Pets of the Month

of the option you choose, ensure all pets have updated contact information on their collars and tags. Should you cross paths with Santa while flying this season, ensure your pets meet all requirements of your destination country. This may include vaccinations and microchips. Refer to the Centers for Disease Control

When hosting visitors in your home, inform everyone, especially first-time visitors, that you have pets. Remind your guests to be mindful of your animals, especially when opening or closing doors. Consider providing a separate room for your pets to rest, especially if you have cats or other small animals. Include all their necessities, such as a litter box, clean water, food, treats, toys, and bedding.

SANTA’S HELPER TIP: Consult your veterinarian with any questions prior to traveling. They are best equipped to help you make the right decisions regarding travel for your pet.

With a little forethought and planning, the holidays can be, as Andy Williams put it, the most wonderful time of the year! Wishing you all a happy holiday season and a healthy new year!

Resources

Professional Pet Sitting Organizations National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) Find a Local NAPPS Pet Sitter | The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Pet Sitters International (PSI) Pet Sitters International, the leading pet-sitter association Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) CHOOSING A PET CARE PROVIDER - PACCC: paccert.org

COVID-19 Information About Pets

“COVID-19: If You Have Pets,” CDC, June 29, 2021

“Current Information About COVID-19 and Pets: Caring for Your Pets with SARS-CoV-2,” AVMA AVMA_SARS-CoV-2_Caring-for-pets_Client-handout.pdf Selected Alexandria-area Animal Shelters/Rescues

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria 4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304 703-838-4774 alexandriaanimals.org/ Animal Welfare League of Arlington 2650 S Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 931-9241 www.awla.org Fairfax County Animal Shelter 4500 West Ox Road Fairfax, VA 22030 703-830-1100 airfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/

King Street Cats 25 S. Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-231-7199 kingstreetcats.org/ About the Author: A lover of all things Christmas, cats, and cycling, Kristen Bieling eagerly counts down to December 25th each year. She lives in Arlington with her 2 cats, Atticus and Harrison. They make the rules and she just follows them.

PETS

OF THE MONTH

4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm

BUTTER

Who has the best smile, is a connoisseur of Fetch and doesn’t get bashful when you tell him he’s handsome? It’s Butter! This gorgeous 1-year-old never lets compliments go to his head because he can’t hear them. Butter is deaf, but he doesn’t let that stop him from learning all kinds of new tricks or enjoying a quality cuddle with his friends. Butter’s adoption fees have been pre-paid by Priority Automotive as part of the Home for the “Pawlidays” adoption event, so learn more about how to make this Butter’s best holiday ever at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt.

LOGAN

Office assistant Logan at your service! This sweet senior is far from retirement and has taken up a side gig helping his foster human keep their home office organized and efficient - at least according to cat standards! Logan loves the company of his human friends almost as much as he loves tasty treats, and he can’t wait to find a home of his own to make himself comfortable with his new besties. Logan’s adoption fees have already been paid, so email adopt@alexandriaanimals.org or call 703.746.4774 to find out how to meet him from his foster home today.

SCISSORS

Don’t be fooled by his stylish ride! Scissors the guinea pig is a low-key, nonchalant fellow who’s just looking for the 3 Fs: friends, family and fruit (that’s his favorite snack). This 1-year-old is looking for a family to include him in all their activities, from movie night (he’s happy to share a blanket) to charades (he promises he won’t accidentally squeak the answer out loud). Scissors’ adoption fees have already been paid as part of the Home for the Pawlidays adoption event, sponsored by Priority Automotive, so schedule time to meet him at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt.

The AWLA has a lot of amazing adoptables at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter and even more in foster care throughout the community. Meet some of our foster favorites and schedule time to meet them by emailing adopt@alexandriaanimals.org.