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Pay for Underperformance
If you haven’t been following our Yardsticks series, here’s the recap that compares animal-outcomes data for AWLA with the most recent available data for selected peer shelters. Because AWLA saves a...
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What’s Possible, Part Two
Today, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington confirms the resignation of Kay Speerstra, Executive Director, effective March 31, 2010. “We thank Kay for her service to the League and wish her the...
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An Open Letter to the AWLA Board of Directors
Dear AWLA Board, Arlington County’s animal-welfare advocates applaud you for seeking new leadership at AWLA. Under the right Executive Director, AWLA can make Arlington’s animal shelter one of the most...
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A Missing Ingredient
Last year over 2,000 dogs and cats found homes through the Arlington-based Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. That compares with 1,080 dogs and cats adopted from AWLA in its fiscal 2009 and 1,081 from...
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Another Missing Ingredient
Last week I joined volunteers from seven local animal-rescue groups who attended an evening meeting hosted by the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. The meeting was arranged by FCAS managers who wanted to...
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Where’s the Effort?
Here’s an excerpt from the most recent posting on AWLA’s blog, which is dated April 27, 2010: Shadow came to the League in March 2009 because his owner could no longer care for him. He was five years...
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Glimmers of Hope
Earlier this week, AWLA invited its volunteers to offer feedback and suggestions at an evening meeting hosted by the President of its Board of Directors. To anyone but an experienced AWLA volunteer,...
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Out of the Frying Pan…
Last weekend AWLA transferred five of its dogs to Loudoun County Animal Control. Four of them — Buddy, Buttercup, Hannah, and Sophera — are currently listed as adoptable on the LCAC website. All four...
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The Root of the Problem
In its fiscal 2009, AWLA received $1,229,326 from Arlington County to perform animal control and manage Arlington’s open-admission animal shelter. But as a private non-profit organization, AWLA also...
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Progress Confirmed
On March 22, 2010 — just under a year ago — Kay Speerstra resigned as AWLA’s Executive Director. As the animal-outcomes data attest (see ShelterWatch.org), she left behind an organization that...
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