Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes, pet owners face unexpected crises that make it challenging to care for their beloved animals. Recognizing this, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) offers a compassionate Crisis Care Program designed to provide temporary shelter and care for pets during emergencies. This program ensures that when you’re back on your feet, your furry friend can be right there with you, where they truly belong – at home with family.
The AWLA understands that responsible pet owners can still encounter situations where they need short-term assistance. The crisis care program is a safety net for Alexandria residents facing temporary hardships such as hospitalization, homelessness, or displacement due to events like house fires. It’s designed to offer you a limited window to address your situation, knowing your pet is safe and cared for by the AWLA.
To explore how the crisis care program can assist you and your pet, please reach out to the AWLA. You can contact them via email at [email protected] or by phone at 703-746-4774. An AWLA representative will be available to discuss your specific circumstances and guide you through the program details.
It’s important to note a few key aspects of the crisis care program:
- Minimal costs for boarding and necessary vaccinations may apply. Your AWLA representative can provide detailed information about any potential fees.
- The program is exclusively available to residents of the City of Alexandria.
- The crisis care program is specifically for temporary emergency situations. It is not a general pet boarding service. The AWLA focuses on reuniting pets with their families after the crisis period.
Beyond the crisis care program, the AWLA provides a range of additional support services to the Alexandria community and their pets:
Veterinary Assistance: Unexpected veterinary bills can be a significant burden. The AWLA offers financial aid to low-income Alexandria residents to help manage the costs of essential veterinary care during emergencies. For more information on veterinary assistance, contact [email protected] or 703-746-4774. You can also find a list of external resources for low-cost veterinary care HERE, and the Humane Society of the United States provides a helpful resource list as well.
Grooming Assistance: Maintaining a pet’s hygiene is crucial for their health and well-being, but grooming costs can be challenging for some pet owners. Thanks to partnerships with local grooming businesses, the AWLA offers a limited number of free grooming appointments each month for senior and low-income pet owners in Alexandria. This service is for dogs and cats needing regular haircuts and grooming, not for basic bathing or brushing of short-haired pets. To check your eligibility and appointment availability, please contact [email protected] or 703-746-5579. The AWLA gratefully acknowledges Pawsh Dog Wash and The Paw Spa LLC for their generous contributions to this program.
AniMeals: Ensuring senior citizens can keep their beloved pets, the AWLA partners with Senior Services of Alexandria to deliver pet food monthly to eligible seniors through the AniMeals program. Deliveries happen on the second Thursday of each month. Alexandria residents aged 60 and over can register by contacting Senior Services of Alexandria at 703-836-4414 ext. 113 or visiting their website here.
Pet Bereavement Support: Losing a pet is like losing a family member. The AWLA recognizes the profound grief associated with pet loss and provides resources for emotional support. If you are grieving the loss of a pet, several hotlines and online chat services are available to offer comfort and understanding:
- ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline: 1.877.GRIEF.10 (1.877.4743.310) – Open daily from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Pet Compassion Careline: 1.855.245.8214 – 24 hours a day.
- The Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement: Online chat room – Chat times vary, check the website.
- Lap of Love: 1.855.352.LOVE (1.855.352.5683) – Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
While in-person support groups are currently suspended, you can reach out to Kathy Reiter at [email protected] for more information on potential future options.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is dedicated to supporting pets and their owners throughout their journey together. Whether you are facing an emergency requiring crisis care, need help with veterinary costs or grooming, or are seeking support during pet bereavement, the AWLA is here to assist the Alexandria community. Don’t hesitate to contact them to learn more about these valuable programs and how they can help you and your furry family members.
