A publication for the friends of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA
The Tattle Tails
Winter 2017
Home for the Holidays Successful! Thirty-seven shelter pets found forever homes during our Home for the Holidays event! We want to thank all the adopters who opened their hearts and homes to these orphaned animals. Thanks also to our awesome volunteers Carol and Boel for their help. We also want to especially thank the following local veterinary practices, who provided free spay and neuter surgeries for many of the animals, which helped them find their forever homes. Thanks to: • Ashby Animal Clinic • Broadway Veterinary Hospital • Dayton Animal Clinic • Green Meadows Veterinary Services • Harrisonburg Animal Hospital • Heartland Veterinary Clinic • Maple Lane Veterinary Clinic • Massanutten Animal Clinic • New Market Veterinary Clinic • North Fork Veterinary Hospital • Valley Veterinary Hospital Thanks also to WHSV-TV, Mix 93.1, 98.5 Rock, 104.3 KCY Country, Daily News Record, Kline May Realty, Harrisonburg Towing and Storage, and Permatreat Pest and Termite Control for their help in promoting and publicizing our Home for the Holidays event. We appreciate your continued support!
Delphyne was the first lucky feline to be adopted during the event
Chase looks at home already with his new pet parents
Upcoming Events
2016-17 Board of Directors Officers President Dr. Darnice Pettigrew Vice President Brandon Howdyshell Treasurer Brenda Long Secretary Justin Bridges Directors Aaron Graves Karen Mast Dr. Nina K. Smith Butch Strawderman Staff Executive Director Anne Anderson Shelter Manager Maggie Rucker Adoption & Rescue Coordinator Jo Benjamin Humane Educator & Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Watson Director of Development Patricia May Assistant Managers Candice Dodson, Heather Cook Kennedy, Amber Nesselrodt Receptionist Kim Sites Animal Care Technicians Sandra Castro, Connie Delamater, Candra Hisey, Claire Pitt, Katie Taylor, Olivia Towe, Ashley Williams, Jessica Williams, Charlotte Wylie Hours of Operation: Incoming Animals & Adoptions Monday-Saturday 10:00 am–4:00 pm Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm– 7:00 pm Location: 2170 Old Furnace Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, Va. 22803 540-434-5270 info@rhspca.org www.rhspca.org
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Paws Under The Stars Saturday, March 18, 2017 Spotswood Country Club Everyday People 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Big Mama Finds Love
The Tattle Tails is published quarterly for supporters and friends of the RockinghamHarrisonburg SPCA. Email devdirector@ rhspca.org if you would like to receive The Tattle Tails electronically. Money saved will go directly to the care of animals!
This lovely feline came in as a stray, and was often overlooked by potential adopters due to her age and weight. She patiently waited in the shelter for six months. After we put her on a diet, and she slimmed down, she was more attractive to visitors, and a lucky family took her home. Thanks for adopting! You can honor or memorialize a special person or pet in your life by donating to the R-H SPCA, which helps us care for the orphaned and abandoned animals in our community. What better way is there to honor or memorialize a pet, a friend or a family member than by helping our animals in need? devdirector@rhspca.org 540-434-5270.
Many thanks to
for keeping the grounds free from nasty bugs!
Memorials
(from Nov. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2016)
In Memory of Bill Adams Susie and Blakie Adams
First Choice Home Health Services Mr. and Mrs. Doug Gardner Harold and Doris Long Charles and Mollie Sellers Walter and Debra Trobaugh West Rockingham Ruritan Club
In Memory of Robert “Bobby” Anderson Janice Comer and Jayna Comer-Burns
In Memory of Maddie Heatwole Joseph and April Heatwole
In Memory of C.R. Bob Atkins In Memory of Elizabeth Atkins Martha Bocock
In Memory of Lucy Hensley Sarah and John Schroeder
In Memory Of Our Friends
In Memory of Joan Belpusi Stephanie Masson In Memory of Mary Berbes Nancy and Chester Bradfield Ruth Bryant Ginny and Dick Holsinger Antigoni Ladd Shirley Schulz Dawn Weaver
In Memory of Shirley Hevener Vivian Hevener In Memory of Michele Davis Hogsett Melanie Davis In Memory of Saylor Holsinger, Jr. Charles and Joy Harper In Memory of Robert Horst Carol Watson
In Memory of Mrs. Mary Bradshaw Clark Bethlehem United Church of Christ
In Memory of Nellie Hottle Nancy and Helen Landis
In Memory of Larry Cupp Wy and Janet Joseph Andrea Rhodes
In Memory of Ruth Kegley Dorothy King
In Memory of Edna Dulaney Irvin Allman APR Associates Sandy Bennington Sandra Kay Coffman Lee Hammer Linda Hamrick James and Crystal Hayden Helen and Nancy Landis Barbara Lewis Pam Miller Wayne Neff Ann and Roland Radloff Norman Smith In Memory of Cousin Edward M. (Eddie) Ettinger, Jr. Susan Huffman In Memory of My Aunt Juanita I. Good Susan Huffman In Memory of Isaac Edsel Harper Sharon Balint Maria Suter Blair Bill and Agnes Dickerson
In Memory of Veda Keller Phillis Spitzer In Memory of Tom Leake Martha Floyd In Memory of Mary Lee Long Mary Louise Long In Memory of Charles Hampton Mauzy Elizabeth Mauzy In Memory of My Brother Edward H. Michael, III Susan Huffman In Memory of My Mother Lorraine Good Michael Susan Huffman In Memory of My Sister Patricia Mongold Wanda Phillips In Memory of Ron Nelson Annette Federico In Memory of Patrice Oliver Debbie Rhodes
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In Memory of My Son Greg Painter Patricia Whitmore
In Memory of “Bocce,” “Zeus,” and “Mayhem” Dennis and Janet Boffo
In Memory of Bea Reedy Eric Reedy
In Memory of “Brady” Robert and Anna Geary
In Memory of Irene Mae Reynolds Angie Deane, Megan Bobrow, Heidi Swartz
In Memory of “Buddy,” “Misty,” and “Sunny” Maryanne and Bradley Akers
In Memory of Chad Rhodes Debbie Rhodes In Memory of Louise M. See Bank of the James Stephanie Brady, Melinda Kingery, and Sharon McCarty and families In Memory of John “Paul” Shifflett Vicki Lam
In Memory of “Caramel” Wanda Moad In Memory of our first “kids” of 20+ years: “Champagne” and “Brandy” Rebecca and Lawrence Kaufman In Memory of “Chica” and “Taco” Patricia Benninghove
In Memory of Ryan P. Shute Steven Shute
In Memory of “Chloe,” beloved pet of Sharon Houff Barb and Jim Shifflett
In Memory of My Cousin Robert (Bobby) Smith Susan Huffman
In Memory of “Chuck,” “Sonic,” and “Sunny” Dwight and Donna Arbogast
In Memory of Stanley Richard and Annette Pierce
In Memory of “Cuddles” Jim and Pat Messner
In Memory of Haley B. Stickley Robert and Dillina Stickley
In Memory of “Kirby Dansby,” beloved cat of Laura and Bishop Dansby Lawrence and Linda Bowers
In Memory of Nancy Stratford Linda Hamrick Rebecca Knotts
In Memory of our cat “Emily” James and Carolyn Henry
In Memory of Melvin and Freda Taylor Doris Jean Taylor Bishop and Vernie Bishop In Memory of My Husband Fred Whitmore Patricia Whitmore In Memory of Michael Zimmerman Loyd and Shirley Newman
In Memory Of Our Pets In Memory of “Bailey” Dorothy Stoltz In Memory of “Bandit,” “Megan,” “Callie,” and “Snickers” Olen and Frances Dovel
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In Memory of “Buster” Doris Jean Taylor Bishop and Vernie Bishop
In Memory of “Fritz” and “Hollie” Michael and Susan Koch In Loving Memory of Our Cat “Fritzie” Leon and Barbara Ervin In Memory of “Hercules” Nikoo Rafat In Memory of beloved pets “Hermie,” “Tucker,” “Snowflake,” and “Tippsy” Richard and Pamela Wilkins In Memory of “Jupiter,” and “Abby” Christopher and Karen Hoover In Memory of “Kali,” “Chloe,” and “Silky” Alisa Cook In Memory of “Kieffer” and “Pascal” (aka Paw-Paw) Charles and Elsie Ziegenfus
In Memory of “Lindsay,” beloved pet of Larry and Judy Bearse Robert and Marjorie Moore In Memory of “Maggie” Vickie Dean In Memory of “Magpie” Traci and James Zimmerman In Memory of “Miss Molly” Linda Berry In Memory of “Mochie” Heather and Matthew Dowdy In Memory of “Ms. Maddie” Tom and Kathy Dunham In Memory of “Patchs,” “Pistol” and “Buster” Carolyn Price In Memory of “Peaches” and “Trina” Olen and Frances Dovel In Memory of “Penny” Beloved Pet Benjamin Moyers In Memory of “Prinsie” Donald and Suzanne Criss In Memory of My Best Friend “Rosco” DS Mason In Memory of “Roxie” Esperanza Davis In Memory of “Sadie” Scott and Robin Mongold In Memory of Our SPCA Girls “Sadie” and “Josie” Barb and Jim Shifflett In Memory of “Sammy” and “Otis” Kent and Christy Puffenbarger In Memory of “Sawyer,” My Precious Cocker Spaniel Brenda Wilkinson In Memory of “Smokey” Denise Whitman In Memory of “Sport” Lakey Logan In Memory of Our Beloved Cat “Sunny” Kenneth and Karen Lohr In Memory of “Yogi” Michael and Angela Gochenour
In Honor Of Our Friends In Honor of Holly Bazzle Candice Ray In Honor of Chuck Booth Patricia Laffey Goldsborough In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Richie Davis Phillis Spitzer In Honor of Jackie Driver Rebecca V. Driver In Honor of Stacey Ever Josh Burtner In Honor of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Gearing Joseph and Elaine Behl In Honor of Tom Gillington Patricia Laffey Goldsborough In Honor of Joe and Crystal Hayden Wendi Steele In Honor of Ronald and Linda Hotinger Amanda Hotinger In Honor of Wesley Humphries Lesley Humphries In Honor of Kymber’s Grandmother Becky Rapp In Honor of Linda Light Dr. John Eagle Kathy King Elizabeth Mauzy In Honor of Gail Lohr Phillis Spitzer In Honor of John and Marcia McGrath Dr. John Eagle In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Repko Phillis Spitzer In Honor of Linda and Norman Smith Nancy Whitmore In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Spitzer Phillis Spitzer In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Maupin Stewart Joseph and Elaine Behl In Honor of Butch Strawderman John Crist
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In Honor of Gene Sullivan Maxine Sullivan In Honor of Gina Troyer Cathy Fulk In Honor of Katie Beth Warner Richard and Gloria Hamlen In Honor of Dr. and Mrs. David Whitehead Joseph and Elaine Behl In Honor of Pam and Richard Wilkins Jeffrey and Faye Curl In Honor of Carol Yetzer Kathy King Elizabeth Mauzy
In Honor Of Our Pets
In Honor of “Jake,” “Gurlfren,” and “Punkin” Doris and Ronald Norris In Honor of “Journey” Dwight and Donna Arbogast In Honor of “Juan,” “Lucky,” “Clarence,” “Cupcake” and “Sonic” Kathy and Michael Snoddy In Honor of “Kirby Downey’s” 6th Birthday Ed and Betsy Craun In Honor of Our Kitties, the New Family of Kids: “Merlot,” “Pinot,” and “Fireball” Rebecca and Lawrence Kaufman
In Honor of “Buddy” Laura DeLoach
In Honor of “Midnight” Scott and Robin Mongold
In Honor of “Charley” and “Pepi” Patricia Benninghove
In Honor of “Mikey” Julie Weikert
In Honor of “Dusty,” Our Sweet Kitty Girl Marvin and Grace Hillsman
In Honor of “Miss Kitty” Jeffrey and Faye Curl
In Honor of “Freckles” and “Bandit” Stephanie Coulter
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In Honor of all the Homeless Animals James and Carolyn Henry
In Honor of “Miss Molly” Julia Ritchie In Honor of “Ozzy” Daniel and Patricia Lam
In Honor of Our Special Kitties “Fuzzie,” “Chole,” “Ava,” and “JJ” Olen and Frances Dovel
In Honor of “Polley Walnuts” Andrew Neckowitz
In Honor of “Gabby” and “PJ” Linda and Mark Hensley
In Honor of Corgi “Precious” John and Virginia Phalen
In Honor of “Gabby Rose” Ted and Melinda Rose
In Honor of “Pugsley,” “Stewie,” and “Kyle” Clint and Joyce Shuler
In Honor of “Gypsy” and “Mina” Beloved Cat and Dog of Barbara Webster Olen and Frances Dovel
In Honor of “Raven” Charles and Carol Bowden
In Honor of “Happy” Doris Jean Taylor Bishop and Vernie Bishop
In Honor of “Sally,” “Lucy,” and “Lucky” Beloved Dogs of Garry and Theresa Setti Olen and Frances Dovel
In Honor of “Happy” and “Oliver” Linda Berry
In Honor of “Willy” Timothy & Michelle Reger In Honor of “Winnie” the Beagle Daniel Wachspress
DID YOU KNOW?? We are excited to announce our newly updated online donation system! Visit rhspca.org to donate to the R-H SPCA with ease and convenience! You may choose to make a onetime donation, or a recurring donation. Many thanks to: Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for a grant to purchase pet food for the shelter animals Petco Foundation for a grant for programs to enhance adoptablity of our pets Plecker Family Fund of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for a generous grant to help shelter animals
Success Stories
Volunteer Recognition: Joan and Courtney Joan and Courtney visit the shelter two to three times per week. They moved to the Valley recently, leaving snowy, cold upstate New York. They were looking for a rewarding volunteer activity, and decided to offer their time and talents to the R-H SPCA. Joan explains that Courtney just loves animals, which made the decision to volunteer at the shelter an easy one. She especially loves cats, but her dad is allergic to them, so they can’t have cats at home. Joan says Courtney can get her “cat fix” at the shelter. Courtney is bubbling over with joy and enthusiasm. She enjoys greeting everyone with a loving hug, and then heading back to the kennels to spend time with the animals. In addition to the feline time, the two volunteers also spend time socializing the dogs. Volunteer Coordinator Lauren says, “We are so blessed to have many wonderful, dedicated volunteers. We appreciate each volunteer for all they bring to the organization. We are delighted that Courtney and Joan selected the R-H SPCA as their volunteer activity.” Anyone interested in volunteering at the shelter is encouraged to learn more about volunteering by visiting http:// www.rhspca.org/volunteer.html, or by emailing Lauren at humane@rhspca.org.
Abby’s Story Sometime in early December, a small white ball of fluff came into the shelter. This 14-year-old teacup-Chihuahua-Maltese mix was sadly given up by her owner due to unforeseen personal circumstances. Weighing in at 2.3 pounds, this tiny pup, known as Abby, was ready for some tender, loving care. It was love at first sight for the shelter staff, who began to help her on her way to better health. She gladly endured her first bath and ear cleaning; she was treated for internal parasites; and she began some antibiotics for dental issues. Thanks to generous donations to our NOVA fund, Abby was able to have senior blood work done at North Fork Veterinary Hospital to determine if there were any underlying conditions causing her weight loss. Two staffers, Jo and Lauren, decided to co-foster the tiny tot until an appropriate rescue group could be located. Abby spent the next several weeks soaking up love and attention from everyone. A perfect rescue group was contacted, and Abby left us for her new life. The shelter is sharing the cost of her much-needed dental work with the rescue group that took her in. Lauren says, “Little Abby was tenacious; she still has lots of living to do. Since she was ready to fight, we were ready to fight for her.” Her new foster mom reports, “She is an absolute doll and a very easy foster. She is doing fine with my pugs. I combed her for about 30 minutes today, and she seemed to enjoy it. Abby is doing great and is a sweet little old lady.”
Out with the old . . . The old shelter was demolished in early December, 2016. Built in 1975, it sheltered over 176,000 animals over the course of almost 30 years until the new shelter opened in 2004. With the old shelter gone, it gives us more areas for dog walking, and possibly for more dog play areas in the future.
The story of Abby is just one of many stories we experience at the shelter. Animals often come to us undernourished, and suffering. The staff members work long and hard to nurse these animals back to health, and find forever homes for them. It is gratifying, but sometimes bittersweet, to see a loving companion such as Abby move on. Placing shelter pets in forever homes is our ultimate goal, and it is a joy for everyone involved when that goal is attained.
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2170 Old Furnace Road P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
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