Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Our Mission
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is all in for animals, working to improve the lives of pets and people by providing resources, care, and protection.
We are dedicated to building a humane community where animals and people can live together harmoniously.
Our History and Community
Since 1944, our organization has served Arlington with unwavering commitment. Established by a dedicated group of citizens, we have grown to provide essential animal sheltering and control services, ensuring that pet owners have the support they need to keep their companions healthy, happy, and home.
A Compassionate Approach to Care
We are proud to be an open-access shelter, accepting every animal from our community regardless of their condition. Our approach relies on a blend of shelter facilities and a vibrant foster network, allowing us to provide individualized attention to every pet in our care.
We believe in staying with each animal for as long as necessary, leveraging best practices in shelter medicine and behavior to ensure positive, long-term outcomes.
Finding Your Perfect Match
At AWLA, we focus on both the physical and mental well-being of our animals, following the Five Freedoms of animal sheltering. We strive to follow open and progressive adoption policies that reduce obstacles, focusing on creating meaningful, lifelong bonds between pets and their new families.
Our team is here to support you through every step of the process, ensuring that each adoption is a joyful partnership built on trust and mutual care.
Join Our Community
Your new best friend is waiting for you at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. We invite you to explore our adoptable animals online or visit us at our shelter to meet the many pets ready to join your family today.
- Clean and well-maintained facilities
- Staff dedication to animal welfare
- Inconsistent and sometimes dismissive communication
8/10 - 🐶 Playful Arlington Dogs Ready to Join Your Family - NewsBreak
Looking for a furry friend in Arlington, VA? These adoptable dogs are hoping for a cozy home, a soft bed, and a family to love. Age: Baby – about 3 months
5/28 - Volunteer musicians to play for Alexandria shelter animals through new program | ALXnow
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's animal shelter will now regularly be filled with the sound of live music. AWLA is partnering with Wild Tunes, a nonprofit started by 10-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, to introduce live music by volunteer musicians at the animal shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue). The program kicked off Thursday (May 28). According to
10/16 - She’s so new to this world, yet she’s already spent so much of her short life behind bars. She did nothing wrong. She’s just a puppy who hasn’t been given the chance to experience what being someone’s dog feels like. I’ve been coming to the shelter for months now, and every time I walk in, Pixie is still there. 💔 She’s only 11 months old. Just a puppy. She’s incredibly sweet, adorable, walks beautifully on a leash, listens so well, and has such a gentle personality. Every time I spend time with her, I fall in love with her a little more. Pixie is growing up behind shelter bars, spending some of the most important months of her life without a home to call her own. And while she receives so much love and care from the wonderful staff and volunteers, no puppy should have to spend their puppyhood in a kennel. She should be discovering the world, playing in a backyard, going on adventures, and experiencing what it means to be part of a family. But please don’t let those sad eyes fool you. Pixie is actually a happy, playful, affectionate little girl with the sweetest personality! 🥹 She’s incredibly smart and already knows commands like “sit” and “down.” She absolutely LOVES being outside, rolling around in the grass, and bouncing around like a little kangaroo. She also enjoys puzzles, Kongs, and anything that keeps her clever little brain busy. 📍 Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) — Arlington, VA PLEASE SHARE PIXIE’S STORY! Even if you can’t adopt, your share could help her reach the person who can. Let’s help this sweet girl find the loving home she deserves! #AdoptDontShop #AnimalRescue #Puppy #ShelterDogs #RescueDogs
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10/8 - Blessing your timeline with raccoon ASMR 🔊 🦝 Raccoons are one of the many wild neighbors here in Arlington and one of the many types of wildlife we see through our Wildlife Resource Center. 🔗 You can learn more about Wildlife in Arlington and how to help you find wildlife in need by visiting the link in our bio!
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9/29 - Hamilton may be on a diet, but he knows he can have at least A FEW treats per day 🗣️ 💌 Our tuxedo kitties are so famous right now! Come adopt your very own celebrity at the shelter at 2650 S Arlington Mill Dr. Arlington, VA 22206 or drop us a line to adoptions@awla.org
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9/28 - We think bad days can easily be solved by hanging out with any bunny, but especially Joseph 🐰 💌 Interested in adopting Joseph or one of our other buns? Plan a visit to the shelter this week at 2650 S Arlington Mill Dr. Arlington, VA 22206 or drop us a line to adoptions@awla.org
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