The Tattle Tails- Winter 2017

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

Please join us in thanking our extraordinary Pet of the Week Sponsors!

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