Need a new best friend? The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria says that their number of pet adoptions is up this year.
“It’s a very stressful time and a pet can really be a companion, they can provide support,” Gina Hardter, a spokesperson with the AWLA told ALXnow. “Even though this is a terrible time it’s been a wonderful time to show us just what is important in our lives, and one of those things is the unconditional love that a pet can give.”
Hardter said that adoptions have increased 3% over last year, a significant little jump since the AWLA was forced to suspend adoptions in April. The nonprofit also canceled events and then shifted to a virtual adoption format that lasted until in-person appointments resumed in July.
AWLA, which is still running by appointment-only, currently has about 60 pets available, including dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits and parakeets.
The adoptees include the inseparable two-year-old kitties Naya and Egypt (pictured above). The lifelong friends were recently featured in the following video with an AWLA volunteer.
AWLA is keeping one tradition alive — its annual Home for the Pawlidays event where adoption fees are waived for all pets above six months old. The event kicks off this Saturday (Dec. 5) and runs through the end of the month.
Hardter also said that most of the pets featured in ALXnow’s weekly Pet Pick posts have been adopted.
“Over the past weeks, most of the animals you have helped us promote have been adopted, including Reno, Ace and Jasmine,” she said.
Hardter said that AWLA’s team of nearly 40 full and part-time staff deserve high praise.
“I’ve seen our staff go above and beyond to try new things to help the animals, to keep people safe and all while still trying to do our main job of connecting animals with people who love them,” she said. “I think our team here has just done amazing. I would rate them off the charts. They’ve had flexibility, they’ve had patience, they’ve had compassion and I’m honored to work with them.”
Photos via AWLA
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