Community

Eagle Scout Saves SPCA Nearly $1,500

April 1, 2014 by Megan Steele

Sean Englund first contacted Billy Houpt, Peninsula SPCA Operations and Petting Zoo Manager, about two months ago. Sean wanted to know if he could create an Eagle Scout Project to benefit the Peninsula SPCA and already knew what he wanted to do — he wanted to build dog beds. Without any hesitation, Billy let him know that he had the support of the Peninsula SPCA and go ahead and move forward with his project.

Sean is from Troop 94 from Tabb, Virginia. To become an Eagle Scout, part of the requirements dictate that the scout must to plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or their community, without any help from anyone other than his troop. Sean graciously chose the Peninsula SPCA. He spent a total of about 60 hours planning for this project and gathering the materials, which were all donated. Sean approached Signature Canvas in Hampton, in hopes that they would donate the canvas for the beds, and they did. Once he had canvas, Fast Nails agreed to donate fasteners (to hold the PVC piping together) and the PVC piping was donated by a hair dresser and a construction company. With the help of his fellow troop members, Sean completed the construction of twenty-five beds in about five hours.

After couple of months and a lot of hard work, Sean presented his completed Eagle Scout Project to the SPCA on Saturday, March 29. His proud parents, his Scout Master, and several other young men from his troop were all in attendance for this great accomplishment. Sean donated twenty-five Kuranda-style dog beds that can be used in the dog runs and the outside kennels. If the Peninsula SPCA purchased these Kuranda dog beds, they would be $57.00 each. Thanks to Sean, this saves the Peninsula SPCA about $1425.00. Sean designed and built these beds according to the specifications of Kuranda.

Sean’s outstanding leadership skills have not only saved the Peninsula SPCA nearly $1,500, but they have also positively impacted the lives of homeless animals as they are awaiting their forever homes.

Sean’s father let Billy know the reason Sean chose to do his Eagle Scout Project for the Peninsula SPCA– the dog that he and his family adopted from the Peninsula SPCA years ago recently passed away and this was Sean’s way of giving back.

Filed Under: Community

2014 Easter Egg Hunt

March 10, 2014 by Megan Steele

It’s time to get egg-cited for our annual Easter Egg Hunt! Please join us for an egg hunt in our Petting Zoo on Saturday, April 12th at 11 a.m. The egg hunt will begin at 11:30 so please make sure to arrive on time to check in! This event is open to children of all ages! Plus, there will be an area for younger children to easily find eggs! In addition to the egg hunt, there will be tasty treats on sale, prepared by Peninsula SPCA volunteers and staff members! Say Cheese- the “Easter Puppy” will be ready for his close-up; we will be offering free digital pictures with our Easter Puppy! Photos will be available to download online for free, a few days after the event.

Please RSVP for the egg hunt to ensure that there will be enough eggs for all of the children! A $5 donation per child will be collected the day of the egg hunt (cash and check accepted). All proceeds benefit the Peninsula SPCA. RSVP HERE

Filed Under: Community, Give, Special Events, Zoo

Community Support for Peninsula SPCA Fur Ball Increases 48% in 2014 as Adoption-Guarantee Transition Nears

March 7, 2014 by Megan Steele

Peninsula people and their pets came out in record numbers on the evening of February 1 to demonstrate their support and enthusiasm for the Peninsula SPCA’s coming transition to an adoption-guarantee shelter and humane education center.

Private citizens, business people and local and state governmental representatives attended with their special animal companions to help raise funds in support of the PSPCA’s new operating model that will focus primarily on adoptions, community humane education, and development of partnerships with other animal welfare groups.

“Through partnerships with the new Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter and other local animal welfare organizations, we will expand the resources available to all of our area’s homeless pets,” said Ellen Thacker, Executive Director of the Peninsula SPCA. “This is how we’ll achieve the Adoption Guarantee Community that our citizens are requesting and our animals deserve.”
This year’s funding success was led by Best in Show Sponsorships of $50,000 each from Ferguson and Smithfield Foods.

“Ferguson is proud to be a part of the PSPCA’s transformation and lifesaving efforts,” said Ferguson Director of Communication Denise Vaughn. “We are focused on building partnerships in the community to tackle many social issues we face. It is very rewarding to work alongside other dedicated corporations such as Smithfield Foods to truly make a difference.”

Under the new Adoption Guarantee model, the PSPCA will save all the healthy and treatable animals under their care, with euthanasia reserved only as a last resort for unhealthy and untreatable animals. Since the PSPCA board of directors’ decision to undertake this new operating model, the shelter’s live release rate has climbed dramatically, increasing from 41% at the end of 2012 to 75% so far in 2014. Additionally, the PSPCA has continued to grow its foster program, placing pets in need of some additional healing or growing time with families who take special care of them.

“Our vision is that no healthy adoptable animals will be killed simply because there is a lack of cage space or as a means of animal population control,” said Thacker. “By working together, treating each life as precious, we can truly transform our community.”

Filed Under: Press Releases, Uncategorized

Peninsula SPCA “Special Needs” dogs get help from Petco!

October 7, 2013 by Megan Steele

Exciting news – Petco, through their charitable organization, The Petco Foundation, has agreed to sponsor the adoption of one special needs dog from the Peninsula SPCA per week, through January 2014!

This means that one lucky dog per week will be available to go to their new home already spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, and much more – and Petco pays the adoption fee!

If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a new “best friend,” come and meet the “Petco Dog of the Week” at the Peninsula SPCA!

Glitter, the adorable Shih Tzu pictured with her new owner, is the first pet to be sponsored by Petco. Glitter is 11 years young and housebroken, and with Petco’s help, she was able to find her forever home on October 14th!

Filed Under: Corporate Sponsors, Partners, Press Releases

New HVAC System to keep animals happy, healthy

September 17, 2013 by Megan Steele

Peninsula SPCA Begins Shelter Upgrades In Preparation for Conversion to “No Kill”

The Peninsula SPCA has begun the process of upgrading its outdated HVAC system at its shelter on J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in preparation for its upcoming conversion to be an “adoption guarantee” or “no kill” animal shelter.

The Peninsula SPCA moved its operations into its current building in 1983, and has sheltered the Peninsula’s stray and abandoned animals there since that time. By January 1, the PSPCA will no longer hold stray animals for the cities but will focus its resources on sheltering adoptable dogs and cats without time limitations in order to rehabilitate them and find them new homes. The new PSPCA Pet Shelter will take in animals from owners who can no longer keep them, from other area animal shelters and rescue groups, and from the new Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter when possible, and will receive no municipal or tax revenue support.

“The Peninsula SPCA Board and employees are excited to begin this first phase of our shelter’s planned improvements as we prepare for our new role in the community,” said Ellen Thacker, Executive Director. “Bringing the HVAC systems in our kennel and holding areas up to modern standards will help keep our animals healthy, happy and adoptable. “

The PSPCA shelter has been working on several other policy and facility upgrades over the summer that have helped it to increase its adoptions by 15% over last year, while reducing euthanasia by 31%.

Citizens interested in the Peninsula SPCA’s physical plant improvements and coming policy changes as it converts operations to the adoption –guarantee model should contact Ellen Thacker at the shelter, (757) 595-1399, ext. 103.

Filed Under: Press Releases

Peninsula SPCA Increases Adoptions by 82%

September 1, 2013 by Megan Steele

SPCA Adoptions increase 82% from August ’12 to August ‘13

The number of animals adopted from the Peninsula SPCA in August increased by 82%, or 118 animals, over August of last year, while the number of animals that had to be euthanized was reduced by almost half. These results were achieved even before the Peninsula SPCA switches to an “adoption-guarantee” or no-kill model by the end of this year.

Staff at the SPCA credits this improvement in results to ongoing adoption specials, a growing network of foster families and volunteers, and the willingness of the community to look first at the shelter when seeking a new family pet. Intake at the shelter has also declined this year, which may mean that the public has become more aware of how important it is to spay or neuter their companion animals.

The Peninsula SPCA took in over 7500 animals needing shelter in 2012, and currently serves as the animal impoundment shelter for the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and York County. The municipalities are in the process of constructing a new shared shelter that is scheduled to open in January of 2014.

Filed Under: Press Releases, Uncategorized

Volunteer Appreciation Week!

April 27, 2013 by Megan Steele

Lindsey Purcell

April 22nd-26th is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we would like to say a special thank you to the 150 active volunteers that help provide love and care for our animals. Words cannot express how much we appreciate your dedication to helping the homeless animals in our community. Peninsula SPCA Volunteers truly have the biggest hearts. Thank you for all that you do!

Filed Under: Community, Outreach, Recognition, Recognition, Uncategorized, Volunteering with Us, Volunteers, Volunteers

Employee of Month Tom Hartman

April 4, 2013 by Megan Steele

Congratulations to Tom Hartman, Adoption Counselor for being the Employee of the Month! Tom has been with the Peninsula SPCA for 6 years and demonstrates outstanding performance for our animals! Tom maintains excellent customer service for our potential adopters. In addition to finding our animals loving homes, he manages pet pictures, videos, and descriptions of our adoptable animals online on a daily basis. Tom’s fun character and positive outlook is contagious with visitors, volunteers and staff. The Peninsula SPCA is very fortunate to have Tom as part of the SPCA adoptions team and for his dedication to serve our homeless animals. As seen in the picture with Tom, the wall background features all the cats and dogs that were adopted during the month of March, thanks to Tom and the Adoption Team!

Filed Under: Community, Recognition

Paws for a Cause Registration Open

April 4, 2013 by Megan Steele

The earlier you pre-register the sooner you can begin collecting pledges for our animals. Peninsula SPCA’s Paws for a Cause Dog Walk & Festival will be on Sunday, September 22 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Mariners’ Museum Park on Warwick Boulevard (across from Warwick High School) Register today!

Filed Under: Adoptable Pets, Alumni Pets, Community, Corporate Sponsors, Outreach, Partners, Rescues, Special Events, Vets, Volunteering with Us, Volunteers

Employee of the Month

March 8, 2013 by Megan Steele

Congratulations to Danielle Sheene, Peninsula SPCA employee of the month for March 2013. Thank you for helping the dogs that come into our care feel special and loved.

Employee of the Month
March 2013

Filed Under: Adoptable Pets, Recognition