Richmond SPCA Blog

Wise RTD editorial comes to correct conclusion about fox penning

Earlier this week an editorial appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch taking a strong and well-reasoned position in support of the House and Senate Bills (House Bill 695 and Senate Bill 202) that would make the inhumane practice of fox penning a Class 1 misdemeanor. We could never thank the editors of the Times-Dispatch editorial pages enough for their wisdom and courage in supporting our efforts and those of the Humane Society of the United States to outlaw this horribly cruel practice.

Their editorial received many comments from all the usual suspects who regard animals as nothing but tools for their own profit and pleasure regardless of the suffering and death that they cause. These commenters expounded at great length as they always do claiming that the foxes have places where they can escape (stretching the truth by a mile) and that the hounds really do not often kill the foxes (wonder why, then, the enclosures have to be restocked each year with thousands of new foxes) and (my personal favorite for its sheer nuttiness) that the foxes enjoy the chase. The latter absurd suggestion leads one to imagine just how much you yourself would enjoy being placed in an enclosure from which you could not escape with Bengal tigers which you would run from until utterly exhausted at which point you would be torn apart in their jaws. Sounds like a rip-roaring good time, doesn’t it?

These people are the group that we will have to contend with as the opposition as we work to get the legislators to take a courageous step in the direction of compassion and ethics for our state. They conduct themselves with no greater ethics in their efforts to lobby than they do in their treatment of defenseless animals. The patron of the Senate version of this bill, Senator Marsden is himself a hunter and one who believes deeply in the ethics of fair chase. He is appalled by the utter cruelty and lack of ethics of the people who engage in fox penning. We applaud his wonderful stand and will do all in our power to support him.

Fox penning is a stain on the honor and integrity of our state and an example of the thinking that animals’ suffering and death is to be disregarded entirely in favor of depraved human pleasure. It places the most miserable of human motives on a pedestal and attempts to make them sound positive. It is no different and no better than any other sort of animal fighting. The closing line of the Times-Dispatch editorial said it beautifully and I quote it here: “Humanity's dominion over the earth and its wildlife does not translate into a right to torture the beasts of the field.”

Please help us to protect these animals by calling and writing your senators and delegates and urge them to support these two bills. It is crucial to our living in a state with a heart and a conscience.

P.S. To those fox penners who will send comments in to try to get them published in our blog, save your efforts. I have no inclination whatsoever to allow you a forum on our organization’s blog. You have plenty of other places to spew your venom.

Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Adoption Center News: Week of Jan. 16-22

Although we did not reach our adoption goal last week, we can happily report that 27 dogs and 27 cats are now part of loving families. That’s a total of 54 lives saved!

We need your help in the current week to achieve our goal of 76 adoptions. Help save lives by visiting our Robins-Starr Humane Center to adopt or by being an ambassador for adoption and spreading the word to friends and family about the wonderful pets here in need of permanent homes. Adopting from the Richmond SPCA is a great value. Along with a lifetime of love and companionship, each adoption includes the pet’s spay or neuter surgery, all age appropriate vaccinations and much more. 

Adoption specials:
In celebration of our mascot Lottie's birthday, we're offering 15% off adoption fees from Jan. 23 to 27, the week she was adopted in 2008. Kids can also come to meet Lottie on Saturday, Jan. 28, and enjoy cake and children's crafts with our humane education department. Lottie will also be accepting unopened donations of dog and cat food for our Pet Pantry.

Off-site adoptions:
There are no Tail Wag’N events planned this week, but you can always find our cats awaiting adoption at the PETCO stores in Short Pump and on Staples Mill.

Cats adopted this week:
Louis, Binford, Tally, Brie, Ralph, Gordo, Phoebe, Caesar, Bianca, Junior, Wes, Haleigh, Anya, Petyr, Saturn, Katie, JoJo, Starbuck, Leah, Geneveive, Rosalie, Ozzie, Kel, Janice, Hobbes, Gemini, Herbert

Dogs adopted this week: 
Diane, Jimmy, Allie, Bena, Jude, Roberta, Woody, Balto, Rusty, Stan, Duran, Hilda, Sadie, Archie, Tray, Wanda, Jared, Ace, Amos, Willy, Blake, Bob, Aiden, Jayden, Evan, Tammy, Rambo

Adoption Center Hours:
Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 

Adoption Center Location: 2519 Hermitage Road Richmond, VA 23220

Adoption Center Phone Number: 804-521-1307

  
  

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Senate Bill 359 would save the lives of countless feral cats

At times we find ourselves at odds with the effects legislation before the General Assembly will have on animals. However, a bill currently before the Virginia Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources committee that seeks to help the feral cat population is something we can definitely get behind.

Introduced by Senator Creigh Deeds on Jan. 11, Senate Bill 359 would clarify the existing Virginia code in order to protect individuals who compassionately care for feral cats. Under current law, returning a spayed or neutered feral cat to his outdoor home in a feral cat colony may be construed as the crime of “abandonment,” a true distortion of reality if there ever was one. In some municipalities, this means that feral cat caregivers are prevented from engaging in the responsible practice of trap-neuter-return (TNR) and threatened with charges and stiff penalties by local police or animal control offers who claim the caregivers become “owners” of the feral cats once they trap them. You read that correctly. TNR reduces the spread of disease, overpopulation, territorial fights and yowling during mating, yet the flawed application of the term “abandonment” threatens to impede this life-saving practice.

That’s where the new legislation comes in. Under the proposed Senate bill, returning a feral cat to its colony after it has been spayed or neutered would no longer be considered abandonment. Animal abandonment is a Class 3 Misdemeanor in the Commonwealth, which carries a fine of $500. Not even taking the economic impact into account, such a fine levied against compassionate, proactive individuals could seriously hinder TNR participation, damaging the many thriving feral cat programs in the process. By amending the existing law, this bill would not only reaffirm Virginia’s commitment to animal welfare, but would also serve as a bulwark against many of our elected officials whose knowledge about these issues we find embarrassingly lacking.

Unfortunately, uninformed politicians are not the only group we are at odds with over Senator Deeds’ proposed legislation. The Virginia Animal Control Association has come out against the bill, a troubling decision considering the amendment is guaranteed to protect a significant percentage of Virginia’s animal population, one of VACA’s stated duties. VACA’s official code of conduct has this to say on the subject:

“The fundamental duties…include serving the community, providing protection for the public and animals, and enforcing laws in that regard.”

Sadly, none of these enumerated obligations are served by opposing this legislation. By standing in the way of TNR, VACA leaves the impression the organization would rather forgo the benefits of TNR, and instead have feral cats immediately turned over to a local animal control organization. The problem is that feral cats are not socialized to humans, and are often unadoptable. As a result, once they enter an animal control facility, it is almost certain that they will be killed.

This process serves neither the community, who has roundly embraced TNR, nor the animals, who would almost certainly rather live. It also does not serve the local governments who will have fewer willing participants working toward the non-lethal reduction of feral cat populations through TNR, and therefore, more feral cats entering government shelters where staff will be forced to take their lives.

It’s high time we stopped defining TNR caretakers the same way we define irresponsible pet owners and animal abusers. The liberal usage of “abandonment” in this context only works to muddle the meaning and make it harder to identify true offenders. By amending the existing code, we can ensure that caretakers can return feral cats to the trapping site where they will continue to provide the care and compassion these cats need, without fear of charges levied by animal control. We at the Richmond SPCA support this bill because like it or not, politicians and bureaucrats can’t tell us not to care.  

We need your help in demonstrating to the members of the Virginia Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee that this bill has strong support among Virginia voters. We expect SB 359 to come before the committee at their next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 26. Please take the time to call or email the members and voice your support for this legislation.  

Sen. Emmett Hanger, Chair (R-Mount Solon): 804-698-7524, district24@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Dick Black (R-Leesburg): 804-698-7513, district13@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Harry Blevins (R-Chesapeake): 804-698-7514, district14@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria): 804-698-1049, district30@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke): 804-698-1041, district37@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond): 804-698-7509, district09@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. John Miller (D-Newport News): district01@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk): district06@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg): 804-698-7526, district26@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax): info@fairfaxsenator.com

Sen. Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell): 804-698-7538, district38@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Frank Ruff (R-Clarksville): 804-698-7515, district15@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Moneta): 804-698-7519, district19@senate.virginia.gov

Sen. Richard Stuart (R-Westmoreland): 804-698-7528, richard@stuartforsenate.com

Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian): 804-698-7510, district10@senate.virginia.gov  

Eric Steigleder is the community relations coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.  

Adoption Center News: Week of Jan. 9-15

We are happy to report that in the last week 66 pets – 29 cats and 37 dogs – met their match and were adopted to loving homes. Our goal in the coming week is 70 adoptions. Please share, visit and encourage friends to make the Richmond SPCA their first stop when looking for their next pet. 

Adoption specials:
We have a dream that every pet has a home. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., all adoptions are discounted by 25 percent today, Jan. 16. Visit our Why Adopt page for more information about the Meet Your Match adoption process.

Offsite adoptions:
Our next offsite adoption event will be at the Great Big Greenhouse this Saturday, Jan. 21. We're bringing our furry friends to the "Kid's Day in the Garden" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come out to this fun event to meet a new feline or canine companion!

Other events:
Bring your favorite canine companion to our Tenth Annual Dog Jog & 5K Run on Saturday, March 24. The event features a sanctioned 5K Race (for people only) at 9:30 a.m. followed by a leisurely 1-mile dog jog/walk at 11 a.m. A vendor fair takes place in the parking lots from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes activities for dogs, kids' crafts, music, food, giveaways from local businesses and so much more. For complete event details, visit our race page online, where you can register, learn how you can raise pledges for our homeless animals, form a team and more.

Cats adopted last week: 
Chuck, Pippy, Addie, Lexie, Joan, Tameka, Will, Maribeth, Scarlett, Ivy, Percy, Theodore, Jeri, Petra, Phillip, Silverado, Doodles, Lacy, Sax, Mance, Clay, Paxton, Jax, Peyton, Sansa, Jaime, Tut, Valerie, Ned

Dogs adopted last week: 
Dustin, Imogene, Forte, Harvey, Joseph, Fry, Maple, Kali, Gabe, Molly, Shaggy, Lenny, Hudson, Jester, Dinga, Dora, Lilo, Nova, Dan, Telly, Nelly, Kelly, Shelly, Waldo, Riley, Teejay, Taylor, Red, Thunder, Freckles, Pongo, Lucky, Purdy, Jewel, Patch, Rolly, Cody

Adoption Center Hours:
Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 

Adoption Center Location: 
Robins-Starr Humane Center 
2519 Hermitage Road 
Richmond, VA 23220

Adoption Center Phone Number: 
804-521-1307

  

  

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Cat's violent death finally leads to charges against Harrisonburg police officer

There is good news. Well, good news only in the context of there having been terrible news that I discussed in a Nov. 29, 2011 blog post. A Harrisonburg police officer, whose name we now know is J.N. Snoddy, brutally bludgeoned an innocent cat to death on the pretense that this was an appropriate way to “put down” the cat that had been injured by a car. In addition to the horrifying nature of the cop’s brutality, the Harrisonburg Police Department worsened the matter by attempting to suppress any information getting out about this matter on the claim that it was an internal matter and would be dealt with internally. In that Nov. 29 blog post, I said the following:

I sincerely hope that people in Harrisonburg will demand better from their city government and their Police Department and their local news media. The citizens of Harrisonburg, whether or not they love animals, must see the horrible issues that this matter raises about their police and their city government. It rests with the citizens to see that the Police Department’s efforts to withhold the facts are not tolerated and that steps are taken to protect both the animals and the people of their city from more such violence being perpetrated by the very people who are supposed to protect them.

Thankfully, these hopes were answered. The Harrisonburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst apparently decided not to allow the Police Department’s wall of secrecy to stand and referred the investigation of the matter to the Virginia State Police. The State Police yesterday charged Snoddy with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty which will now be prosecuted by the Harrisonburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. It goes without saying that we wish the charge could be more serious but under Virginia law that is all that a first time intentional animal killer can be charged with. If Snoddy cruelly and intentionally kills another animal later in his life, that next killing would be a felony.

It is reassuring that both Ms. Garst and the State Police took this matter with the seriousness that it deserved and that this man will be prosecuted. If he is convicted, I certainly hope that he will lose his job as a police officer.

No innocent animal, even one that is suffering from injuries, deserves to be bludgeoned to death. That should not even need to be said. No one with a modicum of sanity could possibly think that bludgeoning under any set of circumstances qualifies as “euthanasia.” And, any person lacking the judgment and the compassion to understand that fact most certainly should not be entrusted to be a police officer. Police officers must use good judgment on a daily basis and good judgment demanded that the cat be taken immediately to a veterinarian for treatment or, if the cat’s injuries were not treatable, for humane euthanasia. I am sickened by this matter but at least gratified that justice is being done.

I thank the Harrisonburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Virginia State Police for having made certain that this happened. If there is one good thing that could come from this terrible incident, it might be that the Harrisonburg Police Department will be forced to take a hard look at its own ethics and accountability to its community. The behavior of Snoddy was not the only appalling thing about this matter, so was the arrogance of the Harrisonburg Police. Thankfully, others in their community are more responsible and humane.

Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Adoption Center News: Week of Jan. 2-8, 2012

The new year started with a flurry of fabulous adoptions. In the first full week of 2012, we united 80 precious dogs and cats with loving new guardians. After a most impressive month of lifesaving in December, adoptions continue to soar, and we could not be more thrilled or grateful. 

Offsite Adoptions:
Our next offsite adoption event will be at the Great Big Greenhouse on Saturday, Jan. 21. We're bringing our furry friends to the "Kid's Day in the Garden" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come out to this fun event to meet a new feline or canine companion!

Other events:
Bring your favorite canine companion to our Tenth Annual Dog Jog & 5K Run on Saturday, March 24. The event features a sanctioned 5K Race (for people only) at 9:30 a.m. followed by a leisurely 1-mile dog jog/walk at 11 a.m. A vendor fair takes place in the parking lots from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes activities for dogs, kids' crafts, music, food, giveaways from local businesses and so much more. For complete event details, visit our race page online, where you can register, learn how you can raise pledges for our homeless animals, form a team and more.

Cats adopted last week: 
Kobe, Newton, Pablo, Baron, Madison, Rafiki, Vera, Olivia, Odie, Esther, Roland, Willie, Leo, Julius, Halle, Memphis, Thelma, Jackie, Lulu, Jed, Orlene, Pierre, Mila, Joe, Sugar Plum, Lucas, Sofia, Mirah, Niara, Clark, and Chrissy 

Dogs adopted last week:
Olive, Mona, Rascal, Sharee, Rufus, Humphrey, Wilbur, Harvey, Tammy, Bella, Kaci, Gucci, Gabe, Chiquita, Capone, Skippy, Lona, Gina, Mell, Toto, Karma, Gail, Napoleon, Piper, Gabby, Burton, Daisy, Dodge, Beck, Malorie, Seth, Sully, Kita, Jasmine, Litta, Lilac, Blue, Princess, Zoe, Chase, Ciroc, Cash, Aero, Patrick, Ellis, Kip, Shiloh, Baxter and Brando

Adoption Center Hours:
Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 

Adoption Center Location:
Robins-Starr Humane Center 
2519 Hermitage Road 
Richmond, VA 23220

Adoption Center Phone Number: 
804-521-1307

  

  

  

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Guest Blog: YWCA recognizes Robin Starr with an Outstanding Woman Award

The great American social advocate and suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton said, “The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.”

Robin Robertson Starr has never feared the opinions of those who seek to undermine the humane movement; nor has she ever shied away from speaking honestly and courageously for the protections of innocent animals. This revolutionary spirit coupled with visionary leadership of the Richmond SPCA and a remarkable commitment to building a community that treats the most vulnerable among us with compassion and decency has distinguished Robin as a recipient of one of this year’s esteemed YWCA Outstanding Women Awards.

This recognition by the YWCA of Robin’s brave work is an honor that is richly deserved and for which we are deeply grateful. For 15 years, Robin has dedicated herself to defending helpless animals, and her tireless efforts have produced meaningful change for the prospects of life for thousands of homeless pets communitywide. We, and the animals with which we share this world, owe to her an enormous debt of gratitude for the progress she has made possible, despite the many obstacles and challenges she has fearlessly faced along the way.

In bestowing upon Robin this award, the YWCA has not only acknowledged her magnificent contributions to the cause of animal welfare and to our society – it has effectively recognized that saving the lives of animals matters. It’s mattered for a very long time to a lot of people, and we are pleased that the YWCA has ultimately realized it through the conveyance of this honor.

In pursuing the mission of the Richmond SPCA – to treat every life as precious – Robin has embraced the truth and never kept silent when it mattered the most. She truly is an outstanding woman.

E. Claiborne Robins, Jr., chairman emeritus of the Richmond SPCA, and Doris Ann Kane, devoted friend of Robin Starr, together nominated her for the YWCA Outstanding Woman Award.

More reading: Jan. 9 article by Tammie Smith in the Richmond Times-Dispatch

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Guest blog: Animals need your help in 2012 Virginia General Assembly session

This year is gearing up to be a busy one for issues involving a variety of animals. From lions to sharks to foxes to snakes, we’ll be pushing for legislation that increases protections for the animals in Virginia who deserve our compassion. Here is a pre-legislative session update about how we hope to help animals in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly and information on how you can lend your voice at Virginia’s Humane Lobby Day on Jan. 26.

Exotic animals:

Do your neighbors have a tiger in their basement, a bear in the garage, or a Burmese python in the den? You might think it would be impossible for someone to turn their private home into a mini-menagerie, but Virginia’s lack of regulations on the private possession of certain dangerous wild animals means it’s a free-for-all in terms of keeping primates and even giant constricting and venomous snakes as pets or roadside attractions.

Frequent news stories depict exactly why it’s incredibly perilous for people to keep exotic animals in their homes. You may recall last April, when a Surry County man was attacked while he slept by a Java macaque monkey he kept as a pet. The man was hospitalized for his injuries. According to the Virginia Department of Health, “Up to 90 percent of adult macaques can be carriers of Herpes B-virus,” which has “a fatality rate of about 70 percent” in humans. The 30-pound, 7-year-old “Sammy,” as well as the man’s other macaque, were subsequently surrendered to a recognized exotic animal facility. Unlike private citizens, accredited zoos and sanctuaries can provide exotic animals with the proper care, enclosures and enrichment so that they can live safe, happy lives without endangering humans.

For the sake of animal welfare, public safety and public health, only accredited and qualified facilities should be able to house certain dangerous exotic animals.

Fox Penning:

You may have never heard of this heinous blood sport. I call it Virginia’s most shameful secret. Foxes are taken from the wild and released into an enclosure so dogs can chase them down, for people’s entertainment and competition. Judges score the dogs on various characteristics of pursuit. The bewildered foxes are inevitably terrorized and often torn apart in these rigged events. You can watch a video of this cruel competition below.

 

Multiple state investigations have shown that fox pens demand a steady supply of foxes, sometimes from illegal sources. In just three years, Virginia fox pen operators reported stocking more than 3,600 foxes—all captured from the wild and forced to run for their lives in fenced pens. 

This activity also poses a danger to other animals. In 2008 after a competition in which 800 dogs were released, a wild bear was discovered killed with hundreds of puncture wounds inflicted by the dogs. Numerous similar incidents have been reported, as the bears are attracted to the food scattered throughout the pen. Attempts at “bear proofing” facilities have not decreased bear incidents. 

This cruel “sport” should be exposed for what it is—unnecessary animal abuse—and outlawed in Virginia for good.

Shark Finning:

We don’t usually think of sharks as being afraid of people, but they should be. Every year, fins from tens of millions of sharks are used to make shark fin soup. This menu item has been a major contributor to the collapse of shark populations worldwide, including along Virginia’s coast. “Finning” is an abhorrent practice that involves slicing off the fins of a live shark and discarding the animal at sea to drown or bleed to death. Sharks have inhabited our oceans for 400 million years and scientists warn that existing shark populations cannot sustain the current slaughter rates.   A ban on the possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fins in Virginia would eliminate the demand for shark fins here and end our state’s involvement in the highly destructive global shark fin trade. 

Humane Lobby Day!

I hope the critical animal protection issues above inspire you to speak up!  If so, we invite you to attend Virginia Humane Lobby Day in Richmond, and help make a real difference for animals.  This is an exciting opportunity to meet directly with your elected officials about legislation that will impact the lives of animals. There will be a briefing with tips for citizen lobbying, and an overview of pending legislation which will prepare you to advocate for policies that will curb and end egregious acts of cruelty. 

RSVP today to lend your voice for animals and make a difference in Virginia! Email ldonahue@humanesociety.org if you have additional questions.

Laura Donahue is the Virginia State Director for the Humane Society of the United States.

To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name. 

Adoption Center News: Week of Dec. 26, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012

What an amazing way to bid a fond farewell to the year! This past week, 114 pets found loving homes, a perfect way to cap off the lifesaving and all-important Priority Automotive sponsorship. Thanks to Priority, a total of 453 dogs and cats were adopted between Dec. 13 and Dec. 31! Our grand total for the year was an astounding 3,452 adoptions, pushing us past our initial adoption goal! We could not imagine greater success, and we have our staff, volunteers, adopters and sponsors to thank for such a positive finish to 2011. 

Offsite Adoptions
Our next offsite adoption event will be at the Great Big Greenhouse on Saturday, Jan. 21. We're bringing our furry friends to the "Kid's Day in the Garden" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come out to this fun event to meet a new feline or canine companion!

Other events
Bring your favorite canine companion to Garden Fest For Fidos, a popular annual event hosted by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden! Take your dog on a walk beneath the stars and enjoy the holiday-themed light displays, botanical decorations, and fine shopping and dining. All dogs are required to be leashed.

Cats adopted last week: 
Iris, Stefania, Jenny, Tater, Jenkins, Angelica, Crystal, Lonnie, Bridget, Peepers, Rosalind, Brock, CeCe, Raleigh, Monique, Dorothy, Tiffany, Travis, Dominique, Whitney, Gomez, Pugsley, Dexter, Walter, Wheadon, Mack, Mick, Ted, Miles, Dante, Cypress, Irene, Koby, Glenda, Cassandra, Thumbelina, Creighton, Trina, Gloria, Nadine, Beth, Calvin, Calliope, Valerie, Petunia, Darron, Wallace, Hilda, Leslie, Carrie, Britney, Stevie, Tipper, Chaz, Slim, Diamond, Cobbler, Geppetto, Garrett  

Dogs adopted last week:
Pointsettia, Lemony, Obie, Vanessa, Gilda, Kira, Lucy, Poppy, Dolly, Malakai, Tabby, Roman, Henry, London, Caleb, Rosie, Thor, Dash, Humphrey, Tary, Liu, Kaylee, Flossy, Estelle, Rudolph, Sorento, Otto, Juke, Onyx, Baxter, Tammy, Yogi, Bear, Sally, Rodney, Sunny, Paula, Kibler, Cody, Frankie, Fry, Darby, Dave, Finn, Edie, Lona, Benji, Kyle, Humphrey, Snowflake, Buttercup, Matt, Nova, Princess, Silver

Adoption Center Hours:
Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 

Adoption Center Location:
Robins-Starr Humane Center 
2519 Hermitage Road 
Richmond, VA 23220

Adoption Center Phone Number: 
804-521-1307

    

    

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To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.  

Community support resulted in record-breaking lifesaving success

This holiday season has been a time of the greatest lifesaving in the history of the Richmond SPCA.  I am deeply grateful to the people of our community for the remarkable support you have shown to homeless animals in desperate need.  You have been heroes to the most helpless among us, and your kindness has ensured a bright future filled with love to countless dogs and cats just like Caleb (pictured).

I have a wonderful year-end report for you on our magnificent 2011 adoption numbers. In the month of December, we adopted a total of 581 pets to loving homes. This is an astounding increase over the 294 adoptions that we did in the month of December, 2010. Of the 581 animals we adopted just last month, 453 were adopted to families during the period of the generous Priority Automotive adoption offer.  This promotion undoubtedly had a huge positive impact on our adoptions and consequently on the number of pets whose lives we were able to save. We owe an enormous thanks to all our friends at Priority for their commitment to orphaned pets. My sincerest thanks also go to everyone of you who worked tirelessly to make the most of that great opportunity to save as many animals' lives as we possibly could.  Not only did we get 581 deserving pets into loving homes, but each adoption allowed us to immediately take in another pet from a government shelter and save those lives as well.
 
In all, we adopted 3,452 dogs and cats to great homes in 2011, which represents about a 10% increase over 2010. 

It was a great shared success and many precious pets and terrific people will have a happy life as a result. The Richmond SPCA and our devoted friends and supporters make a remarkable team, and I could never thank you enough for the lives that you helped us save. Happy New Year!

Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name. 

Adoption Center News: Week of Dec. 19-25, 2011

What a wonderful and rewarding holiday! We had 154 adoptions last week, bringing the total number of adoptions to 340 since the start of the Priority Automotive sponsorship on Tuesday, Dec. 13. These once orphaned pets now have loving and caring homes thanks to Priority Automotive's generous decision to cover every adoption fee until Dec. 31. If you missed the blog about this lifesaving sponsorship, read it here. 

Congratulations also to our hard-working adoption team. These skyrocketing adoption numbers have kept our entire adoption staff working tirelessly to ensure that all the dogs, cats, kittens and puppies go home with responsible and caring families. With the support of all our staff and volunteers, they have made wonderful matches and educated new pet parents on the responsibilities that are part of the lifetime commitment of caring for companion animals. Our admissions team has also been hard at work tranferring orphaned pets from various government shelters in our area. From Dec. 13-23, we increased transfers of pets from other shelters by 143 percent over the same period last year. 

Adoption Specials
Our friends at Priority Automotive and its associated Richmond-area dealerships are generously paying the adoption fee for every dog, cat, puppy or kitten adopted from the Richmond SPCA through Dec. 31. That's right – you provide a precious homeless animal with a lifetime of love, and Priority will cover the adoption fee.

 Offsite Adoptions

We also have many cats available at two area PETCO stores, so remember to stop by the PETCO stores at Staples Mill and Short Pump to meet your new feline friend!

See other upcoming off-site adoption events. 

Cats adopted last week:                                                                                                         
Bella, Roger, Meadow, Milo, Carmella, Micah, China, Paris, Samantha, Rosario, Bertha, Taylor, Tabitha, Libbie, Ralph, Dillan, Denzel, Barbara, Dani, Jake, Maggie, Mia, Ava, Allistair, Chloe, Rafiki, Tara, Autumn, Kit, Link, Logan, Lauren, Thomas, Maureen, Dante, Binx, Jeremiah, Alden, Kori, Kirby, Philippe, Caesar, Belle, Lawrence, Scott, Frank, Chris, Irving, Artie, Milton, Beth, Marlin, Vixen, Sherbert, Morris, Dusty, Caroline, Wickham, Mocha, Roy, Romeo, Caden, Newman, Blair, Sinclair, Krauss, Ross, Eliza

Dogs adopted last week: 
June, Harrison, Queenie, Frances, Brooke, Carla, Loraine Baines, Bessy, Tari, Debbie, Brazil, Letty, Adele, Mabel, Andrew, Florence, Mimsy, Poppy, Chili, Leah, Marilyn, Troy, Charlotta, Hardy, Malakai, Bena, Byrd, Tabby, Ramsay, Roxanne, Lilly, Adara, Gilroy, Jeff, Forte, Rio, Coupe, Highlander, Tundra, Camry, Kermit, Cali, Astro, Filmore, Dilbert, Horton, Griffin, Archie, David, Trinity, Diesel, Lisa, Jude, Roman, Damien, Passat, Tiguan, Rufus, Marigold, Paul, Greg, Walter, Ethan, Marguerite, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Pax, Christian, Emmanuel, Sophie, Xanadu, Epiphany, Casper, Jamie, Jingles, Zoya, Delgado, Salem, Lancer, Billy, Blackie, Baby, Annie, Whit

Adoption Center Hours:
Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 

Adoption Center Location:
Robins-Starr Humane Center 
2519 Hermitage Road 
Richmond, VA 23220

Adoption Center Phone Number: 
804-521-1307

   

         

   

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