Animal Welfare Association

AWA serves as a safety net for the areas most vulnerable pets. AWA acts as a support system for overcrowded shelters by receiving transports of animals from within our local region as well as shelters across the nation. AWA also supports several international efforts including receiving dogs from South Korea. In 2022, 1171 animals got a second chance through AWAs transport program.Our comprehensive veterinary, behavioral rehabilitation, rehoming intervention/support and pet retention initiatives have saved over 20,000 dogs, cats and small mammals since 2013During 2022 AWA maintained a 95% save rate with 1474 homeless pets finding forever homesIn addition the shelter works to provide support to prevent pet rehoming when possible through programs such as our Pet Food PantryThe AWA Pet Food Pantry provides free food to community members who need help to keep their pets in their homes. In 2022 over 100,000 meals were providedand helps to safely and responsibility provide rehoming services when needed through our Rehoming teamIn 2022 341 pets were safely taken in through our rehoming team and over 2000 clients were provided supportive counseling

AWAs education team manages and delivers several programs to provide meaningful activities for students that help encourage empathy for animals. Through our PAWS (People Achieving With Support) program AWA works with several local schools and agencies to provide programs for special needs students. Each week our PAWS students provide much needed support by creating enrichment for the animals, helping to fill adoption kits and help with facility upkeep.AWAs Pet therapy program helps promote mental wellness and joy through visits with our trained therapy dogs. Our Pet Therapy team visits assisted living facilities, retirement homes and schools. In 2022 the team provided 126 visits.The Education department launched multiple new programs including Scout badges, school outreach, field trips, adult seminar series (Tail Talks), homeschool program (Animal Academy), pre-school workshop (Wags & Wiggles), Kids Day off Camp, Overnight program and birthday partiesAltogether the Education team reached 1544 students/people.

AWA works to support pet owners within our community by removing barriers to pet ownership when possible. On of the biggest barriers to keeping pets in homes is the high cost of pet healthcare. The Pet Clinic provides access to affordable pet healthcare, including low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and free or low-cost vaccines clinics. AWAs Pet Clinic was the first spay/neuter clinic in the Mid-Atlantic region. For nearly fifty years AWA veterinarians have provided spay/neuter surgeries to dogs and cats to help curb pet population. In 2022 9,670 vaccines were administered and 1691 spay/neuter surgeries were performed. In addition, 173 feral cats were provided spay/neuter surgeries and vaccines through our TNR programIn 2022 1488 pets received Wellness checks through our low-cost Pet ClinicVets on Wheels provides free vaccines, microchips, preventatives and food to Camden, NJ residents 12 times a year. In 2022 614 pets received services