Chanel likes hanging out in an office more than her cage. Every day, she and about 10 other “office animals” are let out to play in offices at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
“A shelter isn’t a natural environment for an animal,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter told ALXnow. “We’ve got seven dogs and three cats in offices right now, and we do whatever we can make this experience better and more comfortable for them.”
AWLA has about 30 animals up for adoption, although some have to undergo surgery and other medical procedures before they can go to a new home. Many of those animals spend their mending days in offices, which have baby gates at their doors.
They’ve also allowed pets in offices for more than a decade, Hardter said.
Executive Director Stella Hanly has two dogs in her office, including Stevie, who came to AWLA with a severe eye infection. His eyes had to be removed, and Hanly said that the extra attention he got by sleeping in her office made a remarkable change in him.
“The first day he was with me, he wouldn’t even respond to anyone coming in the office, talking to him or petting him,” Hanly said. “By the end of that same week, he would do a little dance each time he heard me enter the room. I think having the extra time and attention in my office truly saved his life.”
Recent Stories
Bareil and Quark do everything together. The bonded kitties are looking for a new home to share, and are up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Bareil…
Providence Secures $1 Million to Fund Educational Programs — “Local fourth-grade students will be treated to special programming funded by military shipbuilding HII.” [Alexandria Living Magazine] It’s Thursday — Partly cloudy…
Schedule a walk-through of the luxury townhome community at Darden Towns in the heart of Del Ray.
With the City of Alexandria returning to regulating on-street retail and restaurant uses, including adding a price tag for the benefit, the City Council is also scheduled to review a…
Looking for a more convenient way to work out?
On the Go Fitness Pro offers in home personal training. We bring the gym to you, so you can save time and skip the hassle of going to the gym. Plus, our trainers are certified and experienced, so you can be sure you’re getting the best possible workout.
We provide all the equipment needed for a great workout or we can use the equipment that you have.
Are you tired of going to the gym? It might be the crowds, the locker room, waiting on equipment or the time it takes to commute to the gym.
Having a personal trainer come to your home will keep you accountable, save you time and allow you to workout in the comfort of your own home.
Skip the hassle of the gym and try our in-home personal training service.
Our services are reasonably priced, convenient, effective and are risk free.
Think BIG! About the Future of Movement
Join the City of Alexandria and Arlington County’s Initiative to Rethink Energy at our first ever electric vehicle (EV) and sustainable technologies showcase! Get inspired by seeing a variety of electric cars, scooters, bikes, motorcycles, police cars, buses, trucks and
Between Home and the Front: Book Talk and Signing
Join the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum on Zoom or in person at the museum for a special book talk with the curators behind Between Home and the Front: Civil War Letters of the Walters Family. A book signing will be
