‘Baby Shower’ to Help Homeless Kittens and Puppies

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is preparing for kitten and puppy season by holding a “baby shower” from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.

The open house will introduce guests to the the league’s foster care program, which will be the destination for many of the puppies and kittens arriving at the shelter this spring. The league will also have information on its reduced-cost spay and neuter program and the trap-neuter-return program, both of which help prevent unplanned litters.

Baby shower attendees are asked to donate items from the Foster Care Wish List to help prepare the new arrivals for life in a foster home. There will be light refreshments, a meet-and-greet with current foster parents and animals, games and prizes.

Each spring, animal welfare organizations see an increase in the number of puppies and kittens in need of care. Unplanned and unwanted litters are easily preventable through spay and neuter procedures, and the league works with pet owners and numerous veterinary clinics to make these procedures more affordable.

“Every year, the League cares for hundreds of unwanted kittens and puppies that have been produced by unfixed animals in our community,” said Megan Webb, executive director of the league, in a statement. “These animals require a great deal of care and we depend on the help of our dedicated volunteers, foster parents, and supporters to make this possible.”

Autumn Vigil, the league’s foster care coordinator, said in a statement, “The baby shower is an interactive way for animal lovers to support the League’s foster care program and learn more about participating as a foster parent. The foster care program saves lives by providing kittens, puppies, and adult animals a stable home environment to grow healthy and strong, recover from medical procedures or gain confidence and courage after a life of poor treatment.”

Donations from the Foster Care Wish List are also being accepted at Unleashed by Petco in Alexandria, located at 283 S. Van Dorn St. Donors who are unable to attend the baby shower or drop off items at Unleashed by Petco may drop off donations at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., any time during normal business hours.

More information about the baby shower, reduced-cost spay/neuter program, the trap-neuter-return program and the Foster Care Wish List can be found here. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is an independent, local nonprofit organization that operates the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.