AWLA Shows Appreciation For Animal Care And Control Staff

ARLINGTON, VA — Staff of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington cared for more than 4,900 animals and handled nearly 4,500 animal cases in 2021, the largest number in both categories in the shelter’s history.

The staff's hard work is getting recognized as the nation celebrates Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week, which is held each year during the second full week of April.

“The work of these two teams is so intertwined and integral to the success stories you see on our social media pages and newsletters,” Jennifer Toussaint, Arlington County’s chief of animal control, said in a statement Monday.

“Both these teams remained essential in-person staff throughout the pandemic and were unwavering in their commitment to upholding our mission and values,” Toussaint said.

Animal control officers manage field work, while AWLA’s care staff handles animals and operations at the shelter.

Toussaint recalled going out for a call to the home of an Arlington County resident who had died from COVID-19. The man had a dog who had to be brought into the shelter.

"We were able to retrieve his dog, who was confused and fearful and didn’t understand why scary people in large white suits with masks on were coming into her home to take her away," Toussaint said.

AWLA staff came up with a plan to make the dog as comfortable as possible and contacted the man's family, who came in to pick up the dog.

“They come in early, stay late, and provide unrelenting support — these two teams could not succeed without the other," Toussaint said of the animal care and control teams. "This symbiotic role in the welfare of each and every animal leads these two teams to being very close.”

While animal control officers are out in the field, the animal care team has a wide range of responsibilities, from administering fluids to a dehydrated kitten to sorting donations from the public.

“Your focus on their health and happiness comes through everyday, from our cats curled up in their clean beds and blankets, to our dogs enjoying that extra toy chosen specifically for them, to the bunny enjoying one of the many hiding spots you chose for them,” AWLA Animal Care Manager Jose Serrano said in a statement of appreciation for the shelter's animal care staff.

Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week is designed to give recognition to animal care and control workers who devote huge amounts of personal time and resources, while they serve the public like other public safety and law enforcement agencies empowered with the same duties.

Animals available for adoption can be found on the Animal Welfare League of Arlington's website. AWLA is located at 2650 South Arlington Mill Drive.