Alexandria Animal Shelter Lends Helping Paw With Pet Pantry
ALEXANDRIA, VA — As pet owners face financial difficulties during the coronavirus crisis, buying pet food or other supplies may not be easy. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is helping to meet that need by donating over 5,000 pounds of pet supplies through its pet pantry since mid-March.
The animal shelter reached the donation milestone after seeing requests for the Community Pet Pantry increase in recent months. The Community Pet Pantry provides items like wet and dry food, cat litter, puppy pads for house training and more supplies. It also assisted federal employees affected by furloughs during the 2019 government shutdown.
"For many of the people reaching out to us, their pet might be their only support system," said Director of Community Programs Joanna Fortin in a statement. "They’re wondering how they are going to be able to provide for that pet, but they also don’t know what they’d do without them."
Supplies such as food, beds, toys and more are regularly donated by Northern Virginia residents. AWLA has an online wish list of items needed by pet owners.
The shelter also works with Meals on Wheels for Animeals, or monthly deliveries of pet supplies to housebound seniors with pets in Alexandria. Other community services from AWLA include a spay-and-neuter program for low-income pet owners, community pet care fairs and behavioral support and advice. During the pandemic, AWLA launched a virtual humane education program for kids, and all staff have become Fear Free certified on guidelines to reduce fear and anxiety among shelter pets.
Alexandria pet owners can contact AWLA about items needed from the pet pantry and how to arrange pick-up or delivery. Contact community@alexandriaanimals.org or 703-746-5508. The shelter is open for services by appointment only, and a virtual adoption process is available. More information on shelter services is provided at alexandriaanimals.org.
This article originally appeared on the Old Town Alexandria Patch
