More homeless pets will get help through Humane Care Center

A DOMESTIC shorthair cat, had been hit by a car. His eye was injured, and his front leg was broken in five places. The owner could not afford medical care for Lancelot, so he turned him over to the Greater Fredericksburg Area SPCA, which saw that Lancelot received the needed medical attention. While Lancelot walks with a limp, he is, according to the SPCA staff, a "happy and content boy."

Lulu, an incredibly thin yet affectionate hound mix, was found abandoned near the homeless shelter. Today, she no longer has to hunt for handouts. Lulu is an integral part of a family who loves and cares for her every need.

These are just two of the countless success stories made possible by the SPCA. Despite limited funds and cramped facilities, this award-winning organization has, since 1943, given thousands of loving cats and dogs another chance to live.

Now located at 1523 Olde William St., it is the only shelter for the city of Fredericksburg. It also reaches out to county governments to give their homeless animals a chance to live beyond the Virginia state five-day limit without a collar and 10-day limit with a collar, because this is also the only "no-kill" shelter in the area.

Soon, the SPCA will be able to help three times as many animals, with plans under way for a new, state-of-the-art Humane Care Center at Four-Mile Fork in Spotsylvania County. A groundbreaking, which is open to the public, will be held next Saturday at 10 a.m. for the $2 million facility. The SPCA hopes to open the 14,000-square-foot center within two years.

A no-kill policy

The SPCA was well ahead of its time in 2000, when it began offering medical care to injured animals and adopted a "no-kill" policy, one of only 250 such facilities in the United States.

"Say yes to no-kill," says SPCA Executive Director Debra L. Joseph. "Animals stay with us until they are adopted and are not euthanized due to lack of space." She says the SPCA looked at the trends and felt this was the more humane approach to take. "Because we are independently operated, we were able to go in that direction," she says.

In contrast, the majority of shelters, whose budgets must pay the salaries and benefits of animal control officers, merely house an animal for a set number of days and then euthanize it. Unfortunately, this isn't always long enough to give working families the needed time to find their beloved pets--or to allow many homeless pets to be adopted.

During this period, animals at other shelters may suffer needlessly because they do not receive medical attention. At many shelters, if a dog has a broken leg when it enters, it stays that way until it is retrieved, adopted or euthanized.

When the SPCA takes in an animal, it immediately gives it the medical attention it needs so that it does not suffer. In 2005 alone, it took in 280 dogs and 269 cats, gave them medical attention, rehabilitated them and placed them in caring homes. More than 500 perfectly good animals were saved from needless euthanasia.

"We can only take in a limited number of animals and sick animals at one time," Joseph says. The new shelter will help considerably with this. When the current shelter doesn't have space, or the animals need specialized care, they are taken in by volunteers who provide foster homes, or transferred to rescue groups. The exception would be animals displaying aggressive behaviors.

The new building

Through the generosity of Mary and Joe Wilson of PermaTreat Pest Control, the dream of having a facility where more animals can be helped is on its way to becoming a reality.

Because of their love for animals, the Wilsons have donated about two acres of land for the new facility at 10821 Courthouse Road, near Four-Mile Fork behind Harmon Glass. Without this donation, the SPCA would not have been able to break ground for the new Humane Care Center, which will depend on public donations to be built. In addition to making the new building a possibility, the Wilsons actively work to help homeless animals find good homes.

"We have been supporting the SPCA for almost 25 years," says Joe Wilson, a former Fredericksburg city councilman. "PermaTreat started the Adopt-A-Pet newspaper ad concept over 15 years ago with adoption ads in The Free Lance-Star. We now sponsor Adopt-A-Pet ads in newspapers across the region."

"Domestic animals are totally dependent upon our grace as humans to provide for their welfare," Wilson adds. "Everyone should be involved with animal welfare."

The new facility, designed by those experienced in shelter planning, will contain such features as a state-of-the-art ventilation system, which will help reduce the spread of disease and unpleasant odors. To help animals stay healthy and less stressed out, the new facility will feature an exercise and training area, as well as a rehabilitation center.

This improved environment also will make adopting an animal a more pleasant experience. Instead of feeling guilty when they enter a smelly room and walk down rows of animals clawing at their cages and begging to be released, people who want to adopt will become acquainted with animals in special homelike cat and dog condos. Studies and reports from other shelters demonstrate that when the environment is also pleasant and welcoming to human visitors, adoptions increase. Long-range plans call for a spay-neuter clinic, as well.

"I think of the new Humane Care Center as the people's facility, as well," SPCA Director Joseph says. "People will be able to visit the animals in actual rooms, fill out paperwork in privacy and know the animals in our care are safe until adopted. We will also have a room where training classes and visiting groups can congregate.

"Our society is evolving so that shelters of the past need to remain there," she adds. "New facilities concentrate on enjoyment for both people and pets. That includes visiting animals in actual rooms, bright, colorful hallways, with odor and sound under control. Animals not only receive food, love and care, but necessary enrichment, such as playtime and extra attention in a healthy and safe environment. Both humans and animals deserve no less."

Helping the community Considering the remarkable job that the SPCA is doing in caring for homeless cats and dogs, it's even more incredible to realize how much they are helping the community in general.

First of all, it helps animal lovers. Some of the unfortunate animals come to them because they are strays and have wandered from loving homes. Since they keep these animals until they are either claimed or adopted, many dog and cat owners have been happily reunited with their beloved pets--and have been spared from mourning the loss of a beloved family member.

The SPCA also helps the community at large. Before leaving the shelter, all animals that are old enough receive a rabies shot, are vaccinated, and are either spayed or neutered. This helps prevent both the spread of rabies in the community, as well as an increase in the number of animals that roam loose, causing problems. Before animals are placed, they also receive a microchip, as well as an engraved identification tag, so they can be identified and safely returned if lost.

The SPCA also contributes to the community in many other ways. It actively participates in programs at schools, churches and other local groups, as well as contributes unsold items from its yard sale to Empowered Parents, a local group that assists pregnant teenagers.

Local heroes

How can the SPCA be so successful? One reason is because its staff, though small, is so dedicated. Working long hours at the shelter and then participating in after-hours events and fundraisers is just part of the job for them. They believe in the value of what they do, and actively work to do the best job possible.

Loyal volunteers also make them successful. Currently, they have about 100 volunteers who do everything from providing medical assistance to the animals, walking dogs and helping at the shelter, as well as fundraisers and special events.

They are also able to give a "new leash on life" to many homeless animals when people become members, as well as support it by making special contributions on a regular basis.

"The care of companion animals is everyone's responsibility," says Joseph. "These creatures are dependent on humans for survival. They cannot get a job or a better education to improve their life. They depend on us for food, care, love and attention. In return, they provide companionship like no other."

Reference: www.fredericksburg.com

Return to the index...

This article has been viewed 1079 times.