Spotlight: Animal Welfare League of Arlington County

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Mission: The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has been committed to the humane treatment of animals and to the promotion of animal welfare.

Contact Information: Phone: (703) 931-9241; Fax: (703) 921-2568; email: Available here; Address: 2650 South Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington, Va. 22206; Website: www.awla.org

Financials: According to the League’s website, in 2011 2,080 animals were taken into the shelter or foster care; 1,201 animals were adopted while 253 lost pets were returned to their owners.

History: The league was created in 1944 by a small group of volunteers who found it necessary to create a humane organization dedicated to improve the welfare of stray, abused and neglected animals in Arlington.

The current shelter opened in 1974. In 1983, the league took over animal control duties from the county. In 1977, the league became one of the nations first humane societies to be accredited by the Humane Society of the United States.

Since then, the league has provided temporary care and refuge for homeless and suffering animals, places animals in loving, responsible homes, provides animal control services to Arlington County, and educates the public and provides a wide variety of community services.

How you can help: If interested in volunteering in the animal shelter, foster parent program, or wildlife aid brigade, please visit theLeague’s website for more information.

Visit the website for more information.