 and takes place on Friday, March 8, 2013, at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA. The two previous galas were sold-out events, and the AWLA is planning for the largest Mardi Growl ever. Tickets to MG3 can be purchased online at www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/MardiGrowl. Click here to read the full press release.

 

“You’re the One That I Want” Animal Adoption Special

Month-long adoption discounts on companion animals in Alexandria.

During the entire month of February, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be holding an animal adoption special called “You’re the One That I Want.” On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, all adult animals will have an adoption fee of just $14, and a select group of animals, the Furget-Me-Nots, will be available for adoption for $14 all month long. The AWLA has also created special Valentine’s Day e-cards featuring the Furget-Me-Nots and other adoptable animals at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. E-cards are available to those making an online donation of at least $10. More information about the League’s “You’re the One That I Want” promotion can be found at www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/URthe1. Click here to read the full press release.

Alexandria’s Animal Shelter Hosts Black Friday Adoption Special

Adopters can name their own adoption fee for animals ages 6 months and older.

The AWLA is once again hosting a Black Friday Adoption Special for homeless animals at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. Between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM on Friday, November 23rd, adopters will be able to name their own adoption fee for all animals ages 6 months and older. The minimum adoption fee required is $10 and adopters are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to the AWLA to help them continue to care for the region’s homeless animals and match them with loving families. The adoption event will take place at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, and potential adopters are encouraged to arrive early. Standard adoption rules apply. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Trap-Neuter-Return Program Launched in Alexandria to Help Feral Cats

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria works with citizens to humanely address population growth of free-roaming cats.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) today officially launched the first trap-neuter-return (TNR) program in the City of Alexandria to address the health, welfare, and growing numbers of feral cats in the City. Entirely financed by a PetSmart Charities grant and funds from Alley Cat Allies, the new TNR program will humanely and effectively reduce the population of free-roaming cats, beginning with two targeted neighborhoods. With assistance from Alley Cat Allies, the League will host TNR Community Workshops to discuss feral cats with residents of the Arlandria neighborhood, and the Sanger Avenue neighborhood on the City’s West End. Concerned citizens and feral colony caretakers are encouraged to attend the workshops to learn how they can be a part of the program and how to properly manage community colonies in their neighborhood. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Back-to-School Adoption Event Matches A+ Animals With Adopters

Unique promotions and adoption discounts to start the new academic year.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is holding the Back-To-School Adoption Event for the next four weeks. Each week features a different animal adoption promotion at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, and unique adoption discounts. The event celebrates the new academic year and the League’s first assignment is to find permanent, loving homes for all animals in the shelter before the end of summer. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Alexandria Walk to Raise Critical Funds to Assist Homeless Animals

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria hosts fall fundraiser to benefit all creatures, great and small.

The AWLA will host the first-ever Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals on October 21, 2012. The new event will raise awareness about pet overpopulation in Alexandria and the thousands of homeless animals that the AWLA cares for each year until they find permanent homes. The Walk will also raise funds to support the many AWLA programs that combat animal homelessness, promote responsible pet care, and match shelter animals with loving adopters. The Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals will begin at 9 AM at Market Square in historic Old Town Alexandria, and participants and their animal companions will complete a one-and-a-half-mile walk through Old Town, returning to Market Square. It is the only walk to benefit Alexandria’s homeless animals. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Alexandria Prohibits Use of Electronic Collars on Dogs as Form of Physical Restraint

Electronic training devices may be used in dog parks and during obedience training, but all dogs must be physically leashed in public

The City of Alexandria has adopted an ordinance that excludes electronic collars and similar electronic devices as legal methods to physically restrain dogs in public. At its June 16 public hearing, Alexandria City Council voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance, which goes into effect on September 1. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Summer Olympicats Adoption Event Helps Homeless Cats Find Permanent Homes

Adoption fees waived for all "cathletes" ages two and older through June 30

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is celebrating Adopt-A-Cat Month by hosting the Summer Olympicats Adoption Event at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. The goal of the event is to find permanent, loving homes for as many adoptable cats as possible during the month of June. Throughout the entire month, the League is waiving all adoption fees on cats ages two and older. All standard application processes and screening procedures remain in place. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Pet Photo Calendar Contest Showcases Local Pets While Raising Money for Homeless Animals

Annual competition begins June 1 and ends July 31

The AWLA is once again holding the annual Pet Photo Calendar Contest to benefit the homeless animals of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. The 2013 Calendar Contest, launched on June 1, allows pet owners to upload photos of their pets online and solicit votes for their companion animal. At the end of the voting period, the pet with the most votes wins the grand prize of a professional photo shoot with a pet photographer and the coveted cover photo on the AWLA's 2013 Calendar. Each vote costs $1 and all proceeds are used by the League to provide shelter, care, and find permanent homes for thousands of animals each year. Click here to read the full press release.

 

ASPCA’s Mega Match-A-Thon Adoption Event Unites Local Animal Shelters

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is one of seven participating organizations

The AWLA is one of seven local shelters participating in a two-day adoption event on March 31 and April 1 at the Washington Animal Rescue League. Discounted adoption fees for dogs and cats, $40 and $20 respectively, will also be honored at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter in Alexandria during the event. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Alexandria Animal Control Enforcing New Law Prohibiting Confinement of Animals in Hot Vehicles

New city ordinance will affect animal owners as temperatures rise

In November 2011, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and its animal control officers were instrumental in passing legislation prohibiting the confinement of animals in vehicles when the outside temperature is at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Since November, the City hasn't experienced many 70 degree days, but with spring and summer around the corner the League reminds all animal owners that the best option is to leave pets at home in a cool, air-conditioned environment. Click here to read the full press release.

 

2nd Annual Mardi Growl Gala Raises Funds to Help Homeless Animals

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria brings Bourbon Street to the Beltway

Mardi Growl, the League's largest fundraising event of the year, treats guests to traditional Big Easy entertainment, delicious eats from our finest local restaurants, and a silent auction full of treasures. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Dog Fatally Shot During Attack

Owners forced to shoot dog in self-defense after vicious attack inside home

The owners of a dog in Alexandria were forced to shoot their pet in self-defense after it mauled one of the co-owners inside their home on January 18. The dog had previously exhibited signs of resource guarding and turned on the victim after he moved one of the dog's toys with his foot. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Toy and Treat Drive To Benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Open House and Thank You Party hosted by Julie Wilson, America’s Ms. Virginia 2011

Click here to read the full press release and stop by between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012.

 

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Featured in Chamber of Commerce Competition and Chairman’s Gala

Online voting is open through January 31st

Click here to read the full press release and be sure to vote early and often for the AWLA.

 

City Council Approves Amendment

tougher enforcement for pets left in hot cars

The amendment protects dogs or other animals left in vehicles on hot days.  According to the Patch.com, "The new ordinance mandates that when a pet is left in a vehicle, the air conditioning must be running when the outside temperature is above 70 degrees so that ambient air temperature does not exceed 80 degrees. Anyone who violates the new ordinance will be charged with a class 3 misdemeanor, which carries a $250 to $500 fine."  The changes also grant Animal Control Officers additional authority to forcibly enter a vehicle to protect an animal in danger.

Read the full Patch.com article

 

Heat Wave Endangers Area Pets

Click here for information regarding pets and this summer's blistering heat.

 

Change Their Luck on Friday the 13th

Click here to learn about special adoption discounts for our black and partially-black cats from May 13-16.

 

National Animal Control Officers Appreciation Week: April 10-16

Click here to read about our animal control officers and share a smile when you see them in your neighborhood!

 

March 29 and April 5: League Welcomes Rescue Groups

Click here for more information about the upcoming Open House for area rescue groups. Please join us!

 

For other news and information, please contact the League at 703-746-4774 or staff@alexandriaanimals.org

Unique promotions and adoption discounts to start the new academic year.