As October comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the many ways the Animal Welfare Association has grown and thrived over the past month. Every day at AWA reminds me of the extraordinary impact that compassion, dedication, and community partnership can have – not only on the lives of the animals we care for but also on the families and individuals who join us in our mission.
This month, we witnessed a remarkable convergence of events, achievements, and milestones, all of which highlight how AWA continues to deepen its presence and influence in South Jersey. From adoptions and community outreach to education and volunteer engagement, our team has shown unwavering commitment to providing care, love, and hope to every animal that comes through our doors.
Development Highlights
Our development team has been incredibly active this month, pursuing opportunities that ensure AWA’s programs remain vibrant, sustainable, and impactful. A special congratulations is due to Gwen, who was awarded a grant from the Bruce G. Geary Foundation, an exciting new partnership that will help support our ongoing initiatives. Additionally, our ongoing work with Miller Subaru continues to bear fruit. Beginning October 1, Miller Subaru waived adoption fees for 25 pets (11 dogs and 14 cats) bringing these animals one step closer to loving homes. Adopted pets were celebrated on an adoption board in the Subaru showroom, and employees helped mark each success with “adoption hearts.”
Currently, Misty, a charming AWA cat, is being fostered at Miller Subaru, awaiting her forever home. And during our Howl-O-Ween event, Miller Subaru graciously provided a 2025 Forester Hybrid with signage for our “Stuff the Subaru” initiative, adding a fun, interactive element to the evening while helping raise awareness of AWA’s mission.
Our Annual Appeal is now underway, with letters arriving in homes and featuring none other than Paul, our Chief Affection Officer, encouraging supporters to contribute. We’ve already received wonderful support, raising $1,775 toward our $20,000 goal. Follow-up efforts, including email, social media, and video outreach, will continue in the coming weeks to further engage donors.
In other development news, a grant writer from Children’s Hospital has volunteered to assist AWA with researching and writing new grants, a partnership that will strengthen our capacity to secure critical funding for our programs. Additionally, October 21st brought the annual Subaru of America Bring Your Dog to Work Day, where AWA provided educational materials, shared information about our programs, and connected with dog-loving employees.
Lastly, we are thrilled to announce that AWA has been approved as a Miller Subaru Hometown Hero partner for November through January. This program enables donations with every car sale, lease, and possibly service performed – continuing a partnership that has consistently provided meaningful support for our mission.
Completed Events
October was a busy month filled with celebrations, fundraising, and community engagement.
Mums Sale (September 28) surpassed expectations, with 426 mums sold and a net revenue of $3,002.26 – an increase over last year’s 390 mums.
Kitten Yoga, our ongoing summer-to-fall series, concluded with the final public class on October 12 and a private session with Bowman on October 13. Thanks to generous support, including a $500 donation from Bowman, this program raised $2,905 from June through October.
Howl-O-Ween (October 17) marked a milestone for AWA. To better accommodate the clinic’s needs and broaden participation, the event moved from Saturday afternoon to Friday evening, allowing us to make the experience more age-inclusive. We added a live band, a cocktail “potions bar,” vendors, and a cozy fire pit. The changes were a hit with attendees and reflected in our fundraising: sponsorship revenue reached $4,000, compared to $1,250 last year, and total net revenue surpassed prior milestones. Positive feedback from participants affirmed that this new format worked beautifully for our community.
Camden Make a Dog’s Day (October 22), in partnership with Subaru of America, provided much-needed veterinary services to Camden residents. This year, we expanded with additional booths from Book Smiles and The Free Books Project, offering animal-themed children’s books, as well as the return of Sharing Excess, distributing fresh produce. Subaru provided snacks, drinks, free poop bag holders and collars, paracord leashes, and an engraver machine. Our Vet on Wheels (VOW) Clinic administered vaccines and microchipped 173 dogs, a new record. This event demonstrated the strength of AWA’s partnerships and the impact we can have when working together to serve our community.
Upcoming Events
The excitement continues with several upcoming events designed to raise funds, build community, and celebrate animals:
- AWA Pet Costume Contest (October 31): This fun fundraiser allows supporters to vote for their favorite adoptable dog costumes online with a $5 donation per vote. Donation jars at Howl-O-Ween helped kick off the event, and so far, we’ve raised $180. Winners will be announced on Halloween.
- Annual Fall Drag Show (November 7) at Collingswood Grand Ballroom will feature dinner, entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, and basket raffle, offering a lively evening in support of AWA.
- Shred for a Cause (November 15) returns in partnership with TAB Shred and Recycling. From 8 a.m. to noon, participants can bring any amount of documents to shred for $40, with 100% of proceeds benefiting AWA.
Volunteer and Community Engagement
Volunteers are the heartbeat of AWA, and October showcased their incredible dedication.
Volunteer Orientation (October 7) welcomed 35 new attendees, three of whom have already completed Basic Animal Engagement Training. Additional training opportunities, such as tour guide certification, are underway to ensure volunteers are well-prepared to represent AWA to the public.
Community outreach this month included the Subaru Park Dog Adoption Event (October 4), where two adoptable dogs, Handsome and Roogaroo, interacted with visitors ahead of the Philadelphia Union game. Children enjoyed a “Spin-the-Wheel” activity that combined learning and fun while shining a spotlight on foster programs and adoption opportunities.
Upcoming Dia de Los Muertos (November 1) participation will provide another opportunity to connect with the community through a merchandise table and informational materials highlighting ways to volunteer, donate, and adopt.
Corporate volunteer groups continue to support AWA through meaningful engagement, tours, and volunteer hours, often paired with corporate matching programs. October and November groups include:
- WSFS Day of Service – 15 volunteers (October 1)
- Subaru of America – 25 volunteers (October 30)
- Verisk – 15–20 volunteers (November 5)
- Holman – 6–10 volunteers (November 12)
- Honors Bantivoglio – 10–15 volunteers (November 14)
- Ameriprise – 15–20 volunteers (November 19)
- Alloy Silverstein – 40 volunteers (November 21)
- Friedman Realty – 5 volunteers (November 24)
Each group contributes in meaningful ways, helping us provide essential care, enrichment, and education for our animals.
Shelter Updates
Adoptions remain strong, with September 2025 seeing a total of 212 pets adopted – 55 dogs, 151 cats, and 6 small animals – a 4.9% increase over September 2024. Cat adoptions continue to drive growth, prompting us to coordinate carefully with partners to meet demand. Dog adoptions remain consistent, averaging 52–70 per month, while small animals typically range between 6–14 monthly.
Intakes have increased significantly, with 214 pets received in September 2025, a 36% rise over the prior year. Medical needs have risen in parallel, with 156 surgeries completed for shelter animals. Under Ashley’s guidance, every case receives appropriate care through close communication with clinic staff and contracted veterinarians.
Foster program adjustments reflect the increased adoption numbers and strategic intake planning. The number of cats in foster care decreased 21% compared to last year, while dog foster numbers remained stable. Kim, our foster coordinator, continues to excel in her new role, ensuring animals are placed in the most appropriate environment while optimizing shelter capacity.
Behavior department updates include a transition from Classy to PetPoint for class registration, improving tracking and communication. Although private behavior consults are temporarily on hold due to staffing, group classes saw an 8% increase in revenue, indicating strong community interest in structured learning opportunities for pets and their families.
Clinic Updates
The final Vets on Wheels (VOW) of the year on October 22 served 173 dogs, capping a successful outreach season. These clinics continue to provide critical preventive care to pets in underserved communities, reinforcing AWA’s commitment to accessible veterinary services.
Education Highlights
October was a lively month for education, with programs designed to engage children, families, and community members:
- AWA Animal Academy Homeschool Program hosted two classes on “Animal Engineers” with 10 students. The next session will focus on Animal Nutrition.
- Kid’s Day Off Camps welcomed 36 students over three days in late September and early October.
- Wags & Wiggles expanded with a new Friday class, serving 23 kids and 23 adults.
- Community outreach included Touch-a-Truck at Diggerland, where 400–500 people enjoyed the Pretend Pet Clinic, and Audubon Community Day: Wag & Walk, with 75 participants.
- LUCY Outreach visited AWA for a field trip and shelter tour, strengthening ongoing partnerships.
- The Empathy Explorer Outreach Program, sponsored by Ravitz Family Market, officially launched with visits to Head Start programs, combining animal education, storytime, and free books and stuffed animals.
- At Howl-O-Ween, the Education Department hosted a crafting table, an obstacle course, and a whimsical “crazy cat lady” trunk, bringing laughter and learning to families.
- During Make a Dog’s Day, children learned about microchipping and responsible pet ownership through hands-on activities, including adopting a stuffed animal dog and creating a personalized beaded collar.
Marketing and PR
Website traffic grew slightly, with significant gains from paid social media, particularly for adoption and clinic pages. Top pages included the homepage, Adopt a Dog, Adopt a Cat, and our low-cost vet clinic page.
Social media performance improved across all channels, with Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn showing strong growth. Short-form video content continues to resonate most with audiences. Email communications produced a 75% increase in clicks, highlighting the value of targeted outreach.
Direct mail revenue is lower year-over-year due to a shifted mailing schedule, with future mailings expected to increase contributions. Overall, marketing efforts are positioning AWA to reach more supporters and amplify our mission effectively.
Favorite Moment
On October 3, I attended the ribbon cutting for the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine. Following the ceremony, I joined a student-led tour of the new facility. It was deeply gratifying to hear students and instructors speak of their collaboration with AWA even before realizing I was part of the group. Their enthusiasm and recognition of our partnership reaffirmed the importance of our work and the impact we have on the next generation of veterinarians.
Closing Thoughts
October has been a month of milestones, meaningful connections, and powerful reminders of the importance of community, compassion, and collaboration. From record-breaking adoptions to impactful outreach, successful events, and dedicated volunteers, every part of AWA’s ecosystem works together to create a brighter future for animals and people alike.
As we look ahead to November and beyond, I am inspired by the energy, creativity, and care demonstrated by our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners. Together, we continue to make a difference one wagging tail, one purring cat, and one grateful family at a time.
With gratitude,
Laura Houston
Executive Director
