Alexandria Earns Only Better City For Pets Designation In Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandrians love their pets, and it shows in a new pet-friendly certification. The city earned a Better City for Pets designation from Mars Petcare. Alexandria was among dozens of U.S. cities to earn the designation and the only from Virginia.

The Better Cities for Pets certification determines pet friendliness through a number of factors, including clean and hygienic park spaces allowing animals, the number of
veterinary and other pet care providers, pet-friendly housing, businesses that allow pets, and a safe and welcoming animal shelter supporting pets and pet owners.

"Alexandria is a community dedicated to its animals, and this certification demonstrates what we
already knew: That we are a city where pets and their people are welcome as visitors or
residents," said Stella Hanly, executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, which runs the city's animal shelter.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria plays a key role in the city's pet-friendly nature. Aside from finding homes for adoptable pets, the organization provides a variety of community services. The Community Pet Pantry provided over 50,000 pounds of pet food and supplies to pet owners and animal rescues in 2021. The organization also runs community wellness events, vaccine clinics, a pet behavior hotline, grooming assistance and crisis care for emergencies.

Along with the city's certification, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria earns a Mars Petcare grant to study and help expand pet-friendly housing in the city. The grant funds activities through 2023.

"On behalf of the people and pets in the City of Alexandria, we are grateful to be recognized as
a Better City for Pets," said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "The grant received from Mars Petcare will help the AWLA discover how it can better help all pets and families in our city."

Aside from the animal shelter's services, Alexandria has proven to be pet-friendly in many ways. With a population just under 160,000, Alexandria also has an estimated pet population of 80,000. The city has numerous pet businesses as well as dog-friendly boutiques, restaurant patios, hotels and more. The city is home to the region's first dog bar and park, Barkhaus, and another dog bar and park called Snouts & Stouts is preparing to open as well. Dogs and their humans can use 18 dog parks and exercise areas as pet waste stations around the city.

For cat people, one of the newest businesses in the city is Happy Cat Hotel and Spa, a luxury hotel and spa for cats. Alexandria is also home to Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar, which allows guests to come play with adoptable rescue cats.

Each year, the city celebrates pets with the Alexandria Love Your Pet Day Festival. Mark your calendars for another event coming this year: the ALX Dog Walk event on April 2.