Yappy Hour at Duncan Library - Animal Welfare League of ...

Yappy Hour at Duncan Library
Bring your four-legged friend and enjoy light refreshments on the lawn outside of
Duncan Library as we celebrate the 225th Anniversary of the founding of the
Alexandria Library Company. We will have cupcakes for the library’s birthday and
lawn games for people and pups. Dogs on leash welcome, and stop by to meet
adoptable dogs from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Canine activities
provided by Your Dog’s Best Friends.

Show Your                          Superstar                     Talent
Challenge
    Congratulations to our superstars with the most UNIQUE
comments: Banjo, Birdy, Carlos, Louie and Topper! You have had
  additional FREE votes added to your calendar totals. We look
  forward to seeing who will be named Alexandria’s Animal Idol
                       tonight at 8 p.m.!

We’re so close to naming Alexandria’s Animal Idol, but before we do, we’re
giving our contestants one final challenge to show they have what it takes to be
our 2020 Animal of the Year! You can help your favorite pet rise to the top of the
leaderboard by commenting on this post to tell us why your pet of choice deserves
to be our animal all-star (please make sure to mention their name in your post).
The five animals with the most unique comments at noon on June 30 will be
awarded extra votes. Please note if entrants receive multiple comments from one
individual, they will only be counted once. Entrants below are listed in
alphabetical order.

 If you’d like to do even more to help animals in need, you can head over to our
contest page and vote there! Every vote equals a dollar to help homeless, injured

and sick animals be ready to meet their future families, and we couldn’t do what
       we do without the support of our community. Make your vote HERE.

The contestants…
Abby
Abby‘s superstar talent is clear to see. Do you think she knows Somewhere Over
the Rainbow?

Banjo
Banjo’s talent is delivering love to all!

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_1170.mp4

Benji
Benji had to have surgery on both of his legs to help him walk and run without

pain as a young puppy. Now, Benji celebrates every day by chasing his big
brother.

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Benji.mp4

Betta
Betta the selfie star: “Thought I looked cute. Might delete later.”

Birdy
Birdy the pup-pianist!, playing the classics with emotion!

Carlos
Carlos, tail-chasing extraordinaire.

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Carlos.mp4

Daisy
Daisy showing her talent of patience.

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_3786.m4v

Larry Johnson
Larry is a soccer superstar. World Cup, here he comes!

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Larry-at-the-park.mp4

Lottie & Louie
Lottie & Louie showing off their modeling talents.

Louie
Louie has many talents, including having gone to space.

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/finalVideo.mp4

Nanny
In her free time Nanny enjoys skiing. She is still trying to figure out why the
bunny slopes are seriously lacking bunnies.

Riley
Riley’s talents include posing, speaking and smiling for the camera.

https://alexandriaanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/riley.mp4

Ruby
Ruby the talented Tummy Rub Trainer.

Topper
Topper is a pup of many talents, including playing hide-and-seek.

 Comment below with the name of your favorite and head over to
 our Calendar Contest Page HERE to add extra votes before noon
   on June 30. The minutes are ticking down as we get ready to
announce Alexandria’s Animal Idol, so get your votes in while you
                              can!

In Paw-son Voting at Riverside
Taco Company
Stars needs to be seen at all the hottest new locations, whether in paw-son or by
proxy. On June 25, your pet can decorate a voting box with their name and image
which will be seen at the AWLA booth at Riverside Taco Company. From 6 to 8
p.m. only, votes can be purchased at Riverside Taco Company TWO FOR $1 so

you can double your votes. Well-mannered, leashed dogs are also welcome to
come by to share their star quality, and all diners who mention the AWLA will
have 15% of their bill donated to the AWLA.

Please note that you (or your pet) do NOT need to be present to include a voting
box. Voting boxes should be no bigger than a shoebox. Decorated boxes can be
dropped off at the AWLA on June 23 or 24 during business hours or at the AWLA
booth of Riverside Taco Company beginning 5:30 on June 25. Votes will be tallied
and attributed on June 26.

     Riverside Taco Company is a unique, outdoor dining experience by ARP
   (Alexandria Restaurant Partners). Influenced by the varied cultures, cuisine
  influences and cooking experiences of ARP’s Executive Chefs, Riverside Taco
 Company provides a unique, yet approachable menu, offering tasty tacos, sides,
           bowls, margaritas, and beer out of a sleek airstream trailer.

1916 Coffee Porter Collaboration
Beer Release Party in Support of
the AWLA

For the first time ever, Gordon Biersch and Swings’ Coffee Roasters have
collaborated to created a DELICIOUS pre-prohibition style porter. They will be
tapping the keg and serving snacks, provided by Buzz Bakeshop of Alexandria and
Gordon Biersch.

Join us Thursday, June 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at pin Gordon Biersch Brewery
Restaurant (100 M St SE, Washington) for this event in support of animals in
need!

There is no charge to attend, but we do suggest a $5 donation; 100% off our
donations collected will be given back to animals in need at the Animal Welfare
League of Alexandria.

Pups will be on site to show their support on the Gordon Biersch patio, so come
hang out with us for a night of fun and furry friends!

Barks, Brews & Bites – AWLA
Adoption Happy Hour

Bring your Best Friend, or Meet your New One … At our Adoption Happy Hour for
pups & their people. Join us at The Alexandrian, 480 King Street, Thursday, June
20, from 5 to 7 p.m. Our adoptable pups hope to see you there!

Volunteer Photographers Put
Shelter Animals in Best Light
The challenge: Capture the stories of each dog, cat, rabbit and any other animal
at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

The solution: A corps of professionally
trained photographers volunteering their
time to take individualized portraits of
each animal in need.

Suggested strategy: Bring treats, props…and lots of patience.

Above: Sean shows off his personality for the camera. (Photo by Alison Lane
Photography)

 Luckily for the AWLA, several professional photographers have answered the
call, stopping by weekly with gear in tow to capture photographs of the shelter’s
latest residents. Each has her own style and approach, but all share a goal: to
provide a positive experience for each animal and create photographs that put
them in their best light as they prepare for adoption. Along with their work in the
shelter, the volunteer photographers also capture memorable moments at AWLA-
related events, such as the Fun Dog Show, held around St. Patrick’s Day, and the
annual Howl-O-Ween costume competition.

                                        Photographer Alison Satinoff occasionally
                                        spices up her photo portrait sessions with
                                         props — flowers, bowties for the animals
                                         to wear and beads and ornaments to strew
                                         around kittens and rabbits. But it’s a
                                         session with group of eight pet rats she
                                         recalls most vividly. “We placed them in a
                                         Barbie doll bathtub, about three at a
                                         time,” she said. “Fortunately, the rats’
                                         foster caregiver was there to help, and the
rats cooperated well. It actually looked super cute.”

Above: Meelo flaunts his best angles. (Photo by Shelley Castle Photography)

These portraits, which are featured on the shelter website and on social media as
well as in other shelter materials, require the assistance of specially trained
shelter volunteers, who bring animals one by one into the shelter’s community
room, where the photographers have set up professional lighting equipment. Each
animal is posed in front of a 12-foot-tall white board, which can be intimidating
until the photographer starts her song and dance. “I’ll make weird noises or hold
a hot dog over the camera to get their attention,” says photographer Sabrina
Moore, owner of Dirty Paw Photography, who has offered her services to the
shelter for the past four years.

Photographer Alison DeSilva, owner of DeSilva
Studios, also uses treats to ignite action shots,
sometimes throwing a hot dog into the air to get a dog
to jump up and grab it. But the cats, she said, can be a
bit more challenging to coax, and sometimes the
biggest challenge is getting them to stay on the
backdrop long enough to get a photo.

Right: Olaf captured in action (Photo by DeSilva Studios LLC)

Each photographer brings her own individual style as well as expertise to her
sessions. Moore will shoot animals in front of colored and patterned backdrops to
help the shelter denote animals who have met certain milestones. Photographer
Shelley Castle and DeSilva excel at photo sessions outdoors as well as inside,
when the shelter is telling a specific story or trying to capture a
special moment. And with her use of creative props, Satinoff has captured some of
the shelter’s most unique shots, used not only to highlight an adoptable animal
but in other materials and media to show how fun and engaging the shelter can
be.

Shooting with shelter animals is much harder than photographing people’s pets,
says Castle, who helped develop the AWLA’s photography program and has
captured hundreds of the shelter’s animals with her camera over the years.

Castle, who grew up on a Virginia horse farm and now runs Shelley Castle
Photography, which specializes in outdoor pet photography, says understanding
animal behavior is critical to making them feel secure in a photo shoot. “The most
important thing about photography is patience. I have to wait for animals who are
scared to regain their composure and get comfortable…And then I might bark or
whistle to get them to stop and look at me.” But the photographers also
understand that posed photos are not ideal for all animals and have captured
turtles, shy cats and even fish in their own enclosures and tanks as well.

                                The photography team says the rewards outweigh
                                the struggle of capturing the sometimes-fidgety
                                animals in action. Satinoff recalls a day when she
                                stopped by the shelter and was asked by a
                                member of the public if she was one of the
                                shelter’s photographers. The woman then
                                proceeded to show her a picture of the dog she
                                had adopted on seeing his photograph — and it
                                was one that Satinoff had shot. “It makes it all
                                worthwhile because that’s why I’m there,” she
                                said.

Left: Butterfly basks in the camera’s light. (Photo by Dirty Paw Photography)

“Some of the animals you fall in love with so much,” Castle said. “I feel the most
rewarded when I can help a cat or dog who’s completely scared by being part of
their learning experience for adoption. If I can stay calm and teach them that
we’re here to help, it can prepare them for the kindness of a future family.”

                         Say “Cheese” (or “Hot Dog”)

You don’t have to be a professional photographer for your pet to be famous!
Enter the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s 2020 photo calendar contest in
June to make your pet a star and win fun prizes, including a photo session with an
AWLA pet photographer. Learn more at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Calendar. The
AWLA’s skilled group of volunteer photographers offers these tips for capturing
the best photographs of your pet:

        Exercise your pet before the session to eliminate counterproductive

energy.
       Get down on the floor or on your pet’s eye level to view life from their
      perspective.
       For outdoor photographs, early morning and dusk provide the best
      lighting.
       Keep an eye out for objects in the background such as cars, road signs
      and trash on the ground that might detract from the photo’s center of
      attention — your pet.
       Avoid using flash — it turns pets’ eyes red or green.
       Dangle a toy from a stick above the camera so that the pet will look at the
      camera. Making noises, like barking or whistling, also captures pets’
      attention.
       Patience is key — you may not get a great photograph the first time. Keep
      the photo session a short and positive experience, and your pet will
      eventually come around.
       Treats, treats and more treats!

 This story was originally printed in the Alexandria Gazette on May 20.
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Youth Programs
 To exercise an abundance of caution, we are currently offering a mix of virtual
and in-person youth programs to ensure we can keep all of our community safe.
                  Read more about these opportunities below.

The AWLA believes it is important to instill a knowledge about and a compassion
for animals from the earliest ages. With our community and in-shelter humane
education programs, we offer a variety of opportunities to engage with — and
often learn from — Alexandria’s youngest animal-lovers. Read more about our
Humane Education program for students aged 18 and younger below.

To learn more about all our latest programs, continue to check this page or email
     youthprograms@alexandriaanimals.org to be added to our contact list.

At the AWLA
                       Junior Volunteers

Our Junior Volunteer program offers 14- and 17-year-olds the chance to learn
more about animal care, sheltering, training and more. Participants start with an
8-session training course to learn more about animal safety, body language,
handling and other AWLA operations, and upon completion, are able to volunteer
at the AWLA in a variety of roles.

Summer Camp

The AWLA’s popular in-shelter summer camp returns in 2022 for students aged 6
through 13. Every week, we offer a new age-specific experience, giving attendees
the opportunity to learn about animal welfare and care in their community. The
camp includes lessons on cats, dogs and small animals, as well as the operation of
the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, veterinary care, dog training and more!

Virtual Activities
                       Shelter Tours

The AWLA welcomes small groups interested in taking a virtual shelter tour and
learning more about animal care and animal welfare issues. Shelter tours include
an overview of the shelter and the companion animals in our care as well as a tour
of all adoption areas. Most tours include a virtual visit with one or more shelter
Animal Ambassadors and a discussion of how to help our furred, finned and
feathered residents.

Scout Programs

Now offered virtually, our Scout Program is 1 hour long and intended for scouts
ages 6 and up. These Pet Badge programs are for groups of eight to 15 scouts,
including siblings; groups of 16 scouts or more should split up and schedule for
two separate trainings, as we cannot accommodate larger groups in our facility.
There is a $10 fee for each badge-seeking scout to cover the cost of supplies and
the badge/certificate.

                       Pawsitive Action Club

Join our Pawsitive Action Club, a group for students currently enrolled in Middle
School, with the goal of helping students to become familiar with the shelter and
instilling animal compassion and advocacy in their everyday lives. PAC takes
place in the fall and spring semesters, and PAC members are also eligible to apply
to be summer camp counselors!

Birthday Parties

A virtual celebration with animals is a unique party experience that also supports
pets in our community. We’ve found that a party at the AWLA is most enjoyable
for children aged 8 and older, who have a greater understanding of animal
welfare and the goals of the shelter.

School Programs

If your class is interested in learning more from our Humane Education experts,
contact us to schedule a virtual visit to talk with your students. *Please note that
at this time, we are only able to visit schools in the Alexandria School District.

At-Home Activities

At-Home Volunteering

There are a number of volunteer project that can be completed at home. View the
full list HERE. Projects can be placed in the donation bin in front of our shelter
any day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please notify our front desk staff if you are dropping off
hotdogs. Drawn or written projects along with any forms to earn volunteer hours
can be sent to youth@alexandriaanimals.org.

                        Junior PAWS Online Humane Education Program

The AWLA’s Junior Pet Advocacy and Wildlife Series (PAWS) is a series of
humane education lessons ranging from crafts to careers. Lessons utilize Zoom
and Google Classroom to bring fun and learning directly to kids and their families
at home! Attendees must pre-register for each class, so learn more about
individual courses and register today.

                        Paw Pals

Become a Paw Pal to animals in need! So many of our youth volunteers already
host fundraising drives and collections of toys and food for Alexandria’s Animals,
that we now have a toolkit to help them help even more animals with their work.

At this time, we have temporarily suspended our in-shelter Book Buddies, Teen
                  Service Night and Family Fun Night programs.

For more information on our Youth Programs or to schedule an event, please call
 us at 703-746-4774 or email us. If you’d like to receive emails about our latest
    youth volunteering opportunities, click below to sign up for notifications.

                                 Email Sign-Up

First Thursday: Dog Days in Del
Ray

Due to last week’s weather, this event will now take place on Thursday, May 9.

Del Ray, one of the most dog-friendly neighborhoods in the region, highlights
“Dog Days in Del Ray” during its May First Thursday on Thursday, May 9 from 6
p.m. to 9 p.m. The monthly street festival takes place on May 9 from 6 p.m. to
dusk along Mount Vernon Avenue.

Bring your favorite four-legged friend out to the Avenue for a wide variety of
canine-themed activities for dogs (and their humans!). The event is free and open
to all.

Participants are encouraged to bring dry and wet food for dogs and cats, or
durable pet toys such as Kongs for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Donations will be collected at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, located at Mt.
Vernon & Oxford Avenues.

Held the first Thursday from April to September along Mount Vernon Avenue in
the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor
street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting
a local nonprofit. This month’s event is sponsored by the Del Ray Business
Association and Your Dog’s Best Friends.

New Dog Adoption Information
                                  [en español]

Congratulations on adopting your new dog, and thank you for providing a
home to an animal in need. As you acclimate your new furry friend to your
 home and family, here are some tips and guides to help you — and your
            pup — find your footing on your new adventure!

Training Tips

Bringing Home a New Dog

Housetraining

Socialization
Cozy Confinement

Crate Training (and don’t forget about the Kong treat!)

Separation Anxiety

Introducing Your New Dog to your Cat

Introducing Your New Dog to Other Dog(s)

Dog Park Information and Misconceptions

Enrichment Activities

Feeding
Feeding Guide

Veterinary Care
Preparing for a Happy, Healthy Pet

Vets in AWLA’s Well Pet Exam Program

Other Information
Your Dog’s Microchip

Pet Licensing

Helpful Training Cartoons
How to Greet a Dog

The Learn-to-Earn Program

Four Categories of Operant Conditioning

Body Language of Fear in Dogs

Did you adopt a puppy? READ MORE to find out what you should know about
                        preparing for your newest addition.

                                                 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. AWLA’s Terms and Conditions – The terms and conditions herein written shall supersede all previous communications, agreements or

contracts, written or verbal, and no understanding, term, condition or trade custom in conflict or inconsistent herewith shall be binding on the

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Virginia, Incorporated (“AWLA”). No waiver or modification of the terms and conditions hereof shall be

effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

2. Survival; Assignment. The obligations of the Adopter under this agreement shall remain in full force and effect for the life of the animal, and the

Adopter shall not assign its rights or obligations under this agreement without the express, prior written consent of the AWLA.

3. Enforcement. The AWLA reserves all rights and remedies available at law and in equity to enforce the obligations contained herein, including,

but not limited to, the right to seek injunctive relief. The Adopter shall be responsible for payment of the AWLA’s actual and reasonable attorney’s

fees and costs incurred in the event that the AWLA engages legal counsel for the purpose of enforcing the rights and obligations contained in this

agreement.

4. Applicable Law. This agreement shall be construed according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the invalidity of any provision of

this agreement under the laws applicable hereto shall not invalidate the remaining provisions of this agreement. The parties submit to the

jurisdiction of all state and federal courts sitting in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the venue of the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria.

You Can Still Spring2Action!
Today is the final day of Spring2Action, and over the past two weeks our
volunteers have been busy, like always, helping Alexandria’s Animals. From
working with animals with special behavioral needs to taking animals out on the
town with the hopes of meeting their future family, our volunteers do so much for
our organization, and it’s not too late for you to join them. Check our blog HERE
as we update it throughout the day to see just how much our volunteers act for
animals in need and show your support at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Spring2Action.

                                                                Donate Today

The littlest thing you can do can make a huge difference to an animal in need.

Volunteer Sherri
It’s all about making the animals happy.

Volunteer Photographer Alison DeSilva
No matter how much I give, I always get back so much more.

Volunteer Karin
If you’re helping animals, you’re helping the community.

Volunteer Carol

                                        8:30 am – Volunteer Sherri comes in
                                        every Wednesday to do “Cat Scrub,”
                                        feeding our adoptable cats and cleaning
                                        their enclosures. She gets to know each of
                                        the cats as she works with them and likes
                                        to know that her efforts make each cat a
                                        little more comfortable while they are at
                                        the shelter. Some of the cats prefer to stay
                                        out of the way during “scrub” but others
like to help, pawing at the dustpan and leaping from bed to bed as she changes
out their linens. On weekends, she takes on “Dog Scrub” and she also works to
socialize the dogs and cats, helping them get their exercise and enrichment for
the day. “I love the opportunities the AWLA provides to volunteers,” she says,
“and I definitely get as much out of my time as I give.”

12:00 pm – One of our professional
volunteer photographers, Alison DeSilva of
DeSilva Studios, LLC. gives her time to
help show Alexandria’s Animals at their
smiley-est, goofy-est and happiest
moments. She came to the shelter to take
photos with Steele, one of our 100 Day
Stay Club members who is learning to take
on the world with a smile thanks to the
help of one of his favorite volunteers.
Whether Alison is outside capturing a happy scene or at one of our community
events like Howl-O-Ween taking photos in the crowd, the hours she donates every
month help animals like Steele find their future families.

2:00 pm – Part of how our volunteers Spring2Action includes hitting the town
with our adoptable pups! Volunteers Karin and Connie took Rascal on a field trip
as just some of the many hours they donate each month. They walked around old
town, stopped by the waterfront and took lots of pictures of course. When pups
like Rascal get to explore new places with our amazing volunteers, they get
exercise and enrichment and might even meet their future family while strolling
around town. Our volunteers are always thinking of ways to keep our animals

happy and read for adoption, just one of the many ways they help animals in
need!

Carol began volunteering because she
found her two best friends at the AWLA
and wanted to help other people do the
same. Now she comes in each week to
help with cleaning, enrichment, care and
everything else you could think of for our
felines. By helping care for Alexandria’s
Animals, Carol can help loving families
find their match, which makes for happy
people, happy pets and a community that supports animals in need.

Our volunteers only have a few more hours to contribute before they reach their
goal of 1,250 hours and they show no sign of stopping! Not everyone can
volunteer, but you can still make a difference in the lives of animals in need with
your contribution at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Spring2Action.

                                  Donate Today