New facility will minimize feline and small companion animal stress and facilitate quicker adoptions
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) today launched the Care And Transform capital campaign to secure a $670,000 in funding for a building renovation that will improve the intake and quality of life for feline and small companion animals at the shelter. Annually, AWLA receives approximately 900 cats with an average length of stay of 35 days. With no time limit for any of its animals, some cats may live at the shelter for as long as a year prior to finding permanent homes. While the existing facility offers adequate space and enrichment for short stays, it is not sufficient to impact the overall quality of life for the long-term feline residents.
“We believe that while cats are in our care we must do everything that we can to enrich their lives and that includes an opportunity to stretch, climb and play,” said Neil Trent, AWLA president and CEO. “By improving our feline housing, we anticipate a reduction in the average length of stay for cats, which is not only better for them, but will free space to accept more cats.”
According to animal welfare experts, housing is the single most important factor in determining the quality of an animal’s experience in a shelter environment. It impacts the animal 24 hours-a-day and affects everything from anxiety level and disease, to food intake and sleep quality. The renovated cat and small companion quarters will be designed by Animal Arts, a nationally recognized architecture firm specializing in animal shelter and veterinary clinic design and will adhere to the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) guidelines. The new facility will include more cageless cat colonies; larger cat cages with spaces for hiding, perching and stretching; enlarged windows to provide more natural light; private “get acquainted” rooms; new cat receiving and isolation rooms; and a state-of-the-art HVAC system to promote animal health.
“AWLA is committed to providing animals with the best standards of care,” said Mr. Treadaway, AWLA past chair and CAT campaign chair. “Research shows there is a link between physical environment and animal health. Through the CAT campaign, we are ensuring that our shelter cats will receive exemplary care.”
The CAT campaign committee is comprised of community and business leaders including Mark Treadaway, Jeanne Broyhill, Joanne Hannett, Diane Greenlee, Pat and Bob Ragan, and Debra Rose. To date, the committee has raised over 35 percent of the campaign goal with significant lead gifts from John Kaparakis, Debra and David Rose, Mark Treadaway and Bob Kenney, Jack and Dona Hobbs, Lisa Kirschner, Gillian McPhee, Bernice Barbour Roundation, Pat and Bob Ragan, Susan and David Sherman, Neil Trent, Jeanne Broyhill and Joe Ventrone, Jennie Barnes, George Depaoli, Susan and Kevin Murnane and American International Group.
“The AWLA’s mission is to improve the lives of animals, and the League is committed to enhancing the quality of care for its animals. We encourage the public to support this initiative through adoption or a donation to the CAT campaign,” said Trent.
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