As we step into spring, we continue making steady progress toward our mission of helping animals in need. Here’s a comprehensive look at what we’ve accomplished and what’s ahead.
Development Updates
An exciting project is the Celebration Wall, which is being installed now. This will be a lovely tribute to our supporters and the animals we help. It celebrates the kindness of our community.
We’ve also wrapped up several fundraising and networking events, including:
- Tats for Tails with 168 Tattoo, which ran throughout February and March to benefit AWA.
- Subaru Union Games, which kicked off in March and will continue throughout the year.
- Philadelphia Flyers AWA Fundraiser on March 29. Enjoy a Pretend Vet Clinic and learn more at our info tables.
We host professional networking events like:
- CCRCC Headshot Day
- Alignable Networking Event
- SJWIB Meeting
- Yes She Can Networking Event (with a donation drive)
Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for:
- Tab Shred Event on April 5, offering unlimited shredding for $40.
- Liberty Beans Coffee Fundraiser, currently available online, allowing supporters to enjoy great coffee while giving back.
- Rabbit Vaccine Clinic on April 6, led by Dr. Sharonda.
- Paws & Feet at Cooper River Park on May 4, our signature community event.
Offsite Engagement & Professional Development
We’ve been actively participating in professional development opportunities. On March 1, I proudly presented at the Best Friends - Bring No-Kill Home Summit in Cherry Hill. My topic was “Finding Common Ground for the Betterment of Your Community.” Over 300 professionals from various states attended the summit. AWA was one of just two shelters invited to present.
On March 18, our leadership team attended "Leveraging Technology to Advance Your Mission" at Haverford Trust. They explored new ideas for animal welfare.
Shelter Innovations: Dogs Playing for Life
This month, a key highlight was our shelter's participation in the Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL) program in Jacksonville, FL. Thanks to an ASPCA grant, our team members Jenna and Rob attended training. This training teaches structured playgroups. It helps reduce kennel stress and improves adoptability.
Rob’s Takeaway: "The DPFL program gave me invaluable insights into canine behavior and playgroup management. Since using these techniques, our dogs' stress levels and well-being have improved."
Jenna’s Takeaway: “DPFL has improved our ability to form playgroups by energy levels. This helps fearful dogs build confidence. It also allows reactive dogs to improve their social skills. Using these methods will boost shelter life and help our dogs succeed in their future homes."
We also recently hosted a two-part Canine Behavior Management Leadership Hour. This event brought together professionals from regional shelters that collaborated on best practices.
Foster & Transport
Kitten season is upon us! While we currently have only a handful of kittens in foster care, we’re bracing for an influx in the coming months. To get ready, our team held a virtual workshop on cat health. This helped our foster families prepare for future challenges.
We’ve formed a new partnership with San Antonio Pets Alive. This is our third partner in Texas. Our partnership with Dallas Pets Alive got noticed on CBS and NBC. They covered our successful Pilots to the Rescue transport effort.
Adoption & Shelter Trends
Dog and small animal adoptions are stable. However, we’ve seen a 38% drop in cat adoptions from last year. This decline matches a 46% drop in cat intakes. Fewer cats are entering our local shelter system. Our outreach to southern states has also faced issues. Many organizers canceled planned cat transports because they didn't have enough cats available.
Clinic & Veterinary Services
A bittersweet update: Dr. Scott will be leaving AWA full-time on April 18. We are looking for a new veterinarian. In the meantime, we have contract vets available to provide care.
On March 11, our clinic underwent a DEA compliance review by Pharma Diversion. We were happy to get great feedback. Some of our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were praised as models for other organizations.
Community Outreach & Volunteer Efforts
Our Pet Food Pantry continues to expand its reach:
- February-March 2025: 156 families served (a 39% increase over last year)
- Volunteers packed 334 lbs. of pet food for distribution.
- On February 26, our team supported Hope Church Pantry, delivering 416 lbs. of pet food.
We participated in the Sturbridge Lakes Lake Plunge Fundraiser for the second year. This fun event supports our work and connects us with the community.
Construction & Facility Updates
New fencing will be installed soon. This will improve safety in the shelter's high-risk areas.
Looking Ahead
On a heartwarming note, Matthew, my foster pup, found his forever home this month!
We’re excited to keep improving animal welfare. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to AWA’s mission. Your support makes our work possible. Together, we’re creating a lasting change for animals and our community.
Warm regards,
Laura
Executive Director
