At the Humane Society of Northern Virginia (HSNV), you can find pets with unique traits and “purrsonalities”.
Powered by Advocates for Abused and Abandoned Pets (A3P), HSNV is a non-profit animal rescue center run exclusively by volunteers. Their motto is “Pets 4 Life,” representing the organization’s no-kill philosophy. They believe that every animal should be in a loving home, treated like family and with respect.
Many animals come from homes that cannot take care of them anymore. This includes pets who have developed conditions and those who aren’t able to receive enough attention or support from their human caretakers. Rather than having them euthanized, their former humans choose a rescue center that will find new homes for them.
The HSNV website features a section titled “Adoptable Pets” that has a filter to help people find the kind of pet they are seeking. Filters include species, type, age, gender, and size.
During an email interview, HSNV Director Sherry Turner stated that many families look for young, healthy, and well-behaved pets. According to Turner, people who adopt senior animals or ones with medical/neurological conditions are “simply the best” because they “understand the financial and emotional toll these pets can have.”
Some of these animals have medical and neurological conditions and the Humane Society makes sure to have them diagnosed and treated. For example, they help dogs experiencing conditions regarding teeth, skin, cherry eye and renal failure. The organization also cares for cats with digestive issues, working to fix their diets according to their needs. HSNV also shelters a kitten with cerebellar hypoplasia, which is a neurological disorder that is often called “wobbly cat syndrome.”
The types of animals the organization cares for can change abruptly. Currently, they house many cats, a few dogs, and two guinea pigs who are all looking for loving homes. Most of the pets thrive from an emotional connection with humans, and at HSNV they are rehabilitated to understand that humans can be safe and loving.
Sherry Turner told What’s Up Prince William, “We’ve taken in fear dogs, dogs with bite histories, etc., just trying to give those that need extra help a chance. [We] kept one for almost two years before he was placed … Saving a pet by giving him/her a second chance is what it’s about.”
The Humane Society of Northern Virginia is in Dumfries, located at 17983 Dumfries Shopping Plaza. The rescue center is open Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.
For more information about the organization regarding donations, events, programs, training, and applications to adopt or volunteer, visit the HSNV website. The organization may also be contacted via phone at (571) 931-0796 or by email at a3padvocates@gmail.com.
This article is written by Contributing Writer Lily Brown.
