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Local shelter contends with unusual pets as neglected animal seizures rise in Alexandria

Daryl, an alligator that was rescued last summer by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

Alexandria has seen an increase in neglected animal seizures over the last few years, including animals rescued from hoarding situations and one confiscated alligator.

This year, 11 animals have been legally seized due to animal cruelty/neglect investigations, versus two animals seized in 2022 and eight in 2021, according to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (4101 Eisenhower Avenue).

Most recently, on July 11, a man brought a cat into the animal shelter that he found in an apartment in the unit block of E. Linden Street near Hoofs Run. The Alexandria Police Department then responded to a call for service and found the home “filled with large amounts of trash and clutter and had a bad odor of feces throughout the residence,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

“Officers on the scene reported they did not believe the residence was suitable for habitation,” according to the search warrant affidavit.

Three cats were taken from the home and AWLA, with help from the City Attorney’s office, was granted custody of all three cats by the General District Court on August 3. Police later found that the woman had been convicted of animal care violations for hoarding 36 cats in Henrico County, Georgia, according to the search warrant affidavit.

“The cats were very dirty with feces and urine embedded in their fur, but were otherwise in good nutritional condition,” said Tony Rankin, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s chief of animal services. “We do not plan on filing any charges at this time. The case info was forwarded to Adult Protective Services in the hopes that (the former owner) can receive assistance.”

The number of animal abuse calls for service remains steady, with 174 calls reported from Jan. 1 to July 31 this year, 175 calls for service for the same period in 2022, 138 calls for service in 2021 and 93 calls for service in 2020, according to AWLA.

Animal Services received 3,382 calls for service in 2022, 3,252 calls in 2021 and 2,218 calls in 2020. Rankin said that a vast majority of those calls are for wildlife complaints related to barking dogs, aggressive dogs and dog bites, while about 10% are for stray animal calls.

Who’s at the shelter now?

There are currently 55 animals available for adoption at the animal shelter, and 89 animals in the building (47 dogs, 30 cats, a ferret, six rabbits and five hamsters). Sometimes the shelter also has tropical birds.

Many of the animals are surrendered by owners who couldn’t take care of them.

“All the hamsters with Marvel names are surrenders,” Rankin said. “They started out with two and then they had 20 on their hands… So, Groot, Pepper Pots, Natasha, Valkrie, and Shuri were all surrenders.”

AWLA is open every day for adoptions from noon to 7 p.m.

Alright, but what about the alligator?

Last summer, a three-foot-long alligator named Daryl was brought into the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue). Daryl had been living in a five gallon fish tank in a small apartment in the West End.

“The owner got it at a roadside place in Florida,” said Rankin. “The only reason we got it was because he made his girlfriend mad and she called him out for having an alligator in the apartment.”

The former owner lost an appeal for custody of Daryl with the Alexandria General District Court, and AWLA then worked with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to find him a new home at a wildlife enter in Lexington, Virginia.

“He wanted his alligator back,” Rankin said. “But he lost his appeal.”

Image via Google Maps

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Alexandria pool season coming to a close, culminating with an annual ‘dog swim’

Annual dog swim at Warwick Pool (image via RPCA/Facebook)

If you’re looking to escape the heat in one of Alexandria’s public pools, time is running out.

Starting in two weeks, Alexandria’s pools will start to close. The first to go is Memorial Pool at 901 Wythe Street, which is open through Sunday, Aug. 20.

The Old Town Pool and Warwick Pool, meanwhile, will be open through Monday, Sept. 4.

The last to close isn’t really a pool, but the Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain, which is open through mid-October.

Finally, the pool at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility (3210 King Street) is open year-round.

On the bright side, as the pool season comes to a close, the city opens its pools for the annual dog swim.

On Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17, well-behaved and vaccinated dogs are allowed to hop in the pool and swim.

“This event is open to all well-behaved and vaccinated dogs,” Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities said on Facebook. “Entry is free, but owners must pre-register. Separate registrations for each dog are required.”

Image via Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities/Facebook

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Waldo is hiding in 25 Alexandria businesses

Win prizes if you can spot Waldo at 25 Alexandria businesses (staff photo by James Cullum)

Where’s Waldo? Kids and parents with eagle eyes can spot him this month in 25 Alexandria businesses.

After you find Waldo at 10 businesses, spotters can collect prizes at Hooray for Books (1555 King Street) in Old Town. Collectors with at least 20 stamps on a passport (found at any participating business) can claim a Waldo temporary tattoo and store coupon.

The annual promotion will end with a grand celebration and prize drawing for a set of Waldo books at the store on July 31 at 4 p.m.

Find Waldo at these businesses:

  1. Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King Street)
  2. AR Workshop Alexandria (1212 King Street)
  3. Beeliner Diner (3648 King Street)
  4. The BEST Gift Shop (112 S. Patrick Street)
  5. Conte’s Bike Shop (1100 King Street)
  6. The Company of Books (2200 Mount Vernon Avenue)
  7. The Dog Park (705 King Street)
  8. fibre space (1319 King Street)
  9. Fresh Baguette (1101 King Street)
  10. Gold Works (1400 King Street)
  11. Happy Place (105 S. Union Street)
  12. Hooray for Books (1555 King Street)
  13. King Street Souvenirs (217 King Street)
  14. Lavender Moon Cupcakery (116 S. Royal Street)
  15. Pacers Running (1301 King Street)
  16. Penny Post (1201 King Street)
  17. Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King Street)
  18. Rocket Fizz (1701 Centre Plaza)
  19. Stitch Sew Shop (1219 King Street)
  20. Ten Thousand Villages (915 King Street)
  21. Today’s Cargo (1102 King Street)
  22. Turkish Coffee Lady (1201 King Street)
  23. The UPS Store (107 West Street)
  24. Uptowner Cafe (1609 King Street)
  25. Whistle Stop Hobbies (1719 Centre Plaza)
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Notes: APD ‘determined’ to reduce crime near Braddock Road Metro after more shots fired

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌥 Today’s weather: Cloudy. Mild. High of 69 and low of 51.
🌥 Tomorrow: Cloudy. Mild. High of 72 and low of 52. Sunrise at 6:05 am and sunset at 8:04 pm.

🚨 You need to know

More gunfire was reported near the Braddock Road Metro station yesterday afternoon, prompting the Alexandria Police Department to tweet that it’s “determined” to solve recent crime issues.

“APD has taken action by installing cameras and increasing police presence in the area to ensure everyone’s safety,” APD tweeted. “No one has been hurt, but we’re determined to prevent any potential harm by keeping a police presence there until we resolve this violence.”

Thursday’s incident occurred in the same block as a number of recent shootings. The city is experiencing a crime surge, and police are fighting it by increasing patrols in high-crime areas, installing mobile camera units and hosting community events.

📈 Thursday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 4, 2023.

  1. JUST IN: Police investigating shots fired incident near Braddock Road Metro station (1834 views)
  2. Fundraiser established for family of the ACHS student who died this week (1203 views)
  3. Notes: Alexandria driver killed in hit-and-run in D.C. | ALXnow (727 views)
  4. JUST IN: Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced as Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent (516 views)

🗞 Other local coverage

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

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Dog daycare in Old Town hopes to expand to offer overnight dog care

Dog at The Board Hound (image via The Board Hound/Facebook)

The Board Hound at 133 South Peyton Street in Old Town is hoping to live up to its name as a place to board dogs.

The facility offers training services and training services for canines, but according to an application, it’s hoping to expand to offer overnight dog care.

“At present time, 133 S Peyon Street is in accordance with the City of Alexandria and allowed to operate as a dog daycare,” the application said. “Within the scope of current permissions it is not clear if the business can allow overnight accommodations for the dogs in our care.”

The change would result in some staffing adjustments, but the application notes that all dogs and employees would remain inside the building overnight.

The proposal is heading to the Planning Commission on June 6.

“We would like to begin offering this service,” the application said.

The Alexandria location is one of two Board Hounds, with another set up in nearby Shirlington.

The Board Hound is one of several dog care facilities that’s popped up in the area. Alexandria has a reputation for being a dog-friendly city, a reputation ALXnow readers tended to agree with.

Photo via The Board Hound/Facebook

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Veterinary Emergency Group wants to open 24-hour veterinary hospital in the West End

A 24-hour veterinary clinic wants to move into 425 Duke Street, the current home of Mattress Firm (staff photo by James Cullum)

A national 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital chain is looking to open a location in the Shoppes at Foxchase in the West End.

New York City-based Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) filed a special use permit (SUP) application to open at 4525 Duke Street, which is the current home of Mattress Firm. VEG wants to transform the 5,279-square-foot space into an animal clinic that would be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The proposed interior renovations at 4525 Duke Street would see the location turn into a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic (via City of Alexandria)

“The proposed use is a veterinary hospital operating 24 hours a day,” VEG wrote in its special use permit (SUP) application. “The veterinary hospital will not include boarding.”

The SUP was filed on Feb. 27, and the last day for public comments is March 23 before it goes to the Planning Commission and City Council for final approval. A public notification was also posted on the front door of the business and city planners have confirmed that the address is correct.

VEG has dozens of clinics around the country, and the Alexandria proposal would make it the first location in Virginia.

The proposal includes a complete renovation of the interior of the store with examination rooms, an operating room for surgeries, a lab/pharmacy, workstations, seating nooks for customers, a staff break room, a laundry room and storage areas.

“Emergency is all we do, and that’s why we do it best,” VEG said on its website. “VEG is a true partner with your primary vet, acting as an extension of their practice for after-hours emergency care.”

In its application, VEG anticipates accommodating 15-to-20 customers a day.

Representatives with Mattress Firm did not respond to calls for comment, and aside from the SUP request there is no official notification of whether the store is closing. The property manager for the shopping center’s owner, Global Retail Investors LLC, also did not respond to calls for comment.

Mattress Firm filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and closed hundreds of stores. There are reportedly 2,400 Mattress Firm locations around the country, and other stores in Alexandria are located at 3925 A Richmond Highway in Potomac Yard and at 821 S. Washington Street in Old Town.

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AWLA says dog poisoning is rare but there are steps local pet owners can do to prepare

A dog takes the back seat in the Arlandria neighborhood of Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

An alleged dog poisoning attempt in Del Ray has been the big news story in Alexandria this week, but the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) said such incidents are exceedingly rare.

While the story has had some dog owners concerned about other possible cases of dog poisoning, Tony Rankin, chief operating officer for AWLA, said the attempted poisoning is ‘strongly believed’ to be an isolated incident.

“We have not had any reports of this nature in the almost 3 years that I have been here,” Rankin said. “I believe incidents like this are extremely rare, especially in a very dog-friendly community like Alexandria… we strongly believe this was an isolated incident and that the suspect only targeted one specific house.”

Rankin said that the story can serve as a reminder for locals not to leave their pets unattended.

“This said, I have always encouraged people to never leave their pets unattended, even in a fenced yard, and to always keep an eye out for anything that might pose a risk to their pets,” Rankin said. “This applies to their own yard, out on a walk around town, or out on a hike in the country.”

Rankin said it would also be a good idea for anyone with a pet to have poison control’s number readily available.

“I also strongly encourage anyone who owns a pet to keep the ASPCA Poison Control number in their phone, which is 888-426-4435,” Rankin said. “It can be an invaluable resource where a pet owner can get great advice if they think their pet has ingested something toxic.”

John Romano, an Alexandria resident, was charged with attempted poisoning of a companion animal. AWLA’s Board Chair Julie Conway asked that the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecute the attempted dog poisoning case as a felony. Commonwealth Attorney Byran Porter told ALXnow the crime is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail.

The case is set for arraignment on Monday, Feb. 27.

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AWLA: Adoption fees covered for all senior pets this month in Alexandria

Bonded seniors Sophie (left) and Joey are getting into the “pawliday” spirit while seeking a new family. (courtesy DeSilva Studios)

Twelve-year-old bonded canine sisters Sophie and Joey are looking for a new home in Alexandria, and their adoption fees are covered.

Their previous owner can’t take care of the dogs any more, and the pair have spent their entire lives together.

“Even on the first day they came to us, you could tell that they didn’t want to be apart, not even for a moment,” said Elena Carver, the AWLA’s Veterinary & Foster Care Manager. “But when they were together, they completely opened up. Suddenly this new place wasn’t as scary to them.”

The AWLA wants to help every animal find a loving home this holiday season. In the case of Joey and Sophie, that home needs to be big enough for two charming senior canines. That’s why, as part of the AWLA’s Home for the Pawlidays event, running through the end of December, adoption fees have been paid by Priority Automotive for all adult animals, including Sophie and Joey.

“Every animal deserves a loving family, regardless of their age,” said AWLA Executive Director Stella Hanly. “Sophie and Joey have given so much love in their lives and they have so much more to give.”

Joey and Sophie are available for adoption or for temporary foster. To schedule time to meet them for adoption, email [email protected]. To learn more about providing them with a shelter break by fostering them in your home, email [email protected].

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‘The Dog Park’ in Old Town sold to the Beeliner Diner owners

(On left) Anna Fitzgerald with new owners of The Dog Park (705 King Street) Noelie Rickey and Markos Panas.(via Instagram)

Bread & Water Co. just got into the pet store business.

The restaurant company recently finalized its purchase of The Dog Park at 705 King Street. The dog and cat boutique has been owned and operated the last 12 years by Anna Franklin, who thanked her customers on Instagram

“As some of you may already know, I have officially sold The Dog Park,” Franklin wrote. “These past 12+ years have been more than I could have hoped.”

New owners Markos Panas, Noelle Rickey and Doug Abedje opened their first business, Bread and Water, in the Belle View Shopping Center. They also own Beeliner Diner in the Bradlee Shopping Center and the Bun Papa sandwich restaurants.

Rickey was a former veterinary technician for 10 years and has a lengthy background in retail.

“We have a lot of work to do, but my hope and goal is to make something that is successful, does good for the community and can grow,” Panas said. “This is all one day at a time, but I’m excited about the opportunities to be an active member of the community.”

Panas said that the deal has been months in the works, and that his partners also recently became members of the Chamber ALX and the Old Town Business Association.

“We’re going to offer food subscriptions with online ordering,” Panas said. “There’s also a dog grooming station built out in the back that has ever been used. So, we’re going to do something with that. We’re also going to do a lot of public events.”

Photo via The Dog Park/Instagram

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65-pound ‘lapdog’ Adam is up for adoption in Alexandria

Adam has puppy dog eyes that are out of sight.

The five-year-old Lab mix is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“At 65 pounds, Adam may seem large, but he promises that he’s the perfect size lapdog,” said AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter. “Adam is the prize winner for Best Puppy Dog Eyes here at the AWLA, with his big brown pools that win over all his visitors.”

Schedule time to meet Adam by emailing [email protected] or calling 703-746-4774 (opt. 2).

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