Fur Ball 2009

It's Fur Ball time! The SPCA is rolling out the red carpet for sweethearts and their pet companions for a romantic evening of fine dining and cocktails on Saturday, February 14, 6:00 - 11:00 pm at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. This black-tie fundraising event will feature silent and live auctions and special entertainment. Pets will also enjoy being pampered at the "doggy daycare."

Tickets are $125 per person, and $75 per pet. For tickets or to volunteer, contact Vicki at 595-1392.

Getting to Know Peninsula SPCA People: Allison Hendricks

Allison Hendricks is perhaps, one of the most popular personalities at the Peninsula SPCA. With her hair always on a ponytail, Allison is very visible around the shelter, which seems like a second home to her. Who wouldn't, if you've been there for approximately 32 years! Yes, Allison started as a volunteer when she was still in 9th grade, back when she wanted to become a veterinarian. So to make sure she would work with animals, the best way was to volunteer at the SPCA.

Allison may not have become a vet, but as the SPCA's Customer Care Manager, she gets to work on adoptions and finding a family for the homeless animals, a job that gets fulfilling every time she sees a family bring home an animal. She also does temperament evaluations of animals together with Kennel Manager Don Branch. To Allison, the reward of the job comes in seeing an animal that came in scared and would try to bite, and thinking that no one will ever adopt it. Then, helping the animal calm down and finding it a loving, hopefully, forever home.

With her long years with the SPCA, Allison has had a lot of memorable experiences and cites three recent ones: First is about King and Queen, two dogs that have stayed in the shelter for about six months. She contacted a rescue group called ART, which took the two canines and was able to place them in a loving home within a few weeks. The shelter received photos and notes of King and Queen on how well they are doing now. Second is Shadow, a mix shepherd dog that reminded Allison of a dog she once had. Shadow came to the shelter very scared and would try to bite the kennel staff. Allison placed Shadow with a rescue group that doesn't have a "shelter environment" since it didn't do well in a cage. And the dog responded positively!

She also recalls the two very think Pit Bulls which were brought to the shelter due to cruelty cases. "We did an evaluation on them - SWEET dogs, but no one was interested because they looked so bad. A lady, who has been a supporter of the shelter for years, came in and I jokingly told her she needed to take at least one of these dogs home. She looked at them and the next day, came back and adopted one, and found a home for the other. As the saying goes, 'Saving one animal will not change the world, but it changes the world for that one animal," said Allison.

When not at the shelter (which is likely not that often), Allison likes to spend her free time reading fictional books about lawyers or about the medical field. She also plays in her iris garden during summer, and of course, she enjoys spending time with her pets Spot, a Calico; Sadie, a Bull Dog-Sharpei mix; and Kimber, a mixed breed that came into the shelter as a starving almost dead pup.

Allison has this to say to the volunteers: "Stick with it, even when sometimes, the staff is not at all that friendly. When I first started as a volunteer, the lady in the front office was not very nice - I don't think she liked many people at all at the time - I kept being nice to her and she came around and we still see each other 32 years later. It's not the people you're here for - it's the animals and they make it all worthwhile!"

Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month

October is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month! Spread the word...

Schools in Session

September is here again and it's time for school. Have you adopted a new dog or has the long summer slackened your training regimen? Why not go to a doggie training class? Even if your dog is well trained you can take him/her to the next level in their training. Your dog will love the challenge! There are several places in the Hampton Roads to get your training regimen back on track. Why not check out the Merrimac Dog Training Club or PetSmart? They can determine your dog's level of training and where best to start again or for the first time. Classes are probably the best way to get your into a routine. Take your family along to the classes so everyone uses the same technique and plays a part in your dogs success.

Do the classes not match up with your schedule? How about checking out Petfinder training videos. They even have training videos for cats! Petfinder has organized tons of videos with great techniques to helping you achieve the level of training you would like. It takes consistancy to achieve the results you want. So be prepared to work! Going back to school will strengthen your bond with your dog. So do something good for your friend and sign up for classes today!

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.