Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Celebrate the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s 80th Anniversary!

It all started in 1946 when 26 Alexandrians with a concern for animals in their community formed one of the first nonprofit humane organizations in metropolitan Washington. Generations of committed community members, from donors to volunteers, grew the AWLA into much more than a shelter. Today, the AWLA offers animal adoptions, pet food and veterinary care for families in need, youth education programs, and animal control services. 

Thanks to the support of generous donors like you, our staff and volunteers provide care for more than 4,000 shelter and community animals each year!

Your Spring2ACTion gift helps provide emergency medical care to animals in need

For 80 years the Alexandria community has demonstrated just how much they value the AWLA mission to serve animals and the people who love them, and our work is still not done.

Unfortunately, some of the animals that enter our shelter arrive in dire conditions that require immediate and costly emergency care. The AWLA established Sarah’s Fund so we always have the resources available to provide the life-saving care these animals needed. 

Below are just three heartwarming stories of animals that were recently saved thanks to Sarah’s Fund in 2025. To ensure we continue to have the necessary funds to care for animals with emergency medical needs, all contributions from Spring2Action help to replenish Sarah’s Fund.

Mia’s Story

Mia came to our shelter in Winter 2025 after escaping a life of neglect. Our team quickly learned that Mia was suffering from a severe form of Demodex, a painful type of mange. Her fur had fallen out in large patches all over her body, leaving her skin cracked, bleeding, and infected. Thanks to Sarah’s Fund we were able to provide the long-term care she needed including medicine and medicated baths. Her coat is starting to grow back and we are excited to see her playful personality shine! Her treatment is not over yet, but we are happy to report that she is enjoying life in her new home.

Momma’s Story

In June 2025, Momma was found in a wet cardboard box, pregnant with three newborn puppies. We arrived in time to save the underweight and anemic Momma, but sadly the unborn and newborn puppies passed away. Thanks to Sarah’s Fund we were able to provide Momma with emergency surgery she needed to save her life and remove the deceased puppy inside her and administer the long-term critical care she needed to recover. After four weeks of receiving expert attention, Momma’s healing journey reached a new milestone - finding a family! Today she lives with a family committed to continuing her specialized medical care alongside her canine sister, Luna.

Jasper Joon’s Story

Jasper Joon arrived at the AWLA in September 2024 with severe open wounds on his face, neck, and body. Thanks to Sarah’s Fund, we were able to provide the intensive and specialized care needed to combat an uncommonly-found antibiotic-resistant infection. Today, Jasper enjoys a relaxing life with his adoptive family, who named him Jasper Joon because it means “bringer of treasure,” but we think Jasper himself is the treasure!

Without Sarah’s Fund and the generous community of Alexandria, these animals may not have had a second chance at life. However, we need to replenish funds if we are to continue to save the lives of pets like Mia, Momma, and Jasper Joon. Please give a gift to benefit the AWLA for Spring2ACTion!

More than a shelter: Serving pets and the people who love them since 1946!

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has impacted thousands of animals and pet parents through a wide variety of community programs. Beyond sheltering homeless pets and finding them loving homes, the AWLA has many programs that support our community, keeping pets right where they belong: with the people who love them! 

From life-saving surgeries, to pet supplies and nutritious food, to behavioral training sessions and so much more, the AWLA has worked hard to provide comprehensive pet retention services to support Alexandria's pets and people.