DUMFRIES - (Press Release) The Prince William Humane Society received a $5000 grant from Maddie's Fund, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, and their Innovation Grants program.

 

Fur-ever Together is a unique program whose purpose is to save more lives by reducing pet surrenders to the shelter, increase the adoptability of homeless animals, preserve the loving bond between pet owners and pets, and prevent pet homelessness. Pet owners typically relinquish their pets due to behavioral and financial issues. But this is a solvable problem and this grant will allow PW Humane Society to engage a pet behaviorist to assess perceived behavioral issues, offer one-on-one assistance to correct those problems and in so doing keep the pets in their homes. Additionally, the behaviorist will be called upon to assess and work with homeless pets at our Adopt Shop in Dumfries to support the adoption process and better match them with their forever home.

 

“Thanks to Maddie, we will start a ‘train the trainer’ program with our staff members who will provide pet owners in our community with the knowledge and skills to work with their pets and support the needs of our adopting families, said Lori Leary, P. W. Humane Society President. “We have used a behaviorist in the past with great success and now we’ll be able to help many more pets stay in their homes and find forever homes, “she continued. “P.W. Humane Society is striving to solve pet homelessness in our community and Maddie’s Fund is helping us do just that.”

 

 

STAFFORD COUNTY - (Press Release) Stafford’s new state-of-the-art animal shelter opened almost five months ago. The spacious shelter gives animals more room to move around both inside and outside, resulting in less stressed, more relaxed animals, and more room for potential adopters to interact with the animal. Adoption rates have risen and the new facility, explicitly designed to enhance the lives of animals, is drawing more volunteers.

 

“This new shelter has changed the way we do business as a shelter and is helping animals find homes more quickly,” said Captain Mike Null, Chief Animal Control Officer. “As well, the new facility has drawn more wonderful volunteers. They make a huge difference to us but have an even better effect on our animals.”

 

Volunteers are an essential ingredient to the smooth running of the shelter. They clean, interact with the animals, walk them, make and give them special treats like peanut-butter-filled Kong balls for enrichment activities and they facilitate potential owners meeting animals.

 

“I can’t emphasize enough the positive effect of the new, more humane and ergonomically designed shelter on the mental and physical well-being of the animals,” said Nicole Bates, Stafford County Animal Shelter Assistant Manager. “Environment really makes a difference, and we are seeing happier animals and just an all-around more positive experience for everyone who visits our shelter.”

 

At Stafford’s old shelter, dogs did not have outside time unless a volunteer was available to walk them. At the new shelter, there are runs with indoor/outdoor spaces and dogs can get fresh air anytime. Being able to be in their natural habitat calms dogs and helps make them more attractive for adoption. There is grass for playtime and space for volunteers to play with them. The cat areas in the new shelter allow the cats to have plenty of room to interact with other cats or find a quiet spot to relax. The shelter has multiple areas in which potential adopters can interact with animals.

 

The shelter is not limited to just dogs and cats. Over the last few months, it has had a gecko, a bearded dragon, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and hamsters available for adoption. And if you don’t see anything you are looking for at the moment, you can put your name and preferences in the shelter’s “Request Book.” When a particular animal comes in, officials will call you and give you first chance at adoption. This process speeds up adoption.

 

Call the shelter at (540) 658-7387 or email [email protected] them to make a request.

 

For more information about the services of the Stafford County Animal Shelter, please visit www.staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com. Those interested in volunteering can stop by the shelter, located at 26 Frosty Lane, Stafford, VA 22554, to pick up a volunteer application.