Top 5 Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations in Northern Virginia

Caring for pets and other animals today takes a village, doesn't it? This is especially true as record numbers of cats, dogs and other animals are found abandoned or homeless. When disasters strike, pets and other animals are especially vulnerable. Fortunately, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) partners with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to make a difference.

Important Role of the Humane Society

Hands down, HSUS is a leading voice against animal cruelty, exploitation and neglect. In 1976, HSUS began accrediting local humane societies nationwide under a rigorous set of standards for quality animal care, community outreach and education, animal control, cruelty investigation, administrative practices and communications. While HSUS no longer accredits shelters, per se, it has developed important standards to guide local animal shelters in their care for pets and other animals. In Northern Virginia, a constellation of animal shelters exist to help animals and humans alike provide and care for neglected, hurt, or homeless animals. Many of these animal shelters embrace the highest HSUS standards.

Top 5 Animal Shelters in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia rocks when it comes to resources for animal protection. In Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County alone, there are dozens of animal shelters and rescue operations. But, some of these animal shelters and rescue operations rise above the rest. How so? They have a good reputation and solid track record in animal care and protection. They forge strong bonds in the community. And, they're there when you need them with important advice, counsel and resources for animal care and protection.

Among the best of the best in this Washington, DC metropolitan area? Check out these Top 5 Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations in Northern Virginia. Each one has great staff and a host of volunteers dedicated to animal care, advocacy and protection.

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
4101 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
Telephone: (703) 746-4774
Website: www.alexandriaanimals.org
Hours of Operation: Open for general business, surrendering owned and stray animals and other emergencies from 11am-8pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9am-5pm Saturday-Sunday
Mission: Inspire compassion for all living things, to provide shelter to animals in need, and to promote adoptions, animal welfare, and responsible pet ownership in our community.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is a full-service resource for individuals, families, schools and community. Dedicated to the welfare of both animals and citizens, the League operates the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, providing care to unwanted and homeless animals, placing animals in permanent, loving homes, and offering educational and support programs and services to help animals and their human companions. Animal Welfare League offers presentations to scouting troops and hosts tours for school children interested in learning how to protect and care for animals in the home and larger community. In addition, the Animal Welfare League hits the streets and encourages pet adoption. For example, it's not unusual to find Animal Welfare League staff and volunteers at Landmark Mall, showing off its resident dogs and puppies.

King Street Cats Rescue & Adoption
25 Dove Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (703) 231-7199
Website: http://kingstreetcats.org
Hours: Adoption open houses held onsite on Saturdays and Sundays 1:30 to 4:30pm
Mission: Educate and assist the community in regard to cat welfare, and to provide loving homes for the cats and kittens in our care.

Dogs get a lot of ink, but cats and kittens need care, shelter and protection as well. Fortunately for Northern Virginia residents, King Street Cats has been doing this for years. A free-roaming, no-kill cat orphanage, King Street Cats aims to educate the community on cat welfare and encourage adoption for cats and kittens in its care. A full service animal shelter, King Street Cats is involved in public outreach, promoting spaying and neutering of cats. Check out "Cats on the Go" mobile adoption events at Petco, Landmark and other locations in and around Northern Virginia.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington
2650 South Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22206
Telephone: (703) 931-9241
Website: www.awla.org
Hours: Adoption Hours Noon to 7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Closed for adoptions on Tuesday. Receive animals 8am to 10pm year round. 24/7 Animal Emergencies
Mission: Humane treatment of animals and promotion of animal welfare. The League provides temporary care and refuge for homeless and suffering animals; places animals in loving, responsible homes; provides animal control services to Arlington County; and, educates the public and provides variety of community services.

I adopted my pet from Animal Welfare League of Arlington and got to see first-hand what AWLA is all about. This is one full-service animal care shelter and organization. ALWA has first-rate education and training, animal care assistance, adoption services, you name it. Great staff and community support. Community outreach programs. Training for newly adopted pets and their families. Great newsletter. All combine for strong animal and pet advocacy in Northern Virginia.

Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART)
P.O. Box 7261, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-7261
Telephone: (703)691-HART
Website: www.hart90.org
Hours: Varies (Volunteer driven; not staffed full time)
Mission: Regional no-kill animal rescue/support group that rehomes stray, abused and unwanted dogs and cats. HART works with local veterinarians, foster homes, kennels, and trainers to provide temporary housing, medical care and, where appropriate, training for the animals until placed in a loving, carefully-screened new home. HART takes in older, sick, and injured animals as well as the readily adoptable.

HART is a no-kill animal rescue and animal support group that takes in and finds homes for stray, abused and unwanted dogs and cats. HART volunteers are passionate about this mission and really make a difference with house pets and other animals across Northern Virginia. HART participates in adoptions events throughout the region, and works tirelessly with pet owners and adoptees alike. Most donations or proceeds from HART events go to support the pets and animals themselves.

Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
P.O. Box 223953, Chantilly, Virginia 20153
Phone: (703) 295-3647
Hours: n/a
Website: www.lostdogrescue.org
Mission: The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization existing to help homeless and abandoned animals find permanent, loving homes, end pet overpopulation crisis by spaying or neutering every animal in its care before offering them for adoption.

Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation aims to help homeless and abandoned animals find permanent, loving homes. The Foundation participates in community outreach and adoption events, educational seminars and so much more. The Foundation has a strong presence in Northern Virginia, making a difference with pets and pet owners near and far from Fairfax County, Virginia.

RESOURCES

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
Telephone: (202) 452-1100
Website: www.humanesociety.org

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
424 E. 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128
Telephone: (212) 876-7700
Website: www.aspca.org

Animal Rescue Association of America
P.O. Box 68626, Portland, OR 97268
Telephone: (503) 287-5500
Website :www.anraa.org