Culpeper's Humane Society needs help

This past weekend, the Humane Society of Culpeper (HSC) completed our second fundraiser of the year, which was a simple and informal dog show and “mutt strut” at Yowell Meadow Park. A handful of vendors and volunteers participated, as well as the County Animal Shelter and other local animal-related businesses. Despite the hot weather, several folks came by and all in all,
it was a fun day.

We are extremely grateful and pleased to have the support of the community.It certainly helps us move forward and keeps our spirits high. However, we must express that there is much more to do and so I will share with you the priorities of this summer season.

This month, rather than focus on the very important issue of cats in our community or the valuable TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program (and the seriousness of spay/neuter) – I am moved to discuss the equally important practices of fostering and adoption.

HSC’s foster program is currently undermanned, and we are unable to provide any assistance to those that seek our help with temporary homes for animals. Fosters keep companion animals in a caring home environment for a short time until they can be adopted. Then, hopefully the Foster can take in another pet, continuing the cycle. We have the foster program for situations where we are asked by another organization to assist with housing adoptable animals or we have discovered stray or injured animals that otherwise might receive no care. Fostering also helps in socializing rescued animals so that they can be adopted.

Therefore it is essential that we seek your partnership.

We have been successful in helping within our community and with that has come a higher demand. More people are aware of the work we do and are finally coming forward to ask. The problem is, we aren’t always in a position to respond.

This is frustrating.

Demand has simply exceeded the number of resources we have available right now. Specifically, we require more volunteers than ever and hope that more people will come forward to strengthen our mission. Pet foster families or homes are what we need to continue this vital program.

The Humane Society of Culpeper has been fortunate for many years, to facilitate a foster program which relies upon the citizens of our community to help care for both cats and dogs in need of rescue. It is very rewarding to be part of a positive organization of people, but also to experience a connection with your animal guest.

In fact, in some cases Fosters have opted to make these visitors a permanent part of their families.

If you are not able to provide foster care, know that there are other ways to help. Donate to our pet food pantry (we deliver and provide food for both recurring and one-time assistance), volunteer for our spay/neuter transports or come to one of our future disaster response workshops (in the late summer). We are also looking for volunteers to help with monthly events. And, if you enjoy the process of adoption, we would love to have you join our events at the local PetSmart.

Each year there are opportunities to serve on our board of directors. We are always seeking the direct involvement of our local professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, administrators, etc.) as well as interested individuals who want to contribute to the business-side of the organization.

As always, the majority of our activity can be tracked on either our Facebook page or through our website (www.adoptculpeperpets.org).