Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Inspiring compassion for all and providing shelter to animals in need since 1946. Offenders may be banned or posts may be blocked from the AWLA page.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is an independent, local, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Operating the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, an open-admission facility and Alexandria’s only animal shelter, the League touches the lives of more than 6000 animals every year, including strays, lost pets, local wildlife, rescue animals, and animals surrendered by their owners. The AWLA is committed t

o addressing animal homelessness, promoting animal welfare, and serving as an educational resource for the community. More information is at www.AlexandriaAnimals.org

DAILY ADOPTION HOURS: We open daily (except Wednesday) at noon for animal adoptions.
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Guidelines for Use of This page

Thank you so much for your interest in and support of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria! We’re so excited to share the stories of Alexandria’s animals, as well as our staff, volunteers and community. Commenting Policy:

AWLA reserves the right to delete all comments that contain

• Offensive language;
• Personal attacks;
• Inappropriate comments or posts about race, nationality, gender, orientation or religion;
• Spam or certain links to other sites, including content of a sales-oriented nature.

Our 2026 AWLA calendars - featuring Alexandria's 2026 Animal of the Year Romeo - are for sale! 🤩 These make wonderful gi...
12/11/2025

Our 2026 AWLA calendars - featuring Alexandria's 2026 Animal of the Year Romeo - are for sale! 🤩 These make wonderful gifts for animal lovers in your life! Here's how you snag your copies:

🐾 In-person at the AWLA: Come visit us at 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria during business hours! ($15 for one; $45 for 4)

📲 Online: Visit AlexandriaAnimals.org/Calendar-2026 and we will ship them to you! (Shipping costs included.)

All proceeds benefit the AWLA!

Do you recognize any of this week's found animals? 👀 Take a look and let us know!If you have access to neighborhood grou...
12/11/2025

Do you recognize any of this week's found animals? 👀 Take a look and let us know!

If you have access to neighborhood groups or websites like NextDoor, please share their photos and info there to help us find their family.

▪️"Pepperjack" - Mixed breed dog (3705 Mount Vernon Ave., 22305)
▪️"Diesel" - Mixed breed dog (Utica Ave., 22304)
▪️"Rummy" - Domestic short hair cat (unknown location)

If you have information about these animals or they are your lost pet, please email [email protected] or call 703-746-4774. You will need to provide proof of ownership when claiming a lost pet.

Help us make the season merry and bright for shelter and community animals! ❄️ From now until December 31, choose a wish...
12/10/2025

Help us make the season merry and bright for shelter and community animals! ❄️

From now until December 31, choose a wish list item from our Pawlidays Wish Tree in our shelter lobby (4101 Eisenhower Ave.) during business hours. Then, shop for the animals’ requested item(s) and drop off your donation at the AWLA any time during the month of December.

If you're not able to come in person, please consider purchasing items from our Woof & Whiskers Amazon Wishlist here: https://a.co/2EF8hjC. We are especially in need dry cat food and canned dog food!

Find more details here: https://alexandriaanimals.org/winterdrive/

We're excited to kick off Home for the Pawlidays! 🐾☃️ Now through December 31, all small mammals and dogs and cats 6 mon...
12/08/2025

We're excited to kick off Home for the Pawlidays! 🐾☃️ Now through December 31, all small mammals and dogs and cats 6 months and older have waived adoption fees, thanks to our friends at Priority Toyota Springfield.

You can find all of our available animals at www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/adopt.

Adoptable Max is the ultimate snow-day enthusiast! ❄⛄Whether he's strolling in the fresh powder or watching it fall from...
12/05/2025

Adoptable Max is the ultimate snow-day enthusiast! ❄⛄

Whether he's strolling in the fresh powder or watching it fall from the warmth of his foster mom's cozy couch, Max knows how to make the most of it!

Max has had a lot of admirers recently, but somehow hasn't found the perfect match. Max would prefer a home with a yard because he's not into long walks. He loves short outdoor breaks, food puzzles, and chew toys -- not all-day hikes. Max would adore being an only child, but has gotten along with other dogs his size (we can facilitate meet and greets).

Max is in a foster home. If you'd like to meet him, email us at [email protected]!

12/04/2025

Have you ever wondered if there is effective training alternative to a prong collar? 🤔 We’ve helped many dog parents ditch the prong collar!

We can help your dog with leash reactivity, as well as confidence building and chilling out. The next session of our Alexandria Animal Academy dog training classes begin this Sunday.

The personalized, low-cost classes are open to everyone - you do not need to be an Alexandria resident.

Participants receive individualized training plans, professional feedback from a certified instructor, and access to a group of likeminded dog parents. Learn more and register at AlexandriaAnimals.org/alexandriaanimalacademy/.

Do you recognize this found animal? 👀 Take a look and let us know!If you have access to neighborhood groups or websites ...
12/03/2025

Do you recognize this found animal? 👀 Take a look and let us know!

If you have access to neighborhood groups or websites like NextDoor, please share their photo and info there to help us find their family.

▪️"Cioppino" - Domestic short hair cat (Duke St. & Reynolds St., 22304)

If you have information about this animal or they are your lost pet, please email [email protected] or call 703-746-4774. You will need to provide proof of ownership when claiming a lost pet.

Alum Scottie wants to invite YOU to be part of the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade with the AWLA this Saturday...
12/03/2025

Alum Scottie wants to invite YOU to be part of the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade with the AWLA this Saturday! 🎄☃

We are looking for AWLA supporters to walk alongside our team! 🐶 Children and dogs (do not have to be an AWLA alum) are welcome, but please consider your dog's ability to handle the chaos of a parade environment.

If you're interested in joining us, complete this registration form: https://bit.ly/4aqIKyG.

🕰️  Time is running out to show your support for the AWLA’s amazing work — so please hurry and donate now! 😉Thanks to ou...
12/03/2025

🕰️ Time is running out to show your support for the AWLA’s amazing work — so please hurry and donate now! 😉

Thanks to our fabulous community, the AWLA has been able to accomplish so much throughout the year. By sending a generous gift, you will help us continue our critical work, such as:

🐕 Placing hundreds of animals in loving homes every year
😺 Offering low-cost services like our monthly vaccine clinics
🐰 Supplying food and pet supplies to struggling families
⚕️ Providing life-saving veterinary care for animals in need

So please, before comes to a close, click the link to donate. Giving only takes a couple minutes, but the impact of your kindness will last so much longer! 🔗 https://bit.ly/awla-givingtuesday2025

We’re just about at the halfway point for   and if you’ve already donated to the AWLA, THANK YOU! If you haven’t made yo...
12/02/2025

We’re just about at the halfway point for and if you’ve already donated to the AWLA, THANK YOU! If you haven’t made your gift to animals in need, you still have time to make a meaningful impact! ⏰

Your support means so much to sweet animals who deserve the chance at a happy life, just like Molly. If Molly could talk, she’d tell you how our donors’ generosity helped her find her loving family — after an early life filled with turmoil and hardship.

Molly had cycled in-and-out of our shelter after being picked up as a stray in Alexandria and even wandering the streets in Baltimore! However, after nearly 7 months in our care, Molly’s life changed forever when 11-year-old Elisa and her family met this sweet girl. They thought they were looking for a foster dog … but they found a family member.

Stories like Molly’s happen because of you! YOU have the opportunity to change lives just like Molly and her new family.

Please give for Molly and so many others. 🔗 https://bit.ly/awla-givingtuesday2025

Good morning and Happy Giving Tuesday!Today is a global day of giving, and we’re kicking it off by celebrating one of ou...
12/02/2025

Good morning and Happy Giving Tuesday!

Today is a global day of giving, and we’re kicking it off by celebrating one of our brightest success stories: Molly. 💙 🐾

Molly’s early life was a little tumultuous. She's come back to the AWLA (through no fault of her own) three times since 2018. But you know what they say — third time’s a charm! During Molly’s most recent stay with us, she spent nearly seven months in our care before the perfect family walked through the doors.

When 11-year-old Elisa and her family met Molly, it was love at first sight. They came in hoping to foster, but after Molly went home with them, they knew she was already family.

Molly is just one of the many examples of how your support gives animals a second chance and lets the AWLA strengthen our community through efforts like our no-cost vaccine clinics, low-cost spay/neuter and our Community Pet Pantry.

Start your day with kindness — make a Giving Tuesday gift now and help us reach our goal! 🔗 https://bit.ly/awla-givingtuesday2025

Address

4101 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA
22304

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+17037464774

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