Bonded Senior Dogs In Alexandria Shelter Want Home For The Holidays

ALEXANDRIA, VA — For animal shelter pets, the best gift would be a new home in time for the winter holidays. Seniors dogs Sophie and Joey had that home for their whole lives until their senior owner could no longer care for them.

That's how these bonded dogs ended up at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, which runs Alexandria's animal shelter. These 12-year-old dogs lived together their whole lives and would like to live out their remaining time together.

These senior dogs are described as being "sweet, social, snow-faced and maybe just a bit sassy." When the owner could no longer care for the dogs, she requested they not be separated from each other in their new home. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria plans to fulfill that request.

"Even on the first day they came to us, you could tell that they didn’t want to be apart, not even for a moment," said Elena Carver, the veterinary and foster care manager for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. "But when they were together, they completely opened up. Suddenly this new place wasn’t as scary to them."

The animal shelter hopes to find a home for as many animals as possible this holiday season. The Home for the Pawlidays event through December covers adoption fees for all adult animals, courtesy of Priority Automotive.

"Every animal deserves a loving family, regardless of their age," said Stella Hanly, executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. "Sophie and Joey have given so much love in their lives and they have so much more to give. Wouldn’t it be the most wonderful present for them to be in a safe, warm and caring home this holiday season?"

Sophie and Joey are available for adoption or temporary foster home. For more information about adoption and scheduling a time to meet the dogs, email [email protected]. To learn more about fostering, email [email protected].