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.

It's National Love Your Pet Day! 🐶🐱🐰🐦 How about celebrating by adopting an animal of your own to love? It's no surprise ...
02/20/2025

It's National Love Your Pet Day! 🐶🐱🐰🐦 How about celebrating by adopting an animal of your own to love? It's no surprise that animal guardianship can bring joy, fulfillment, and companionship.

According to the National Institute of Health, interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.

See just a few of our available animals for adoption. You can find ALL of our adoptable animals at www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/adopt.

📢Event time change (5:30 - 7 p.m.) & including 6th-8th grade students! 📢 There's still time to register for this youth e...
02/19/2025

📢Event time change (5:30 - 7 p.m.) & including 6th-8th grade students! 📢 There's still time to register for this youth event tomorrow!

Join our youth program team for a "Paint Your Dream Pet" portrait painting event TOMORROW. 🎨 **Students in grades 6th-12th** can paint an animal they currently have, one they've had in the past, or one they wish they had.

No experience is necessary. All supplies and some instruction provided, but painting is mostly self-guided. Cost is $10 per student. Event is for 6th-12th grade students. Space is limited.

🗓 Thursday, February 20 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
📍 AWLA | 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria
📱Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4j6Aypv

Do you know this found animal? 🚨 If you have access to neighborhood groups or websites like NextDoor, please share her ...
02/19/2025

Do you know this found animal? 🚨

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

▪️"Duchess" - Domestic medium hair cat (3050 Duke St., 22314)

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 picking up a lost pet.

So many sweet animals come to us with urgent medical needs, and we rely on Sarah’s Fund to supplement funding for these ...
02/19/2025

So many sweet animals come to us with urgent medical needs, and we rely on Sarah’s Fund to supplement funding for these life-saving treatments.

But Sarah’s Fund desperately needs to be replenished so that pets in our care have a chance for a happy, healthy future.

Please consider supporting Sarah’s Fund today! Together, we can make a tremendous impact on animals in your community.

Great news! 😻 SB 1051 passed the House! We appreciate everyone who reached out to their Delegate and asked them to vote ...
02/18/2025

Great news! 😻 SB 1051 passed the House!

We appreciate everyone who reached out to their Delegate and asked them to vote "yes" on this important bill.

Bills passed during this session will go into effect on July 1, 2025. We will keep you updated on the bill's final wording and how our Animal Services team plans to implement the legislation.

Buttercup’s been adopted! ⭐️There are some dogs who despise nail trims and ear cleanings. And then there's Buttercup. We...
02/17/2025

Buttercup’s been adopted! ⭐️

There are some dogs who despise nail trims and ear cleanings.

And then there's Buttercup.

We could go on and on about how sweet, gentle, and loving she is, but we think these photos pretty much sum it up.

This big ol' snuggleupagus is available for adoption. She'd love to find a home where she can live out her "lap dog" dreams!

We are open today (Monday, February 17) for Presidents Day! We will close early at 5 p.m. For animal-related emergencies...
02/17/2025

We are open today (Monday, February 17) for Presidents Day! We will close early at 5 p.m. For animal-related emergencies after hours, contact Animal Services at 703-746-4444.

Today is the last day of our Big Love Adoption Weekend! 💕 Adoption fees for all dogs 40+ pounds are waived. See some of ...
02/16/2025

Today is the last day of our Big Love Adoption Weekend! 💕 Adoption fees for all dogs 40+ pounds are waived. See some of the cuties still waiting for the perfect match.

Stop by during adoption hours (noon to 5 pm today) and we promise we'll help you find some "buddy" to love. 💗

Find your soulmate here: https://bit.ly/BigLoveAWLA

📍AWLA, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA

Which big dog should you adopt at our Big Love Adoption Weekend? 🤔 Consider these pup pairings based on your astrologica...
02/14/2025

Which big dog should you adopt at our Big Love Adoption Weekend? 🤔 Consider these pup pairings based on your astrological sign! 💫

Today through Sunday, all dogs 40+ pounds have WAIVED adoption fees. 💕 What better time to bring home some big love?

Come visit us today from noon until 7 p.m. or this weekend from noon until 5 p.m.

📍AWLA, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA
🐾 Find your soulmate here: https://bit.ly/BigLoveAWLA

📢 Action Needed: Ask Your House Delegate to Vote “Yes” on SB 1051 Last summer, our team investigated dog deaths related ...
02/13/2025

📢 Action Needed: Ask Your House Delegate to Vote “Yes” on SB 1051

Last summer, our team investigated dog deaths related to stays at the PetSmart PetsHotel at Potomac Yard. In the end, the PetsHotel was cleared of criminal wrongdoing due to insufficient evidence as determined by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. However, we did not believe the care provided at the PetsHotel during the time of the dogs’ stay was of an exceptional caliber due to the high number of animals being housed in relation to care staff.

This case brought attention to the fact that animal boarding facilities in Virginia, unlike animal shelters, are not subject to annual inspections, and instead are only subject to inspection if a complaint is filed.

We encouraged our community to reach out to state representatives to enact regulations and inspections for animal boarding facilities. We were thrilled when two legislators proposed companion bills in both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate to begin addressing the issue.

Senator Ebbin introduced SB 1051 and Delegate Lopez introduced HB 2313. Both bills initially required annual inspections by a state veterinarian, but due to fiscal impacts, they were amended to allow unannounced inspections by the local municipality’s animal control agency.

**Senator Ebbins bill is going to the House floor for a vote as early as tomorrow, Friday, February 14.**

While set regulations and required inspections would be ideal, the ability to conduct inspections of animal boarding/grooming facilities – without a complaint first being made – and make recommendations based on best practices would begin to ensure there is at least some oversight of an unregulated industry.

We encourage you to contact your VA State Delegate and ask them to vote “yes” on SB 1051.

You can find your State Delegate at https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov.

Do you know these found animals? 🚨 If you have access to neighborhood groups or websites like NextDoor, please share t...
02/13/2025

Do you know these found animals? 🚨

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

▪️"Chico" - Mixed breed dog (2246 N. Beauregard St., 22311)
▪️"Betsy" - Mixed breed dog (5690 Eisenhower Ave., 22310)
▪️"Lilo" - Domestic short hair cat (2801 Park Center Dr., 22302)
▪️"Goober" - Domestic short hair cat (Duke St., 22314)
▪️"Nyla" - Domestic short hair cat (1400 N. Beauregard St., 22311)
▪️"Peep" - Parakeet (600 Russell Rd., 22301)

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 picking up a lost pet.

It's time to bring home BIG LOVE. 💕 Medium and large dogs statistically have the longest stays in animal shelters across...
02/11/2025

It's time to bring home BIG LOVE. 💕 Medium and large dogs statistically have the longest stays in animal shelters across the U.S., but they have the most love to share.

We know you can't put a price on love, but in this case, we can. 😍 We are hosting a fee-waived adoption event for all dogs 40+ pounds this Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16.

Stop by during adoption hours and we promise we'll help you find some "buddy" to love. 💗

Find all of our eligible bachelors and bachelorettes here: https://bit.ly/BigLoveAWLA

We will be closing at 2 p.m. today (Tuesday, February 11) due to predicted inclement weather. ❄️ Animal meet and greets ...
02/11/2025

We will be closing at 2 p.m. today (Tuesday, February 11) due to predicted inclement weather. ❄️ Animal meet and greets and adoptions will be from noon until 2 p.m.

For animal-related emergencies, contact Animal Services at 703-746-4444.

"Another dog in the home required" is not something we put in a dog's adoption profile often, but Ike is a special boy w...
02/10/2025

"Another dog in the home required" is not something we put in a dog's adoption profile often, but Ike is a special boy who needs a dog friend to feel safe and confident.

Ike was found wandering in a local business' parking lot. He was a little skinny and a lot scared. Ike has made great progress with our behavior/training team and volunteers, but he needs a patient home to truly thrive.

Ike only wants to come out of his shelter enclosure if he sees one of his best dog buds is going out with him. He lights up when he realizes it's time to explore, play, and wrestle with friends! (Ike seems to prefer female friends, but he's also gotten along with male dogs, too.)

Ike is food motivated and knows sit and paw. With time, patience, and TLC, we know Ike will make someone (and another dog) a steadfast, loyal companion.

Do you have a confident, playful dog who could take Ike under their paw? Please come meet him at the AWLA!

(Video of Ike playing with adoptable Coco and Oakley in the comments.)

Registration for our Junior Volunteers and Pawsitive Action Club (PAC) both open TODAY at 10 a.m.! 🐾🐾 The Junior Volunte...
02/09/2025

Registration for our Junior Volunteers and Pawsitive Action Club (PAC) both open TODAY at 10 a.m.! 🐾

🐾 The Junior Volunteer experience is an eight-part program for 14-17 year olds. Junior Volunteers will learn all about the AWLA, shelter operations, fundraising and social media, animal body language, training and more. Each semester will consist of a mix of virtual and in-person sessions. Training starts March 6.

🐾 Pawsitive Action Club (PAC) is for 6th-8th grade students. Each meeting features a different topic, like shelter operations, animal care and control, veterinary medicine and more. The semester includes one meeting per month March - June.

Learn more about each program here: https://alexandriaanimals

us: happy spay & neuter month!Bruno: what does that mean?us: ✂️⚽️⚾️Bruno: ⬇️Bruno packs the purr-sonality. He loves catn...
02/08/2025

us: happy spay & neuter month!
Bruno: what does that mean?
us: ✂️⚽️⚾️
Bruno: ⬇️
Bruno packs the purr-sonality. He loves catnip, being brushed, and hosting guests. To meet him, email [email protected].

Well we're officially in 🩷LOVE🩷 with these photos! (Take a peek 👀 at a few.) If you participated in our Valentine's phot...
02/07/2025

Well we're officially in 🩷LOVE🩷 with these photos! (Take a peek 👀 at a few.)

If you participated in our Valentine's photoshoot fundraiser last weekend, please check your email for a link to download your images.

Thank you to Happy Paws Photography for sharing your time and talents with the AWLA! 💕 Fantastic work, as always!



(All of these animals are in loving homes.)

Little rays of sunshine on a cloudy day, these cuties will definitely bring you some joy! 🌞 These are just a few of the ...
02/06/2025

Little rays of sunshine on a cloudy day, these cuties will definitely bring you some joy! 🌞 These are just a few of the animals available for adoption, including some pups who arrived this week from our rescue partners.

You can see all of our animals waiting for homes at www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/adopt.

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

Website

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Videos

Pretty goofy is probably more accurate. 🤷‍♀️ Adoptable and totally cute Cookie is searching for a home that will cater to her extreme love of toys! Her life motto is “more is always more.” (Her current toy-to-mouth record is 5, but we think she can best it!) Cookie is 1.5 years old and has spent a lot of her young life waiting for a home. She’s an energetic, playful gal who needs a patient family to teach her the world isn’t so scary. She’s gotten along with dogs at the shelter, but we think she’d do best in a home without young children or cats. Her adoption fee is waived this month, thanks to Priority Toyota Springfield! #alexanimals #dc #dmv #adopt

There are two types of shelter dogs … stoic, ruggedly handsome, debonair, sophisticated, mysterious. And then there’s Mayo. 🤷‍♀️ Dash and Mayo are both looking for homes. Their adoption fees are waived - along with all small mammals and dogs/cats 6 months and older - thanks to Priority Toyota Springfield! #alexanimals #adopt

Sweet, but 🤏 🤪 Meet Bella, a perfectly sassy pint-sized pup, today from noon until 7 p.m. #alexanimals #adopt #dc #dmv

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