Alexandria Animal Shelter Staff Earn Fear Free Certifications

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Although staff at Alexandria's animal shelter are practicing social distancing, they're continuing to serve the community and pets in a number of ways. One of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's latest efforts was getting all staff certified in the Fear Free program, which provides guidelines to reduce fear and anxiety in pets.

The certification in the shelter setting focuses on keeping animals healthy, comfortable and unafraid. According to the Fear Free Shelters website, animals entering shelters may feel fear and anxiety due to the change in environment and introduction to new people and animals.

Online trainings involved how to perform medical exams, practice behavior modification and ways to bring animals into the shelter while keeping them comfortable.

"Our staff were already observing a lot of these practices before they went through the Fear Free
certification process," said AWLA's director of operations Katie DeMent in a statement. "But this training helped to formalize much of what they were doing, and it helps us all work together better to make the animals in our custody feel safe."

Fear Free certification has been added to the training for all new staff. Staff are also trained in animal body language, behavior and modification, exotic animals, wildlife response and more.

Aside from the staff certifications, the shelter staff have been working on caring for animals in the shelter and foster homes, virtual adoptions, the pen pantry program, and answering resident questions about animals and wildlife. In April, the shelter began the virtual adoption process with virtual meet-and-greets along with providing nearly 4,000 pounds of pet food and supplies through the pet pantry. Residents can contribute to the pet pantry's Amazon wish list to help with pet owners needing assistance with food and supplies.

For more information on adoptions, pet surrenders, stray pets and other animal services, visit alexandriaanimals.org/covid-19. Animal emergencies should be directed to the police line at 703-746-4444.