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Campaign Ended
Campaign Update
over 1 year ago
RHSPCA's Community Cat Program was started around 3 years ago to address the feline overpopulation issue we are facing in Rockingham County. Two-thirds of intakes at the shelter are cats or kittens - many of whom are found as strays. Last year, 1200 kittens came into our care throughout the year - an astounding number pointing to a larger issue at hand. The Community Cat Program allows for FREE spay/neuter vouchers to be handed out to Rockingham County residents that are caring for outdoor cats. This year, over 1100 surgeries were performed and we saw 500 fewer feline intakes. The program is clearly working - and we're excited to expand it more in 2024! While we'll always be here to care for animals in need, we want to work to create a community with less need. This is where programs like this one will come into play more and more.
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We're so close to reaching our goal - keep it up! Thank you for supporting RHSPCA's lifesaving programs - we truly couldn't do this work without you!
Campaign Update
over 1 year ago
Ruger was a sweet, laid back senior fella who waited patiently in our care for 532 DAYS before he found his people! He grew to be a staff and volunteer favorite as he opened up and bonded with all of us. We couldn't understand why Ruger was continually overlooked with just how PERFECT he was. Prior to adoption, Ruger spent his last few weeks in a foster home where he continued to amaze us all with just how wonderful he was.
In a post-adoption update, his adopter wrote:
“We adopted Ruger because we wanted to give an older dog a second chance. Ruger has been with us for about 2 months now, and he has brought so much love and happiness into our home. He is the perfect addition to our little family. Hanging out, snuggling, snacks, and exploring outside are his favorites. Ruger is the sweetest most easy going guy ever and is such a good dog. He loves his couch and looking out our windows at the views. We can’t imagine life without our Ruger boy, we love him so much!”
Hounds and senior dogs are often overlooked in the shelter, but we can honestly say they are some of the very best dogs we see here! 💙
Campaign Update
over 1 year ago
Porter had gone missing on June 10th of this year after sneaking out of his home. His family actively searched for him, but they were unable to find him in the weeks that followed. After nearly 4 months on the run, Porter was spotted by a community member approximately one mile from home. He was safely brought to RHSPCA by Animal Control Officer Geoff Bechtel. Thankfully, Porter had a registered microchip implanted which allowed for him to easily be identified and returned to his owner. Upon reclaiming Porter, his owner shared that his children missed the cat dearly and quite often asked where Porter was and when he was coming home. We were so happy to play a role in this positive outcome!
For some background, each and every animal that comes into RHSPCA is checked for a microchip as a first step, however very few animals are microchipped upon arrival. As part of RHSPCA's adoption process, all animals are microchipped and registered to their new owner. This greatly increases the odds of being reunited should the animal go missing in the future.
Our goal is to reunite missing pets with their people whenever possible - but we need to encourage the use of microchips as well as checking RHSPCA's Lost & Found Page when pets go missing.
For another feel good reunited story, be sure to watch Kona's short clip below:
Campaign Update
over 1 year ago
Stumpy came into Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA’s care after being found in the front yard of a McGaheysville home. It was clear that Stumpy had suffered an injury to his left front paw, which had resulted in a severe infection leaving Stumpy unable to use the paw. Stumpy was put on a course of antibiotics to fight the infection and we were hopeful he would regain use of his leg. Sadly, the infection had already spread to his toes and bones in his little feet and our vets soon determined that Stumpy would need an amputation.
Amputations are always a last resort and in cases like Stumpy can mean the difference between life and death. The infection in his foot was not responsive to the antibiotics and topical treatments. We began soliciting a foster home for Stumpy to settle into while he awaited his big surgery scheduled a couple of days out.
When an animal is recuperating after their life changing procedure, our fosters play a vital role in giving them a comfortable place to do so. Claire Robitaille, a student at JMU, stepped in to foster Stumpy through his recovery. Students from the three local universities account for nearly half of all feline fosters at the Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA. Our foster program provides the students companionship while they’re away from their pets at home and their participation in our program provides much needed temporary housing for our animals.
Claire made sure Stumpy made it to his surgery and the follow up exams. Stumpy recovered in the comfort of Claire’s foster home and also found his adoptive home while there. As Claire tells it, “I texted my friend Kaleb to come over because I knew that he would love him. And it was basically love at first sight.” Claire was right because Stumpy is now enjoying his best life living with his new best friend Kaleb.
Campaign Update
over 1 year ago
Timber was found wandering along I-81 north of Harrisonburg in May 2023. He had a collar on, but no forms of ID. Timber underwent his stray hold at RHSPCA, but unfortunately no one came in to claim this sweet, gentle giant. RHSPCA proceeded with normal vet care for Timber to prepare him for adoption, but when his 4DX test showed that he was heartworm positive, his fast track towards adoption came to a sudden halt. Dogs that are undergoing heartworm treatment must be kept calm and quiet to avoid complications, making the shelter an unsuitable place to stay during treatment and recovery. Timber was a staff and volunteer favorite, and we knew we had to help him get the treatment he so desperately needed. Our Foster Coordinator worked diligently to find a home for Timber to stay in during his treatment and recovery, and it ended up being the perfect long term match! After a few months of treatment, Timber was cleared by a veterinarian and his foster family moved forward with adopting him. Timber's adopter is a karate instructor at a kids camp and reports that he's been a big hit with the kids! We couldn't think of a better fit for this lovely boy 💕
A big thank you to all that have supported this campaign thus far! We're absolutely LOVING all of the updates and photos - keep 'em coming! More highlights from this year are on the way, so stay tuned and check back for more success stories and program highlights!
Campaign Update
over 1 year ago
Delilah arrived at RHSPCA in the back of a pickup truck. A Good Samaritan had spotted her hanging out in the woods surrounding their property the previous day and knew she needed help. They grabbed an old crate and some pizza, and lured Delilah in. Once she arrived in our care, we began treating her skin condition and an old injury on her foot. While her exterior wounds were apparent from a distance, she also had some interior healing to do from the trauma she had experienced. She was only around a year old and had already endured so much, leading her to be leery of humans. Staff worked hard to gain her trust as we searched for a foster home for her to recover in.
Delilah soon landed in a home with one of our experienced foster families. They allowed her to decompress, heal, and learn to trust again. After she healed up, Delilah headed back to the shelter to work on her socializing. Although she still takes a little bit to warm up, we've seen her blossom into a dog that is more social, confident, and curious. Delilah has recently been meeting with potential adopters, and we know that her people will come along when the time is right. Until then, she knows she has a safe and loving shelter family to care for her 💙
Be sure to check back for more heartwarming adoption stories and highlights from this year, and please consider giving a gift to help us give more animals like Delilah a second chance.
