Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Skid (left) in the arms of a transport worker. At right, the Alexandria transport van waiting at a regional airport.
Working with the BISSELL Pet Foundation and several local animal shelters and rescues, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has brought dozens of animals to Northern Virginia from Louisiana shelters that were ravaged by Hurricane Ida.
A plane transporting more than 100 animals landed in Virginia on Wednesday, with cats and dogs who would be moving to facilities in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Animals on this flight were ones who were in Louisiana shelters before they were affected by the hurricane. By transporting them to the AWLA and other facilities, these animals have a new chance at finding homes across the region, while also making more room in the Louisiana shelters. This means that the southern shelters have greater capacity to take in animals displaced by the storm, with the goal of reconnecting them with their families when circumstances allow.
“Even with the plane doors closed, we could hear the dogs and how excited they were to be here,”said AWLA Adoptions Transfer Coordinator Jeannette Acosta.
The AWLA has taken in a number of dogs ranging in age from 3 months to 9 years, as well as several kittens who will spend time in the AWLA’s foster program until they are ready for adoption. As these animals become ready for adoption, more information about them will be available at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has been part of this collaborative effort, from our partners on the ground in Louisiana to those helping here in Virginia, taking these pets into their shelters so they can be adopted,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “This was a massive team effort with people all across the country helping each other, and while part of the work is finished, there is more to be done as we continue to help the displaced pets in Louisiana.”
"Every animal transported to our area means one more animal who has the chance to reconnect with their family in Louisiana," said AWLA Director of Operations Katie DeWillems. "We're glad to work with this amazing team to help dozens of animals find their homes across our community."
