Volunteers with Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS), just outside Fredericksburg, care for 22 dogs rescued from hoarding in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The animals had been living in deplorable outdoor conditions.
The rescue, which occurred on March 20, was part of a coordinated effort between ODHS and Squishy Face Crew (SFC), a Fredericksburg-based foster-focused rescue group. The ODHS team made a nine-hour round trip to meet a transport team in Beckley, West Virginia, and bring the dogs to safety.
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Two immature bald eagles found in Stafford County had to be euthanized after suffering severe neurological symptoms caused by pentobarbital poisoning, a drug commonly used to euthanize animals.
According to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, the birds were brought in a few weeks ago, exhibiting alarming signs of neurological distress that worsened within hours. Despite efforts to treat them, both birds became wholly unresponsive and were humanely euthanized.
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A new emergency veterinary clinic is set to open in Spotsylvania County, bringing critical pet care services to the Fredericksburg area. Cladda Veterinary Emergency Team, founded by a team of experienced veterinary professionals, is expected to open its doors in mid-May, pending final confirmations.
The clinic's founder, who had been searching for an ideal location since June 2023, identified a growing need for an emergency and specialty animal hospital in the region. Within months, the core leadership team, including Hospital Director Morgan Braman and LVT Manager Mallory Wisen, was assembled to bring the vision to life.
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A Stafford County Sheriff's deputy tackled an unexpected suspect on Thursday afternoon—an injured bald eagle.
A little after 4 p.m. on March 10, Stafford County Sheriff's Sergeant A.J. McCall and Deputy E.M. Brooks responded to a call near Montague Loop, close to the R-Board Regional Landfill, where an injured eagle, affectionately named "Flappy Gilmore," was struggling to fly.
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Concerns Over Health and Safety
Woof Houze, located at 501 Musselman Road, has been a key facility for dog training and behavioral rehabilitation. Owner Adia Washington and several supporters spoke at a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 4, 2025, detailing health concerns among staff, customers, and animals due to prolonged exposure to airborne silica dust.
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A Stafford County driver discovered an unexpected stowaway, a kitten named “Kitty Purry,” in the engine compartment of his Toyota RAV4 after stopping at a 7-Eleven on Solomon Road.
Deputy O.J. Martins and his team spent an hour and a half safely rescuing the frightened kitten, using tools like a lockout kit, snake hook, and snappy snare to dismantle parts of the engine. Kitty Purry was taken to the Animal Shelter and will be available for adoption soon.
Press release:
We know the Toyota RAV4 has 203 horsepower, but not every model can boast kitten power!
As the weather got Hot N Cold, Kitty Purry snuggled up in the engine compartment of a Toyota RAV4 while the driver ran errands around Stafford County this morning. When the driver stopped at the Solomon Road 7-Eleven, he heard a small Roar from the engine compartment and realized there was a stowaway on board.
Deputy O. J. Martins responded to the scene and developed a plan to extract the frightened kitten with the assistance of patrol deputies and the vehicle owner. Over the next hour and a half, there were quite the
Fireworks, as the group dismantled parts in the engine compartment and utilized a lockout kit, snake hook and snappy snare to safely remove Kitty Purry. She was transported to the Animal Shelter and will have quite a story to share about Last Friday (Night).
Firefighters may be known for getting cats out of trees, but our deputies can get a kitten from your engine! If your Teenage Dream is to own a cat, we can make that dream come true at our Animal Shelter. Kitty Purry is not yet ready for adoption, but you can e-mail animalshelter@staffordcountyva.gov to express your interest. There are plenty of other pets available immediately for loving homes.
A huge thank you to Deputy Martins and team for this animal rescue!
The Stafford County Animal Shelter is experiencing a significant increase in pet surrenders as residents struggle with rising pet care costs. The shelter has seen unprecedented number of animals, leading to capacity issues.
Stafford County Sheriff’s Capt. Joseph Bice, who oversees the shelter, explained the situation. “In the two and a half years I’ve been here, the number of dogs we’re taking in is extraordinary. We’re getting dogs at a rate of three to one compared to the rate of adoption.”
According to Bice, several factors contribute to the surge in surrenders. “People got pets during COVID and are now deciding they don’t have time for them anymore. The cost of dog food, veterinary care, and medicine has gone up. There’s also a shortage of veterinarians in the U.S., which drives up costs further.”
Many pet owners find the financial burden too much. “Cost is something we’re hearing more often now,” Bice said. We spend about $70 a month on food for our three dogs. Veterinary care has also become more expensive.”
Dog food costs have seen a noticeable increase, reflecting broader inflation trends. At Target, this rise is evident across various famous brands and types of dog food. For instance, Pedigree, a widely recognized brand, now has its dry dog food priced from about $6.69 for smaller bags to $16.99 for larger quantities.
Similarly, Kindfull, another popular brand, offers its dry dog food at $24.99 for a 13-pound bag. This price indicates a broader trend where premium and mid-range dog food products are seeing higher price tags, pushing average pet food costs upwards.
Purina ONE, known for its quality and nutritional value, is priced around $31.99 for a 16.5-pound bag. Even wet dog food, such as the offerings from Cesar, has not been immune to these increases. At Target, Cesar wet dog food containers are priced between $1.29 and $2.39 per 3.5-oz container, reflecting higher costs that can add up quickly for those feeding larger breeds or multiple pets.
In addition to financial strain, behavioral issues are a common reason for surrender. “Some pets developed behavioral problems during COVID because they weren’t socialized properly,” Bice noted. “We try to help these dogs by providing training and working with volunteers.”
The shelter is legally required to take in all animals brought to them. “We want to provide care and a place for them to stay, but the problem is space,” Bice said. “Since 2014, the number of dogs taken in has skyrocketed. In 2014, we took in around 330 dogs. Last year, we took in over a thousand, and this year we’re on track to take in 1,200 to 1,400.”
The shelter is at capacity despite moving into a larger facility in 2018. “The facility was designed with 28 kennels for adoptable dogs. We’re currently housing around 60 dogs,” Bice said.
The shelter uses social media to highlight animals that are available for adoption. “Social media has been a great tool for us to showcase the dogs and highlight their personalities to potential adopters,” Bice said. However, managing social media requires additional resources, adding to the shelter’s operational strain.
The shelter encourages people to consider adoption. The shelter is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and is located at 26 Frosty Lane, off the 140 exit of I-95. Volunteers are also welcome to help with various tasks around the shelter.
For more information on adopting an animal or volunteering, visit the Stafford County Animal Shelter.
The onboarding process at Barkin' Boarding includes a thorough evaluation to ensure that dogs are a good fit for the facility. "We do have an eval process. So a dog will come in for doggy daycare... We really like to take the time with them. They start out in a zone by themselves and slowly work in dogs that we know are going to be a good fit before we merge the packs," Fochler explained.
Located in a 9,500-square-foot facility at 10035 Dean Drive, next to the Manassas animal shelter, Bark + Boarding's newest location is set to enhance its grooming, socialization, and training services. "We're excited to really give clients the space they need for their dogs when they go on vacation or just hanging out for the day," Fochler said.
Bark + Boarding has been operating in Bailey's Crossroads since 1999, but Fochler said they've been eyeing an opportunity to expand. The place had to be perfect.
"There's been a lot of changes inside the Beltway, with a lot of areas no longer allowing outdoor space," Fochler said. "From experiences we've had with other jurisdictions, it's been extremely challenging, and Manassas City really seems to be much more business-friendly."
Fochler said the city has been welcoming since the beginning of July and proposed a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"The welcoming of small businesses in this area has been awesome," Fochler said. "It is night and day different from some other areas that we've been looking to grow."
And it's been an easier transition because they will be in the same facility as Waggin' Tails Junction, which closed earlier this year. The business has retained many of the Waggin' Tails Junction clients.
The Manassas location currently offers daycare, boarding, positive reinforcement training, and grooming services. A structured daycare and boarding program will roll out in the fall.
@barkandboarding opened its newest facility next to the @CityofManassas animal shelter on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Video from the @pwchamber ribbon cutting. Welcome to the neighborhood! pic.twitter.com/9v0klYi92P
— Potomac Local News (@PotomacLocal) July 31, 2024
