In The News

Northern Virginia benefits from D.C. Humane Society program.
By Sandy Levitz Lunner
On the second Sunday of every month, a group of dedicated animal lovers sets out traps throughout the Greater Metropolitan area, including Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Manassas and Fairfax County.
Although it doesn’t sound like something an animal lover would do, it truly is an act [...]

Lessons on caring for rare and exotic pets.
By Sandy Levitz Lunner
Over the years, Dr. Elton Vyfhuis acquired a menagerie of furry, feathery and cold-blooded pets. From childhood to now, his animal friends have included a mischievous kitty, unpredictable dog, hamster, a type of bird known as budgerigar, five chickens, two rabbits, two more cats, nine more [...]

Holiday fund-raiser was for the dogs — and cats.
By Sandy Levitz Lunner
Four-legged friends — and even those without any legs at all — barked, purred, bobbed and hissed their holiday wish lists to Santa last Saturday at Paws, Purrs and Exotics Animal Hospital on South Peyton Street in Old Town.
Alexandria’s newest and only African American-owned veterinary [...]

Paws, Purrs & Exotics Makes Alexandria History
By Mia Fields-Hall
Special to the AFRO
“It’s surreal that this is all happening,” said Dr. Nia Perkins when asked how she felt about having the first Black-owned veterinary business in Alexandria, VA., and one of the few in the metropolitan area.  “This is all such a humbling experience.”
Perkins and her [...]

By Stephanie Green

Two 30-something veterinarians are bringing something extra to local animal care, and it’s not just their relative youth. Early next month, Dr. Nia Malika Perkins and Dr. Elton Vyfhuis will open Paws, Purrs & Exotics Animal Hospital, the first animal care facility run by blacks in Alexandria and one of the few in [...]