Celebrate the season with gifts that help shelter animals
ARLINGTON, Va. —‘Tis the season for all creatures great and small and at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington several feathered and four-legged friends alike are hoping for a home for the holidays, but if you cannot adopt, consider adopting it forward. Through AWLA’s Adopt it Forward program individuals or businesses can sponsor an animal by paying for their adoption fee, which includes vaccines, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. The tax-deductable sponsorship will not only support the care of a shelter animal, but may also fast track them into permanent homes.
“It has been demonstrated with similar programs throughout the animal welfare community that waived adoption fees help to shorten the length of time an animal spends in a shelter environment,” said Neil Trent, president & CEO, AWLA. “It can really make a significant difference in finding homes for animals that have been living at the shelter awhile, older animals or animals with medical needs.”
Animals that are part of the Adopt it Forward program are identified with a special profile card on their kennels in the shelter and their participation is noted in their online profiles. Individuals or business interested in sponsoring an animal in this program can call, (703) 931-9241, come into the shelter to pay the sponsorship fee or complete the Adopt it Forward donation form online and mail it in with a tax deductible payment.
Whether it is a commitment to adopt a pet, sponsor an animal or a desire to give a charitable present, these gift-giving ideas will support shelter animals in need:
• Purchase a 2015 AWLA Calendar – Features inspirational stories and photos of League adoptions. Calendars can be purchased for $20 at the League to benefit shelter animals.
• It’s a Wrap – Bring your gift purchases to AWLA on December 20 and 21 from 12 p.m. to 4p.m. and let the League elves do your gift wrapping. The League will be accepting donations of $3 per gift wrapped item or $10 for four gift wrapped items.
• Grant a wish—Bring a little joy and enrichment to a shelter animal this holiday season by purchasing an item from our Amazon wish list.
• Gift certificate – Surprise a loved one with an AWLA gift certificate redeemable for a pet adoption fee, retail item or a microchip and rabies vaccination clinic. Gift certificates are available for purchase at the League or over the phone (703) 931-9241.
• Gift of time – In the spirit of the season consider “gifting” your time as a foster guardian. Some animals just need a break every now and then from the shelter environment. AWLA is seeking individuals or families that can temporarily open their home to an animal in need of fostering. AWLA provides foster training and covers all expenses associated with caring for a foster animal, including feeding and medical expenses.
