Gus

When dogs are too big for the mobile clinics, we send them to other locations for surgery. Such was the case with Gus, who was neutered in January at the Norfolk SPCA Clinic.

Gus

This handsome four year old came from one of our target neighborhoods in Ocean View. His person heard about SpayHR from Suzy Swims while walking Gus on the beach. Gus’ “dad” worried about potential health issues related to Gus’ being unaltered. He also knew that too many animals are put down in shelters because of overpopulation.

On the day of surgery, he stayed by his canine companion’s side until Gus was administered anesthesia. He didn’t want Gus to be nervous. So sweet! We’re happy to report that the surgery went well.

 

February 10, 2012 Clinic

Our toes are still thawing from this morning’s cold! Thankfully, the chilly weather didn’t keep any of our clinic participants away, and they waited very patiently during the check in process.

Pearl

Pearl Woolwine Craig came with her family, who heard about SpayHR from their friend, Michaela Allen. Ms. Allen has been helping the homeless cats in her neighborhood. Pearl’s canine companion, Diva, is too big for the mobile clinic, so she is being spayed at the Norfolk SPCA clinic next week.

Roscoe

Someone who is big, but not too big to fit on the van, is Roscoe. This handsome mix adores his family and stayed close during check in. Roscoe’s feline friend, Gazpacho, was also neutered at today’s clinic.

Toad

Another cute pair from the morning was Toad and Otis. Toad is a handsome grey and white long-haired cat whose name just doesn’t seem to fit. His person told us the story: She found an abandoned litter of neonatal kittens and syringe fed them until they could eat on their own. Every time she picked up one of the kittens, he peed on her – just like a toad! The rest of the litter found homes and Toad stayed with his adoptive “mom”. Toad came with Otis the puppy, who received boosters today and will be neutered at a near future clinic.

A big thank you to New Hope Church and Community Center for allowing us to use their parking lot this month.

 

More advocay for SB 359

From Alley Cat Allies:

Trap-Neuter-Return is legal and protected in towns and communities all across Virginia, including Fairfax County, Arlington, and Richmond. This proactive bill will make it clear that municipalities can carry out TNR, the humane and effective approach for feral cats. While it won’t require TNR, this important bill will protect the right to practice it.

SB 359 has already passed committee and is headed to the full state senate for a vote next week. Contact your senators below to show your support for SB 359 and humane cat care.

For more information visit their website.

Additional Links:

Feral Cat Resources from Spay Virginia.

Program to Decrease Homeless Feral Cat Population Deemed Successful

Legislative Help for Feral/Free-Roaming/Community Cats

Please read Susanne Kogut’s blog post about SB 359 and follow her guide for helping this population of homeless animals.

From Your Voice Matters SB – 359

SB 359 is a bill designed to permit more wide-scale trap, neuter, return efforts in our Virginia Communities. This Bill was introduced by the City of Charlottesville and presented to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. SB 359 was reported out (approved) by a 10 to 5 vote. This bill was discussed for over 40 minutes with opposition that we believe was simply not truthful in their statements. Fortunately the members of the Senate Committee were able to see through this smoke and mirror presentation and voted in favor of the Bill.

To read more, visit the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA Blog.

It’s especially important to thank Senator Deeds and your legislator (if she or he supported SB 359).

Additional links:

Richmond SPCA Blog

Waggin’ Tales Blog

January 27, 2012 Clinic

check-in

Warmer but damp weather welcomed us this morning for the second January spay/neuter clinic.

Today’s participants heard about SpayHR in a variety of ways. Reinia Chatman heard about our program through a friend, who asked, “Don’t you want to get your dogs fixed, too.” Reinia had her female dog spayed through our program last month and today brought Pnutts, a handsome Dachshund, for neuter surgery.

Cookie and Sassy

Tiger

Tracy Hoskins read about SpayHR on Freecycle and scheduled her two dogs, Cookie and Sassy, and cat, Tiger, for surgery. What happy cuties! Tiger the cat is actually bigger than Sassy the dog (by two pounds, according to Tracy).

Maddi

Kathryne Hawryluk found out about the Norfolk Pet Project from Muddy Paws. (Thanks, Muddy Paws!) She rescued her dog Maddi from neglect and has been bringing this sweetie back to good health and proper grooming: Maddie was severely “matted” when Kathryne found her. After a much needed haircut, veterinary check up, and vaccinations, Maddi just needs her spay surgery. She’s a lucky girl.

Skitzo

Another lucky girl is Skitzo, who was found in South Carolina along Interstate-95. Jessica Oliveira was moving from Florida to Virginia when she stopped for a break. Skitzo was part of a large colony of cats living off I-95. She was friendly and looking for help, and Jessica obliged. After arriving in Norfolk, Jessica tried to find a spot for the small cat at one of our always full shelters. Though she already had plenty of pets at home, Jessica decided to keep Skitzo rather than risk her being euthanized.

Many free-roaming Norfolk cats are saved from euthanasia by community members who feed and more importantly spay/neuter them. In just a year, Michaela Allen has seen multiple litters of kittens resulting from the community cats (or unaltered pets) roaming her neighborhood. We’re glad to have helped her bring this population under control over the past few months.

We are working hard to help other Hampton Roads residents with feral and free-roaming cats in their communities. We welcome volunteers for all aspects of TNR to help us match the demand for assistance. If you can help, please contact us at arttnr@gmail.com.

 

Thank You!

Thank you to the employees of the Legal Department at Value Options, Inc. for making a holiday gift donation to Spay Hampton Roads.

January 13, 2012 Clinic

SNip van

Friday 13th brought good luck this morning: 27 cats and dogs were spayed/neutered at our first clinic for the new year!

A number of people who attended the December 17, 2011 rabies clinic followed up with spay/neuter surgery for their pets. With surgery, we were also able to offer booster vaccinations to these returning clients. Today’s clinic continued our Holiday Gift to the Community project, made possible by a grant from the ASPCA.

Missy

Mischief Parkour McKnzie-Arivuzu, or Missy for short, returned for her boosters and spay surgery. In the cold, windy weather, she was kept warm by her dad’s jacket over her cage. Missy was found on the beach after Hurricane Irene. She’s safe now.

Tiny

Another cat who found a safe haven is Tiny, so named for his small size when found last year in the Ocean View Farm Fresh parking lot. According to his family, he was so small, he could fit in a teacup and had to be bottle fed back to health. He’s just just fine now, and his name is more ironic than descriptive!

Kisses

Kisses is a small dog with a big personality! While waiting for surgery, this fluffy fellow made sure no one got too close to his people. Kisses is more bark than bite, though, and we’re sure he lives up to his name at home. His companion Sky was more relaxed and appreciated some pets and scratches from us.

Norfolk community cats

The Thompson family helped more abandoned cats in their neighborhood. In addition to feeding them, they make sure the cats are spayed and neutered in order to control their population.

Thank you to New Hope Christian Community Center for allowing SpayHR to hold this month’s clinics in their parking lot. Thank you, too, to the PETA clinic staff.

To view more pictures from today’s clinic, visit us on facebook.