When the Alexandria Police Department responded to a call over Thanksgiving weekend, the responding officer noticed that the resident’s cat appeared to be seriously injured and unable to bear weight on his hind leg. When asked what happened to the cat, his owner responded that she did not know. The cat, whose name was Marley, had been limping for the past two weeks, and his owner preferred to relinquish the cat to the police officer rather than take it to the vet.

Marley was then brought to our Shelter by the caring policeman. We immediately sent him to the veterinarian who discovered a significant fracture requiring immediate surgery. Marley is now recovering in our staff offices and quickly charming everyone with his affectionate disposition. After another examination by the veterinarian, we hope to place him up for adoption.

Marley’s surgery was extensive and costly and many other shelters would not be able to provide such care for their animals. Luckily, Marley has Sarah’s Fund to thank for this procedure. Sarah's Fund was created specifically for medical treatment that the League would normally be unable to afford. Generous donors contribute to this fund and help the AWLA provide needed medical treatment to animals in our care. Over the years, Sarah’s Fund has helped many adoptable pets make excellent recoveries from heartworm treatment, chronic eye complaints, recurring ear infections, injuries sustained in car accidents and many other serious health problems.

Please consider donating to Sarah's Fund so that we can continue to help animals like Marley.

Looking for a gift for the animal lovers on your list? The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s 2009 Calendar is on sale now! This full-color calendar was designed by Simpatico Design Studio and features all pet photos submitted in our Calendar Photo Contest. Contest winner Torch was photographed by PawPrints Photography and graces the cover. Contest runners-up were photographed by Expressions3 Photography and represent each month of 2009. Purchase your calendars for friends and family and help make this holiday season a little brighter for the animals! The calendars may be purchased at our Shelter, Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Center (3690-G King Street), Dogtopia (3121 Colvin Street), Barkley Square (2006 Mount Vernon Avenue) and Olde Towne School for Dogs (529 Oronoco Street) in Alexandria as well as Felix & Oscar (6671-A Backlick Road) in Springfield. 100% of the sales proceeds benefit the League.

Raven is a delightful, funny, smart Labrador Retriever mix who has been at our Shelter since the beginning of September, just waiting for the right home. Raven has a lot to offer someone — she's housebroken, knows a bunch of tricks, enjoys being in her crate and will give her favorite people lots of kisses. She has a lot of energy, despite being four years old, but settles down nicely; she has been with us many times behind our adoptions desk and has proven herself trustworthy. She likes older children, especially those that will play fetch with her. She would love a home where she can burn some calories (as she is a bit overweight) but where she can also use her amazing capacity for learning new skills — perhaps you'd like some help decorating your home for the holidays? Come meet Raven and the many other animals here at the Shelter — click here to see the hours we're open for adoptions.

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 our adoptable animal friends.

December 20
Caroling for Cats at the AWLA
Help the AWLA ring in the holidays during the month of December. This Saturday, December 20, the League will stay open until midnight (!) to promote adoptions and celebrate the season. Each night, Shelter elves will host craft activities, join sing-alongs with carolers and offer a great raffle prize.

Adoptions staff will be available to help potential adopters visit with our animals and review applications. Holiday refreshments will be served and pet stocking stuffers will be available for sale. The League will also be collecting unopened bags and cans of pet food for donation to a local pet food bank. What could be more fun this December? Come and spend a Saturday evening celebrating the holidays and helping our furry friends find homes during this special time of year!

February 14
5th Annual Black Tie & Tails Gala
Don’t forget to save Saturday, February 14, 2009 to join us at the 5th Annual Black Tie and Tails Gala! Click here for details.

To be added to our email list, please send an email to staff@alexandriaanimals.org.

Ways to Help the Shelter this Holiday Season
‘Tis the season to spread holiday cheer, and our furry friends would especially appreciate your help in the following ways:

• Donate items such as comforters and blankets or other items from our wish list (see below).
• Drop off unopened bags and cans of pet food for local distribution to pet owners in need. The League is trying to fill our new outreach van with donated food that will be brought to “Ani-meals,” a food assistance program operated by the Humane Society of Fairfax County.
• Visit our Shelter to help decorate our Giving Tree. For a small donation, you can decorate an ornament for the tree in honor of a beloved pet.
• Visit us during Caroling for Cats (December 20 from 5 p.m. ‘til midnight) and help make toys for Shelter animals, sing carols and enjoy some late-night cheer—you may even find a new Shelter friend to adopt!
• Make a special holiday donation to the League. Click here to help us help the animals!

• Washable blankets and comforters (no sheets or pillows, please)
• Towels
• Washable bath mats, throw rugs
• Gently-used, washable cat beds
• Washable cat and dog toys
• Paper towels
• Copy paper
• Newspaper
• Peanut butter
• Hot dogs
• Canned broth, chicken soup
• Gift cards to Pet Supply Stores, Target, Home Depot (for odds and ends that always need replacement and upkeep).

Shelter Open During the Holidays
The AWLA will be open throughout most of the holidays, so be sure to stop by to visit with our furry and feathered friends, update your pet’s license or purchase food or pet stocking stuffers! The Shelter will be open during regular business hours except on the following days:

• December 24th: Open until 2 p.m. for pre-scheduled animal pick-ups
• December 25th: Shelter Closed
• December 31st: Open until 2 p.m. for pre-scheduled animal pick-ups
• January 1st: Shelter Closed

The League would like to honor or remember six special pets with birthdays in December.

Uno – December 7th
Mama’s Baby – December 11th
Keaira – December 12th
Starr – December 18th
Binky – December 26th
Otis – December 28th

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.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to get your end of the year tax-deductible donations in!

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.