Dear Friends,
I am writing to introduce myself as the new CEO of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington–it is an honor and a privilege to join this incredible organization during its 80th year of service! As a long-time area resident and a passionate advocate for animals, AWLA’s dedication to uplifting the lives of animals and people in our community through its diverse range of programs and services is what attracted me to the organization, and it is a strong foundation that we will continue to build upon in years to come. In just my first few weeks here, I’ve been fortunate to meet so many of the remarkable individuals who make our work possible. From the dedicated and talented staff, to the volunteers, foster parents, and supporters I’ve spoken with so far, it’s clear that ours is a community with an unparalleled commitment to improving animal welfare, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
It’s in that spirit of shared commitment that I aim to always be transparent about our work so that together we can address challenges as they arise, together. In this post-pandemic world, we’ve seen shifts in the needs of animals and their people—whether it’s an increase in the number of complex behavioral or medical conditions of homeless animals who come through our doors or a growing demand for services that assist pet owners in caring for their animals. We are experiencing a pivotal moment in animal welfare, one that requires great flexibility, innovation, and resilience–traits that our dedicated staff embody in their work every single day. AWLA will continue to adapt to meet these challenges, thanks to the unwavering support of you, our community members.
Perhaps my favorite experience since joining AWLA was joining other team members in a special holiday distribution of food, litter, and supplies to senior citizen pet owners last week. As we went from unit to unit, I got to hear directly from our clients about the role their pets play in their lives, providing constant companionship and comfort during a time when most of them are living alone. To learn from some of them that without our services this may not be possible made it clear just how critical our work is to helping preserve these loving relationships. At AWLA, supporting these bonds between human and animal is central to all that we do–whether it’s through adoption, fostering, our community programs, or our animal control services, which are a cornerstone of our work and have long been a source of information and guidance for community members. I look forward to strengthening these programs in the years to come.
As we embark on this next chapter, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. You are the heart of AWLA’s mission, and it’s through your generosity and compassion that we can continue to make a difference. I look forward to meeting more of you in the months ahead and sharing updates on our work as we move into an exciting new year.
Thank you for being part of the AWLA team. Together, we can ensure that our community continues to be a safe and welcoming place for all animals—and the people who love them.
Warm regards,
Lauren Lipsey
Chief Executive Officer
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
