August always felt like a time of change. The long summer days lingered, but hints of fall were in the air. In August, AWA celebrated joyful gatherings. We made progress, reflected on challenges, and continued our mission to help animals and their lovers.
I’m excited to share highlights from last month and what’s coming next.
Celebrating August Events
Kitten Yoga
Our Kitten Yoga program shone brightly in our fundraising calendar. Demand was so high we added an extra session, bringing the total to eight classes. Kitten Yoga raised $2,150. However, its impact went beyond money. Each class introduced new people to AWA, showcased our kittens, and raised awareness of our vital programs.
Barking Lots
On August 1, we held our second Barking Lots event. It was a huge success! We welcomed 341 attendees, our largest crowd yet. This season’s total revenue was $6,598.74, a 194% increase from last year’s three events combined. These gatherings became a joyful way for our community to enjoy music, food, and fun while supporting animals. Witnessing this growth was inspiring.
Putts for Pets
From August 8–10, our annual Putts for Pets fundraiser brought friends and supporters together for a fun weekend. Attendance was steady, but sponsorships dipped. Revenue fell to $3,835.79 this year, down from $6,911.57 in 2024, which included a generous memorial gift. We’re brainstorming ways to boost sponsorships for 2026, as we see great potential for growth.
Outreach
Cogent Connections: On August 25, we partnered with Chris Gittings for a networking social at Laurel Lanes in Maple Shade. Bowling and ice cream supported AWA, with $5 from each ticket going to us.
Pups on the Patio: On August 26, we joined Tavistock Country Club for a dog-friendly dinner, sharing AWA’s mission with members and their pets.
Ahead
September looks just as busy as August, with exciting events on the calendar:
- Phillies Phundraiser: Our ticket fundraiser is still going strong! We’ve sold over 50 tickets for the game on September 9. Each ticket purchased through AWA gives us $8 back.
- Luminaries: Honoring Lost Loves: On September 14, our campus will shine with lights. These lights honor our beloved pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge. Registration is open until September 12.
- Fall Mums Sale: Orders for mums are open until September 20, with pickup on September 27. At $10 each, they’re a perfect way to brighten the fall season while supporting animals.
Building Community Connections
In August, AWA’s leadership deepened community ties. I attended networking meetings with groups like the MBA, VBA, NAWBO, and Better Tomorrows. These gatherings led to new partnerships and resources. They boosted our ability to help animals and people.
Shelter Updates
Adoptions were our main focus last month.
- Cats: Our “Raining Cats” promotion led to 315 cat adoptions by August 21. While impressive, it was 11% lower than last year. We extended the promotion through September 7 to align with Clear the Shelters weekend, hoping to boost numbers.
- Dogs: Dog adoptions slowed too, with 32 placements from August 1–21, a 25% decrease from 2024. Despite welcoming puppies and various breeds, this mirrored a national trend affecting shelters.
On a positive note, we welcomed a new dryer, helping us keep bedding clean for the animals.
Staffing Transitions: We’re excited to share that Cole Ogren will become Shelter Services Supervisor on September 8. His leadership will enhance adoption services and daily operations.
Transports: We started discussions with two new partners: MCAS in West Virginia and RRAS in Kentucky. This gives more lifelines to animals needing a second chance.
Volunteers and Community Engagement
August was full of generous volunteer support:
- We welcomed 28 new volunteers at orientation.
- Mid Penn Bank, Holman Enterprises, and Premier Legal Marketing sent volunteer groups.
- Family Fun Night was powered by 17 one-time volunteers plus teams from CarMax and Apple.
Youth and education highlights included:
- Summer Camp: The camp averaged 20 students each week. It ended on August 29. During the last week, we had visits from farm friends, therapy animals, and Voorhees Police K9s.
- Pawsitive Kids Club: 37 children participated across four summer sessions.
- Compassionate Kids Reading Program: We reached 330 students at the Kroc Center, Boys and Girls Club of Camden, and LUCY Outreach. Each child received a backpack, an animal-themed book, and school supplies.
- Family Fun Night: Held on August 16, this event drew 250–350 people. Families enjoyed games, inflatables, face painting, and visits from Lightning McQueen and Monsters Inc. cars.
Overall, our education programs reached over 1,000 people in August.
Marketing and Media
August brought exciting changes for our marketing team. Tracy LaForge moved from Development to Marketing, leading direct mail and email campaigns. Chelsea Clemens joined as our new part-time Marketing Coordinator.
Highlights included:
- Website: 43,505 sessions, with adoption pages among the most visited.
- Fundraising Campaigns: The Kitten Pantry raised over $5,000 year-to-date.
- Social Media: TikTok and Instagram engagement soared, while Facebook remained our largest platform.
- Email: Campaigns reached nearly 74,000 inboxes with a 49.7% open rate.
- Press Coverage: We were proud to be featured in many outlets. We ranked as one of New Jersey’s top adoption shelters. Also, AWA announced the exciting acquisition of five acres of nearby land for future open space.
Closing Thoughts
August was a month of celebration and challenge. We had record attendance at Barking Lots. We also welcomed new faces at Kitten Yoga. Plus, we reached over 1,000 people through education. At the same time, we faced slower adoptions and dips in some event revenue.
Through every high and low, the AWA community shined. Volunteers showed up joyfully, donors gave generously, and staff embraced innovation. Together, we carried our mission forward, one animal and one family at a time.
Thank you for being part of this journey. September is already full of opportunities, and I can’t wait to share the good work ahead.
With gratitude,
Laura Houston
Executive Director, AWA
