Community Services

The League runs various programs that provide assistance to the community. Call (703) 931-9241 x200 for more information.

Rabies & Microchipping Clinics

We will be hosting our Drive-Up Clinics for the rest 2020 unless otherwise noted. Click here for more info!

The League holds regular low-cost rabies vaccination and microchipping clinics. Clinics begin at 6:30 PM and are open until 8:30 PM. Avoid the crowd by coming the last hour. Cats and dogs can be vaccinated for $10.00 per pet. All pets must be on leashes or in carriers. Please note, all cats and dogs over the age of four months are required by law to have a current rabies vaccination. We also provide microchipping at our clinics for $35. For more information about our Rabies Clinics call (703) 931-9241 ext 200. See calendar for clinic schedule.

Find out more about our Low-Cost Rabies & Microchip Clinics.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter Programs

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington offers a low-cost program for people with a household income below $60,000. We work with a local veterinarian who has generously agreed to accept greatly reduced fees for spaying and neutering in order to combat pet overpopulation. Read more on our low-cost spay/neuter voucher program and requirements.

Veterinary Assistance Program

The League’s Veterinary Assistance Program helps low-income pet owners who need emergency veterinary care for their pets but cannot afford the costs up-front. Please call the shelter at (703) 931-9241 for more information.

Low-income pet owners who are looking for assistance with care not provided by our vet assistance program (or beyond what we are able to assist with through our program) can find more information HERE. Other resources can be found on the Humane Society of the United States website.



Pet Food Pantry

The League offers pet food assistance to residents of Arlington County and Falls Church City who are in need. The AWLA Pet Food Bank’s goal is centered around assisting in keeping pets with their families through mitigating the cost of pet food essentials. Our pet pantry now helps families in need, directly to their door. During times like these, it is important that we consider the health of our staff and the public when providing assistance, so we hope this new procedure will make the pantry even more accessible and convenient for our community.

If you need help or are a current pet food pantry recipient, please fill out this form and we will be in touch!

How you can support AWLA’s Pet Pantry:

Purchase an Amazon Gift Card! Have it sent to communitysupport@awla.org and in the ‘message’ section, please enter “AWLA Pet Pantry”.

Purchase a gift card from Dogma Bakery Pet Store (and support a local business at the same time)! Dogma has offered to let us purchase food at cost from their store and will deliver items to pet owners in need. When purchasing a gift card, please use “AWLA” as the first and last name on the gift card. In the ‘promo code’ section, please enter “AWLA Pet Pantry”. Added bonus: when you buy a $50 gift card for Dogma to purchase food for AWLA’s Pet Pantry, you’ll get $10 of your own to spend at Dogma!

Take part in our Pet Pantry Partners program! Local businesses, groups, and individuals can help AWLA our mission is to help animals and people by providing resources, care, and protection

Thank you so much for your support!

Safekeeping (Companions in Crisis)

If you are an Arlington County or Falls Church City resident and you are experiencing a health or housing crisis (i.e. unexpected hospitalization, house fire), the League can shelter your pet on a short-term basis, giving you time to make other arrangements. Please call us at . (703) 931-9241 for more information.

Pet Loss Support

Our pets are important members of the family. They are devoted companions who give us their unconditional love and acceptance. For a pet caregiver, the loss of a companion animal can be one of life’s most difficult experiences. When we lose a beloved friend, it often helps by sharing our feelings with others who have also experienced a similar loss.

The support group meets quarterly at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of January, April, July, and October at the the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. There is no charge to attend these meetings, and all are welcome. No reservations are required.

Our 2020 dates are: January 8, April 8 (canceled), July 8 (canceled), and October 14th.

For more than 25 years, Kathy Reiter has offered her help to pet owners coping with their loss through free Pet Loss Support Group meetings at local shelters. She also offers her support group at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Kathy is recognized as the area’s leading authority on pet loss. Kathy is a psychiatric social worker with a specialty in grief and bereavement. She has appeared on Good Morning America,CBS News with Dan Rather and PBS. Kathy has also been featured in The Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping and other widely-circulated magazines.

Kathy was instrumental in establishing the hospice movement in the United States and was directly responsible for the construction of the first hospice in Arlington, VA. While the Arlington hospice was being built, Kathy’s beloved cat, Prince, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. While being experienced in human loss, Kathy was now faced with impending pet loss of her animal friend. Kathy turned for help, for resources, and yet found none. Through her own personal experience, Kathy came to realize the need for pet loss support, and generously offers her gentle support to anyone who is grappling with such a loss.