The Richmond SPCA needs your help in preparing for all the arrival of hundreds of infant kittens this summer. There are two main ways the community can help us make room and ensure that these precious lives will have everything they need to guarantee a healthy, long life with a new family. 

The first way you can help is by coming to our center during May to take advantage of our adult cat adoption discount. This month the cost to adopt an adult cat is $50.  This is a perfect opportunity for those of you who are looking for a loving furry companion but don’t necessarily want to manage adolescent kitten behavior! If this sounds like a perfect match for you, please take advantage of this great opportunity to gain a best friend while helping us make room for lots of kittens. 

The second way to help is to take part in our kitten shower, which will be held at our Robins-Starr Humane Center Saturday, May 19 from noon to 3 p.m.  With this event we are gathering donations and supplies that will aid us in equipping our foster families to care for the unweaned kittens we receive until they are big and healthy enough to be spayed or neutered.  If you’d like to participate, please visit our website at www.richmondspca.org or stop by the Swift Creek PETCO store to see our complete registry list. You can find a baby crib either in the PETCO store or at our center where donations can be dropped off. You could also just stop in on May 19 and take advantage of both promotions as well as refreshments and kids’ activities.  Thank you for your wonderful support in helping us help the kittens.

Today’s blog author is Gerry Strong. Gerry is adoption manager at the Richmond SPCA.

As a veterinarian I cannot stress enough how important it is to get that initial veterinary visit for your new pet.  We provide you with a Certificate for Examination as part of your adoption package.  This certificate entitles you to a free physical examination at a participating veterinary hospital if used within three working days of the adoption.  It pains me to know how many adopted pets do not receive the benefit of this preliminary evaluation by their new veterinarians.  Participating private practitioners are more than happy to honor this certificate and get your new pet off to the right start, not to mention the fact that this service is worth $30 or more.
Now to completely switch gears:  The ultimate testament to being prepared for a new pet goes to the always-on-call foster care providers who volunteer for us.  We have such a wonderful and dedicated list of people who are ready at a moment’s notice to take home puppies or kittens. They may be asked to care for siblings from a litter that is just too large for their mother to care for properly. They may be orphans in need of bottle feeding dropped off in a box at our front door.  It could be puppies who would be safer in a home environment away from contagious diseases or who may benefit from some extra socialization.  It may be a singleton puppy or kitten with a medical issue needing around-the-clock supervision from a caregiver.  There are many reasons we may need to send animals outside our doors before they are ready for adoption.
These foster care providers are a lifeline for the Richmond SPCA.  They allow us to provide care for animals who may not be safe in the shelter environment, animals we may not have adequate space for, and the animals who need extra human attention. We provide them with all the supplies they need as well as any special instruction for medical issues.  They take these animals into their homes knowing that eventually they will be adopted by another loving family that will have the benefit of all the information that the foster care home can provide from their early start.  There have been a few animals that ended up as permanent family members in these homes, but the people who can give them up and take on the next need are the crux of this program.  We are always looking to add to this list of very special volunteers, especially as we approach our busy puppy and kitten seasons. So if you have the space in your heart and home, please let our volunteer department know, and we can start you on the rewarding path of foster parent for a very special animal. 

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

Just like there are Type A people who want to be on the move all the time, and quieter folks who prefer to curl up with a good book, each dog is born with his own personality.  Some dogs prefer to curl up on the Lazy Boy all day, while others prefer to get out and meet as much of the world as they can.  Consider your home environment when choosing a dog to join your household. 

When you begin your search for your companion, you probably begin with an idea of a particular type of dog.  Somewhere in your search your heartstrings will be tugged.  You’ll see that soft, sweet dog hiding under the chair.  You just know you could introduce her to a few good people, get her out and about, and help her really blossom.  And you may be absolutely right.  But if this dog has to spend most of her time in a household of boisterous activity, she may grow so nervous that she runs out of energy to meet “a few good people.”  Let someone with a quiet, subdued pace of living take her home and slowly introduce her to the rest of the world.  There will absolutely be an active dog eager to play ball for hours and go to soccer games waiting for you at the Richmond SPCA.  Hopefully he will be there because the quiet family who saw him first decided although they’d love to introduce him to a more subdued way of life, there is probably a family just like yours eager to take him everywhere. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or e-mail .

I’m already getting prepared for the arrival of all of you great animal lovers and readers of this blog to rush right up to the Richmond SPCA and start looking for your next four-legged companion. Just as I’m preparing for you, so should you be preparing for your new pet before you visit our center. There are three main steps that you should address before you bring your new pet home.

Step 1: Prepare your family for the new arrival. This would include making sure that all parties in the household are on the same page concerning the adoption. If there are children in the home, bring them along to visit the Robins-Starr Humane Center, and see if they are compatible with the pet you’re considering. If you have pre-existing pets, let your adoption counselor know. If you have cats and are looking for another one, ask to see cats that prefer being around other cats. We also have cats who are happy with canine companionship. If you want to bring a dog home to your cat, then we will test your dog with one of our cats to see if they might get along. When looking for a canine playmate for your dog, we ask that you bring your dog for an introduction. Remember that when introducing animals there’s never a guarantee that they will be the best of friends. It just shows us that you will have pets who can hopefully be manageable living together in the same house.

Step 2: Stock up on supplies. Both cats and dogs will need a lot of the same things. A basic list would include proper food, a collar, I.D. tags, food and water bowls, bedding, plenty of fun toys, Nature’s Miracle (a wonderful enzyme cleaning agent), treats, grooming tools, dental care items, and a first aid kit. In addition to these items, cats will need a litter box, scoop and litter, scratching post or pads, and a carrier for trips out of the house. A dog may need a harness if he’s a strong puller, a crate for housebreaking, Bitter Apple Spray for chewers, more grooming tools (shampoo, nail trimmer etc.), poop pick up bags for walks, and a car restraint for rides.  All of these items are available in the Richmond SPCA’s Lora Robins Gift Shop for easy one-stop shopping!

Step 3: Set up a meet and greet for your pet with his new veterinarian. You’ll be given the animal’s medical history from his time in our care. You’ll need to share that history with your vet. This is also the time to purchase the proper flea/tick preventative and the all-important heartworm preventative for dogs.

After completing these three steps, you will have set a great foundation for a wonderful relationship with your new family member. So go ahead and get the ball rolling, your new pet and I are waiting for you at the Robins-Starr Humane Center.

Today’s blog author is Gerry Strong. Gerry is the adoption coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

I thought that playing with your pet would be the perfect topic to discuss one of my “pet” pet peeves.  I find the most frustrating issue to deal with to be the number of overweight pets in our homes today.  Dogs and cats are getting larger for the same reasons as their human care givers – too much food and too little exercise.  I used to counsel pet owners that under the supervision of their veterinarian a weight reduction plan can be so rewarding and life lengthening for their animals.  Pets are not self-feeders.  They can only consume the calories that we provide to them.

I will admit as a lifelong bulge battler that it is just as difficult to trim down our pets as to whittle away at our own waistlines.  Also, you should only begin a weight reduction program with your veterinarian’s guidance.  With proper advice, you can help to prevent diabetes, joint problems, heart conditions and your pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Now back to playing with your pet.  Both you and your overweight pet – as well as your optimal-weight pet – will benefit from the exercise involved in a game of fetch, a brisk walk or chasing that feather on a string.  Animals love to move, especially if you are moving with them.  I would bet they actually like exercise more than we do.  Play with them daily if possible but get them some exercise at least three times a week.  It will trim them down and keep them from getting bored.  So if you are trying to lose a few pounds or just trying to stay active, be sure to take your furry friend along.  Just be sure that you work them him up to it gradually if he has been sedentary for awhile.  Be sure to have your veterinarian clear him for the activity you have in mind.  And be honest about his size.  Healthy pets should only have a little padding.  If your lap cat doesn’t have a waistline and can’t groom himself, or you can’t feel your dog’s ribs – he is overweight.

Make the healthy commitment to yourself and your pets.  You’ll have their companionship for many more years.  There really is no excuse for an overweight pet.

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

Ever heard of Agility, Flyball, Rally-O, Freestyle, or Lure Coursing?  Many of you will answer, “Yes!  In fact my dog plays one or some of those.”  These are all structured, sometimes competitive, games dogs can play with their people.  The full list is even longer and new games are added to the list regularly.  If you’re looking for a way to structure your dog’s play, talk with us, and we can help determine what might be the game best suited for you and your companion. 

There are lots of options out there for dogs, but what about games for cats?  I bet you could teach a cat to play just about any of the previously listed sports.  Cat agility organizations already exist.  There are cats who would jump over several jumps to get a ball out of a box and bring it back to someone (Flyball).  Lots of cats learn Obedience skills nowadays—like sit, down, and heel (Rally-O).  Cats can definitely be taught to spin, back up, and wind between your legs (Freestyle).  And you can just imagine how most cats would shine at chasing a small plastic bag on a string for long distances (Lure Coursing).  While many cats might not enjoy the loud, active environment of a competition site, they may very well enjoy learning the same structured games dogs enjoy. 

We tend to think of cats as quite sedentary creatures, when actually they are built for activity.  Wild cats are hunters just like wild canines.  Cats are agile and fast and quite easily trained.  And it’s up to us to make sure our cats are getting that physical and mental stimulation structured play provides.  Most pet stores, including our own Lora Robins Gift Shop, are well-stocked with all kinds of creative cat toys.  But you may have plenty of cat toys lurking around your home.  A balled up sticky note, a plastic milk jug ring, and a simple ball of string can turn into several different toys.  Play with your cat.  And choose a game that involves you; it may not get your blood pumping like a good jog around the park, but it can certainly make your heart sing.

We’d love to hear about the creative ways you get your cats to play! 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or e-mail .

If “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” it also means Jack’s dog is probably bored and his cat is likely getting fat. Playing with your pets is one of the things that make their companionship worthwhile. Different people and pets have various play styles, and on Wednesday our blog will give you some great ideas for fun and entertaining things you can do with your pets.

Before you even get a pet, think about the amount and type of activities you’d like to do with your new dog or cat. Dreaming of Frisbee in the park? Intrigued by agility trials? Love watching cats chase string, shadows and everything else? Please let the adoption counselors know so that they can help you choose the right pet for your activity or lifestyle. We have many different types of dogs and cats here with varying levels of energy and friskiness so talking openly with your adoption counselor on what your expectations are for your new pet will help us help you all the better. 

My dog, Parker, doesn’t like to play fetch, but luckily I don’t care. He will, however, play “chase me” in the yard or whenever he has gotten loose, but that is another blog for another day.  The good news is whatever game you want to play with your pet, if he has the right motivation, you can probably train him that area so that you both can enjoy the experience.  No matter what, just go out and engage in some activity with your pet. It first gets you up and moving and secondly it stimulates your pet’s brain, muscles and people skills.

Today’s blog author is Makena Yarbrough. Makena is the director of operations at the Richmond SPCA.

The topic of kids and pets is a great place to discuss whether we can actually get sick from our family cats and dogs. Cross-species illnesses are known as “zoonoses” and of course rabies would be the most deadly of these dangers. With the legal requirement for rabies vaccination of our dogs and cats, it is a threat that our public health system has pretty much eradicated in companion animals.
With regular vet care, your pet is not likely to be carrying any parasite or disease that will make your or your child sick. The following bacteria and parasites are the most likely risks:

• Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can infect all mammals. Toxoplasmosis can be spread through cat feces therefore pregnant women and those with affected immune systems should not clean litter boxes. Healthy people are not likely to be affected by exposure.
• Bacteria (Salmonella and leptospirosis), the parasite giardia and the fungus ringworm can also affect us and our children.
• The common intestinal parasites that affect dogs and cats (roundworms and hookworms) can potentially infect humans.

The risk from your healthy four-legged friend is pretty low but can be made even lower with a few common-sense tips. 

• Good basic hygiene like hand washing will prevent many of the zoonotic problems. This is very important for children after playing with pets and especially before eating.
• Follow your veterinarian’s advice for parasite prevention in puppies and kittens. Monthly heartworm prevention controls most common parasites.
• Keep up with your pet’s recommended vaccination schedule by scheduling annual well visits. A healthy pet is your best defense against zoonotic disease.
• Handle your pet’s waste properly. Pick up after your dog right away and keep the litter box clean
• Keep your pet away from outdoor water sources as well as toilet water.
• Consider the source when looking for your family’s next pet. Be sure the agency or individual owner practices good hygiene and that the animals are properly screened for disease.
• And when in doubt, seek the advice of your veterinarian. They are in the business of keeping our pets healthy, and that keeps us from getting sick also. 

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

This is a perfect time to touch on the subject of how we can teach children how to properly respond to and interact with the animals in our community.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites – and half of these are children. The best way to prevent dog bites from happening is to educate children at a very early age.

Teach children the 3 basic steps to meet a dog with its owner:
• Step #1 is to ask the owner if you may pet his or her dog.  It is important to make sure the dog does not scare easily and is indeed friendly. 

• Step #2 is to make a fist and gently put it out towards the dog’s nose.  This will give the dog a chance to get to know you and more importantly to smell you. 

• Step #3 is to gently pet the dog, ideally under his chin or around his neck. Petting a dog in these areas is often less threatening than thumping him on top of the head. 

Children need to also learn how to respond to loose or stray dogs in their community. One of our lessons is to teach children to “Stand like a Tree” or “Sit like a Rock,” when a strange dog is near.  The idea is for the children to be as still as possible. A wandering dog may come up to sniff and check him or her out, but since the child is not being threatening, the dog will eventually wander off to find something more stimulating. Children need to stay in the tree or rock position until the dog is safely out of their sight and then find an adult to report the loose dog. Help keep children you know safe around dogs by following these guidelines.

Today’s blog author is . Erin is the education coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. Educational tours and visits are available for schools and other children’s groups.

This week we will be discussing kids and pets living together harmoniously.  Our admissions office has received many pets from families who decided to surrender their dogs and cats simply because they were expecting a baby or just had a baby.  In an effort to keep families and their pets happily united – even during tough transitions in life – we’d like to share some tips that can make introducing a baby into your household easier for you and your four-legged friend.

I am going to write about it from a personal standpoint because 11 months ago my son Sam was born.  At the time our home already included Parker, our Border Collie.  I know that the books tell you to “prepare the dog or cat” with sounds of baby cries, baby-like dolls and articles of clothing and blankets from the hospital.  We were concerned about how Parker would interact with the baby, especially when Sam began to grab at things.  So, before Sam was born, I decided to take Parker through basic obedience class so that I knew he would listen to me if I needed him to do something like “drop it,” “go lay down” or “move away from the baby.”  The only other thing we did was bring home a blanket from the hospital – but honestly, the dog couldn’t care less and it really didn’t make much of a difference. 

Once the baby came home, we made sure Parker smelled him, and we would pet Parker, interacting with him in a very positive way when the baby was around.  I wanted to make sure Parker had a positive association with the baby.  We had no problems with managing the two, but I will prepare all those pregnant mothers out there – the dog will lack attention sometimes because you are so tired and fatigued, but this is only temporary.  Do not make any re-homing moves because you feel the pet isn’t receiving enough attention in the early months. I promise this is short lived.  We would put Parker outside to go to the bathroom and many a night forgot him and went up to bed only to have to get up in a moment of panic because we remembered he was still outside.  I can’t count the number of times I said, “Where is Parker? Is he inside or out?”

Now Sam is 11 months old and very mobile.  He is weeks away from walking, and we now use baby gates to keep Parker and Sam separated unless we are able to monitor the interactions.  Their interactions have become better and better every day, and Sam is quickly learning not to hit or grab Parker because we stop him when he tries.  Parker has grown to love licking Sam’s face to hear him giggle, which is the best sound in the world.  Sam knows to say DAW (dog) when he sees Parker, which I might add was before Mama, and the two are living very happily together.  It isn’t easy at times to shuffle the two around but honestly, my dog is another child to me and I would never want to raise Sam without a pet in the household.

Today’s blog author is Makena Yarbrough. In addition to being mom to Sam and Parker, Makena is the director of operations at the Richmond SPCA.

We know how fortunate we are at the Richmond SPCA to have a dedicated veterinary staff who ensure that our animals receive the medical care that they need on-site at our facility. This includes their spay/neuter procedures, which we provide before adoption. 

As part of our partnership with Richmond Animal Care and Control, we assist with their need for spay and neuter procedures. This service is also extended to the counties of Hanover and Henrico as well as numerous private humane groups to have adopted pets sterilized before they are placed in new homes. Animal Control officers or volunteers transport the pets to our clinic the morning of surgery, and their new family can pick them up the same afternoon after the procedure is complete.

These surgeries can easily be performed by our veterinary team as pediatric spay or neuter on puppies or kittens as young as eight weeks old and weighing at least two pounds. This benefits the pet overpopulation problem because these pets cannot reproduce, but it also is a huge help to the new adopters since they will not have to schedule this service elsewhere. 

Cooperative relationships formed between the various humane groups benefit all of us as well as the animals.  Animal Control Officers out in the field know of the services available at the Richmond SPCA and may refer pets to us for spay or neuter.  They keep us abreast of owners who need our transport services, or communities needing help with feral cats.  We are able to take many pets from other shelters into our system and provide medical treatment, foster care or adoption.  As more groups work together for our common goals, even more animals have the opportunity to find loving homes.

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

What is project safety net? Think of it as a safeguard for pets at risk of being surrendered to a shelter. 

This program is designed to be a resource for pet owners to give them assistance to keep their pets out of the shelter system.  In a sense we want to be a safety net to keep pets from entering any shelter in our community, even ours.  Remember, a shelter is a stressful environment for any animal.  Through this program, we have given much-needed assistance to pet owners enabling them to keep their pets or find homes for their pets themselves.  The program is administered from our admissions department. Last year alone, with our help, 1,400 dogs and cats avoided entering a shelter. This means they either stayed in their homes or their owners found new homes for them with friends, family members, co-workers or neighbors, etc. 

The program is made up of components to help pet owners. If you are having a problem with your pet, before you come to your wits end, come to us. You can speak to our trainer about behavior issues. We can educate you about feral cats. We can fix your cat or dog for free. We can even help you find an apartment that allows pets. If you’re still unable to live with your furry friend any longer, you can find a new home for your pet by posting a photo and description on our Web site. In all these ways, we are here to help you with the problem you might be experiencing with your pet.

It can be pretty hard to know who you should call and where you should go with an animal welfare issue.  Unfortunately, those of us in this field have done a pretty good job of confusing everyone else!

The Richmond SPCA is a private humane society.  We receive no government funding.  We concentrate our efforts on offering the services to our community that will reduce the number of dogs and cats that are homeless.  Our purpose is to lower the number of homeless pets to the point that there will be enough homes for the ones who need them.  That means that we adopt dogs and cats out to good and responsible homes, we offer low cost and no cost spaying and neutering services, we provide professional behavioral consultations with trainers for folks who have pets with behavior problems, and we provide humane education for both adults and children.

Every city and county in Virginia has a government operated pound or shelter for the housing of animals who are strays – meaning they were found roaming on their own – and animals seized in legal actions.  City and county animal control operations provide a very important service that is quite different from the one we provide.  They hold stray animals for the required period of time under law so that an owner has the chance to find a lost pet.  They also investigate and assist in the prosecution of animal abuse and neglect cases.  They have trained officers who enforce the laws related to animal care and animal issues.

It is very important that public animal control agencies and private humane societies, like the Richmond SPCA, work together cooperatively but do not overlap their services so that the most can be done for homeless animals with the available resources.  We work closely with the local city and county shelters and visit them on a weekly basis to take animals whose stray period has expired back to our Robins-Starr Humane Center where we will care for them until we are able to find them good homes where they will be loved.  We value our fine working relationship with them and are grateful for the wonderful support of our community in helping to save the lives of homeless animals every day.

Today’s blog author is Robin Robertson Starr. Robin is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA.

The Richmond SPCA has many wonderful volunteers who can be seen at the Robins-Starr Humane Center giving love and attention to our animals that do not yet have homes. There are also many unseen volunteers; they are out in the community caring for the animals that will never have homes.  These are the feral cat caretakers. 

Feral cats may have once been pets who were abandoned and have reverted to a wild state in order to survive on their own.  Others were born in the wild. Much like a squirrel or a deer; they are fearful of humans and do not make suitable pets.  Sally Mackler of the Feral Cat Coalition in San Diego says of feral cats, “They’re not wildlife, and they’re not pets, so they don’t get the advantages of either group.” 

The Richmond SPCA works with many dedicated feral cat caretakers who strive from day to day to make sure these wild cats also have advantages.  They dedicate their valuable free time to feeding these cats and providing them with shelter.  They work diligently to humanely trap feral cats and get them spayed or neutered to stop the population from continuing to grow and to halt the spread of disease among the cat colonies.  This work saves the existing cats from the sad fate of euthanasia, while still addressing the problem of cat overpopulation.  Feral caretakers do this important work out of the goodness of their hearts and pay a great deal of the expenses out of their own pockets. 

It is due to their efforts and the dedication of their time that we have been able to spay and neuter over 2,600 feral cats since 2003.  That may not sound like a lot at face value, but when you consider that about half of those cats were female and each female can produce an average of 10 kittens a year that will one day produce their own kittens, thousands of litters have been prevented. 

While many people see feral cats as a nuisance to be rid of, the work of the feral cat caretaker embodies the Richmond SPCA’s belief that every life is precious and we thank them for each life they have saved.

Today’s blog author is Crys Knight. Crys is the clinic coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. If you are interested in learning how you can help feral cats in your community, please call 521-1300.

According to Jonathan Swift, “every dog must have his day.”  I think of that quote sometimes when I’m walking through the Richmond SPCA kennels, noting which dogs haven’t yet found homes.  Some of them, though appealing in their runs, prove to be “too much dog” up close.  These incorrigible canines greet unsuspecting potential adopters by launching enthusiastically at them, barely able to contain themselves, ricocheting off of legs or pouncing into laps—just plain overjoyed to get some attention.  If only these exuberant beasts knew that engaging in “polite” doggy behaviors would score them new homes…. 

Luckily, the Green Team, a group of volunteers taught to help train our shelter dogs, comes to the rescue.  Their dedication is truly inspiring—and it’s obvious that their attention has an enormous impact on the lives of our dogs.  There’s Chase the shepherd mix, who has learned to do much more sitting and much less jumping up on folks – as well as a dramatic “play dead” trick.  There’s Jimmy the pit bull mix, who used to spend his time anxiously bouncing up and down in his kennel.  Thanks to the Green Team, he now excitedly shows off his new tricks instead – sit, down and roll over.  There’s Louise, a timid hound mix, who eventually gained the confidence to greet visitors, one of whom decided to take her home. 

I know that all of these dogs – and many more – would certainly thank the Green Team if they could.  Through the efforts of this amazing group of volunteers, countless dogs have learned what they needed to know to find homes, and countless others will in the future.  Perhaps some of our current canine residents will be here a bit longer than others, but I firmly believe that Mr. Swift was right.  Their days will come.  Thanks to the Green Team, they won’t have to wait too long.

Today’s blog author is Kristen Collins. Kristen is the trainer for the Richmond SPCA. To learn more about volunteering at the Richmond SPCA, including joining the Green Team, click here.

We all live busy lives these days. Sometimes it feels like we aren’t viable members of our society unless we are enthusiastically multi-tasking our way to bedtime each evening. “Me time” is highly valuable in our culture, which is why I am so impressed by the selfless contribution of free time that our volunteers give to the animals here at the Richmond SPCA.

One of the primary challenges in the field of animal welfare is the disproportionate volume of animals versus manpower. We have approximately 80 experienced staff members who care for approximately 300 animals daily. We count on volunteers to fill in the gaps.

There are roughly 160 active volunteers helping us with everything from laundering animals’ bedding to working with the shyest, most under-socialized dogs and cats. Volunteers ensure the dogs get at least one of their daily walks, help out in the spay/neuter clinic, help me keep up with my paperwork (You know who you are, and I owe you a few chocolate chip cookies!!) and perform a plethora of other tasks.

It is gratifying to know that our homeless animals have 160 advocates helping to give them another chance. Their efforts help to ensure that these animals are well socialized and groomed, which in turn helps the dogs and cats find their forever homes more quickly. Our volunteers make a profound impact on the innocents in our care, thus making a positive difference in our community. Naturalist Jane Goodall put it well: “Every individual makes an impact on the world around us…what sort of difference do you want to make? Do you want to make the world around us a better place? Or not?”

If you would like to make a homeless animal’s world a better place, I encourage you to contact me!

Today’s blog author is Susan Armstrong. Susan is volunteer coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. To contact her, call 521-1329, or her.

I have to be honest.  I have only raised one puppy in my entire life.  I have also raised one kitten, but they are so easy; I don’t think that even counts.  I adopted my one and only puppy while I was in vet school.  That was long before working full time, having a husband and children and having a generally busy life.  I don’t have the patience for a puppy although they are great training for a life with children and a spouse.  My vote would always be for adopting the mature, adult pet. As other blogs on this topic have said, you pretty much get what you see and fall in love with when you adopt an older dog or cat.
Adult pets sometimes come to us with some type of medical issue, but this should not deter you from adding an adult pet to your family.  We have wonderful programs in place to address those issues. Every single animal gets a complete physical exam to assess what, if any, medical issues he may have.  We address everything from dental disease, potential thyroid problems, allergies, lumps and bumps, skin problems, limping, obesity, vision, etc.  We make every effort to bring any of these medical concerns under control before the pet is made available for adoption. There are times that we diagnose a problem that is not curable but which can be controlled with special food or medication. This is where our Angel Pet Program comes into play.  In cooperation with your new pet’s regular veterinarian, we will let the new adopter purchase from us, at cost, for the life of the pet, the foods or medications that are needed to control the condition. This program is fabulous because at times adopters with a heart big enough to fall in love with an imperfect pet don’t have pockets deep enough to manage the condition.
 
So please do not overlook that senior pet. With advances in veterinary medicine, our pets live much longer, healthier lives. But they do age nonetheless, and geriatric medicine has allowed us to control some of those aging processes. The Richmond SPCA is a wonderful place to check out all your options and feel assured that you are getting the healthiest, happiest pet that we can provide. If you really want that cute little puppy or kitten, I completely understand, and I am grateful that many people do, but also take a look at the new adult friends.  You may just take home the best pet you have ever had.  And that would be no surprise to me.

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

By now we are all largely aware of the therapeutic benefits of sharing your life with a dog or cat. In fact, the benefits have been so widely documented, that there are entire programs dedicated to bringing pets into the lives of individuals in need whether they are differently abled, elderly, or simply lonesome. Specially trained people and their pets may now visit people in hospitals, senior citizen homes and children’s recovery wards with approval from the facilities and therapy organizations. 

You may think cute little wiggly puppies are the best candidates for these visits.  Actually, the more stellar therapy dogs are mature in attitude and years.  The dog who stays calm when people stumble, who lays his head in a lonely lap, or even leans in for a long hug is the dog who makes eyes light up in the facilities we visit.  The Richmond SPCA hosts a program called Paws for Health. This group of volunteers takes their loving pets to visit people who might be in need of companionship and separated from their own pets due to illness or other circumstances.  One of our most frequent visitors is a little Yorkshire terrier who is lame in one leg and getting up there in years. 

If your dog or cat is one who can stay calm in a crowd, loves to be petted and is comfortable in new surroundings, perhaps he or she would like to spend his or her mature years doing therapy work. No, you don’t have to give your pet up for therapy work.  You accompany them on every visit and you get to share the joy with others that your pet has brought to you. 

To get more information about Paws for Health and other volunteer visitation programs, click here, or e-mail volunteer coordinator, . 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or e-mail .

You’ve talked it over and have finally decided it’s time to adopt a dog. Within that decision-making process did you ask, “Do we get an adult dog or a puppy?” 

Depending on your household and lifestyle, this could be a weightier decision than you think. Many people who come in looking for a dog stop to see the puppies before moving on to the older dogs. The soft faces and fuzzy little bodies hook them every time. Before you know it, they have a small new addition to their family. Don’t get me wrong, this is a wonderful thing! But I encourage lots of folks to consider visiting adult dogs as well when walking through a shelter because there are numerous benefits to adopting an older dog.  In addition, not everyone’s home and lifestyle is set up to care for puppy

What you see is what you get
One of the many beautiful things about adopting an adult dog is that what you see is what you get. This applies to both personality and size. Provided you don’t over feed him, he’ll stay roughly the same size as the day you took him home! When it comes to personality, you will know from the moment you meet whether Rover is a couch potato or an active pooch, whether he has lots of energy or is a more laid back fella.

Those personality traits are important considerations when integrating a new pet into your family. How will the new dog take to the kids? How will your older dog accept the new addition? To get a picture of how everyone will get along, bring both your children and any canine member of the family to visit with an adult dog before adopting.

Want puppy personality without the puppy hassles?
An adult dog can still be playful, and his stamina makes him better suited to keep up with the kids or to go along on your morning jog. Like puppies, dogs like to chew, yet adult dogs can be taught to chew on the rawhide and not the chair leg. I’ve never seen a puppy that didn’t need housebreaking. Some of our older dogs are already known to be housebroken, and others surprise us. Adult dogs may even come with basic obedience skills taught by a previous owner or by our staff and volunteers.

Young puppies’ inoculations begin at the Richmond SPCA, but they must continue their vaccine schedule by getting additional shots from your vet. A more mature dog leaves us fully vaccinated for the coming year.

Most adult dogs can be left alone for the common workday or for an evening out. If you don’t want any unexpected surprises, lengthy excursions are probably not the best of ideas with a new puppy at home.

Every life is precious
If you are debating dog versus puppy and plan to adopt from the Richmond SPCA, also think about our mission. In order to save the lives of homeless animals, we need the space in which to house them. Puppies and their littermates are housed together in our facility. Adult dogs each need their own kennel space. We want every one of these guys to get a home; however, when an adult dog gets a home, it gives us space to save another life.

Whether you adopt an adult or a puppy, you’ll bring much joy and love into your life. I’m just asking you to think about the differences between the two, and find out which one suits you best.

Today’s blog author is Gerry Strong. Gerry is the adoption coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

Before joining the SPCA in 2004 I had only seen a small but fascinating article about the Robins-Starr Humane Center in an issue of “Southern Living” magazine.  I was intrigued and although we only lived about 30 miles away I never actually made it up here to visit.  What a wealth of opportunity I was missing as part of the veterinary community.  The resources at the Richmond SPCA are limitless in regards to education, spay/neuter, training and community involvement.  Yet even as an insider now, it amazes me how little people know about us as an organization and resource.

Speaking solely from the veterinary aspect of the Richmond SPCA, I do not think you can comprehend the level of care and expertise that go into each animal’s stay with us before adoption until you visit the facility. We performed over 11,000 sterilizations last year with all the current techniques, pain management, monitoring and skill that you find in a private veterinary practice.  We provide low-cost spay/neuter services with the same full-price standards.  And this is where getting the word out is so important.  We set a goal of 27,000 sterilizations over a three-year period, knowing that would be a key component in dealing with the problem of unwanted and homeless pets.  We are in the early part of our third year, and the numbers of animals still needing our services are seemingly endless.

You may not be in need of our services yourself. Yet who does not pass by a box of puppies or kittens – free to a good home – on a Saturday morning of errand running?  Those cute little balls of fuzz likely have a mother at home who has not been spayed.  Think how many times you cross paths with other pet-loving individuals.  So come and take advantage of one of our programs, or just visit us with your family.  You can take a tour and see Smoky’s Spay/Neuter Clinic in action.  Then we are sure you will not hesitate to recommend us when the topics of homeless pets and solutions to the problem come up in conversation.  Just like me, you will never know what is here until you stop by and see for yourself.

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

I wanted to ask the blog readers where the off-leash dog parks are in Richmond. I’m moving to the area next week, and my two dogs love to socialize!

Thanks!
Jenny

Response from Tabitha Hanes, Richmond SPCA community relations manager:

Welcome to Richmond, Jenny! I think that you’ll find that you’re moving to a very dog-friendly city. There are two off-leash dog parks in the city: Barker Field is located in Byrd Park near the Carillon and Phideaux Field is at 4401 Forest Hill Avenue. In nearby Hanover County, there is Hanover Dog Park in the Taylor Complex off of Route 54.

Dogs are allowed on-leash at a number of other area parks. Check out our online guide to pet-friendly places, which also includes a pet-friendly housing guide for the greater Richmond metro area. You’re also welcome to come visit the Robins-Starr Humane Center at 2519 Hermitage Road and pick up a copy of our brochure, “Richmond: From a Pet’s Point of View.”