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| January 2009 |  |
Inauguration Days at the Shelter
“Party animals” aren’t just donkeys and elephants on Inauguration Day if you ask the dogs, cats, bunnies and guinea pigs at the AWLA. The AWLA will be open from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. on both January 19 and 20. Families who apply for an animal during the holidays for Martin Luther King Day and the Inauguration on the 19th and 20th respectively will be offered a reduced adoption fee of $20.09. The spay or neuter fee still applies to any unaltered animal up for adoption.
“Adopting an animal brings untold rewards,” Kim Wilson, AWLA Adoption Counseling Manager said. “Spend Inauguration Day with us at the AWLA and you may find a lifetime of love in return. That should get everyone’s vote.”
AWLA Volunteer Teaches
in and out of the Classroom
Cathie Kaplan may be a relatively new volunteer to the AWLA, but she has years of experience with birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats and many other companion animals!
Cathie has spent 27 years as a science teacher for children in kindergarten through third grade. Cathie’s students love to hear about her pets, and she even brings them to school with her. Cathie said that her guinea pigs are very popular, but students are especially intrigued by her three cockatiels who freely explore her classroom.
Cathie uses her own pets to demonstrate the advantages of adopting a pet. She has made an information sheet about adoption and encourages her students’ families to visit the Shelter rather than a pet store.
Cathie hopes that all her students’ families understand that pet care is a shared responsibility. Cathie said, “You can’t expect a child to be responsible for a pet. It is a family commitment.”
The AWLA is fortunate to have Cathie’s support both in and out of the classroom! 
Didn’t get a great AWLA calendar over the holidays? The calendars may be purchased at the 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.
Celebrate Adopt-A-Bird Month with the AWLA
Looking for a chirpy friend to greet you at breakfast every morning? In honor of Adopt-A-Bird month, consider adopting a parakeet or two!
Parakeets make excellent pets for almost anyone. They are just as happy in studio apartments as they are in large homes and are bright, friendly companions. Parakeets have tuneful voices and fun personalities.
Parakeets need an appropriately-sized cage, good quality bird pellets, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables and as much attention as you can provide. With regular wing-trimming, you need not worry about your little friends flying away, and parakeets can be trained to sit on your finger. Come to the Shelter and meet some of our charming little friends.
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.
Join like-minded “bird brains” at the AWLA on Saturday, January 31st for an afternoon filled with bird information and training tips. In honor of Adopt-A-Bird month, Suzanne D’Alonzo, Training and Education Manager, will offer two bird-themed workshops. The first session, beginning at 1 p.m. will focus on “Finding a Feathered Friend,” and focus on choosing the right bird to suit your lifestyle. The second session, starting at 2 p.m. will explore different ways to socialize a bird and help him or her acclimate to a new home. Although the Shelter is animal friendly, please leave your pets at home for these sessions.
The organization Care2 is hosting an online contest, "America's Favorite Animal Shelter." By clicking on the link below and voting for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, you can help the AWLA win a grand prize of $10,000 or any number of runner's up prizes. Voting ends January 31st, so please vote today by clicking on this link: http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/
Your generosity can help 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 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 newsletter or on our website at www.alexandriaanimals.org to make a contribution.
To be added to our email list, please send an email to staff@alexandriaanimals.org.
February 14: Black Tie and Tails: Dance with the
“Dog Who Loved Me!”
Spend Valentines Day with AWLA! Plan to attend our 5th Annual Black Tie & Tails Gala on Saturday, February 14, 2009, 7:30pm - 11:00pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Alexandria. This year’s theme is “007 – The Dog Who Loved Me” and is an homage to James Bond. Activities include a live auction, dancing to the music of Charlene Cochran & the Fifth Avenue Band, a mutt-ini bar featuring canine cocktails, a doggy buffet, and more! Guests may browse our Vendor Row of pet friendly businesses or choose to take a commemorative photograph using “green screen” technology.
Tickets are $150 per person/$275 per couple. Each ticket includes one dog. RSVP deadline is February 6. Overnight guests may take advantage of the hotel’s special discounted room rate by calling Ingrid Gregory at the Holiday Inn 703/299-0792. For more information please call 703/838-4774 or visit the Special Events page of our website.
“Thank you” to everyone who generously donated bags of dog and cat food during the month of December. We filled an entire van full of food and delivered it to the Fairfax County Humane Society which will distribute the food through their Ani-meals program, which serves those in Northern Virginia who struggle to provide food for their furry companions. Thank you!
The League would like to honor or remember special pets with birthdays in January.
Sable – January 1st
Tiger – January 1st
Max – January 1st
Brownie – January 4th
Sammy – January 12th
Nora – January 29th
Onyxx Gunn – January 29th
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.
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