WOAWL is a nonprofit organization that works to avoid needless killing of abandoned and unwanted animals by finding them homes and by encouraging spaying and neutering.

Our mission is to avoid needless killing of abandoned and unwanted animals by finding them loving, high quality forever homes through the adoption process; and to reduce the population of unwanted animals by encouraging spaying and neutering.


The West Orange Animal Welfare League (WOAWL) is an entirely volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1977 (incorporated in 1978) by Mildred Kowaloff, who was very upset that impounded animals were being destroyed needlessly - given no chance at all. Her goal was to give them a chance at life through an adoption program. At that time West Orange was without an animal shelter. We are pleased to say the township's animal control facility was built in 1995. (Note: The WOAWL is totally separate from and should not be confused with the animal control facility which is owned, controlled, managed and staffed by the Township of West Orange under the control of the Health Department.)

Although our township has its own facility, animals' lives are still in jeopardy. Each stray impounded is guaranteed only the 7 day holding period mandated by law. (Under the law, animals surrendered by their owners to shelters in NJ can be destroyed immediately with no required waiting period.) After the 7 days, the WOAWL steps in to provide medical care needed, including general health exams and vaccinations; and when necessary boards or places the animal in a foster home until a permanent home is found.

The WOAWL is not limited to just dogs and cats, nor are we limited to West Orange. It is not unusual for us to rescue birds, rabbits, ferrets, snakes or an occasional guinea pig, hamster or gerbil. We also help pet owners who can no longer keep their beloved pet but would have no other alternative but to have the animal euthanized.

The goal of the WOAWL is to avoid needless killing of abandoned and unwanted animals by finding them homes through the adoption process; and by encouraging spaying and neutering.