Animal Welfare League of Alexandria 2022 Annual Report

Together WeMakeaDifference

2022 Annual Report

Together We Make a

Since 1946, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has been a beacon of hope for animals in our community and the people who love them. Because of our generous donors, we have had the resources to accomplish our mission, which has supported pet families and at-risk animals for over 75 years! Because of our supporters, over the past year we’ve been able to help animals in need through emergency medical intervention. Because of our donors, we’ve been able to provide tens of thousands of pounds of free pet food and supplies to families in our community. Because of our donors, we’ve been able to enrich the lives of our friends and neighbors. Our belief that all animals deserve love and care is the motivation that fuels our mission, and our donors are the inspiration. All families are entitled to experience the unconditional love of a pet regardless of race, income level, age or background. Supporting people and pets improves the health and well-being of our community, and we saw that happen time after time in 2022. When you read our 2022 Annual Report, which catalogs our successes from the past year, all made possible by our

amazing supporters, we hope you come away with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Working hand-in-hand with the people in our community, we look forward to another year supporting the animals who enrich our lives daily. Sincerely,

Stella P. Hanly, Executive Director

310 spay/neuter vouchers provided 3,352 calls to Animal Services 52,400 pounds of pet food/ supplies provided throughout the community vaccinations provided to pets across the community 1,151 Over

Together We

Lacey’s story began when a concerned resident called our Animal Services team about a dog who had wandered into her yard. Lacey, a 3-year-old terrier mix, had a severely damaged back paw, and she had worsened the injury by chewing on it because of the pain. It was determined that Lacey’s leg required amputation if she was going to be saved. But first, we had to address Lacey’s severe anemia before any veterinarian would consider her for surgery. Our medical team began a regimen of regular bandage changes, antibiotics, pain medicine and supplements to get her healthy enough for surgery. Thanks to our incredible community of donors who rushed their financial support, we had the resources to provide the life-saving surgery Lacey needed and help several other animals in our care! To cap it all off, Lacey immediately found a loving new home when Maria, the concerned citizen who made the first call, decided to make Lacey a permanent member of her family!

Lacey

Thanks to the kindness of our donors, we helped thousands of animals in 2022. Here are just a few of their stories...

Perfect pets for perfect adopters 5-year-old Ramone came to the AWLA after both of his eyes had been removed due to an infection. He was understandably nervous in his new unfamiliar environment, but the AWLA team helped Ramone as he adjusted to his new disability. Soon, he was more comfortable around new people and met the perfect adopter, who had experience with blind dogs, and was able to help him feel equally as comfortable in his new home environment.

Ramone

Setting our families up for success When our veterinary team saw that Paxton was having a harder time compared to his siblings, they knew something was wrong. He was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia, a condition that is caused by improper development of the cerebellum in the womb. Our team set him up for success in a foster home where he could work on his balance. Soon after, he was adopted by a family who received all the information and support they needed to help Paxton grow into a happy, healthy adult.

Paxton

Helping our senior pets find loving homes 11-year-old Mister Miller came to the AWLA through a rescue partner where he had lived for years with no adoption interest. He had a chronic cough, difficulty breathing, an eyelid malformation that caused chronic eye irritation and some dental needs. We provided medication for his respiratory issues, performed surgery to correct his eyelids, and extracted several infected teeth. After living for years in a shelter, Mister Miller went home with a loving new family in November 2022.

Mister Miller

Providing comfort and happiness to Gelato 3-month-old Gelato came to the AWLA with an unusual mass under his leg. When our team sent it to be biopsied, they confirmed it was a grade III mast cell tumor which had no treatment options. Our veterinary team estimated that Gelato could have 3 to 4 months of happy, comfortable life. We shared his story with our community and dozens of people reached out to offer Gelato just that. We were able to send him home with his loving new family the same day.

Gelato

placement rate 96 % Over

Together We

At the AWLA, we are passionate about going above and beyond to create positive outcomes for pets, families and our community. When we learned that our little buddy Simon, a local senior chihuahua, had stopped eating, we knew something was wrong. He and his human companion had been clients of the AWLA’s AniMeals program for senior citizens on a fixed income. Simon had always eaten with gusto, but it was clear to see that something was stopping him.

Simon had dental disease, and it had advanced so far that several of his teeth were badly decayed, causing pain every time he tried to eat. As part of the AWLA’s veterinary assistance fund, we were able to get Simon the surgery he needed to address his dental issues. For the first time ever, Simon was away from his companion overnight! Both were happy to get through this harrowing situation, and now Simon is back to his old, cuddly self!

1,504 adoptions

554 animals fostered by 251 foster individuals

745 volunteers donated 33,300 hours of time

28,595 meals have been provided to shelter animals in our care

3,437 in-shelter training sessions

Simon

There are so many heart-warming stories to share about how donor support has impacted the lives of pets and people in our community. Learn more:

Supporting

Together We Create

Our dear friends Rosemary Hayes Jones and Stan Jones have been supporters of the AWLA and animal welfare causes for decades. Over the years, their passion for animals has led them to adopt eight cats from local shelters. Rosemary and Stan adopted their first female cat, Puddin’ (pictured), from the AWLA. They say she is a “total diva” and rules the house with an iron paw, though they love her dearly. Rosemary and Stan translate their love for their pets into broader support for pets throughout the community. Every year, they support the AWLA by offering to double supporters’ donations to inspire more people to help, and they are keenly interested in seeing the AWLA grow and continue to succeed. Rosemary and Stan’s compassion and community support are an inspiration, and we can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done!

The AWLA is such an active and caring organization. You can help in so many ways, depending on your circumstances, by adopting, fostering, donating or volunteering. – Rosemary Hayes Jones

We can’t thank you, our community, enough for your support. Your impact is immeasurable! 2022 was an amazing year, and we’ve created an infographic to share all of our accomplishments.

Puddin’

There’s no end to what we can do for pets and families in our community. Look at what was accomplished in 2022 thanks to your compassion and kindness! YOUARE PARTOF SOMETHING

1,504 adoptions

745 volunteers donated 33,300 hours of time

1,151

52,400 pounds of pet food and supplies provided to pet families in need

554 animals fostered by 251 foster individuals

vaccinations provided to pets across the community

694 animals transferred from other locales

32,464 meals provided to the community through our AniMeals program

360

community animals who were provided behavioral assistance

28,595 meals have been provided to shelter animals in our care

310 spay/neuter

302 animals received major medical treatment

3,437 in-shelter training sessions

vouchers provided

Making

and

Improving our community with unconditional love Sky was a scared 2-year-old border collie mix who was adopted and returned by a family who could no longer care for him. Upon his return to the AWLA, he would only let a few people touch him. Our Behavior Team created a special training plan to help him build his confidence and feel more comfortable. Sky, now known as Jack, was adopted again in August and has grown so confident that his family takes him to a variety of places, including to one of our Community Wellness events. He is even training to be a service dog!

Jack

A surprise adoption story for Maisey! 4-month-old pup Maisey came to the AWLA with a genetic condition causing the malformation of two paws, with one of her legs ending in a “nubbin” rather than a formed paw. As she got bigger, we worried that the additional weight she gained would put more stress on one or both malformed limbs. When we took her for an orthopedic consult, one of their technicians fell in love with her, adopted her, and vowed to give her whatever care she would need over the course of her life.

Maisey

65%

of our budget comes from support from our community

Revenue Donations - $2,490,371.98

Expenses Animal Care and Adoptions - $1,745,142.67 Animal Services - $445,284.73 Community Connection - $594,574.05 Fundraising - $333,122.52 Administration - $238,209.68 Total - $3,356,333.65

City Contract* - $1,172,498.60 Shelter Revenue - $232,997.65

Events - $106,666.73 Total - $4,002,534.96

* The city contract supports the staffing of the AWLA’s Animal Services department and a portion of our animal care costs.

Follow us on social media to see stories of your impact all year long.

Facebook: @alexandriaanimals 703.746.4444 | AlexandriaAnimals.org | Info@AlexandriaAnimals.org Instagram: @alexanimals Twitter: @alexanimals

Continue your support today by making an online donation! It only takes 5 minutes to provide life-saving care to an animal in need or help keep a local pet with the family who loves them.