COVID-19 Updates

It feels great going into stores again, and seeing more people out-and-about after a very long year. We, too, are looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming visitors and customers as we did in 2019!

Unfortunately, Covid-19 negatively impacted the timeline for the construction of AWA’s new Adoption Center, pushing the anticipated opening from May to December 2021.

During the remaining construction, on-site adoption services will continue to occur in the retrofitted Pet Clinic building.

To make the best use of our very limited space – and therefore to save the most pet lives – many of the dogs and kittens are being housed in foster homes.

This means that during your visit, we may only have a handful of dogs available for adoption, or the team may be preparing to transport, into AWA, more pups from other shelters.

During the summer months AWA experiences an influx of cats and kittens coming into the shelter. The current temporary cat space allows us to house over 30 cats at a time.

Ordinarily we would welcome visitors, but we have determined that continuing adoption appointments, at this time, is the most effective way to limit frustration for those visiting AWA and finding their desired pet is already adopted.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we all look forward to moving into the new larger building and welcoming everyone in without an appointment or delay.

The AWA Team

Many of the AWA team left work on Friday, March 13th 2020 unaware of how much things would change over the weekend. Like so many other organizations that Monday the team learned about the lockdown and quarantining. Many of us thought, “this will be only for a few weeks,” as we had office staff work from home (animal care works no matter what!), rescheduled spay/neuter and wellness appointments, postponed transports of pets from other shelters, and told our amazing volunteers to “watch out for an update, we will see you soon!”

As week two closed the re-imagining of all that happens at AWA began. The problem solving on how we would do adoptions, pet clinic visits, fostering and much more burst from their dedication. Each day something new was tested to see if the new process was better. The team owes so much to the volunteers who took to fostering the animals and expanding the adoption program out into the community verses being solely at AWA. That one change saved hundreds of lives. The team owes so much to the customers who waited outside it the parking lot to drop their pets off for surgery.

I am so proud of the team for all they accomplished, and I am most proud of their asking “what else should we do NOW to help?” The headlines of people in food lines and the fear of hungry pets led this team to expand the Pet Pantry to 10 locations across the region. And am very proud of the development team that in little time had to make AWA’s largest fundraiser a Virtual Event, then had only 3 weeks to revise all of the fundraising activities. I am amazed by how everyone understood that without fundraising and a drop in donations the need to save every penny was greater than ever.

I am so thankful to the donors who contributed toward the opening of the new Adoption & Education Center in 2019 who messaged me to share “good things are worth waiting for” when they learned that Covid-19 caused a seven month, yes 7 month, delay in construction. Yes, it was this month – March 2021 – that the new building was to open. We will celebrate that day this fall…and we will be ready to!

Thank you all for your support and compassion this last year. You are the reason AWA has been able to keep then doors open, pivot and adjust with the situation so animals can be aided, saved, and loved. Looking back on this year we have so much gratitude for your belief in the mission. Thank you for being an animal lover because dogs, cats and smaller pocket pet have has gotten so many of us through a scary time.

Maya Richmond

Executive Director of Animal Welfare Association

Throughout the upcoming months AWA will continue to provide lifesaving care to animals along with assisting pet owners in the community. We also want to share with you the happenings at AWA along with information on our services and operations.

Some highlights from the past months:

Catch up on all the news at AWA.

Capital Campaign “Building a Place Where Happiness Begins”
COVID-19 may have slowed us down, but things are moving forward now! The clinic has re-located into an onsite trailer, which allowed the shelter staff and animals to move into the clinic space.

We are expecting the old shelter to be demolished mid-September and construction of the new 25,000 sq. ft. animal shelter and education center to begin soon after. For updates or to help Pave the Way to Happiness visit here.

Status of our operations, services, and programs.

Adoptions are taking place at the shelter by appointment only, but we continue to limit the number of animals staying in the shelter, thanks to the dedication of our wonderful foster families. Not only are they providing foster care, but also finding them loving homes through our Fur-ever Finders program.
The AWA Pet Clinic is open for vaccinations on Mondays and select Saturdays. No appointment is needed, clients will be helped on a first-come-first served basis. View schedule.
Appointments for pet spay/neuter surgeries are available via a wait-list signup.
The expanded on-site Pet Food Pantry is available every day for curbside, grab and go pet meals and Chow Stops in the city of Camden occur on the third Wednesday of each month.

With your ongoing help and support, our new normal is making us resourceful and stronger. Please know, that the health and safety of our employees, clients, volunteers, and animals are of primary importance as we continue to adjust during this uncertain time.

Stay safe and be well.

Read important information regarding pets and COVID-19 here.

Your Gifts are Urgently Needed

While everyone’s daily lives are being impacted by COVID-19,the welfare of homeless and needy pets in the community is critically important to us. We are taking our role in being a resource for the community, as well as the safety and welfare of our supporters, volunteers and staff seriously.

Our ability to provide critical care to our most vulnerable animals — regardless of the environment around us — is dependent on your support.

This week we have had many changes to our normal operations

•	Emergency intake of kittens & rapid foster placement
•	Crisis transport and commitment to care for 5 heartworm positive dogs from a shelter closed due to COVID19
•	Rapid expansion of AWA’s Pet Pantry & Pet Food Curb Pick up programs so pets don’t go hungry
•	Quality care to over 50 animals currently at AWA waiting their adoptions this weekend

If you’re able please donate $30, $45, $100 or whatever you can afford during this critical time.

COVID-19 Updates

It feels great going into stores again, and seeing more people out-and-about after a very long year. We, too, are looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming visitors and customers as we did in 2019!

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