Opportunities From: Volunteer Arlington

Volunteer: MLK Day: Listen & Learn and Go Bag Scavenger Hunt

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) serves the Arlington community with animal sheltering and control services to help pet owners keep their animals healthy, happy, and home. AWLA provides ‘go bags’ to foster families and community members to keep their pets happy and healthy.

Join us for a Listen & Learn to hear about AWLA’s lifesaving work and how we use Go Bags to support pet parents and Fosters. Volunteers can help assemble these bags with supplies, treats, and enrichment items or pick up food to be given out to the community as part of our Pet Pantry. Pick your favorite type of Go Bag and head over to local pet stores (or us) to find each item. Once you have all the items drop off your assembled bag or food item in the MLK donation bin at AWLA between Tuesday January 20th and Friday January 23rd during our open hours from 12-7pm! Community Enrichment Go Bags For Dogs (most needed) - Martingale Collar/ Harness and Leash - Untippable Water Bowl - Slow Feeder - Lickimat - Durable Toys (Kong, WubbaNub) - TREATS!! For Cats - Eggsirciser - Wand/ Feather Toy - Cat Nip/ Cat Nip Spray - Cat Dancer Toy - TREATS!! Foster Family Go Bags Dogs - Leashes (We prefer 6 foot with 2 handles if possible. NO retractable) - Medium/Large Martingale Collars - Large Fun Slow Feeder - Treats - Durable Toys - Calming Spray Cats - Small Fun Crinkle Cat Toys - Churro Cat Treats or Tasty Crunchy Treats - Catnip - Feliway Spray - Cat Scratch Board - Slow Feeder Small Companion Animals - Care Fresh - Treats - Chew Toys - Slow Feeder or Fun Wooden Feeder

Pet pantry Cats - Friskies dry food: 3 or 16lb bags - Friskies wet food: pate or shredded - Lightweight cat litter - Dogs - Pedigree dry food: small large breed; 3.5, 14, or 18lb bags - Pedigree wet food: pouches or cans Local Pet Stores: Dogma 2771 S. Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 Woof Gang 4550 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA 22207 AWLA 2650 S Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 (not open on MLK Day) The Dog Store 2301 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) serves the Arlington community with animal sheltering and control services to help pet owners keep their animals healthy, happy, and home. AWLA provides ‘go bags’ to foster families and community members to keep their pets happy and healthy.

Join us for a Listen & Learn to hear about AWLA’s lifesaving work and how we use Go Bags to support pet parents and Fosters. Volunteers can help assemble these bags with supplies, treats, and enrichment items or pick up food to be given out to the community as part of our Pet Pantry. Pick your favorite type of Go Bag and head over to local pet stores (or us) to find each item. Once you have all the items drop off your assembled bag or food item in the MLK donation bin at AWLA between Tuesday January 20th and Friday January 23rd during our open hours from 12-7pm! Community Enrichment Go Bags For Dogs (most needed) - Martingale Collar/ Harness and Leash - Untippable Water Bowl - Slow Feeder - Lickimat - Durable Toys (Kong, WubbaNub) - TREATS!! For Cats - Eggsirciser - Wand/ Feather Toy - Cat Nip/ Cat Nip Spray - Cat Dancer Toy - TREATS!! Foster Family Go Bags Dogs - Leashes (We prefer 6 foot with 2 handles if possible. NO retractable) - Medium/Large Martingale Collars - Large Fun Slow Feeder - Treats - Durable Toys - Calming Spray Cats - Small Fun Crinkle Cat Toys - Churro Cat Treats or Tasty Crunchy Treats - Catnip - Feliway Spray - Cat Scratch Board - Slow Feeder Small Companion Animals - Care Fresh - Treats - Chew Toys - Slow Feeder or Fun Wooden Feeder

Pet pantry Cats - Friskies dry food: 3 or 16lb bags - Friskies wet food: pate or shredded - Lightweight cat litter - Dogs - Pedigree dry food: small large breed; 3.5, 14, or 18lb bags - Pedigree wet food: pouches or cans Local Pet Stores: Dogma 2771 S. Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 Woof Gang 4550 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA 22207 AWLA 2650 S Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 (not open on MLK Day) The Dog Store 2301 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Jan 19, 2026

Zip Code: 22201

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Junior Fostering

Junior Fosters is AWLA's most unique, hands-on program for kids ages 13-17!

Junior Fosters care for a rabbit or guinea pig from the comfort of their home (with parental supervision) and help their foster pet find their new family. Our program seeks to give as much responsibility as possible to your child so they can learn and appreciate all the benefits of caring for a pet and the rewarding job of being a foster. Our organization provides all necessary education, equipment, and support to ensure a positive experience for both the foster animal and family.

What your child gains from the experience:

Community service hoursExperience working/caring for animalsResponsibility with weekly tasksCommunication skill


Junior Foster Sign up

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Junior Fosters is AWLA's most unique, hands-on program for kids ages 13-17!

Junior Fosters care for a rabbit or guinea pig from the comfort of their home (with parental supervision) and help their foster pet find their new family. Our program seeks to give as much responsibility as possible to your child so they can learn and appreciate all the benefits of caring for a pet and the rewarding job of being a foster. Our organization provides all necessary education, equipment, and support to ensure a positive experience for both the foster animal and family.

What your child gains from the experience:

Community service hoursExperience working/caring for animalsResponsibility with weekly tasksCommunication skill


Junior Foster Sign up

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22206

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Animal Fostering

Foster families expand AWLA’s ability to care for animals beyond the walls of the shelter by giving pets a warm, loving environment to heal, grow, and flourish.

Fostering provides a temporary home for a pet, as an alternative to housing them in the shelter.  Every foster request is unique because every animal is unique. Foster commitments range from two weeks to several months, so you can choose foster options that fit your lifestyle. 

We may ask that animals be actively promoted for adoption from the foster home. The sooner your foster animal is adopted, the sooner you can (hopefully) bring a new foster pet into your home, giving us one more available kennel at the shelter to help other animals in need.

AWLA will provide the items you need to get started. This may include but is not limited to carriers, crates, food, medication, litter boxes, puppy pads, bowls, collar/leash, etc. Shelter supplies are donation-based, so if you would like to provide approved supplies for your foster animal we would be extremely grateful!


Foster RequirementsFoster caregivers must be 18 years of age or older.Willingness to abide by all policies and procedures in our foster manual and in the foster care contract you sign when you pick up your foster animal. You will receive a copy of the contract each time you foster.If you rent your home, you must have permission from the property manager/landlord to house animals.Have regular access to email and respond promptly to email and phone communication.Be able to provide or arrange a transportation plan for your foster animal(s) to and from AWLA.Follow instructions from AWLA staff regarding medical and behavioral needs  Have proof of up-to-date vaccinations for all resident animals.  Rabies vaccinations are required. (DA2PP, FVRCP, Bordetella, etc as appropriate)Understand that your foster animal is under the custody of AWLA.  Foster caregiver input is welcomed and will always be taken into consideration; however, AWLA staff members are the primary decision makers regarding the health and well-being of our animals.


Cat & Kitten Foster Sign Up

Dog Foster Sign Up

Small Animal Foster Sing Up

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Foster families expand AWLA’s ability to care for animals beyond the walls of the shelter by giving pets a warm, loving environment to heal, grow, and flourish.

Fostering provides a temporary home for a pet, as an alternative to housing them in the shelter.  Every foster request is unique because every animal is unique. Foster commitments range from two weeks to several months, so you can choose foster options that fit your lifestyle. 

We may ask that animals be actively promoted for adoption from the foster home. The sooner your foster animal is adopted, the sooner you can (hopefully) bring a new foster pet into your home, giving us one more available kennel at the shelter to help other animals in need.

AWLA will provide the items you need to get started. This may include but is not limited to carriers, crates, food, medication, litter boxes, puppy pads, bowls, collar/leash, etc. Shelter supplies are donation-based, so if you would like to provide approved supplies for your foster animal we would be extremely grateful!


Foster RequirementsFoster caregivers must be 18 years of age or older.Willingness to abide by all policies and procedures in our foster manual and in the foster care contract you sign when you pick up your foster animal. You will receive a copy of the contract each time you foster.If you rent your home, you must have permission from the property manager/landlord to house animals.Have regular access to email and respond promptly to email and phone communication.Be able to provide or arrange a transportation plan for your foster animal(s) to and from AWLA.Follow instructions from AWLA staff regarding medical and behavioral needs  Have proof of up-to-date vaccinations for all resident animals.  Rabies vaccinations are required. (DA2PP, FVRCP, Bordetella, etc as appropriate)Understand that your foster animal is under the custody of AWLA.  Foster caregiver input is welcomed and will always be taken into consideration; however, AWLA staff members are the primary decision makers regarding the health and well-being of our animals.


Cat & Kitten Foster Sign Up

Dog Foster Sign Up

Small Animal Foster Sing Up

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22206

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: In Shelter Volunteering

Volunteers are the heart of AWLA

Did you know that the League was founded in 1944 by volunteers? Thanks to volunteers, AWLA is still going strong after 80 years and continues to rely on volunteers as crucial components in amplifying the efforts of the League’s professional staff.

Our volunteers contribute valuable resources – time, knowledge, talent, skills, and leadership – that further infuse AWLA with energy and passion in service of our organizational mission: to improve the lives of animals and people.

We have two volunteer programs at AWLA - adult volunteers (anyone over 18 years old) and teen volunteers (16-17 years old). Click the buttons below to learn more and apply! If you are looking to fulfill court-ordered community service, please email mail@awla.org.

Adult Volunteer Application

Teen Volunteer Application

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Volunteers are the heart of AWLA

Did you know that the League was founded in 1944 by volunteers? Thanks to volunteers, AWLA is still going strong after 80 years and continues to rely on volunteers as crucial components in amplifying the efforts of the League’s professional staff.

Our volunteers contribute valuable resources – time, knowledge, talent, skills, and leadership – that further infuse AWLA with energy and passion in service of our organizational mission: to improve the lives of animals and people.

We have two volunteer programs at AWLA - adult volunteers (anyone over 18 years old) and teen volunteers (16-17 years old). Click the buttons below to learn more and apply! If you are looking to fulfill court-ordered community service, please email mail@awla.org.

Adult Volunteer Application

Teen Volunteer Application

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22206

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: DIY Animal Enrichment

There are so many ways you can help animals in your community from your own home! Below you'll find lots of fun and creative DIY projects that you can make with your family, community group, or co-workers. These items can be donated to the shelter for our animals and local wildlife!

You can drop off DIY enrichment items Mon, Wed-Fri from 12-7pm and Sat & Sun from 12-4pm.

Dog Enrichment Items

Cat Enrichment Items

Small Companion Animal Items

Wildlife Comfort Items

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

There are so many ways you can help animals in your community from your own home! Below you'll find lots of fun and creative DIY projects that you can make with your family, community group, or co-workers. These items can be donated to the shelter for our animals and local wildlife!

You can drop off DIY enrichment items Mon, Wed-Fri from 12-7pm and Sat & Sun from 12-4pm.

Dog Enrichment Items

Cat Enrichment Items

Small Companion Animal Items

Wildlife Comfort Items

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22206

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: DIY Pet Food Drive

AWLA’s goal is to keep pets with their families by providing pet care essentials including food, enrichment items, preventatives, and more. Our Pet Pantry is open to residents of Arlington County and Falls Church City to pick up food and other necessary items. We give out an average of 2,500lbs of dry food and 1,500 can of wet food per month.

You can help keep pets with their families by hosting a food drive within your school, business, community organization, neighborhood, or more! You can drop off Food Drive items Mon, Wed-Fri from 12-7pm and Sat & Sun from 12-4pm. 

Our most needed items are:

Canned cat food (cases preferred - preferred brands are Friskies and Fancy Feast).Dry dog food (small and medium sized bags - preferred brands are Pedigree & Iams).Dry dog food (small and medium sized bags - preferred brands are Pedigree & Iams).

Check out our full list of needed items here.





Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

AWLA’s goal is to keep pets with their families by providing pet care essentials including food, enrichment items, preventatives, and more. Our Pet Pantry is open to residents of Arlington County and Falls Church City to pick up food and other necessary items. We give out an average of 2,500lbs of dry food and 1,500 can of wet food per month.

You can help keep pets with their families by hosting a food drive within your school, business, community organization, neighborhood, or more! You can drop off Food Drive items Mon, Wed-Fri from 12-7pm and Sat & Sun from 12-4pm. 

Our most needed items are:

Canned cat food (cases preferred - preferred brands are Friskies and Fancy Feast).Dry dog food (small and medium sized bags - preferred brands are Pedigree & Iams).Dry dog food (small and medium sized bags - preferred brands are Pedigree & Iams).

Check out our full list of needed items here.





Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22206

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Animal Care Crew - Group Volunteering

AWLA provides groups with a unique opportunity to experience first-hand what it takes every day to care for the thousands of animals the League helps each year.

AWLA’s Animal Care Crew program is a meaningful way for teams to volunteer, build connections, and invest in their community. 

How It Works

AWLA provides your team (5-8 individuals) with a customized volunteer experience to truly make a difference in the lives of animals in need by working alongside our Animal Care Technicians to feed the animals, clean their kennels (we like to think of it as room service), do laundry, wash food bowls, and prep for the day ahead.

Each opportunity includes volunteering and a behind-the-scenes tour of the shelter.

Fee:  $1,500 tax-deductible contribution*

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@awla.org to reserve a date!

*On average, AWLA cares for 60 animals per day at a daily cost of $25 per animal. Your $1,500 contribution covers that care!

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

AWLA provides groups with a unique opportunity to experience first-hand what it takes every day to care for the thousands of animals the League helps each year.

AWLA’s Animal Care Crew program is a meaningful way for teams to volunteer, build connections, and invest in their community. 

How It Works

AWLA provides your team (5-8 individuals) with a customized volunteer experience to truly make a difference in the lives of animals in need by working alongside our Animal Care Technicians to feed the animals, clean their kennels (we like to think of it as room service), do laundry, wash food bowls, and prep for the day ahead.

Each opportunity includes volunteering and a behind-the-scenes tour of the shelter.

Fee:  $1,500 tax-deductible contribution*

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@awla.org to reserve a date!

*On average, AWLA cares for 60 animals per day at a daily cost of $25 per animal. Your $1,500 contribution covers that care!

Nonprofit: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22206

Allow Groups: No