Alexandria and Arlington Animal Watch

ALEXANDRIA

This case was handled by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, which operates the city animal shelter and provides animal control services to the city. The shelter is open from 1 to 8 p.m. weekdays except Wednesdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends. For information or to report emergencies involving animals 24 hours a day, call 703-746-4774. The league’s Web site is www.alexandriaanimals.org .

Waiting for a call? South Dove and Duke streets, May 21. An animal control officer found a rat snake curled around a phone on a desk in an office. The officer removed the nearly five-foot-long snake and released it in a wooded area. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria responds to calls regarding animals that are in distress or found in businesses and residences. Animal control officers encourage residents to leave wild animals alone, and to call the league with questions or concerns.

ARLINGTON COUNTY

These cases were handled by the Animal Welfare League of Arlington County, which operates the county animal shelter and provides animal control services to the county. The shelter is open from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays except Tuesdays and noon to 4 p.m. weekends. For information or to report emergencies involving animals 24 hours a day, call 703-931-9241. The league’s Web site is www.awla.org .

Recovering dog sneaks out: N. Lexington St., 900 block, May 9. A man walking in Bluemont Park found a three-legged dog that was recovering from recent surgery and took it to an animal hospital. Animal control picked up the black Labrador retriever, which had no collar, tattoo or microchip. The owner called the shelter to report his lost dog, explaining that the landscapers had left a gate open. The owner claimed the animal.

Bird takes an early flight: N. 24th Rd., 5800 block, May 9. A resident saw a fledgling woodpecker drop out of its nest and crash into her window. The bird seemed stunned, and the woman called animal control. An animal control officer picked up the bird and took it to a wildlife rehabilitator for observation and care.

Knerq: Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Yesterday I went to the volunteer orientation for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria . There was a group of about 15 people. Not only did we learn about what they do, how they do it and why, we also got a tour of the facility. I filled out the application and hope to help out in whatever capacity they need me. If you would like to do the same, they have the application available online . And for those of you thinking about adopting a pet, they have cats, dogs, rabbits, turtles, guinea pigs, hamsters, and sometimes even birds! Here's a look at some of the animals that were up for adoption yesterday:

I would encourage anyone who is capable of adopting an animal to do so. The only caveat is that the animal should be treated with the same respect and given the same love that we would give to other members of our own species. Taking care of another animal is sometimes the only contact that people have with other species. There is much to be learned from this experience.

Alexandria Police Department

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Esquire