Each month Almost Home features an exceptional cat and dog of the month.  These animals are selected because they are particularly deserving of adoption…either because of their unique personalities, popularity among staff, particular need for a permanent home, or length of time at our shelter.  This month’s picks are shown below.  For more pictures and information, select the applicable link below. 

Because featured animals are often adopted quickly, we recommend that
you call the shelter to verify the animal is still available for adoption.


  Dog of Month:   Kilburn               Cat of Month:   Minerva McGonagil

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, interested adopters need to call
the shelter and make an appointment to view an animal.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS 

• PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION – TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR)

  The 2021 Legislative Session is upon us! Please take a moment to fill out the petition in support of community cats. Please feel free to pass this along to others to participate!

  Currently, the only thing being done in Nelson County to control the overpopulation of feral cats is the HS/SPCA's TNR program, coordinated by volunteer, Krista Waibel.  If you are feeding a colony of feral cats, call 434-263-7722 and ask for help to get the cats spayed/neutered and vaccinated through this program.  Please sign a petition for state legislation to support this TNR practice.  The Nelson County Animal Control Facility no longer takes in feral cats.  In the past they did but the cats were all euthanized.  TNR works and we need to see it continued and expanded.  Please go to the following link, and sign the petition to keep the TNR program supported by state legislation.
  
  Here is a link to the petition: 

  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdalm26-nJarc9WJ8SeQkWY8-UXU_ZUhN3b3vOTl2_ohDbbdQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2MZsIZ9jT2UeuCoqRqlPw1fRjsR0uNXKr-oQ01HSVnfbLir2jm5J7t67Q
  
  SB1390 would clarify that everyone, including public shelters, can engage in TNR (trap neuter and return). You can read the bill at:

  https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?211+sum+SB1390

• IMPORTANT READ!!! NEW LAWS REGARDING TETHERING OF ANIMALS ... DURING EXTREME HEAT/COLD, ATTORNEY GENERAL HERRING OUTLINES NEW ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS.  Click here to view!

CURRENT HELP TO HEAL FUND NEEDS 

Almost Home averages between $5,000 - $8,000 per month for medications, vaccines and medical bills.  For more information on how you can help with medical expenses, please go to our Help To Heal Fund  page. Current needs...

WINTER 2021

Smoke and her two littermates, Ash and Soot, survived a house fire.  Smoke’s ears were burned by the intense heat but are healing well.  When examined, it was discovered that Smoke has a grade 4 or 5 heart murmur most likely meaning that she has a congenital defect in the development of the heart. Smoke will need to undergo surgery.  

Callie Briggs was injured in a domestic incident in December 2020. She suffered a broken jaw, and damage to the optic nerve of her left eye. While she was undergoing surgery, the vet also found a malignant mammary tumor which was removed.  Callie is recovering from her surgeries and remains just as loving and sweet as can be. Her jaw is wired shut until mid-February. The globe of her eye is intact, but she has no sight due to the permanent damage to the optic nerve.

 

FALL-WINTER 2020

Twelve-week old Loodie was hit by a car.  Although there were no internal injuries, she had several broken bones which required surgery.  She has been under care at Lovingston Veterinary Hospital while she recovers.  

 

Nutmeg a sweet 3 year old Fox Hound mix, came to our shelter recently very thin and needing to gain weight.  Unfortunately also she tested positive for Heartworm and is currently undergoing expensive treatment.  While she heals, she must be kept very calm for the next three months.   

Fonzie was brought to our shelter after being found under a tractor all alone. He was so small and was just not thriving. Eventually, Fonzie was x-rayed to try to find out why he was doing so poorly, and it was discovered that he had a hole in his diaphragm the size of a golf ball. Fonzie had surgery to repair the hole and to put his intestines back where they belong.  It was noted that his right lung was underdeveloped which explains his wheezy breathing. Each day seems to brings more improvement as he heals from his surgery.