Richmond SPCA Blog

Travels with Lottie: get a dog’s-eye view of pet-friendly RVA!

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

Take a look at Lottie’s first video!

Lottie is visiting the Richmond SPCA’s Lora Robins Gift Shop. It’s her favorite place to get new toys and yummy training treats because she knows that when her mom shops here, the purchase benefits homeless pets in our care. Lottie was once a homeless dog, whom we rescued from a puppy mill in 2007, and it’s her mission to help other dogs experience the unconditional love she has known since her adoption.

The Lora Robins Gift Shop carries healthy all-natural treats; toys of all shapes, sizes and styles ranging from soft and plush to durable and interactive; and collars, leashes and harnesses for cats and every breed/size of dog. If you're not sure what size your dog wears, it's no worry. Bring your dog along so our staff can ensure a comfortable fit for your companion's new walking equipment.

Lora Robins Gift Shop hours: 
Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday noon to 5 p.m. 

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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.

Adoption Center News: Week of April 9-15, 2012

Congratulations to the new families of the 46 pets who were adopted last week! We are grateful to each person who welcomed one of these 23 cats and 23 dogs into their homes. 

Our goal in the week ahead is 57 adoptions. If you've adopted a homeless cat or dog, your experience with your adopted pet is one of the best advertising tools we have. Please share with your friends and family the joy your four-legged companion has brought to your home and encourage them to visit our Robins-Starr Humane Center and find a best friend of their own through our Meet Your Match adoption program. 

Adoption specials: We have three great specials available all month long.

April is "Adopt a Senior Cat Month"! All cats ages 5 years and older are available for the reduced adoption fee of $60 until the end of the month. 

Every Tuesday in April is "Two for Tuesday." Adopt any pair of pets for a single, low adoption fee. 

Every Thursday in April is "30 Percent Thursday." Adoption fees are discounted by 30 percent. 

Off-site adoption events: This Saturday, April 21, our Tail Wag'N adoption vehicle will be at Collegiate School for the Village Green Fair at 103 N. Moreland Road. This event, hosted by the Collegiate Parents' Association, will feature food, shopping, games and the chance to meet and adopt pets on our Tail Wag'N. 

See more off-site adoption events.  

Cats adopted this week: Blizzard, Marina, Phoebe, Lindsey, Patterson, Xena, Megan, Poppy, Pamela, Ingrid, Simone, Shane, Ted, Nolan, Naomi, Butters, Camilla, Celeste, Easton, Colette, Cole, Quinton, Katniss

Dogs adopted this week: Corolla, Fry, Diamond, Ruby, Amelia, Blaze, Petunia, Lance, Zack, Parker, Roger, Susie, Tess, Sienna, Madison, Jimmy, John, Nilly, Gage, Joy, Junior, Abby, Virgil

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. (closed for Easter, April 8) 

Adoption Center Location: 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.

Dog Jog and 5K Run proved to be a bright day for homeless pets in spite of rain clouds

The great success of our Tenth Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run, presented by Car Pool, is a testament to our supporters' dedication to the homeless animals who rely on our help no matter the conditions. Undaunted by the rain, they came to run in the 5K and brought their dogs, whose expressions seemed to say that a wet jog is just as well by them. We are pleased to share that we surpassed our fundraising goal – $131,000 – and raised nearly $143,000 for the animals in our care!

The Richmond community's devotion to saving the lives of orphaned pets was celebrated as part of the 10th anniversary of the Dog Jog and 5K Run. Staff, volunteers, board members and other friends of the Richmond SPCA surprised the crowd with a flash mob, choreographed by Catherine Noack of the Richmond Ballet, that took place in the midst of the Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Vendor Fair. Greatly exceeding the event's fundraising goal provides extra meaning to the song that was chosen, Hall and Oates' "You Make My Dreams Come True." 

The participants who work in the weeks and months leading up to the Dog Jog and 5K Run to solicit contributions from friends, family and co-workers ensure the success of this lifesaving event. Their work has helped to save the lives of thousands of orphaned dogs and cats in need. 

Top individual and team fundraisers

• Top Fundraising Individual: Sarah Sinsabaugh, $3,588 raised
• Second Highest Fundraising Individual: Brenda Birkitt, $2,900 raised
• Third Highest Fundraising Individual: Whitney Kelliher, $1,993 raised 
• Top Fundraising Youth: Stephanie Story, $840 raised
• Top Fundraising Team: Team Birkitt, $8,805 raised 
• Second Highest Fundraising Team: Team Bank of America, $4,182 raised
• Third Highest Fundraising Team: Team Running Buddies, $2,275 raised

Richmond Road Runners Club is the official timekeeper for the 5K Run, and 388 runners crossed the finish line last Saturday.  Full race results can be found at www.rrrc.org/page/rrrc-race-results. Select "SPCA Dog Jog 5K" from the drop down menu. 

Top 5K Finishers

• First overall female:
  Maureen Ackerly 18:49
• First overall male:
  Chris Carrier 15:59
• Second overall female:
  Allison Hazlett 21:14
• Second overall male:
  Sean Killeen 18:27
• Third overall female:
  Ariel McGuire 21:32
• Third overall male:
  Erich Fritz 19:03

Our volunteer Rich Terrell has shared a terrific set of photos from Saturday's event on Flickr. We'll post additional photos on the Richmond SPCA Facebook page, and you can share your own photos on the wall of our Dog Jog and 5K Run page on Facebook. 

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Tabitha Frizzell Hanes is the director of communications 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 March 19-25

We had a terrific adoption week at our Robins-Starr Humane Center with 50 pets – 29 dogs and 21 cats – placed in loving homes. That includes 15 adoptions the day of our Dog Jog and 5K Run! Three of the dogs adopted participated in the Dog Jog with our fabulous Running Buddies volunteers. Thanks to these volunteers who provide ongoing exercise and enrichment to our dogs while they await permanent homes. 

This week our adoption team has set the goal of 50 adoptions. You can start the process of finding your next best friend by taking our Meet Your Match adoption survey online. 

Adoption Specials: Throughout the month of March we're offering two popular discounts! These include 15 percent off all dog adoptions on "Waggin' Wednesdays" and 15 percent off all cat adoptions on "Feline Fridays." This is the final week of these March promotions. 

Cats adopted this week: Delores, Ellery, Tommy, Azalea, Dutchess, Tristan, Edgar, Goodman, Bowie, Jill, Loretta, Biff, Boots, Fergie, Lucy, Thalia, Tigger, Jason, Casper, Zimri, Blaine

Dogs adopted this week: Gilda, Tara, Katherine, Jolene, Misha, Micah, Marley, Leah, Boone, Jasper, Priscilla, Royce, Rosanna, Regan, Renee, Roxie, Ramsey, Reuben, Rosalyn, Tamera, Rihanna, Ava, Matilda, Sabrina, Jackson, Jolie, Malcolm, Bennie, Calvin

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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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.

This Saturday, adopters look forward to returning with their pets to be part of the Dog Jog and 5K Run

My Cairn Terrier, Skye, has been eagerly anticipating the 10th Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run presented by Car Pool for almost a year! We adopted her from the Richmond SPCA in January 2008, and she had not been back for a visit until last year's event. I admit, I was apprehensive that she'd take a step backwards in her adjustment to life with us - that she'd think we were returning her to the Richmond SPCA.

All of those fears washed away once we arrived at the Robins-Starr Humane Center, and we bolted out of the starting block for the 1-mile Dog Jog. She has never been so full of excitement and joy as she was that day running furiously down the street with the other dogs and their people.

When we finished the race, we cooled down with a tasty Frosty Paws treat (or two). Not only was I no longer apprehensive, but I knew that the Dog Jog was an event that I had to be more involved with to help more dogs and their people experience the same kind of excitement and joy that Skye and I had. The Dog Jog and 5K Run Committee has been tirelessly working to make the 10th anniversary of this very special and lifesaving event better than ever. If you've attended the Dog Jog and 5K Run in the past, I hope you will register and join us again this year. If you haven’t participated before, then I’m here to tell you that you don’t want to miss all the fun that is in store for you and your four-legged best friend.

There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, including the Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Vendor Fair, which features the PETCO Foundation pet fun zone, activities for kids, music, food from the Boka Truck, the Veternary Emergency & Specialty Center pet wellness tent and microchip clinic, giveaways from local businesses and so much more. If you haven't yet registered, you can sign up in person for the 5K Run, the Dog Jog or both events by visiting the Richmond SPCA on Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., on Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Saturday as early as 8:15 a.m. You can raise donations ahead of time that will benefit our homeless pets, and you can compete against other participants for cool prizes like a vacation getaway and more.

Grab your friends – with two and four legs – and head over to the Richmond SPCA’s Robins-Starr Humane Center on March 24. Your participation is lifesaving to homeless animals in our community, and I thank you for your support!

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Christie Bieber is a Co-Chair of the Tenth Annual Richmond SPCA Dog Jog and 5K Run with Donna Beames. 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 March 12 - March 18

We're happy to report that a total of 43 homeless pets were adopted last week! This includes 24 dogs and 19 cats. We appreciate all the time our dedicated adoption team puts in to making sure each pet in our care finds a loving home.

Take our "Meet Your Match" survey here and come visit us to find your perfect match today or come in to browse our Lora Robins Gift Shop for fun items for your furry friends. Every purchase in our gift shop supports our lifesaving mission. Shop to save lives! 

Adoption Specials: Throughout the month of March we're offering two popular discounts! These include 15 percent off all dog adoptions on "Waggin' Wednesdays" and 15 percent off all cat adoptions on "Feline Fridays." 

Dog Jog and 5K Run: This important and fun event takes place Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us for a wonderful vendor fair, a raffle, music and much more! Remember, online registration for the 5K run and the Dog Jog ends tomorrow, Wednesday March 21, at 5 p.m. For more information, visit our race page here.

  Off-site adoptions: There aren't any off-site adoptions scheduled for this week, but you can always find our cats awaiting adoption at the PETCO stores in Short Pump and on Staples Mill Road. 

Cats adopted this week: Dudley, Uma, Peggy, Maja, Katrina, Sheena, Bowie, Genevieve, Jack, Cecilia, Shiva, Jenkins, Mosby, Fiona, Ginger, Nyla, Lynn, Roger, Potter

Dogs adopted this week: Buster, Curtis, Sam, Armani, Wrigley, Michael, Leah, Dale, Polly, Farrah, Otis, Felicity, Ophelia, Griffin, Kepler, Dahlia, Newton, Blaine, Jasmine, Johnny, Maggie, Todd, Holden, Smitty   

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

More ways to share: 
At the bottom of each of our blog posts is a footer with various sharing options. You're probably used to seeing the Facebook "like" button, and Google's +1. The newest addition is "Pin it," allowing Pinterest users to collect and share the things they find inspiring across the web. What's more inspiring than helping homeless pets? Find out more about Pinterest here. 

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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.

Mascot Lottie leads the way at Dog Jog as shining example of animal lives saved by the Richmond SPCA

I love to jog! And on Saturday, March 24, I am going to put my passion to a wonderful cause. I am going to the Richmond SPCA’s Tenth Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run, where you’ll see me strut my stuff in the Dog Jog.

Not only am I going to jog that day; I am going to be the leader — the drum majorette of the big parade!

At the stroke of 11 a.m., I will prance forth proudly on my lovely long legs (long for my size at least), leading all of my fellow lucky dogs who will be there to enjoy some quality time with their human companions while we march down the street.

We march to honor the work of the Richmond SPCA and all the work it does to save companion animals like me. You see, I am the product of a puppy mill. I was the pick of the litter, a big healthy girl, selected to be a breeder dog for profit. I was rescued after having several litters in one of the first and largest puppy mill raids in Virginia. Over 900 dogs were saved from a life of misery that day. I was transported to the Richmond SPCA with 28 other dogs with various medical problems. After we were evaluated (the veterinary team discovered I have a heart murmur and suffer from IBS), the Green Team training volunteers were given the project of socializing us. We had never known what it was like to be touched by a caring human. I personally was so terrified that I mostly wanted to huddle against one of those warm humans and stare at a wall. Then one of those “Greenies” chose me to take home, and my life changed forever.

It took me a long, long time to believe and trust my new life. But now I want to share my good fortune and all the love I feel with all the guys at the Richmond SPCA, present and future.

I walk and jog for life, for hope for all those hundreds still trapped in puppy mills who hope someday to find their way here where they will then find a wonderful, forever home the way I did. Let’s bring them all — lost, surrendered, abused — out into the sun and wind to walk, run and play. I love to jog. I am a lucky dog!

As the captain of Team Lottie, which includes Richmond SPCA alumni participating in this event, I’m helping raise donations for homeless pets. You can visit our team’s page at www.richmondspca.org/teamlottie to make a donation in support of our lifesaving efforts. Do you have an adoptee who would like to join our team? Register online today, and we’ll see you on March 24. 

Lottie Dula is the 2011-2012 Richmond SPCA Mascot. 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.

Guest post: Scoop the Poop, Save the Bay

Attention dog owners: Pet waste is messy and smelly, and disposing of it properly is a neighborly and necessary part of being a responsible pet owner. But you already knew that.

But were you aware that pet waste can also pollute neighborhood creeks, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay? Left “unscooped” on lawns, parks, and other outdoor areas, pet waste can run off into local waterways after a rain or snowfall, sending bacteria and other pathogens into our local waterways and making them unfit for wading or swimming. In fact, many miles of Richmond-area streams are polluted because of this very problem.

To help improve water quality in the Upham Brook watershed in Northside Richmond and Henrico County, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is sponsoring a series of free educational “dog walks” this spring to help alert pet owners about the importance of picking up and properly disposing of pet waste.

Participating dog walkers will receive an informative “Scoop the Poop” brochure and a free doggie poop bag holder (stocked with plastic baggies) that attaches easily to their pet’s leash for easy access when walking their pet.

Upham Brook, which flows through Richmond’s Bryan Park and Northern Henrico, is currently polluted by high levels of bacteria. By taking personal action to pick up after our pets, dog owners can make a real difference in making this Chesapeake Bay tributary stream cleaner and safer for us and our pets.

Below is the schedule for the spring dog walks. Bring your favorite pooch out for a walk in the watershed with CBF!

March 25 (Sunday), Three Lakes Park (Henrico), 3 p.m.-4 p.m.

April 7 (Saturday), Bryan Park-Picnic Shelter 1, 9 am.-10 a.m.

April 11 (Wednesday), Bryan Park-Picnic Shelter 1, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

April 18 (Wednesday), Cheswick Park (Henrico), 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

April 25 (Wednesday), Three Lakes Park, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

For more information, contact Jess Barton at 804-780-1302 or jbarton@cbf.org.

Today's guest post is by Jessica Barton. Jessica is the VA Grassroots Coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. 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.

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Stop by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation booth at the Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Vendor Fair next Saturday, March 24 at the Dog Jog and 5K Run. CBF will be located next to the event's official "Pooper Scooper" sponsor, DoodyCalls, a professional pet waste management company that makes housecalls.  

Doody Calls has a special offer for animal lovers in March and April. During these two months, DoodyCalls will donate 50 percent of all profits from any supply purchase made on doodycallsdirect.com and 50 percent of all new client sign ups for residential or commercial services to the Richmond SPCA and the homeless pets in our care! Just use the code "Richmond SPCA" when ordering supplies or signing up for their cool service. To sign up for the service, call 1-800-DOODYCALLS. 

Adoption Center News Week of March 5 - March 11

This was a wonderful week here at our adoption center! We had a total of 48 adoptions, which includes 12 cats and 36 dogs. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to make sure we're providing orphaned dogs and cats with permanent, loving homes. Stop by the Robins-Starr Humane Center and we'll help you meet your match today!

Adoption Specials: Throughout the month of March, we're offering two popular weekly discounts: 15 percent off all dog adoptions on "Waggin' Wednesdays" and 15 percent off all cat adoptions on "Feline Fridays." 

 Dog Jog and 5K Run Raffle: We have a lot of great prizes for this year's Dog Jog and 5K Run raffle! They include a one-weeky family vacation, certificates for some of Richmond's most popular restaurants, a professional photo session for your pet and much more. You can purchase tickets here. All proceeds benefit the orphaned animals at the Richmond SPCA. Winners will be chosen Monday, March 26. 

Off-site adoptions: There aren't any off-site adoptions scheduled for this week, but you can always find our cats awaiting adoption at the PETCO stores in Short Pump and on Staples Mill Road. 

Cats adopted this week: Tommy, Callie, Tiki, Nicholas, Misty, Faye, Grady, Malcolm, Murphy, Blossom, Walter, Annie.

Dogs Adopted this week: Franklin, Amy, Grace, Sean, Amelia, Melanie, Melissa, Josh, Heather, Cole, Monica, Chloe, Clarisse, Malibu, Rocky, Abigail, Jordan, Reggie, Sparkle, McKenzie, Denzel, Chip, Wendy, Kaelan, Terrance, Ferdinand, Tinker, Cookie, Frances, Jethro, Johnson, Wilson, Pebbles, Chiquita, Blake, Tia.

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

More ways to share: 
At the bottom of each of our blog posts is a footer with various sharing options. You're probably used to seeing the Facebook "like" button, and Google's +1. The newest addition is "Pin it," allowing Pinterest users to collect and share the things they find inspiring across the web. What's more inspiring than helping homeless pets? Find out more about Pinterest here. 

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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.

Adoption Center News Week of Feb. 27 - Mar. 4

We had an amazing week here at our Robins-Starr Humane Center with 62 adoptions! Our goal this week is to help 53 homeless pets get adopted. Take our "Meet Your Match" survey here and come visit us to find your perfect match today or come in to browse our Lora Robins Gift Shop for fun items for your furry friends. Every purchase in our gift shop supports our lifesaving mission. Shop to save lives! 

Throughout the month of March take advantage of addional weekly discounts which will include 15 percent off all dog adoptions on "Waggin' Wednesdays" and 15 percent off all cat adoptions on "Feline Fridays." 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.

Off-site adoptions: There aren't any off-site adoptions scheduled for this week, but you can always find our cats awaiting adoption at the PETCO stores in Short Pump and on Staples Mill Road. 

Cats adopted this week: Margie, Peter, Mayer, Serena, Petunia, Marlow, FLoyd, Maja, Dexter, Piper, Mitch, Avery, Addison, Meadow, Allison, Delilah, Martha, Bon, Strawberry, Josie, Sofia, Orion, Finn, Stanley, Cora, Shelly, Samson, Theodore, 

Dogs Adopted this week:  Conway, Hillary, Fletcher, Sasha, Corolla, Nikolai, Ralphie, Archie, Larry, Jolene, Charlie, Penny, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Athena, Theia, Eos, Selene, Atlas, Cisco, Zeus, Aero, Abigail, Duke, Dane, Becky, Denzel, Beverly, Michelle, Wendell, Callie, Hazel, Daisy Mae

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

More ways to share: 
At the bottom of each of our blog posts is a footer with various sharing options. You're probably used to seeing the Facebook "like" button, and Google's +1. The newest addition is "Pin it," allowing Pinterest users to collect and share the things they find inspiring across the web. What's more inspiring than helping homeless pets? Find out more about Pinterest here. 

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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.