It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2025.
Each time I sit down to reflect on the past few months at AWA, I find myself filled with a deep sense of gratitude and awe. The pace of the work never slows, but neither does the heart behind it. I see it in every quiet act of care: a team member coaxing a nervous pup out of his kennel, a volunteer folding laundry with a smile, a foster parent texting to share a “gotcha day” photo.
So much happens behind the scenes, but I’d like to take this moment to pull back the curtain and share where we are, where we’re heading, and most importantly, how your support continues to change lives paw by paw, person by person.
Small Gifts, Big Impact
We’ve had a busy spring in Development, and thanks to the generosity of new friends and longtime partners, our mission is growing stronger each day.
In May, we received our very first grant from the Lillian Schenck Foundation – $3,000 for our Operation Compassion program. This funding supports our outreach to local schools, where we use animals and humane education to build empathy and emotional intelligence in kids. It’s one of those programs that stays with you, especially when a shy student opens up to a therapy dog and finds a new way to connect.
Just a few days later, we were thrilled to receive a $10,000 grant from the Tipgoomoogus Memorial Trust for our On the Road to Close the Gap initiative. That gift goes directly toward helping pet owners who face barriers to care—whether it’s a lack of transportation, access to vet services, or the financial means to get help when it’s needed most.
We also had incredible corporate partners step forward. DLA Piper, Capehart & Scatchard, WSFS Bank, and SweetSpot Dispensary each sponsored our events this spring, raising both critical funds and community awareness. The Cornelia Haines Charitable Trust renewed their support, and Miller Subaru continued their deep commitment to AWA through their Hometown Heroes program, contributing an amazing $13,743. (They’ve even nominated us again for next year!)
And one very special fund deserves its own paragraph: the Malibu & Gus Family Fund. This family’s love for animals has led to a pledge of $10,000 per year for the next three years to support pets with extraordinary medical needs. It’s the kind of gift that quite literally saves lives and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have.
Events that Build Community (and Wagging Tails)
Paws & Feet, our beloved 5K and Doggie Fun Day, returned to Cooper River Park this May. We were met with beautiful scenery, a few logistical puzzles (grass and vendor tents don’t always mix!), and the most heartwarming sense of community. We had a record number of sponsors – more than $37,000 in partnership funding – and despite not reaching our initial revenue goal, we came in under budget and ended up exceeding our net profit goals. Compared to last year, we raised nearly $15,000 more.
But beyond the numbers, it was the energy that stood out: staff cheering on the final runners, kids dancing in puddles, and dogs proudly sporting their medals. Even the weather couldn’t dampen our spirits.
A few weeks later, we hosted our first Rev Up for Rescues car show right here at AWA. Picture classic cars, live music, food trucks, and yes, dogs in sunglasses. The event raised over $1,200, introduced us to a whole new crowd of supporters, and even led to several adoptions. It was fun, meaningful, and so very AWA.
We also had the joy of welcoming Project Refit, a veterans group, for a day of service. The conversations shared that day – between vets, staff, and the animals – reminded me of the power of connection and the quiet healing that happens here every day. Three dogs went home that day, but more than that, new bonds were formed.
Our Kings Road Brewing partnership brought kittens, beer, and big smiles to Haddonfield in June, raising $1,690 and sparking some exciting ideas for future collaborations. (Kitten beer flights, anyone?)
And then came the Barking Lot Sips & Brews kickoff on June 20. It was our best one yet with food trucks, live music, and the kind of energy that makes you feel like summer has truly arrived. Tito’s Vodka returned as a partner, and their donation of 24 bottles (plus a promise of more sponsorships to come) helped make the night a fundraising and feel-good success. This one evening brought in more revenue than all three Barking Lots from last year combined.
Looking Ahead
We’re already brewing coffee (literally, thanks to our Liberty Beans fundraiser) and prepping for upcoming events like:
- Kitten Yoga (half the sessions sold out in days!)
- Family Fun Night (August 16)
- Our second Barking Lots (August 1)
- Putt for Pets mini golf (Date TBD)
And yes, Raising Cane’s plush puppy sale is back, this time in six stores instead of four!
Clinic: Vets on Wheels, Rabbit Vaccines & New Dental Services
Our veterinary services keep growing. This growth comes from new initiatives and partnerships.
On April 23, our Vets on Wheels (VOW) program came back to Camden. We teamed up with the Camden County Police Department's Community Outreach team who provided a table and security presence at the event, which saw 71 animals receive care. It's great to see ongoing teamwork to help communities that lack veterinary care.
We hosted a rabbit vaccine clinic on April 6. This was done with Dr. Sharonda Meade from Fur, Feathers & Scales Mobile Vet Service. Ten rabbits, some from over 90 minutes away, got the RHDV vaccine for $40. This is a big savings compared to the $300 many vets charge.
Starting in June, we’ll offer dental services. This is thanks to our new veterinary contractor. Pre-appointments have already started filling up in anticipation.
Inside the Shelter
Of course, the heartbeat of AWA is the animals in our care. And right now, it’s kitten season which means there are tiny mews coming from every corner. We had a strong May for adoption – 209 pets placed in new homes, which is 22% higher than this time last year and 30% over our goal. That’s incredible.
But we’re not just placing animals, we’re expanding what we can do for them. Our clinic staff recently performed our very first dental procedure, and I could not be more proud of them. Dental disease can be painful and debilitating, and now we’re better equipped to treat it. This will be life-changing for so many of our older dogs and cats.
Volunteers and Community: You Keep Us Going
Our volunteer program continues to grow in both numbers and heart. At our most recent orientation on June 9, 59 new volunteers joined our family. Within a week, 17 had already completed training, and 8 had logged their first shifts. That’s commitment.
We’ve also had amazing group partnerships bloom. Students from Camden Academy Charter High School spent their senior project day mulching, learning about dog handling, and talking about what it means to give back. TD Bank sent a corporate team to prep for summer camp and food pantry distribution, and several of those employees have already signed up to become volunteers. And after a wellness presentation at Tavistock Country Club, their team is planning a volunteer day in July to make enrichment toys for our animals.
Education: The Future Is Bright
Our Education Department has been buzzing. Birthday parties are up. Summer camp is sold out for all nine weeks and three extra days. Over 250 campers are joining us to learn about animals, kindness, and how to make a difference.
We’ve added new guest speakers and strengthened partnerships with organizations like Wild Exotics Animal Refuge and Pennsauken Animal Hospital. And our staff is growing, too. Not just in numbers, but in knowledge. They recently participated in a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Institute for Humane Education on how to build compassion and hope in young people. I’m excited to see how those ideas will show up in our programs moving forward.
Telling Our Story
Our marketing team continues to connect more people with our mission. Website traffic is up, especially on our adoption pages. Instagram is seeing big growth. And although we saw a dip in revenue from the site, our team is already working on ways to turn engagement into support.
We had a heartwarming media moment when Fox29 featured Jackson – a sweet dog looking for his forever home – on their “Rescue Me” segment. (Spoiler alert: he found his person.)
My Favorite Moment
There were so many moments this spring that warmed my heart. But if I had to choose just one, it would be at Paws & Feet, when the rain started to fall, and I watched our team, soaked and smiling, create a tunnel of cheers and applause for the last runner crossing the finish line.
That moment captured everything I love about AWA. The passion, the resilience, the joy, and the deep belief that every step, whether it’s toward the finish line or toward a new home for a shelter pet, is worth celebrating.
Thank You
Whether you’ve donated, fostered, adopted, volunteered, or simply cheered us on from afar, please know this: you are part of this work. You are part of every adoption, every saved life, every success.
I don’t know what the second half of the year will bring, but I do know this. We will meet it with open arms, wagging tails, and a community that shows up again and again. Thank you for being part of it.
With gratitude,
Laura Houston
Executive Director
