The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has a new executive director with a new focus on expanding the programs the shelter offers citywide.
Most Alexandrians likely know the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) for the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue — the place to adopt pets like Cappuccino and Macchiato — but AWLA also offers a variety of other programs to help pet owners throughout the city.
For four years, Stella Hanly worked closely on the outreach programs, first as a community programs liaison then later as AWLA’s chief operating officer. Now, the AWLA has named Hanley as its executive director.
Among Hanly’s first priorities as executive director, AWLA said in a press release, is expanding the pet pantry program that offers pet food and supplies to residents in need.
“No pet should be separated from his or her owner because of health issues or finances,” Hanly said in a press release. “Animals provide so much support to their owners during crises, and we want to help more pets stay with their families when they are needed most. By expanding our Community Programs department, we hope to help our community address issues that may lead to surrender so that cherished pets can stay in their homes — where they belong.”
Hanly said pet pantries need to be offered in locations where they are most accessible to the pet owners who need them. Other programs offered by AWLA include Animeals, which provide food and resources to pets of seniors participating in the Meals on Wheels program, and Crisis Care, which provides Alexandrians with short-term pet care in emergencies like hospitalization or housing crisis.
Other new initiatives are in the works under the new leadership.
“[Hanly] also plans to work with local veterinarians to find solutions for low-income owners whose pets need medical support; expand the footprint of the Spay and Neuter Assistance program currently offered by the AWLA; and manage regular in-community Pet Care Fairs offering free vaccinations, grooming, behavioral advice and supplies for dogs and cats,” AWLA announced.
The funds for the expanded program come from a donation from the Anne Cabaniss Trust, though AWLA continues to seek corporate support to expand the shelter’s programs.
Photo courtesy AWLA
Recent Stories
A look at the most and least expensive single-family homes sold in Alexandria last month, April 2024.
The Traffic and Parking Board endorsed one intersection change that could make Lynhaven/Del Ray a little safer but did not approve the proposed reversal of a one-way street. The proposed…
No charges were filed against a man arrested for a suspected misdemeanor assault and battery on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Sunday. A passerby called 911 at around…
Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy! Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow. Friday, May 3 Things…
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Potomac Harmony is Back! Following a gap year of competing, then virtual rehearsals during the pandemic, followed by the well-earned retirement of our long-term director, a year of a director search, Potomac Harmony hit the regional contest stage in Concord, North Carolina in March for the first time since 2018! It was exhilarating, reaffirming, and rewarding!
The chorus hit all of its goals, the biggest of which was to have fun and sing our best on contest stage — we did both! Because we earned a score over 400 points, our new Director, Allison Lynskey, was awarded the Novice Director award, photo above. Additionally, one of our charter members, Jackie Bottash, was nominated for and honored with the Leadership Excellence award. It was a celebratory weekend!
What’s next? So much! We now look forward to upcoming performances, growing our membership, and expanding our musical product with new arrangements and an education component each week. It’s an exciting time to be part of this ever-growing ensemble!
Alexandria NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, DPC to hold City Council…
The Alexandria Branch of the NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, and The Departmental Progressive Club to hold the City Council Candidate Forum for ALL Candidates in the City of Alexandria Virginia. The event is Free of Charge and Open to The
