Martha brings with her 30 years of experience as an animal sheltering professional. She has served as executive director of shelters in Tennessee, California and the nearby Animal Welfare League of Arlington. She has also held positions as Director of Advocacy for the Massachusetts SPCA, Senior Vice President of Companion Animals for the Humane Society of the United States.

Martha says she plans to advance the League's animal care and customer service programs, as well as to enhance the physical plant and fundraising programs.

“The Board of Directors, staff and I will be working hard so that all of our constituents--including all the animals in our care--receive the best possible care and service,” Martha said.

Martha and her husband Bob have adopted four shelter dogs over the years. They currently share their home with Angus, an 8 year old black Labrador who was found as a stray in the summer of 2002.

When you ask Elle Kime (age 14) and Katie Allen (age 11) how they spent their winter break, you will get an unusual answer: knocking on doors for the AWLA! Elle and Katie organized a donation drive in their neighborhood to benefit the animals at the AWLA.

The two junior high students distributed flyers in their neighborhood explaining that they would collect cash or donated items for the League. The girls then gathered the food, towels, blankets, cleaning supplies and cash donations from their neighbors.

The animals and staff at the League send a heartfelt thanks to Elle and Susie for all their hard work!

The AWLA would like to express sincere gratitude to the Alexandria Animal Hospital (AAH) for their enthusiastic participation as our first Annual Sponsor for 2009 at the Platinum giving level.

AAH's on-going support of the animals in our care is deeply appreciated by staff, volunteers and adopters alike. Not only does the hospital regularly donate money to help Shelter pets, the team members at AAH also generously contribute their time and invaluable veterinary services. In 2007 and 2008, The Hospital contributed approximately $100,000 per year in veterinary services for the animals in our care. On both a professional and a personal level, everyone at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria truly appreciates this commitment to our animals and to the community.

Unique within the veterinary community, Alexandria Animal Hospital is a full-service companion animal practice that operates 24 hours a day and has been providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care since 1942. Like the AWLA, Alexandria Animal Hospital strives to help individuals and families learn how to keep our best friends happy and healthy throughout their lives.

Will you be Jasmine’s Valentine? This beautiful, 1 year old mini Rex rabbit is waiting for her special Valentine gift: a loving adopter!

Jasmine was brought to the Shelter because her owner could no longer keep the bunny at her residence. She has been handled all her life and loves to snuggle under your chin!

Jasmine’s favorite treats include spinach and peanut butter treats and she has a charming habit of burrowing under blankets. This young bunny will bring her adopter years of fun and companionship. Come to the Shelter and say hello to this sweetheart.

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.

February 14th, 1 p.m.
Some Bunny to Love
Suzanne D’Alonzo, the League’s Manager of Training and Education will present a session focused on the basics of selecting and caring for a rabbit.

February 28th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bunny Fun Time
Bunny Behavior
Rabbits with Other Animals
Starting at 1 p.m., the Friends of Rabbits will present three sessions discussing bunny training and behavior. The first session will offer tips to train and keep your bunny busy and happy at home. The second session will help you better understand what subtle cues your bunny gives you and other pets with his or her movement. The final session will explore interspecies relationships and how to help all your companions live in peace.

While we love pets, please leave yours at home for these sessions. For more information on either day’s activities, please call Suzanne D’Alonzo at 703-838-4774 ext. 210.

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

February is the Month of Love and we at the AWLA think that one great way to celebrate is to share your love with the animals at the Shelter! We have a variety of special programs throughout the month of February—reminding everyone that animals bring love and laughter into our lives every day!

Double the Love for Half the Price
Have you met Nora and Nina? What about Percy and Pepsi? Or even Lulu and Lola?!? We have many fabulous pairs of bonded cats and kittens who would love to go home with their feline friend. These kitties LOVE each other and would bring double the love to their adopter’s home.

Any adopter who wants to bring home TWO cats or kittens during the month of February will pay half the regular adoption fee--$50 for the pair. Adopters will cover all costs associated with spay or neuter, as always.

Consider this to be the League’s way of “sharing the love” this month!

Late Night Love with Midnight Madness
On Saturday, February 21st, the AWLA will join with more than 20 other shelters across the state for a Midnight Madness adoption event. The Virginia Animal Control Association has invited all shelters in the state to have fun and stay open late in order to promote adoptions this month.

The AWLA staff is gladly jumping on the bandwagon. From 5 p.m. to midnight, the Shelter will be host a Midnight Madness party for all visitors. We will have light refreshments and plenty of animals to visit. The Adoptions Desk will be open for business—helping visitors meet with our furry friends.

Tell your friends, don your pajamas and come to the Shelter for late night fun.

Bunny Lovin’
In addition to Valentine’s Day, did you know that February is Adopt-a-Rabbit month? To celebrate, the total cost to adopt a bunny will be only $20—this includes the fee to spay or neuter your new bunny!

House rabbits (currently America’s third most popular pet) are social animals and enjoy spending time with people. Bunnies are very responsive and fun to train. Similar to cats, rabbits are easily litter-box trained and they groom themselves to keep their coats shiny, soft and clean.

Come celebrate Adopt-a-Rabbit month at the AWLA and discover how one or two of these faithful furry friends might enhance your life!

Sarah’s Fund
Torque is a gentle giant currently under the AWLA’s care. This two-year old Mastiff arrived at the Shelter in desperate need of eye surgery to correct a condition known as “cherry eye,” but first, we have to help Torque overcome his oversized case of pneumonia! During his treatments, Torque is patient and affectionate with all staff and seems to understand that we are trying to help him get better!

Much of Torque’s medical expenses will be covered by Sarah’s Fund—a designated fund for animals with special medical needs. If you are able, a donation to Sarah’s Fund will help Torque and the many other AWLA pets who need special care.

Please consider making a donation today!

Kuranda’s Donate-A-Bed Program
Tired of sending roses and chocolates to your sweetheart on Valentines Day? Why not give a gift that will bring comfort to Shelter residents for years! By donating a Kuranda dog bed to the AWLA you will provide a dry, soft, comfortable place for them to sleep during their time at the Shelter.

The Kuranda company (based in Glen Burnie, MD) supplies dog beds to shelters all across the country, including the AWLA. Currently, the AWLA uses Kuranda beds that measure 44" x 27," and you can easily donate one by clicking on their “Donate A Bed” link on their website: www.kuranda.com.

The dogs at the League will thank you for their good night’s sleep!

Six special pets are celebrating their birthday in February. Our warmest birthday wishes go out to:
Sonny – February 4th
Kelly – February 8th
B’lanna – February 8th
Avi – February 14th
Harrison – February 14th
Chester Benjamin – February 29th

Any pet can join our Birthday Club! To help celebrate that special day, each Birthday Club pet receives a card from Chewie, the League mascot, recognition in our E-Newsletter and in the Shelter lobby. 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.

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