The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has 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.
The renovated cat and small companion quarters will be designed by Animal Arts, an architecture firm specializing in animal shelter and veterinary clinic design and will adhere to the Association of Shelter Veterinarians 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.
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 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.
To learn more about ways to support the CAT campaign or AWLA’s diverse selection of companion animals including: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and hamsters visit www.awla.org or download the free Arlington Pets App.
AWLA is located at 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive and is open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between noon and 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 4 p.m.