Hi, I'm Pumpkin! I'm a 4-year-old female Domestic Shorthair mix. My previous family could no longer keep me due to allergies so I'm hoping to find a new loving family to adopt me. I'm good with children and other animals and I'm housebroken. My meet your match color is orange and I'm an executive. I would make a great new addition to your family! Please adopt me today!  Come meet my adoption team today at the Peninsula SPCA, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News across from the Virginia Living Museum or call 757-595-1399 ext 106.  

Welcome Ellen Thacker, Executive Director

Newport News, VA- The Peninsula SPCA welcomes new Executive Director, Ellen Clark Thacker.  Ellen joined the Peninsula SPCA team in November and is very excited to direct the SPCA in a continued progressive direction in becoming an adoption-guarantee organization. 

“My first priority is to save animal lives by finding additional options and resources for the homeless pets of our community,” said Thacker. “By establishing ourselves as an adoption-guarantee organization, we will find new ways to partner with our local municipal animal control groups and expand options for rescuing adoptable animals on the Peninsula.”

With a successful work history consisting primarily of private sector business experience, Ellen decided it was time for a change. She followed her passion for animal welfare and became the Executive Director for the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society in 2008. There she helped to increase adoption rates, attain no-kill status for the shelter’s canine population, and implemented a 100% pre-adoption spay/neuter policy for all animals adopted from the Gloucester-Mathews-Middlesex Animal Shelter.

“I wanted to join the Peninsula SPCA to be a part of their transition to adoption-guarantee,” said Thacker. “This is a tremendously important step for our shelter and its animals, and will need the full support our community. We are thrilled with the opportunities that this transition will bring.”

Pictured with Ellen is Ginger.  She is a year old and available for adoption.  Ginger is a very sweet and a playful young pit bill mix.  Being a young canine, she would thrive as a part of an active family and would love to be someone’s personal trainer.  She is nervous around other dogs and cats, so she would flourish as the only pet in the house.  But don’t worry she has more than enough love to give every family member.  She even gives hugs!  Like all animals adopted from the Peninsula SPCA, Ginger has been spayed, microchipped and vaccinated.  Come take Ginger home in time for the holidays because all she wants for Christmas is you!    

The Peninsula SPCA—Unleashing the Red Carpet!

Peninsula SPCA plans sixth annual Fur Ball

Newport News, VA. – The Peninsula SPCA will be hosting their Sixth Annual Fur Ball Gala Fundraiser on February 2, 2013 from 6:00- 11:00 p.m., at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

Spend a glamorous evening with friends and four-legged family members while supporting the orphaned pets at the Peninsula SPCA.  Dance the night away while participating in silent and live auctions, enjoying cocktails, fine dining and live entertainment from the Tidewater Drive Band.  Family pets will enjoy first-class doggy daycare and will then capture attention as they strut down the red carpet in the Parade of Pets.

To help raise donations, guests may participate in the Fur Ball’s live and silent auction.  Contributors may win prizes such as a Bahamas vacation, sailboat cruise, Wintergreen Resort escape, and a trip to historic Savannah, Georgia.  The Peninsula SPCA is collecting silent auction items for Fur Ball 2013, to donate an item to the event please contact Leslie Magner at 757-595-1399 ext: 104.   

Last year, approximately 300 guests and 50 pet guests attended Fur Ball 2012. Over $130,000 was raised to help provide care of the Peninsula SPCA’s homeless and orphaned animals until they were able to find loving homes.

Leading up to Fur Ball 2013, generous sponsors had donated over $50,000.  This year we are striving to exceed that amount to help orphaned and sick animals at our shelter.  Sponsorship packages range from $250 up to $15,000.  If you are interested in helping to save the lives of animals, visit our sponsorship opportunities at www.peninsulaspca.org/furball   The 2013 Fur Ball leading corporate sponsors include Smithfield Foods, Inc., Ferguson Enterprises, York River Electric, Inc.

 There are a limited number of tickets available for purchase now.  Tickets are $125 per person and $75 per pet.  For ticket purchase or silent auction donation, please contact Leslie Magner at leslie@peninsulaspca.org or call (757) 595-1399 ext. 104.  For sponsorship information, please contact Vicki Rowland at vicki@peninsulaspca.org or call (757) 595-1399 ext. 109. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.peninsulaspca.org/furball.       

For more event details and pictures from Fur Ball 2013, please visit www.peninsulaspca.org/furball 

Tickets are available for purchase.  Limited tickets are available. Tickets are $125 per person and $75 per pet. To purchase Fur Ball tickets or for sponsorship information, please contact Vicki Rowland at vicki@peninsulaspca.org or (757) 595-1399. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.peninsulaspca.com/furball

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The Mission of the Peninsula SPCA is to advocate and provide for the humane care and welfare of animals. Our municipal contracts will end soon and funding for the Peninsula SPCA’s homeless animals will be decreased by half.  With your continued support, we can continue our life saving mission as an Adoption Guarantee Organization in July 2013.  For more information, visit peninsulaspca.org or call 757-595-1399.

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