Meet Estelle, a playful pup and “awesome companion” at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to find her fur-ever home.
The “tail-wagging pocket of sunshine” is three years old, weighs 41 pounds and “loves to run and play with her squeaky toys,” according to an AWLA volunteer.
Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at ALXnow’s top stories of the week.
With less than a month until the Nov. 4 general election, this week’s most-read story is on the controversy surrounding Virginia’s Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones. The National Review broke the news last Friday (Oct. 3) that in August 2022, Jones sent text messages to Del. Carrie Coyner (R-75), “fantasizing about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children,” according to the Virginia Mercury story posted on ALXnow.
Room service, playtime, and Dog TV are just a few of the amenities that a luxury pet hotel franchise wants to bring to 2836 Duke Street.
The owners of a K9 Resorts franchise recently filed a special use permit request to open their doggie daycare and hotel at 2836 Duke Street. The 8,800-square-foot space is the former longtime home of Burke & Herbert Bank, which closed in 2023.
An Alexandria man charged with felony animal abuse was granted bail on July 24 (Thursday), despite objections from the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Kevin Malik Sanders was granted a $10,000 bail on personal recognizance and goes to court for a three-day jury trial starting Feb. 2, 2026, according to the Alexandria Clerk of Court. The 29-year-old was arrested on July 21, 2025, after the death of a three-year-old Golden Retriever named Abigail at Your Dog’s Best Friends (2000 Richmond Highway) on July 12, 2024. He was charged with four Class 1 misdemeanors and one count of felony animal abuse. The Commonwealth’s Attorney released allegations of abuse in an effort to keep him behind bars (see below).
A recent social media post from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria just went viral on Facebook and Instagram.
The short video shows what appears to be Pit Bull mixes with wigs, and the message: “Our dogs thought it would help them get adopted if we listed their breed. This goes against our policy, but they were adamant.”
The City of Alexandria is highlighting its leash laws for dog owners, with fines of up to $100 for those who don’t comply.
Three city rules aim to keep everyone safe by requiring dogs to be on leashes except in specific areas:
The third annual Del Ray Dog Fest on Sunday was off the chain, in a good way.
Hundreds of pooches and their people attended the event, which featured a fashion show, playgrounds for pups, live music, and 65 vendors.
Welcome to Friday in Alexandria. What a week we’ve been having.
To start things off, ALXnow broke the story of an Alexandria Police Department’s arson and burglary investigation after Sunday morning’s (March 30) shopping center fire that shuttered multiple businesses in the 5200 block of Duke Street.
Is love at first sight possible? Find out on Wednesday (April 2) by looking into the eyes of all the adoptable pooches at a “speed-dating” event with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
“We promise there will be no awkward silences here, just pawsible connections,” AWLA said.
At the end of the day, dogs are tired at a new doggy daycare in Old Town.
After an extensive interior renovation of the second floor above The Dog Park at 705 King Street, the new owners have expanded their operations beyond pet supplies and grooming. The space was previously a bridal shop.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is looking to connect locals to their bigger canines this weekend.
The AWLA is hosting Big Love Adoption Weekend from Friday, Feb. 14, to Sunday, Feb. 16. During this weekend, all adoption fees are waived for dogs over 40 pounds.
