Pet Of The Year Day Proclaimed In Alexandria, Animal Shelter Aids Hurricane-Hit Areas

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Pets are hardly counted as second class citizens in Alexandria. In fact, local leaders for the first time proclaimed a day to recognize Alexandria’s 2025 Animal of the Year, chosen through a fundraiser for the animal shelter.

The top dog Barnabas was chosen as Alexandria’s 2025 Animal of the Year by raising the most funds for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's 2025 calendar contest. Barnabas, a rescue basset hound, had his moment in the spotlight at the calendar launch party Thursday outside Vola's Dockside Grill. Runner-up pets were Max the cat, Mickey the dog and AWLA adoptee, and Burger the hedgehog.

"It was our most successful ever [calendar contest], and we raised over $75,000 for Alexandria's animals and the people who love them," AWLA Executive Director Stella Hanly said at the calendar launch event. "So not just the animals in our care, but that will go to support the community's animals as well to prevent surrenders to the shelter."

Mayor Justin Wilson and Alexandria City Council provided a new proclamation honoring Animal of the Year Barnabas and future winners. The city proclaimed Thursday, Oct. 3 as Alexandria's Animal of the Year Day.

Amidst the celebration of the successful fundraiser, AWLA is in the midst of assisting shelters affected by Hurricane Helene. Spokesperson Erin Shackelford told Patch the animal shelter has taken in two dogs from Yancy County, North Carolina and a dog with a broken leg from Smyth County, Virginia. But the shelter is currently full on dog space.

"We'd love to be able to help more, but right now we're at capacity with the dogs," Shackelford said.

In remarks to AWLA supporters, Hanly said, "If you know anybody who's on the fence about adopting, especially a dog, we really need to make dog space so that we can bring in as many animals as possible from those affected areas."

The AWLA is offering an adoption special throughout October. Subaru Loves Pets sponsored adoption fees for dogs over 40 pounds, which means adopters won't pay an adoption fee for these eligible pets. Hanly noted that there were puppies and all kinds of dogs available.

The AWLA is also looking ahead to its big festival, Paws in the Park, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13 at Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria. The event will include vendors, a Rescue Row with adoptable animals and entertainment for children and adults alike. The first 1,000 attendees at Paws in the Park will receive a swag bag. Paws in the Park is open to leashed, well-behaved pets of all types. Proceeds benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

For more information and to see adoptable pets, visit alexandriaanimals.org.