Become a Blogger!

This is a shoutout to volunteers. Are you having a hard time making it into the shelter to fulfill your monthly hours? Well I may have a solution for you! We are looking for more volunteers to contribute to the blog. We want to hear about things from your point of view. We are especially interested in dog/kitty squad members, foster families or people who do petfinder pictures for the dogs to write about their favorite shelter pups/kitties. All the blogging you do will count toward your monthly volunteering hours. So please consider volunteering your time and experiences with everyone. If you are interested email the blog or Sarah to get started. We look forward to hearing from everyone!

I *heart* Frank

Frank is a sweet cat who captured my heart while taking petfinder pictures. I took him out of his cage and the first thing he did was wrap his paws around my neck and nuzzle my face.

Clearly this cat was born to love. He started purring and was clearly enjoying being loved on. He just wanted to be held and rubbed all day and I was more than happy to oblige.

Frank is a 1yr old, black domestic shorthair mix. He has beautiful eyes and very soft fur, which he would love for you to pet forever. He weighs about 8lbs, so tiny, and has been neutered. He has also been microchipped and tested FeLV/FIV negative, yay!

Unfortunately, like so many of our other cats, Frank was brought to the shelter by his owner because they were moving. He hasn't let it get him down though. He enjoys hugs and nuzzling. He just wants someone to love and to love him back. He loves to play with balls and string. He has a lot of energy and needs a loving, playful home. Frank has been waiting for a home since 8/11/2008.

Frank is an amazing cat and I think he would make someone very, very happy. So give Frank and cats like him a chance and adopt from the shelter. You will forever be changed by the love and joy they bring into your life.

For more information on Frank and other cats available at the Peninsula SPCA check out Petfinder.com or for a more interactive experience check out our shelter at 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA.

P.A.W.S.

Do you miss the company of a pet, but are unable to own one because you are in the military?
Well I have a solution for you.

P.A.W.S., Pairing Animals With Soldiers, is a program developed by the Peninsula SPCA to allow soldiers to take dogs from the shelter for the day. This is not an over night trip but this gives soldiers a chance to reconnect with the animals they love while giving the dogs a chance to get out for the day. The dogs can wear their adoptable dog vest so they can get more exposure and hopefully more potential adopters will see them. This program benefits both the dogs and the soldiers. The soldiers can even become volunteers if they are interested in helping the animals more. If you are interested in participating in the program check out the Peninsula SPCA for more information.

Mark Your Calendars for the Summer Bash!!!!

The festivities start Saturday August 23, 2008 from 12pm-4pm. There will be live music from local bands such as the Corsair Romantic, Under the Bridge, Wild Guns and View from the Top. We are hosting our very own SPCA pet parade featuring adoptable dogs from the shelter. There will also be a volunteer fashion show, showcasing our fabulous product line. If you enjoy music you can check out our battle of the bands contest. With raffle prizes, food and refreshments, what more could you ask for? So bring the family and maybe even the family dog and join us for a day full of fun. All proceeds benefit the SPCA animals so have fun and help the animals!



If you are interested in volunteering please contact our volunteer coordinator, Sarah at sarah@peninsulaspca.com or 757.595.1399. We look forward to seeing you all there!

A Shoutout to all Volunteers!

We really need help in the shelter this week. Many staff members are on vacation, leaving us short staffed. This is the case especially in the kitty room. If you have any free time, especially in the morning, please stop in and help out. We will greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Fun times with dogs

Are you looking for fun things to do with your dog? Take them to the dog park. It's a cheap and fun way for your dog to socialize and play with other dogs.
One of the local dog parks is located at Sandy Bottom Nature Preserve. The Bark Park is open to members only. The park does this for the safety of your dog and the other dogs who frequent the park. All this means is that you have to sign up with them and pay a $10 fee for the year. I have the inside scoop on how to get in.



First you need to get your dog registered with the county. In York County the fee is $5 every year and they will send you new tags in the mail with a bill each year before it expires. After you have registered your dog with the county take your shot records and the tag number from your county tags to the Nature Center (pictured above). The staff will give you a paper to fill out which asks for your local address, when the shots expire and your dogs county license number. The staff will review your records to make sure your shots are up to date and then they will give you a tag. This tag allows you year long access to the park. All for the low price of $10. Take a quick look at the rules on the gate before you go into the park. This will save you trouble later when the park rangers come by.

There are some fun agility games to play with your dog. Such as the stairs and the crawl hut. There are always balls and other toys for the dogs to fetch and play with. The space is open and there are benches if your dog is more inclined to play alone or with other dogs while you relax. The trees keep the park cooler and the shade is nice especially with all the sun.

If your dog would like to stop in for a drink after hitting the trails there is a fountain in the park. There are a lot of trails to hike if your dog makes it to the park before others show up so have fun and explore! If you don't have a dog you can talk with Sarah about signing a dog out to explore the trails. The dogs love the time you spend with them and they love to get out. They may find their new owner while out on the town. So get out there and have fun!