Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Animal Welfare League of Arlington 🐾 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization
💙 All-in for pets, people, and wildlife since 1944
📸 |
🔗 www.awla.org
(530)

08/15/2026

Yes, Sammy IS reaching out to see if you’ll be his new human recliner. This 11-year-old is a little shy at first, but once he trusts you, he’s all paws and head scratches. Sammy is looking for his new home — could it be yours? Come meet him at the shelter!

www.awla.org/pet/sammy

08/15/2026

Yes, Sammy IS reaching out 🐾 (he’s asking if you’ll be his new recliner). Senior, sweet, and ready to melt into your lap. Link in bio to meet him!

Four years ago, Marcos adopted Rudy from AWLA while living in Arlington. Since then, the two have built a life together ...
08/14/2026

Four years ago, Marcos adopted Rudy from AWLA while living in Arlington. Since then, the two have built a life together that most of us only dream about.

After DC, Marcos and Rudy moved to Detroit, then hit the road for cross-country trips. Today they're full-time digital nomads, traveling through Spain and across Europe together. Rudy has fully embraced van life — Marcos says when he's packing for a trip and leaves the door open, Rudy jumps right in, ready to go.

Marcos describes Rudy as friendly, chill, and endlessly good company (with the occasional bark out the window, which we can forgive). Looking back, he calls adopting Rudy one of the best decisions of his life.

Stories like this are why we do what we do. Every animal at AWLA is waiting for their own version of Rudy's story — a home, an adventure, and someone in their corner 🥰

Meet Marty (formerly known as Amore) — proof that patience and love can transform a life.When Marty was adopted, all we ...
08/13/2026

Meet Marty (formerly known as Amore) — proof that patience and love can transform a life.

When Marty was adopted, all we knew was that he'd come to the U.S. as a puppy from Ethiopia and spent about four years with his family before ending up at AWLA. What his adopter Shane didn't know at first was just how much Marty had seen and survived living on the streets before that.

Marty came home with serious anxiety. He'd twist and scratch at the floor for attention, bolt at the sight of a white van, and sprint away from anything that looked like a long stick. It took a lot of intensive, patient work to help him feel safe.

Today, at almost 10 years old, Marty is a joyful, affectionate goofball with as much energy as his sister — who's half his age. He's road-tripped across the country in the backseat of a two-door car, moved houses more than once, and finally found his happy place with a family who never gave up on him.

Thank you to Shane for sharing this incredible update and these beautiful photos. Stories like Marty's are why AWLA animals deserve every chance at a second start. 💛

Long-time supporters and fellow animal lovers at KBS stopped by to work alongside us caring for our animals! We're honor...
08/13/2026

Long-time supporters and fellow animal lovers at KBS stopped by to work alongside us caring for our animals! We're honored to have the passion and dedication of volunteers supporting our animals and our mission 💙

🐾 Learn more about AWLA's Animal Care Crew - https://www.awla.org/volunteer/animal-care-crew/

Our dogs go through training treats fast. Every visitor grabs a handful before heading back to meet the dogs in our kenn...
08/12/2026

Our dogs go through training treats fast. Every visitor grabs a handful before heading back to meet the dogs in our kennels — it's one of the easiest ways to make a great first impression on a shelter dog, and we're running low.

Here's what helps most:

🥩 Soft, meat-based treats (dry & bready ones aren't a hit)
🚫🍗 Chicken-free is a huge plus — more dogs can enjoy them
📦 Unopened only, please, so we can double check ingredients

Three easy ways to donate:

📫Drop off in the blue bin by our front door — available anytime, even outside shelter hours
📦Order from our Amazon wishlist and it'll ship straight to us (link in comments)
🐶Bring treats with you next time you visit AWLA animals in person

Every treat helps a nervous dog feel a little braver on their walk to the kennels. Thank you for keeping our treat jar full!

From a stray hanging out by the shelter's bike rack to the center of his family's world — Truffle's story is the kind th...
07/28/2026

From a stray hanging out by the shelter's bike rack to the center of his family's world — Truffle's story is the kind that makes us smile every day.

When Truffle first came to AWLA, he wasn't exactly a fan of being picked up or handled. Fast forward to now: he's a full-blown couch cuddler who wedges himself right into his family's space (feet in faces included) and gets endlessly excited over a new toy.

And when Truffle decides it's time to start the day? He kicks open the bedroom door himself — no morning alarm required

His adopter Caroline says it best: "He made me and my fiancé a family, and we love him so much.".

Stories like Truffle's are why we do this work. Have an adoption story of your own? Tag us — we love celebrating our AWLA alumni! 💙

What does one day look like for AWLA's Animal Control team?A litter of kittens rescued from under a backyard deck. An or...
07/24/2026

What does one day look like for AWLA's Animal Control team?

A litter of kittens rescued from under a backyard deck. An orphaned baby raccoon, alert and on his way to a wildlife rehabber. A fox who got three legs stuck between fence slats overnight. And a fledgling crow, tangled in tennis court netting, freed and now recovering in our wildlife intake center.

Four calls. Four completely different animals. One team ready for whatever comes through the door.

Swipe through to see them all →

This is the work our officers do every day, often without anyone watching. Grateful for every one of them.

Flip it and win it. 🍔🔥Our Flippin’ Special Bark-B-Q is here July 24–26! Flip a fake burger for real deals — $25 off up t...
07/24/2026

Flip it and win it. 🍔🔥

Our Flippin’ Special Bark-B-Q is here July 24–26! Flip a fake burger for real deals — $25 off up to a FREE adoption, plus bonus prizes like leashes and collars 🎁

✅ All AWLA dogs, cats & rabbits 6 months+
🚫 No actual food — this one’s just for the pets, not the humans 😅

Every flip wins something. Come find your new best friend July 24–26!




🐾 POLL: How do YOU "Monday"? 🐾Sky has feelings about Mondays, and honestly? Relatable. Vote for the pic that matches you...
07/20/2026

🐾 POLL: How do YOU "Monday"? 🐾

Sky has feelings about Mondays, and honestly? Relatable. Vote for the pic that matches your mood this week:

1️⃣ Eager for a fresh start
2️⃣ Recovering from a busy weekend
3️⃣ Can we just skip Mondays?
4️⃣ LET'S GOOOOO

Vote in the comments and tell us which Sky you are today!

While you're here — Sky is looking for her people, and her adoption fee is waived thanks to a generous donor. She's playful, a little shy at first, and turns into the biggest goofball once she trusts you. Give her a little time and patience and she'll make every Monday (and every day after) better. 💛

Meet Sky → awla.org/pet/sky

Address

2650 S Arlington Mill Drive
Arlington, VA
22206

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 7pm
Wednesday 12pm - 7pm
Thursday 12pm - 7pm
Friday 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(703)9319241

Website

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