Home Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA faces ‘capacity crisis’; campaign launched to adopt, foster
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Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA faces ‘capacity crisis’; campaign launched to adopt, foster

Crystal Graham
Australian Shepherd tri-color dog in bed of flowers
(© annaav – stock.adobe.com)

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

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]

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