By Liz Bresnahan 

If you are an animal lover, you know that a pet’s love is priceless. Life’s simple moments are that much sweeter. Maybe it is your cat’s calm purr as she keeps you company while reading or your dog’s excitement on walks that makes a routine stroll around the neighborhood anything but mundane. Pets provide so much joy and many consider them an integral part of the family.

If you are thinking about adopting a pet, the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) encourages you to consider an adult animal. While you ultimately have to do what is best for your household, many families who have adopted an adult dog or cat are so glad they did.  Here are a couple of points to think about if you are considering adopting an older companion animal.

Time: Quality over quantity 

Adopting an adult dog or cat may mean that you do not have as many years to spend with them as you would a puppy or kitten. However, the time you do have will be that much more cherished.  In certain cases, rescued animals may not have had an ideal life. However, because HSLC animals are placed in safe and loving foster homes prior to adoption, they can start to heal from their past, if needed.  Once adopted, you have the unique privilege of watching your pet continue to blossom into a more happy, trusting, and confident companion. And because you are helping your dog or cat rewrite their story, you can often expect them to show you unconditional love and loyalty in return.

Training: Basics are covered

Adult dogs and cats are usually potty-trained which is definitely a point in their favor. Many adoptable dogs will also know basic commands. But, if a dog needs additional training, know that you may be able to teach an old dog new tricks if you are dedicated to working closely with them. And, when you are successful, it will be so rewarding that you have directly supported the growth and development of your furry companion.

Temperament: No surprises

One of the biggest benefits of adopting an adult animal is that you know what you’re getting. You don’t have to wonder how big they will get or how their personalities will turn out. And, with adults, you are often getting an animal with a calmer temperament. For this reason, adults can be great starter pets for families with children.

Ready to adopt? Check out the wonderful adult animals that are available for adoption right now. Rest assured, HSLC will work with you to find the right animal to fit your household and lifestyle.

Come meet adoptable animals from HSLC and learn more about helping at-risk animals in our community. Open to pet-friendly Waltonwood residents and the public! When you turn into the property, head to your right. We’ll be set up under the cover of a carport.

Light snacks will be available for humans and pets alike!

 

 

By Kathleen Silver

Destiny, as defined by dictionary.com, is “something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune. The predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.” No single word can better describe the story of three tabby cats found on the side of a road in Purcellville. If you ask their foster parent, Tracy — she knows she is part of their destiny, and perhaps it is you, dear reader, destined to give them their forever home.

Right Place, Right Time

This story of destiny began nearly a year ago. Tracy, a Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC)  foster parent, briefly saw a figure in the dark of early morning as she was driving home. She wasn’t sure if it was a raccoon or other animal, but she needed to keep to her schedule. 

Then, just a couple of days later, a friend called Tracy to let her know that only mere steps away from her house, there were several abandoned cats. So, Tracy walked over and found five cats. Two cats seemed more feral than the others, but Tracy knew what to do. First, she thought how funny it was that these kitties showed up steps from the home of someone who could help them immediately. 

What was even more intriguing was that three of the cats huddled together. At the time, they were healthy kittens, and from Tracy’s experience, she surmised someone had dumped them. And Tracy knows that someone (whether they knew it or not) put them in the right place to ready them for their next adventure. 

With the valuable assistance of trapper extraordinaire and fellow HSLC foster parent, Donna, Tracy scooped them up, and soon, they were named: Morris, Myrna, and Felix. Let us tell you about these lovable, adoptable adolescents who are more than ready to meet their next destiny of a forever home: 

Myrna

Myrna is a precious kitty cat who does all the everyday things like winding around legs to give affection. She’s vocal about her love for her owner and her brothers. Myrna easily entertains herself with her toys in a lazy yet interested way. She’s a full-figured girl who loves her treats and is bonded with Morris. Shhhh…she’s Tracy’s favorite!

Morris

Morris can be shy but not afraid of things like the vacuum. He often wants to help with chores while crossing under Tracy’s legs. Morris gives long, wet nose-kisses and loves his owner to pet him. He loves to be babied and picked up, unlike Myrna and Felix. He’s shy around strangers but only needs time to get to know his parents and a warm, loving home, and he will soon be purring away. He absolutely loves being close to Myrna.

Felix

Felix is the most independent and likes to spend time alone. He’s not keen on strangers, but as a young adolescent, he only needs encouragement to find his kitty mojo. He is especially happy in his kitty condo during the day and likes to visit his cat friends at night. Tracy believes the right home might include a “cat-savvy” dog. In addition, Felix may benefit from having a confident and friendly cat in the household to show him the ropes.

A New Destiny Awaits

All three cats have given off vibes as “shy”; however, Tracy sees them as retreaters, not aggressors. That means that at this young age, they have learned to protect one another. But when asked to come out of their shell, they adapt and thrive. They have not once been aggressive as a side effect of their shyness. Instead, they are food motivated, comfortable with humans who are familiar to them and love to play when encouraged. They need patient adopters who will let them come out of their shells at their speed. If you do that, the reward will be sweet, loving cats.

So, who would like to make Felix, or Morris and Myrna a new destiny? Complete a no-obligation adoption application or contact us at adoptions@humaneloudoun.org for more information.

by Amy Richards

One of the best things to come out of the previous years is the story of how #MargoTheComebackCat came to the Humane Society of Loudoun County and made all of our hearts grow. It all starts in May of 2019 when we were picking up a senior cat from a shelter in Maryland. While we were on our way, we received a plea asking if we could take another senior cat while we were there. Upon learning more about this sad, surrendered soul, there was no way we could turn our backs on her.

Margo was an owner-surrender due to allergies and was just one day from being euthanized when we rescued her from the overcrowded shelter. Stressed and nearly blind due to high blood pressure, Margo was shutting down in the shelter environment. She was in dire need of a second chance. After spending a few days between a foster and one of our trusted veterinarians, it was even more clear that she desperately needed a single, soft place to land and rediscover herself. Thankfully a former adopter offered up their extra bedroom to see what a little TLC could do for this old gal.

It was a slow and scary start. Margo was so severely depressed that she wouldn’t eat and had trouble walking from arthritis. Her blood pressure was so high that her vision was a serious issue. After days of force-feeding, Margo started to show some signs of life. A few weeks of gaining her trust by being present for her and providing more treats, she continued to open up. Soon, she was happy to receive affection. She enjoyed brushings. And she even started to take treats by hand. Margo then made fast friends with the furry foster family members and became eager to spend time with the entire family. She would meow as soon as she heard everyone up for the day and even learned to manage the stairs! The family created a game called “Margo Polo” to make sure she could follow their voices to find them wherever they were in the home. 

Margo had regular vet appointments to monitor her blood pressure which got under control with medication and lower stress living. She also began laser therapy to help soothe her arthritic joints. She was eventually able to turn around without falling over! With the improved blood pressure, also came slightly improved vision. Our former lost soul truly blossomed into #MargoTheComebackCat.

There were still some bumps in the road and some potential homes that fell through, but no one gave up hope. Everyone knew that the purrfect home was out there somewhere, and Margo’s time would come. And sure enough, she was seen on a courtesy post through the Facebook page NoVa Cats. Her future momma was looking for a lounging lap cat, and Margo fit the bill to purrfection!

Welcomed into her furever home on March 01, 2020, Margo has been loved and pampered by her family.

Her mom Scarlett reports:

Margo is a cuddly bug. She just wants a nice place to lay even though she lays crazy. She is veryyyy stubborn and will let you know when she is done with your buffoonery. She is a little old lady making her laps in the mall everyday. She walks around the kitchen table and living room table maybe 5 or 6 times each and is very vocal when you are blocking her path. She likes to scratch the doorframe but [my husband] says it’s okay because she is funny. She eats with lots of head bobbing that’s hilarious to watch. She KNOWS when I’m up in the morning and she is awaiting her food, but she will stay knocked out when the dogs bark/vacuum/any loud noise. And even though [my husband] wasn’t sure about getting another animal when we did (with moving into a new house and all) I catch him cuddled up with her all the time. She LOVES laying on our bed. If she could easily get up and down, we would leave her up there all night. She gets around really well for her vision being what it is.

We couldn’t share success stories like Margo’s without the support of our amazing community and team of volunteers. Thank you for your contributions and continued support of the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

To learn more about Fostering and Adoption through the Humane Society of Loudoun County please follow this link: Humane Society of Loudoun County.

To learn more about the joys of adopting a senior pet please read the following: Why Adopt a Senior Pet.