In order to help little ones when they need help the most, the League developed a foster program. The program is supported by our wonderful volunteers who open their hearts and homes to little kittens (and sometimes cats, dogs and puppies too!) Volunteers take our kittens home to love, feed, and socialize them until they are ready for adoption.

Annita is a Cat Companion volunteer at the League and has also fostered many of our cats and kittens. "I really love to foster kittens. I love to watch the kittens grow from being dependent on their mother for nourishment and affection and being dependent on me for healthcare and socialization, to being healthy, independent kittens ready for adoption," said Annita. "Through fostering and volunteering, I am constantly learning new tidbits about animal behavior and health, and I can help build awareness of the shelter's cause. I have seen and learned first-hand the importance of spaying and neutering."

Annita finds volunteering very rewarding. "Volunteering at the shelter has become a humbling learning experience for me. Working with animals that have been abandoned or abused, or given up due to unfortunate circumstances, reminds me to slow down and enjoy each moment of life and teaches me to be more accepting of and patient with the world around me," said Annita. If you are interested in fostering, please contact our Manager of Volunteer Services at (703) 838-4774 ext. 225.

Volunteers Needed For Animal Awareness Camp
Do you have some spare time one week this summer? Enjoy working with kids ages 9-12? Love animals? If so, here's your chance to help out with the League's summer camp! Great opportunity to have fun and get more acquainted with how our shelter functions; also assist with a humane education program that teaches about issues related to pet care/responsibility! Please contact Lesa Miller at (703) 838-4774, ext. 210 for more information.

Hooray Camp Sponsors!
The League would like to sincerely thank both Inge English (adopter and League contributor) and Howard Bontz (League contributor and former Board member) for sponsoring three children to attend Animal Awareness Camp 2008. Their generosity makes it possible for kids who ordinarily would not have been able to, spend a week at the League's summer camp learning how to be more responsible around pets and fostering an already huge appetite for anything animal!

First Thursday at Barkley Square
Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique hosted the AWLA on June 5 as part of the Del Ray First Thursday events. Many people stopped by to meet adoptable dogs Ernie and Heidi. The star of the evening was Alice Anne, a green Iguana who brought out the curiosity in children and adults alike. The event provided an opportunity to showcase our Pet Calendar Photo Contest and discuss various AWLA programs. Our thanks to Kristina Robertson and the staff at Barkley Square for their support. The new Barkley Square is located at 2006 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.

Second Thursday Art Night This first time event entitled "All About Dogs" was a big success! Visitors were invited - along with their canine friends - to stroll through artisan studios at the Torpedo Factory on Thursday, May 8, 2008. The League had set up a table at the entrance, adorned with literature, photos of homeless animals at the shelter, a staff member, and three volunteers who donated their time and energies that night! Near the end of the evening, an unexpected surprise: the League was handed a check for $615 from a two-month long knitting project organized by Kathy Beynette, Tory Cowles, and Sheep Jones! On behalf of the homeless animals, our thanks to each one of you behind this wonderful project!

Alexandria Animal Matters on Comcast
Our new program, Alexandria Animal Matters is officially on the air! The show premiered on June 9 and will be aired 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."

Kiki, our pet of the month, is a great example of the benefits of adopting an older cat. An adult cat's personality is already established. Essentially, you know what you're getting; kittens sometimes don't turn out the way you expect them to. You also know what type of fur they'll have, how much they'll shed, how big they'll be, whether or not they're talkative or give love bites. Looking for a lap cat? Choose an adult cat with a known history of liking to cuddle (it's hard to tell with active kittens if they'll EVER want to snuggle!).

Adult cats still enjoy playing and thankfully, they've outgrown that crazy kitten phase of climbing curtains and/or your leg.

• In many cases, adult cats are already spayed or neutered, and up to date on vaccinations.
• Adult cats often bond with their new owners more rapidly and with more vigor than youngsters.
• An adult cat is often a better choice for today's active lifestyles than a kitten who needs constant supervision.
• Indoor cats commonly reach ages of 17 years or more. You and your adult cat should enjoy many, many years together.

We all know that cats don't really have nine lives. All the more important that the one life cats do have is a long, happy one with their human caretakers. Each year, hundreds of adult cats are brought to the League by owners who say they can no longer keep them. The reasons vary - sometimes its a matter of inconvenience, lack of knowledge, or poor planning. Other times, relinquished animals are the result of life-altering circumstances beyond the owner's control. Nevertheless, these cats are often over 4 years old, have settled down out of the kittenhood stage, are litter box trained, have many good years ahead of them, and have the same great personalities that younger cats do. What great candidates for adoption! Unfortunately, Shelter visitors are frequently drawn toward the antics of kittens, while never considering older cats who have all the benefits without the added responsibilities and challenges of a young kitten.

Don't Forget about our Pet Calendar Photo Contest

All Pets are Eligible! All Entries will appear in the Calendar. The Photo with the Most Votes Wins! The entry that receives the most votes will receive a custom pet portrait from PawPrints Photography, which will be featured on the calendar cover and presented at the AWLA's Annual Dinner on October 25, 2008. Each of the 13 runners-up will win a free professional photo shoot from EXPRESSIONS3 studio. The photographer's choice of photo from each session will be featured as a "Pet of the Month" or "Year at a Glance" photo along with the original photo submission. Winners must be available for an in-studio photo shoot between August 27 and September 14, 2008.

Submit a quality 4x6 photo of the PET ONLY - no people. Photos cannot be returned. Digital photos must be printed on photo paper. On the back of the photo, attach a sticky note with pet's name, owner's name, and phone number. Do not write directly on the photo. The entry fee is $25.00 per pet and entries must be received by noon on August 22, 2008. One free calendar is included for every entry. Make checks payable to AWLA. Submission of an entry form grants the AWLA the right to publish, use, adapt, edit and/or modify such photos in any way, in any and all media, without limitation and without consideration to the entrant.

How to vote for your favorite pet photo:
Each vote is $1.00; there is no limit on the number of votes cast. You may vote for your own photo. Encourage family, friends and neighbors to cast their votes for your pet's photo! Voting starts as soon as the photo is submitted.

Voting can be done by mail, at the Shelter, or by calling (703) 838-4774 ext. 216. Votes made over the phone with a credit card are restricted to a $25.00 minimum. Additional voting will be done at events throughout the area. All votes must be received by noon on August 22, 2008. To make sure the vote is credited to the correct photo, votes must identify both the pet and owner's name. Winners will be notified on or about August 25, 2008 and the calendar will be revealed at the League's Annual Dinner on October 25, 2008. For more information please call (703) 838-4774 ext. 216.

With the warm weather here, there are some important things to remember to keep your pet safe and cool.

• It's tempting to take your dog with you as you do your errands, but PLEASE DON'T! On a warm day, the temperature in a car can exceed 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation when trapped in a hot car. If you see an animal left alone in someone else's car, call the police immediately at (703) 838-4444. Police will contact Animal Control officers, who are authorized to remove the animal if it is determined that it is in distress.
• Be alert to the signs of heat stress - heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If your pet has become overheated, you must lower his body temperature immediately. Move him into the shade or an air-conditioned area and apply cool (not cold) water all over his body. Let him drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. And immediately take him directly to a veterinarian - it could save his life.
• Keep pets indoors whenever possible. If not, ensure that your pet has access to shade and cool water at all times.
• On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, especially with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats.
• If your pet must travel with you, it's a good idea to carry a thermos filled with fresh, cool water for him.
• Be aware of events involving fireworks, such as Fourth of July celebrations. Many dogs are sensitive to the noise from fireworks and are happier left in the comfort and safety of their home.
• Prevent free access to pools and always supervise pets in and around pools.
• Mosquitoes abound during the summer. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be deadly. Check with your vet about heartworm prevention medication.
• Summer is also prime flea and tick season. Protect your pets with preventative treatments recommended by your vet.

The League would like to honor or remember seven special pets with birthdays in June.

Sylvester - June 1
Pandora - June 4
Christina - June 11
Petie Squiggy - June 12
Magnolia - June 21
Gizmo - June 21
Sparky - June 25

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.

Your generosity would 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. Please contact our Development Department at (703) 838-4774 for further information.

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