About Us

Your support made it possible to rescue Garrus from the Korean Meat Farm.  Tiny, cramped cages with little to no water or food, left outside in the hot sun all day with no shade, those are the conditions that Garrus (Formerly Sam Geun) was living in all his life in South Korea. He was living on a dog meat farm with 100 other dogs where he wasn’t getting any human affection or veterinary care. Garrus, the 108 lb. Mastiff mix, was rescued and transported to AWA with 9 other dogs thanks for our friends at the Humane Society International. When he arrived at AWA he was given veterinary care and was taught what it was like to be around caring humans. Garrus did so well acclimating to his new life that he was made available for adoption and was adopted within a couple weeks. Garrus’s forever family sent us a great update that we wanted to share! Garrus has been adapting beautifully. Learning about these market dogs and gaining his trust has been eye opening and rewarding. When we first adopted, he was reclusive but so wanting for attention and love…and in the past 2 weeks, he has become so comfortable and loving. He is a big goof who loves sleeping, walks, chicken jerky, being outside, his big/small brother, and his boxer neighbor. Thank you for completing our family! Here’s a picture of him doing something naughty but being soo cute!

Your support made it possible for Quill & Latte to get their forever home.  Quill and Latte didn’t have the easiest start at life. In the middle of July these two adorable sisters were found by a good Samaritan alone and starving, crying out for their mother who was no where to be found. They were quickly brought to AWA and our shelter staff went to work getting them a medical evaluation. Little Latte was only 1.25 pounds when she was brought in and Quill was not much bigger at a little over 2 pounds. Upon further examination, by AWA Veterinarian Dr. Emily, they were both found to be blind due to their eyes being underdeveloped. Dr. Emily determined that their sight could not be rectified and that both kittens had to have eye surgery to make them more comfortable and less prone to medical issues later in life. Determined to only be a few weeks old when they were brought to AWA, Quill and Latte were sent to fostercare until they would be old enough to be spayed and then adopted. They grew bigger and stronger over the next two months both reaching over 3 pounds each. Quill and Latte’s story gets even better, last week they were adopted. Their foster mom fell in love with the two kittens and had a foster failure, she decided she could not bare to be apart from them. These special little kitties get to stay together in their forever home. Stories like this are why we love doing what we do, thank you for your support of AWA.

Your support made it possible for Bleu to have the surgery she desperately needed.  Bleu survived one of the worst hoarding cases the AWA staff has assisted with. As if Bleu hadn’t been through enough, she was shot when she was young and received no medical treatment, meaning the bullet was not removed. There was also something wrong with her hip, it kept popping out of the joint, causing her a great deal of pain and discomfort. Once Bleu arrived at AWA she was given pain medications to make her comfortable while she awaited test results on her hip condition, to see if surgery was required. Unfortunately, the only option for Bleu was to have her leg surgically removed. Fortunately, generous supporter’s like you made it possible for her to receive the medical treatment she needed. Once Bleu recovers from her surgery and is back on all three feet, she will be waiting for that forever family she know is looking for a dog just like her. Your support made a big difference in Bleu’s life, no more pain. Thank you for caring!

Thank you for making it possible for Chip to have the surgery he needed.  Your donations allowed Chip to live a pain-free life. Chip was the best surgical patient.  Just 14 hours after surgery he was walking around the outside of AWA meeting staff and volunteers wagging his tail. Now, a double Thank You!  We are pleased to share with you that, with the generosity of yourself and others, we surpassed the goal.  This was very fortunate because, hours after asking for donations for Chip, we got word that a new doggy, named Tyson, needed the same surgery. Like Chip’s story, when Tyson arrived, the veterinary technicians looked at his leg and said, “it shouldn’t go in that direction.”  The next day we were able to get an xray of his leg which showed a bad break which had healed improperly. The extra funds raised allowed us to make Tyson a “tripod dog” like Chip.  AWA’s shelter veterinarian was joined by Dr. Chris Torre of Mount Laurel Animal Hospital so both procedures could be performed the same day. Both dogs are dreaming of their new forever homes and getting lots of attention and treats during their recovery.   It’s an invaluable gift you’ve given them. Your generosity is inspirational!