Programs

  • Animal Care and Adoption

    ANIMAL CARE: In FY24, we cared for 2699 animals (1385 cats, 1059 dogs, 255 small animals), and providing their daily care was our largest expense. Our team of shelter volunteers assisted AWLA staff to provide top-level care for every animal at the shelter. In FY24, shelter volunteers donated 23,144 hours to the AWLA, roughly equivalent to 12 full-time employees. These volunteers performed a range of tasks, including helping with laundry and dishes; walking dogs; staffing events; cleaning animal enclosures; maintaining the yards and landscaping; cleaning carriers; transporting animals to vet appointments; stocking supplies; socializing cats, feeding animals and helping at events. Volunteers also donated their time from home, helping our organization administratively as well as with enrichment activities for animals.To expand our sheltering capability and provide a unique, home-like environment for animals who might not thrive in the shelter (including newborn and sick or injured animals), we also coordinated a team of more than 123 volunteer foster providers to care for 540 animals in their homes in FY24. The AWLA strives to find placement for every animal that can safely and humanely be rehomed, and in FY24, we found placement for 96% of the pets in our care. To achieve this goal, our staff and volunteers went above and beyond to assist animals in our custody, focusing on animals' health, behavior, enrichment and more to provide them with the best care on their way to finding new homes. We also continue to work closely with other regional shelters and rescues in areas that may not have the same resources as ours, transferring animals to our facility to help those organizations with overpopulation and to increase our combined life-saving efforts. In FY24, we brought in 528 animals from several shelters and rescues in Virginia, as well as West Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and Texas. Many of the animals that come to us have health issues ranging from fairly minor to extremely serious, including infections, bone breaks/fractures, heart problems, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Our shelter veterinarian is responsible for examining the animals at the shelter and determining how to best meet each of their medical needs. In FY24, 356 animals with major medical concerns were treated by the AWLA.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $1.4M

  • Community Pet Support Programs

    COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: In FY24 we expanded our efforts to provide support to pet owners, so no one would need to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender a beloved pet for financial reasons. Through our Community Pet Pantry, we distributed over 56,000 pounds of supplies, as well more than 42,000 meals were provided to the pets of senior/housebound pet owners through our AniMeals program, and more than 34,000 pounds of food was distributed to pet owners in our community through local events and to other regional shelters and rescues. Our Spay and Neuter Assistance program 454 vouchers for this life-changing surgery, helping to control the population of homeless animals and prevent unexpected litters that might lead to animal surrender. Additionally, 2,463 vaccinations were provided to pets across the community. And the AWLA's Crisis Care program continued to provide limited-term boarding for pets whose owners are undergoing emergencies like loss of housing or hospital stays. Through these programs, we help countless animals in our community stay where they belong -- in homes where they are loved.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $638.2K

  • Adoption and Support Services

    ADOPTIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES: In FY24, the AWLA administered 1501 adoptions, including dogs and cats but also rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, and even sugar gliders. We expanded our efforts to make sure all adopters are receiving the level of follow-up support they need in case they have any behavioral or medical questions about their new pet, and our Behavior Hotline has offered guidance to dozens of pet owners to help overcome issues that might otherwise lead to the surrender of a pet. In FY24, our total number of in shelter training sessions was 6,828. Additionally, we established the Alexandria Animal Academy, a virtual training program assisting dog guardians with common training issues. The inaugural cohort consisted of ~ 50 participants.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $461.5K