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| August 2008 |  |
Diego gives a big kiss to a staff member
Can you help Diego, Brandy, Patsy and Kramer? All four of these dogs have tested positive for heartworm disease, a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals. While we do treat dogs for heartworm, it costs approximately $400-$500 per dog and we have never had four dogs to be treated at once!
- Diego is a 1.5 year old Boxer/Retreiver mix who was brought to us by a rural rescue group where he spent most of his life on a chain. He is outgoing, learns quickly and is very charming.
- Brandy, a 9 year old Jack Russell, was purchased specifically to be used for breeding. She was kept outside, and has had many litters. Now that she is 9, her owner decided that he didn't want her any longer. We don't know how her owner could have kept her outside as all she wants is be in your lap and snuggle.
- Patsy, an adult Black and Tan Coonhound mix, was rescued from a horrible situation (see related story on this page). Despite the conditions in which she was living, she is loving and very, very sweet.
- Kramer, an older black Labrador Retriever, was found as a stray. He was wearing a collar with a name tag that said "Kramer" but no phone numbers or address. He appears to be a purebred, is very attentive, and adores tennis balls.
The treatment for each dog will take about six weeks in total as there are three injections given a number of weeks apart. When being treated for heartworm, it is important that the dog remain as calm as possible so each of these dogs will reside in our staff offices during their recovery. It will be a few weeks before each dog is healthy enough to go to a new home. They all also need to be spayed/neutered but need to be heartworm-free first.
A contribution to Sarah's Fund, a special fund that allows us to help animals with special needs, will go a long way toward the care of these four wonderful dogs. Thank you for your help!
Ford enjoying some time with his Volunteer friend
The League is very fortunate to have many devoted Dog Companion volunteers. Volunteers visit the shelter daily and while here, they walk dogs, reinforce good manners and good habits, and provide the dogs with the mental and physical stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy. This socialization is particularly important for puppies. Our volunteers spend time with puppies and help them develop polite behavior and well-rounded personalities, while getting ready for life beyond the shelter.
Ford (above) was one of a litter of puppies born at the shelter. Soon after, Mom and all the pups went into a foster home with one of our wonderful volunteers. Although Ford was the last of the puppies to find a new home, his future is a bright and happy one with adopters who hope to teach him to be a therapy dog. With his temperament, we think he'll be just perfect in that role!
A special thanks to all our Volunteers!
If you are interested in having an Animal Control Officer or other staff speak to your school, camp or similar group, please contact the League's Special Event Coordinator, Diann Hoenthaner, at 703-838-4774 ext. 216 for more information.
The League would like to honor or remember six special pets with birthdays in August.
Stanislaus – 2nd
Hannah –8th
Dusty – 16th
Bunter – 18th
Truman – 24th
Ashley – 26th
Any pet can join our Birthday Club! To help celebrate that special day, each Birthday Club pet receives a birthday card, recognition in our E-Newsletter and in the Shelter's display case. Best of all, lifetime membership is only $10 and proceeds help the League find homes for Shelter animals so that they can also enjoy the good life with a family that cares. To enroll, click here.
Animal lovers from all over our area are invited to help us celebrate the joys of having "Somebody to Love" at our Annual Dinner and Silent Auction this fall. Please consider joining us by supporting this important event with a sponsorship or an advertisement in this evening's program. Funds from this event enable us to continue our efforts to improve the lives of our area's animals. For more information on this exciting opportunity, please contact Lisabeth Adams, Director of Development, at 703-838-4774 ext. 206.
Sandee is an 8 year old Wirehaired Jack Russell Terrier Mix. She is a great little gal who is quite curious and interested in exploring everything around her. She is also an attentive, polite dog, with plenty of fun up her sleeve.
Sandee already knows how to "sit" and "speak" for treats and toys—she especially enjoys soft toys and balls and is an enthusiastic fetch player! This fun girl will even retrieve tennis balls tossed into the water and likes to swim. Sandee would be a great "first dog" and can be placed in a home with children over 8 years.
Visit www.alexandriaanimals.org to view more animals available for adoption or stop by the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, located at 4101 Eisenhower Ave., for a personal visit with Sandee or her adoptable animal friends.
It's August and things are heating up. Here's what to look for!
Alexandria Animal Matters on Comcast
Alexandria Animal Matters is officially on the air! The show airs on Monday evenings in Alexandria on Comcast channel 69 at 6:30 p.m. Make sure to tune in for an informative and entertaining show filled with "Alexandria Animal Matters."
The Pet Calendar Photo Contest is in full swing with many amazing animal pictures being entered and voted on. There's still time for you to submit your pet's photo for a chance to win a professional photo sitting and a spot as a Pet of the Month or the top honor of the 2009 Calendar cover. The deadline for entry is noon on August 22. For complete rules and an entry form please go to our web site at www.alexandriaanimals.org.
Have Animals, Will Travel! Come see us the first Thursday of every month through October at Barkley Square Del Ray from 6-9pm. We'll be there with adoptable animals for you to meet and staff to answer any questions you might have. Barkley Square is located at 2006 Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.
Come party with some of our adoptable dogs in the courtyard of the Hotel Monaco Alexandria in Old Town. We'll be there most Thursdays each month through October from 5-8pm for their Doggie Happy Hour. Plan to also attend their Doggie Happy Howloween Costume Contest to benefit AWLA on October 30. The Hotel Monaco Alexandria is located at 480 King Street.
It was so much fun last year, they decided to do it again! It's almost time for the Second Annual Olde Towne Dogge Walke. Join Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and Alexandria Mascot Alex for a morning walk through Olde Towne Alexandria. The mile-and-a-half walk will kick off from the Olde Towne School for Dogs when Washington-area animal lovers and their four-legged friends take to the streets to raise money for the care of abandoned and homeless animals in the community. The event takes place on September 14 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds from this event will benefit the League. Olde Towne School for Dogs is located at 529 Oronoco Street. See you there!
The AWLA is civic minded! We will be guests of the Wellington Civic Association's Annual Picnic at River Farms on September 7 from noon until 3pm. Stop by our tent to say hello and see whom we've brought with us.
What's a parade without AWLA dogs? Come see us at the Cameron Station Community 10th Year Anniversary Dog Parade on September 20. Starting at 10 a.m. there will be children's activities and a stroller parade. Not to forget our four legged friends, a dog parade will follow. Come and join the fun!
Plans are underway for our Annual Dinner and Silent Auction! Come join us for this special evening when we share the successes of the past year and honor some of the special people who have distinguished themselves on behalf of the animals, while bidding on fabulous auction items. This year's items include sporting goods, artwork, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, tours, hotel stays, animal-themed items and more! Circle October 25 on your calendar and come join in on the fun!
Join us at Old Town Pool, 1609 Cameron Street from 4 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday September 2 (Rain Date: September 3) for the Annual Doggie Day Swim. In celebration of the end of the pool season, the Old Town Pool will remain open for dogs only to swim and play while the owners enjoy themselves poolside. There is a nominal fee for dog admission and the proceeds benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Please make sure to bring your own doggie dish for water. Dog handlers must be 16 or older. All dogs should wear current vaccination tags or proof of vaccinations must be shown. For additional information, call 703-519-2160 or 703-838-4774 ext.225.
To be added to our email list, please send an email to staff@alexandriaanimals.org.
June Carter, one of the seizure case dogs
When the Middleburg Humane Foundation called for assistance with dogs from a large seizure case, we immediately said we’d help. While this article gives some of the details, it doesn't begin to describe the horrors that Animal Control and Humane Investigators found. They removed 65 animals from the property, most of which were dogs in varying states of emaciation.
The League responded by taking four Beagles and a Coonhound mix – all of which are adult dogs. The Beagles - Johnny Cash, June Carter, Wynonna and Naomi - are all available for adoption. Patsy, the Coonhound, has been diagnosed with heartworm and will be undergoing treatment as soon as she is strong enough. All four of the Beagles will need to be spayed/neutered and will likely need a dental cleaning as well; several of these dogs will also probably do best being placed with another dog, as they are a bit frantic when by themselves; this is not uncommon in dogs who have been found in situations like this where they have always been surrounded by other animals. Despite the horrible conditions in which they were found, they are all very loving and very people-oriented.
The League is fortunate to be able to offer assistance to other shelters and rescue groups and is grateful for your continued support, which allows us to help other organizations in our community during times like this.
Kuranda USA is a small manufacturing company established in 1987 and based in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1995 they designed the original rectangular dog bed (the RDB), which was an immediate hit and introduced the poly resin bed in 1998.
They offer a program that was created so supporters of shelters throughout the country could send sturdy Kuranda dog beds and cozy fleece pads directly to the animals at various shelters. The AWLA is registered for this program and is in great need of new beds for our animal residents.
Kuranda's "Donate A Bed" program enables individuals to donate beds at discounted prices. Just select the AWLA in the link below and follow the instructions. The donation, which is 30% to 35% off the retail price, will be sent in your name directly to the Shelter to provide comfort to a pet. We are also in need of replacement parts for existing Kuranda beds here at the Shelter. For more information, please contact Megan Brooks at 703-838-4774 ext. 202 and go to www.kuranda.com.
The AWLA and MACY'S are pleased to partner in offering you a unique opportunity to receive 10% or 20% discounts on your MACY'S purchases and a chance to win a $500 gift card for one day only at MACY'S stores nationwide! Buy your shopping pass from the AWLA for only $5. 100% of the proceeds from each pass sold by the League will stay with us to support our shelter animals and our other services to the community. Visit us at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue to purchase your shopping passes. Buy several to send to friends and family for use at their local MACY'S stores on September 20. For more information, please call us at 703-838-4774 ext. 216.
Your generosity can help provide the financial stability that enables the League to care for thousands of animals at the Shelter each year, find them permanent homes, extend outreach services into the community, and educate youth and adults about being part of the solution. By choosing either a one-time donation or perhaps an ongoing monthly gift, you can help us help the animals in our care and in our community. Simply click on the "Donate Now" button at the end of this e-newsletter, or on our website at www.alexandriaanimals.org to make a contribution.
The United Way of the National Capital Area consists of a far-reaching network of more than almost 900 agencies assisting people in your community - your neighbors, friends, and family. Through the combined annual campaigns, employees in local businesses and governments donate small portions of each paycheck to the United Way. Those payroll deductions add up to millions in annual monies that are distributed to causes directly impacting our community. In fact, United Way donations are the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's single largest source of donated funds.
These campaigns' fundraising efforts support non-profit organizations like the AWLA that help people and animals from all walks of life. In Alexandria, we value the lives of animals and the welfare of our pets. If you would like to make a donation to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria through the United Way, Combined Federal Campaign and/or the Combined Virginia Campaign please note, our identification numbers for donations are the following:
United Way 8372
CFC 92767
CVC 8068
Please look for these AWLA numbers when attending UW/CFC sponsored events.
- Peanut Butter
- Hotdogs
- Towels
- Blankets
- New Toothbrushes (to clean out kong toys for our dogs)
You are receiving this e-mail because your name is on the League's mailing list. If you wish to no longer subscribe, please send an email to staff@alexandriaanimals.org. We never sell or share our list.