Alexandria Animal Control Report: Chim Chim Birdie

Animal Control officers in Alexandria deal with a variety of calls every week. Here's a glance at some recent incidents in the city courtesy of Patrick Egan of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Chim Chim Birdie — If your chimney starts making noises, you can call Dick Van Dyke. Or you can call Alexandria Animal Control.

On July 22, an officer responded to the 3900 block of Fort Worth Avenue in Seminary Hills after some chirping was reported in a chimney that was not being used.

The officer discovered some birds had found their way into the chimney and was able to coax them out and return them safely to the wild.

Mary Poppins never got the call from the bullpen.

Restful Raccoon — Sometimes, a raccoon just wants to chill out.

An Animal Control officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Longview Drive following a report of a raccoon that appeared to be sick or injured.

The officer captured the raccoon, quickly determined it was healthy and returned it to the wild.

Animal Control officers will only remove native species if they are sick or injured. Otherwise, they’ll let them be—just like those wild turkeys and foxes terrorizing Old Town.

Adoption Event — Find a photogenic four-legged friend at AWLA’s Dog Days adoption event presented by the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association and part of Kathleen Ewing’s Dog Days Dog Show.

Adoptable dogs will be available from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Athenaeum in Old Town. Admission is free. More information is available on the AWLA website.