The Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA has 135 dogs and puppies in their care and only 65 kennels to house them.
As a result, the RHSPCA is waiving adoption fees in July for all adult dogs and cats in their care. Kitten adoption fees are reduced to $50.
The reduced adoption fees are part of a larger effort called “Mutt-urity Matters;” a campaign to find more foster and adoption homes for animals in their care.
“Shelters across the United States have seen a sharp and sustained increase in dogs coming in. Weve experienced an increase of 25 percent in the number of dogs entering our shelter, and they are staying in our care much longer, said Huck Nawaz, executive director of the RHSPCA. “The Mutt-urity Matters campaign aims to raise awareness on the plight of adult dogs in need of foster and adoptive homes.”
This year, the RHSPCA has taken in more than 600 dogs and puppies.
An increase in cat intakes is normal this time of the year.
A total of 900,000 animals have been entered into a database for shelters and rescues since January 2021, according to Shelter Animals Count, who calls it “an ongoing capacity crisis.”
RHSPCA adoption and foster recruitment events
July 20
- Pale Fire Brewing: 217 S. Liberty St #105, Harrisonburg, noon to 2 p.m.
- Petsmart in Harrisonburg: Kitten adoptions, noon to 4 p.m.
July 27
- The Alpine Goat Brewery: 212 Chapel Hill Lane, Weyers Cave, noon to 2 p.m.
Adoption
All animals available for adoption at RHSPCA are:
- Spayed or neutered
- Microchipped
- Up to date on vaccines
- Up to date on deworming
- Have been examined by a veterinarian
All animals available for adoption at RHSPCA are online at www.rhspca.org/adopt
Foster
The Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA:
- Has an immediate need for dog and cat foster homes
- Covers the cost of food, medication, supplies and veterinary care
- Provides behavior and medical support to foster families
Foster applications available online at www.rhspca.org/foster
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Crystal Graham
