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Each year at the Richmond SPCA's Dog Jog and 5K Run, volunteers Scott Johnson and Nancy Boylan lead more than 600 dogs and their guardians at the start of the 1-mile course.
In 2006, Nancy Boylan was traveling a lot for work and found herself without enough time at home to adopt a dog of her own. So, instead, she began spending her Saturdays volunteering at the Richmond SPCA.
Around that time, she met Scott Johnson, whom she started dating. Nancy asked Scott to join her as a volunteer at weekend off-site adoption events, and the two soon fell in love.
As part of the Green Team, Nancy and Scott work training Richmond SPCA's available dogs like Chickie.
A year after they became engaged, Nancy and Scott were volunteering together at our Tail Wag'N at Cooper Vineyard when they met a dog named Sundae. The couple adopted Sundae, and the pup completed their family. After taking Sundae home, Nancy and Scott quickly took advantage of the training classes offered at our humane center. Sundae's first exposure to agility was at the Pets' Fun Zone at our Dog Jog and 5K Run. Soon they were hooked on the sport and have been taking agility classes with Sundae ever since. Sundae has earned multiple titles in agility, tricks and RallyFree.
Richmond SPCA alumna Sundae enjoys competing in agility with Nancy and Scott.
She continues to compete at the masters level in agility at 10 years old! In 2013, Scott and Nancy trained to become members of our shelter dog training and enrichment team, the “Green Team.” The couple still has a standing weekly day-date, spending Saturday mornings volunteering to work with dogs like Chickie, pictured above.
Gray Miller is the Manager of Community Development at 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 both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
Animal Brigade is one of the programs Michelle Russell oversees as coordinator of volunteers and programs at the Richmond SPCA.
When I first applied for the position of Coordinator of Volunteers and Programs with the Richmond SPCA, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to recruit individuals dedicated to our mission to provide additional care to the animals in our humane center. I cherished the idea that the lives of these animals would be enriched by my efforts, the efforts of my coworker and our incredible team of volunteers.
Once I began training for this position, however, I discovered that this department would allow for many other unique ways of providing meaningful care, not only in our humane center, but also to those in our community. There are multiple wonderful programs our department oversees, but the one that really struck me was our Animal Brigade.
Animal Brigade is essentially a service-learning opportunity for middle school students who attend fall and/or spring sessions to learn about canine and feline body language, communication, reward-based training techniques, the inner workings of the Richmond SPCA and larger topics in animal welfare. They then put their knowledge to use by volunteering throughout our humane center and completing semester projects to apply their newfound knowledge to real-world situations affecting animals nationwide. Last semester our students made cat toys, learned about animal health, practiced giving vaccinations on oranges, argued for more progressive and extensive legislation to protect companion animals and more. This coming semester, our students will examine a variety of rescue organizations, looking at how they care for the pets they rescue, and how they advocate for animals on a larger scale as well.Through planning these lessons, engaging with these incredible students, and watching their young minds learn, explore and grow, I realized what drew me to Animal Brigade.
Animal Brigade participants bathe Burt, a dog awaiting adoption at the Richmond SPCA as part of a lesson about grooming.
While our volunteers provide hands-on care to the animals already in our humane center, our Animal Brigade students are learning to advocate for them on a larger scale. They’re beginning to consider at a young age what it means to be good, loving and compassionate to all beings, not just to one another. This program grows individuals who will grow up building upon the knowledge they glean from our classes together, and the input of their fellow students, to be better caregivers to their own companion animals, and to fight for the lives of animals.
If you know of any middle school students with hearts for animals, we would love to have them in our program and to see what their bright minds bring to the table. You can access more information about the program or submit an application on our website. Our fall semester begins on Saturday, September 15.
Michelle Russell is the coordinator of volunteers and programs for 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.
Today is the last day of a week in which we have celebrated and recognized the essential work and the enormous contributions of our volunteers. But, in truth, those of us on the staff of the Richmond SPCA feel immense gratitude to our volunteers every single day of the year. It is not exaggerating to say that we could not function and could not save the lives of so many precious animals without them. They are the life blood of this organization.
Our staff and volunteers celebrate our 50,000th adoption. Luna, a Great Dane, was adopted by Richmond SPCA volunteer Jennifer Wilson.
I constantly see our volunteers working patiently with dogs who are frightened or withdrawn or high energy or any of a million behaviors that, without their dedicated work would make that pet harder to adopt or harder for an adopter to live with. I watch our volunteers socialize cats and kittens with kindness and sensitivity. I observe our volunteers do tedious but utterly essential tasks like laundry – no one even likes to do their own laundry, but clean laundry provides so many pets in our care more with comfort. I see the Running Buddies return from runs with dogs in our care giving them exercise, a feeling of freedom and some very important happy time with people. And, the work of our foster care volunteers is utterly essential. We focus on taking into our care so many sick and injured animals and so many tiny, unweaned kittens. Being able to send them to a loving foster care home with someone who will provide focused and compassionate care makes all the difference in saving their lives.
I never want to fail to include a recognition of our wonderful Board members who are also our volunteers and they give massively of their time and support, both of a financial and a personal nature. Our Board members demonstrate their dedication and their courage in making this organization one that constantly stands up for the interests of all animals when they need strong and influential voices on their behalf.
There are no words to express our thanks clearly and loudly enough for our amazing volunteers. There are so many wonderful pets in great homes today who truly owe their lives to our volunteers. This organization has accomplished so much progress in the care and the treatment of animals and so much life-saving that would never have happened without the persistence, generosity and dedication of our many volunteers. I thank them from the bottom of my heart, not just today but every single day. We could never save all of these precious lives we save each and every year without you.
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 both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
“Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.” - Marc Chagall
Susan working with Percy in the outdoor playpen.
Richmond SPCA Green Team volunteer Susan Kernyat engages smell-driven Percy in a game of “find the treat.” He presses his nose to the ground and searches the Richmond SPCA’s outdoor play pen for hidden treats. “He would be a handsome dog to paint!” says Susan as Percy begins to take interest in the sights and sounds of the other dogs being walked behind the humane center.
Susan’s is a well-known face around the Richmond SPCA. As a dedicated Green Team volunteer, she spends a large amount of her time providing training and mental stimulation to the dogs in our care. She is also the resident Richmond SPCA artist who has painted more than 25 oil portraits of Richmond SPCA dogs for their adopters.
The special gesture has been well received by adopters and has also meant a lot to staff. Senior Behavior & Training Specialist Jackie Laubacher hangs the completed paintings outside her office until the dog finds an adopter to claim them. Her paintings capture each dog’s twinkle of personality, and it all started because one of her trainees really captured her eye.
“There was a dog here named Wren who was just the sweetest thing, and I really had a connection with her. And one day I just thought, ‘I wish I could paint her,’” said Susan. “So, I did a little painting of her and gave it to Carly Sgueo (Director of Sheltering Operations) and said, ‘If she gets adopted, can you please give this to her adopter?’” Wren did get adopted, and Carly shared with Susan how much Wren’s new family loved the painting, inspiring Susan to paint more.
Susan's colorful portraits of several of the Richmond SPCA's past and current dogs.
Susan has always loved animals. Growing up her family always had dogs, cats, horses and other farm animals. However, dog training didn’t come into her life until she adopted her first dog and did therapy training with Caring Canines.
From there, she joined a Richmond SPCA tricks class and soon her interest in positive reinforcement training grew from taking classes with her own dog to putting that knowledge to work with homeless animals as a part of the Green Team. After completing Canine University at the Richmond SPCA, Green Team volunteers take on additional responsibilities, working with dogs who are in need of better manners, socialization or special enrichment. These volunteers teach our dogs the skills that will help them succeed when adopted to a home.
Soon after the interview took place, Percy was adopted!
Susan has developed relationships with many of the dogs that have come through our shelter and has made the effort to capture their personalities through her art. Though she admits it is difficult when they are adopted, she hopes that the training and enrichment that they receive continues to benefit them in their future homes.
“We have such a great group of Green Team volunteers, and we all care so much for the animals,” Susan said. She and the other volunteers especially enjoy getting updates about how well the dogs they’ve worked with are doing in their new homes. “It is so great to hear because the trainers and Green Team members put so much effort to make these dogs the best they can be.”
It was a super week in our adoption center and we are excited to share that 42 pets were adopted last week! We are so thankful to our amazing adoption counselors for their help uniting these pets with new, loving and lasting families. You can help spread the word about our available pets and lifesaving work by "liking" and sharing our social media posts on Facebook and tumblr. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Here are the cats who were adopted this past week:
From top left to bottom right (pets not pictured are italicized): Cotton, Daffodil, Evangeline, Guinness, Henry, Josephine, Kalahari, Karoo, Katya, Loretta, Moonpie, Nilla, Norris Nubbins, Pico de Gato, Puppet, Wesley, Zatanna
Here are the dogs who were adopted this past week:
From top left to bottom right (pets not pictured are italicized): Bilbo Waggins, Braxton, Cecily, Cola, Danette, Edamame, Foxtrot, Frasier, Frito Bandito, Gabby, Happy, Hunnicutt, Ice Cube, Jane Fonda, Keanu, Maki, Mike Wazowski, Mountain Dew, Nigiri, Nori, Pepsi, Violet, Wasabi, Yogi, Zuko
Our adoption center is open every day of the week: Monday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit our website to see some of our dogs and cats currently available for adoption, for directions to our Robins-Starr Humane Center, to view the programs and services we offer and more.
Adoption Specials
Mutt Madness- Adoption fees for all adult dogs are reduced 15 percent through the month of March.
Feline Fridays- Adoption fees for all adult cats are reduced 25 percent every Friday in the month of March.
Seniors for Seniors- Adopters age 60 or older who adopt a cat or dog age 5 years or older are eligible for a $50 adoption fee. Seniors for Seniors is an ongoing adoption promotion. Adoption of a cat in this program will include a cat starter kit, cardboard scratcher and a toy. Adoption of a dog through this program includes a leash and collar, food and water bowl and a toy. You can learn more about the Seniors for Seniors program here.
Match Finder tool
If you have not seen the pet you’re looking for among the cats and dogs currently available at our humane center, we recommend that you try our free Match Finder tool. This online tool is designed to help you find your new best friend by automatically emailing you when a pet matching your desired criteria is available. If you have any questions, please contact our amazing adoption team at 804-521-1307.
Offsite Adoptions
The Richmond SPCA’s mobile adoption vehicle, Tail Wag’N will be at the Monument Avenue Easter on Parade event on Easter Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
In addition to having many wonderful cats at our humane center, we also have several felines at the Carytown location of PETCO. If you would like to learn more about these felines or set up an appointment to meet them in person, please call our adoption team at 804-521-1307.
Alumni Updates
Our staff and volunteers love to know what our precious adoptees are up to, so please keep us posted! If you would like to share a picture or story of your adopted pet, please send us an email. If you would like to see your pet featured on one of our social media sites, please tell us in your message that we may share your update.
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.
Since 2004, the Richmond SPCA has operated a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program with the purpose of humanely and effectively controlling the region’s feral cat population through spay/neuter and vaccination against rabies. The Richmond SPCA is happy to provide over 1,000 no-cost sterilization surgeries and rabies vaccinations every year for our community’s outdoor cats. In doing so, this program relies heavily on dedicated volunteers to feed, transport and monitor colonies. The Richmond SPCA is committed to supporting feral caretakers in their charitable endeavors associated with TNR and recognizes that communication is key to coordinating care.
With so many members of the community working on the cats’ behalf, the need for a centralized location for caretakers to connect became apparent, and the Richmond VA Feral Cat Network was created. This free group, hosted on Yahoo, has continued to grow both in its membership and effectiveness. The volunteer group administrator, who anonymously donates her time to this cause, proudly describes the online forum as, “more than just an online group consisting of those with a common interest. We share a mission (CATS - compassion/action/teaching/sharing) as well as values in promoting the humane treatment and non-lethal control of feral and free-roaming cats.” This group allows feral cat caregivers to sign up for veterinary appointments at the Richmond SPCA and to share unused appointments among themselves, as well as coordinate community efforts.
This unique online group is more than just for those interested in helping feral cats. It also acts as a platform for education about community cats. The Richmond VA Feral Cat Network is a resource for those that are elderly, disabled and/or with limited resources. The group administrator says that helping those populations is the most rewarding part of her volunteer role. When asked to describe her most memorable experience, she recalled an individual helping a senior citizen about four years ago. She says, “He had been feeding for about a decade at a local business. These cats had no veterinary care and over the years, untold numbers of young kittens disappeared into the dense wooded area adjacent to the business parking lot. A Richmond VA Feral Cats volunteer determined that the location was within two blocks of her managed feral colony and volunteered to assist. More than a dozen cats were trapped and provided with no-cost spay and neuter, de-worming, and rabies vaccinations at the Richmond SPCA Clinic for Compassionate Care. Additionally, the volunteer purchased low-cost distemper vaccinations for each of the cats and offered to assist the caretaker with twice weekly feedings which she performed for three years.”
Stories like this one, as well as countless others, are why we celebrate National Feral Cat Day at the Richmond SPCA. The motto “every life is precious” is upheld through the daily actions of volunteer trappers and community members who dedicate themselves to this cause. We want to show our appreciation for them and the countless hours they spend educating the public, helping both people and cats in need, managing colonies and transporting cats for TNR. From the bottom of our hearts, we say thank you!
Tori Williams is the senior hospital manager at the Richmond SPCA's Clinic for Compassionate Care.To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines.
There are few things in life that can bring more immediate joy to a person than love from an animal. Bringing delight to the people who need it most is the focus of the Richmond SPCA’s Paws for Health program. Paws for Health is a volunteer-based pet visitation program in which trained volunteers and their own carefully screened pets visit local hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities.
As we celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, it should be noted that not all of the Richmond SPCA’s volunteers spend their time inside the Robins-Starr Humane Center – some give their time on behalf of the organization by carrying our mission to the community. A special group focuses their attention on how the sunny dispositions of therapy dogs can brighten the days of those going through difficult times.
The Paws for Health program has been in existence for more than a decade and was created by Dr. Kevin Connelly, former Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at MCV, in alliance with the Richmond SPCA. In developing the program he spent a year reviewing research, learning about other pet therapy programs, and creating strict guidelines for safety, health maintenance and risk reduction to exceed hospital standards. In combination with the vibrant volunteer corps of the Richmond SPCA and training services we offer, Paws for Health has thrived.
Our therapy teams are so consistent in their volunteering that they become staples in care facilities. For instance, Brenda Bracheau and her dog, Benny, frequently visit St. Joseph's Little Sisters of the Poor as a part of the Paws for Health program. Residents mark their calendars and await Brenda and Benny’s visits with great enthusiasm. Thanks to training from Brenda, Benny knows exactly how to interact with elderly residents no matter their limitations. Benny greets each resident with a balance of gentleness and enthusiasm, and for that moment, Benny is all that matters. His company never fails to bring up stories of family pets, laughter over his tricks and kisses and something to look forward to in the near future. Some residents even keep dog treats in their rooms just for Benny’s visits.
Besides the joy Paws for Health brings to residents in our community, the program also creates all sorts of connections. To become a part of the Paws for Health program, volunteer handlers and their canines complete a number of requirements including a therapy dog certification, an application process and multiple shadowing visits, allowing both guardian and dog to better understand one another. Once the duo is officially a Paws for Health team and can visit care facilities on their own, an entirely new level of connections begin to form as the volunteer teams interact with residents in the community. With the company of a dog, anxieties over health and life melt away and volunteers and residents become quick friends. Like Brenda and Benny, these volunteer pairs become familiar faces at the facilities they visit, bringing happiness into the lives of those who need it, and embodying the mission of Paws for Health.
For more information about Paws for Health, please visit www.richmondspca.org/pawsforhealth.
Abbey Howarth is the Richmond SPCA's communications specialist. 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.
Our volunteers are as unique as the animals awaiting adoption at our humane center. At the Richmond SPCA, it is refreshing to see youth volunteers who have shown an interest in animal welfare at such an early age. Some of our youngest volunteers participate in a service club called Animal Brigade, which provides an opportunity for middle school students to learn the significance of volunteers to organizations like the Richmond SPCA and the importance of humane education in the community.
Each Saturday, students between 6th and 8th grade from all over Greater Richmond come to the Richmond SPCA to volunteer and learn about animal welfare. The students participating in Animal Brigade meet on alternating Saturdays to volunteer in several capacities. They often clean areas in our humane center, like the Track and Training Center, where training classes are held, and our Catillions, where some of the cats awaiting adoption at the Richmond SPCA reside. Animal Brigade students also lend a hand in our laundry and grooming rooms as well as in kennel areas.
These students quickly recognize the amount of the hard work that goes into maintaining facilities at the Richmond SPCA. A favorite task among the students involves cleaning our living rooms, which house dogs (and sometimes cats) awaiting adoption. Although cleaning isn’t always a glamorous job, these young volunteers find fun in being part of the animals’ daily routines and contributing to the great care they receive while awaiting new homes. After cleaning the rooms and picking out clean bedding for the animals, they enjoy playing with the dogs and cats, who are delighted to have such enthusiastic and helpful visitors.
In addition to the cleaning and organizational assistance provided by these students, the Animal Brigade participants also create fliers, posters and brochures to promote the livesaving services provided by the Richmond SPCA bringing attention to adoption, animal welfare andand the services of our Clinic for Compassionate Care. Throughout the semester, these students learn the role of these services in creating a more compassionate community that values animal lives.
Many of our Animal Brigaders even assisted at the Richmond SPCA’s 13th Annual Dog Jog and 5K run. Before the event, the Animal Brigade students created uplifting posters to go along the course for the 5Kdesigned to cheer on the runners. Some Animal Brigaders also contributed as cheerleaders and course marshals.
The Richmond SPCA is lucky to have such an enthusiastic group of young volunteers who are not only passionate about helping the animals in our care, but also informing their peers about the importance of animal welfare.
Shane Clements is the Richmond SPCA's volunteer and programs assistant. 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.
Volunteers make a crucial contribution to the Richmond SPCA’s work, assisting our organization in every department. In our our animal care department, volunteers help ensure each dog and cat not only has clean, warm bedding, but also lots of love and affection while awaiting adoption in our humane center. One of the ways in which volunteers help homeless pets at the Richmond SPCA is through our Running Buddies Program, sponsored by The HelpDesk Company.
Three times each week, dogs awaiting adoption at our Robins-Starr Humane Center have the opportunity to go on a 5K walk or run with a group of dedicated volunteers, who we call Running Buddies. These volunteers combine their love of running and love for animals in a way that benefits both the dog and their own fitness goals. Our Running Buddies not only give the dogs at the Richmond SPCA additional time out of their kennels, but they also provide them with a great form of exercise, mental stimulation and socialization.
The dogs in our care enjoy every aspect of Running Buddies. When the volunteers get out their leashes, the dogs’ eyes light up. When the run or walk begins, there’s definitely a spring in their step and, believe it or not, a smile on their faces. And when the dogs return to our humane center after a nice, long 3.1 mile run or walk, there are warm beds for them to curl up in for a mid-morning nap. When the adoption center opens at 11 a.m., these dogs are well-exercised and ready to meet potential adopters.
All of our Running Buddies are volunteers who give up their weekend mornings entirely to benefit the animals in our care. While it’s also a great form of exercise for the volunteer, the joy of Running Buddies lies in the satisfaction of giving the dog an opportunity to be a dog. The dogs get a chance to run and to see and smell new things. They get a chance to bond with these volunteers, and that makes waiting for a lasting adoptive home much more enjoyable.
Our Running Buddies program continues to grow thanks to the support of very hard-working and dedicated volunteers at the Richmond SPCA. Volunteers like the Running Buddies help make the homeless animals’ time at our humane center a little brighter while waiting to find permanent, loving homes.
For more information on the Richmond SPCA’s Running Buddies program, please visit our Running Buddies page at www.richmondspca.org/running.
Shane Clements is the Richmond SPCA's volunteer and programs assistant. 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.
Our Dog Jog and 5K Run is so successful at providing vital support for the homeless animals who rely on the Richmond SPCA to save their lives largely because of peer-to-peer fundraising. Our 13th annual event will be presented by Holiday Barn Pet Resorts on Saturday, March 21, but the fundraising got started many months ago. Participant fundraising efforts have been streamlined this year with a new online platform that makes it even easier to share your involvement on social media. There is still time to register (and take advantage of early bird pricing through Friday, March 6) and get started asking your friends and family for their support of your participation in this great community event. Top fundraisers are eligible for great prizes, and all who raise $500 or more in donations will receive a special gift that will be awarded at the Invisible Fence® Brand Awards Ceremony at the event’s conclusion. See how our top individual and team fundraisers are doing at richmondspca.org/race – we so appreciate all of their remarkable support of homeless animals through their tireless fundraising!
Dana Taylor, back right, and a few of her Running Buddies team members at last year's event
We recently talked with Dana Taylor about how she got involved in fundraising for the Dog Jog and 5K Run. Dana is currently in second place overall, having raised $1,545 as the captain of our Running Buddies team, which is made up of volunteers who provide regular enrichment and exercise to the more active dogs in the care of the Richmond SPCA by taking them on runs. The Running Buddies program is generously sponsored by The HelpDesk Company.
Q: Which event are you registered for, the leisurely 1-mile Dog Jog with your pet, or the competitively timed 5K Run?
Some Running Buddies participate only in the Dog Jog with the dogs from the Richmond SPCA, but there are several of us that run the 5K too. There’s a nice 30-45 minute break in between that allows us to finish the 5K and get our Richmond SPCA dogs ready with their “adopt me” bandanas before the Dog Jog actually begins.
Q: When did you first participate in the Dog Jog and 5K Run? Did you fundraise your first year?
This is my third Dog Jog as a Running Buddy, and it will be my second 5K. There are some Running Buddies that have done this for many more years!
Q: Was there any specific inspiration that led you to get involved in raising funds for the Richmond SPCA?
Dana, right, and Running Buddies teammates at the 2013 Dog Jog
This event is great for the Running Buddies, as we are already running with dogs who are available for adoption up to three times a week. That lets us get to know them pretty well. It’s an event that allows us to combine our love of running with our love of animals. We get to see all the great work being done at the Richmond SPCA, so of course we love to raise money for the organization. We’ve had several long-term residents who ran with of us get adopted recently. We fall in love with these dogs and are so thrilled to see them get forever homes. We want to help in any way we can to support the mission of the Richmond SPCA, including outreach and education. It’s really amazing what we learn about these dogs and the attitude and beliefs of the community on our 3 mile runs.
Q: What have been the most effective tools in asking friends and family for support?
Speaking for myself, it’s social media. I’m shameless. Last year, I used pictures of my Richmond SPCA alum, Joey. Anyone who knows me knows Joey, but not everyone knew his life had been at risk in a rural county shelter before he was rescued by the Richmond SPCA. This year, I started earlier, and I think some folks are ready to pay me to stop posting about my fundraising efforts! Around December 27, I started posting links to my fundraising page and told folks they could have a last minute tax write-off and help animals. That was wildly successful! I also used pictures of Altro, a dog that I’d been running with and working with as a Green Team member for over 6 months. I posted a lot of pictures of Altro during our time together, and my friends felt like they knew him. One friend even posted that her donation was for my Running Buddy Altro. All that said, I think if you believe in the cause and in helping animals, your message from the heart that will appear on your page is enough. You don’t have to work with a homeless dog or have adopted an animal from the Richmond SPCA – as long as your request is heartfelt, it’s enough.
It’s also important to use the email tool and not ignore the one-on-one requests. Not everyone likes using social media, and I know several Running Buddies just approach their friends and family about supporting their fundraising efforts.
Q: What’s your best tip for someone who is registered but might be hesitant to get involved as a fundraiser?
I know that it’s hard to ask for money, so on social media, I post the link to my page and type a pretty general message asking for support. I also let people know about all the great programs that are available at the Richmond SPCA and what a great resource it is for our entire community. Again, I think if it’s a cause you believe in and you let your friends and family know that, they will give to support you. I surpassed my first goal of $500 around January 1 and got to $1000 by asking folks to give $5-10. I reached that goal and have increased my goal once again. The point is you don’t have to raise it all at once or try to raise thousands of dollars. The way I see it, every dollar counts!
Q: What are you looking forward to most on March 21?
We all love seeing the community support for the Richmond SPCA. The love of the organization is so evident on that day. Of course, the Running Buddies love to run too, and seeing all the dogs out there for the Dog Jog is so uplifting. (PS – if you’ve adopted from the Richmond SPCA, we love to see our furry friends again!)
Tabitha Hanes is the director of advancement 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 both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
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