The Humane Society of Loudoun County will be at the Alamo Drafthouse at One Loudoun during the opening weekend of “Super-Pets“! Stop by the HSLC tables for free giveaways for the kids, merch and CATS ready for adoption!
PLOT: Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, when the Man of Steel and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a ragtag group of animals to master their own newfound powers for a rescue mission.
Come meet adoptable cats and kittens! Visit our website for a sneak peek of cats and kittens that are available!
To volunteer and/or bring your foster animals, please click on the following link or copy the link into a new browser window:
Sunday, November 7th Sign-up: CLOSED
The volunteer sign up for events is for current volunteers who have attended our Volunteer Orientation and signed a Volunteer Agreement. Contact HELPANIMALS@HUMANELOUDOUN.ORG for more information
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by Heather Nokes
Have you ever been to a shelter or looked at adoptable pets online, and most of them seem older? Distinguished grey faces. Lovely cloudy eyes. Unfortunately designated retirement homes for these pets are rare, so these animals need a loving home to live out the rest of their golden years.
What do we mean by “senior?”
Dogs are considered senior between the ages of 7 and 11, depending on size; while cats are considered senior at the age of 10. It is often at this time that they begin showing age-related changes: loss of vision, loss of hearing, weight gain, loss of energy, and/or arthritis and other joint problems. These changes are common reasons for senior pets to be surrendered to rescues and shelters. While these ailments might seem daunting, most of them are easily treated with regular veterinary care and medications. Love and patience also help!
What you see is what you get!
When first adopting a pet, it is most likely that you will want to get to know them. With senior pets, they have an established personality and, as AdoptaSeniorPet.org says, what you see is what you get with a senior pet! In comparison to a puppy or kitten, you do not need to wait months for their personality to blossom. It is also more likely that senior pets have experience with people, just as a seasoned pet owner does with animals. They know what they like just as you do. Again, what you see is what you get!
Senior pets also tend to be more loyal. They are grateful to be around people, to have toys, and to be fed. It is not hard to please them. They tend to be more relaxed than a young pet; napping and eating all day is enough for them to be happy. Unlike puppies and kittens, senior pets do not demand constant attention. They don’t need to play as often, and they do not need as much training!
Save a life!
Possibly the best reason to adopt a senior pet is the fact that you are saving a life. Many senior pets in rescues and shelters don’t find a home due to the fact that they are not as outgoing and active as younger animals. They just don’t “stand out.” This also means that they tend to be euthanized if health issues arise or if space in the shelter is needed. By adopting a senior pet, you are quite literally saving a life while making your life more fulfilling in return. Be a hero and adopt a senior pet!
Despite a record number of adoptions this year, there are still many senior pets–like Lily pictured here–who find themselves without homes at rescues and in shelters across the U.S. Find our available animals here. Keep in mind that animals are added periodically so always check back!
That’s right, there’s a whole month dedicated to the love of our furry feline companions. It is widely believed that cats domesticated themselves by recognizing the abundance and ease of catching prey near human agricultural developments. They essentially chose us, and we are better for it.
Studies have shown that cat owners may experience better mental health than individuals without pets. Cats are great stress reducers. Just 15 to 30 minutes of quality time with a cat can calm your nerves and boost your mood. When you spend time with a cat, your production of serotonin (a chemical that boosts feelings of well-being) goes up, and your cortisol levels (a buildup from stress) go down. Adults and children alike report feeling happier and having more positive feelings if a cat is part of their family. How could you not feel better with a purring ball of fur curled up beside you? And, if you adopt from an animal rescue or shelter, you will feel extra warm and fuzzy that you just saved a precious little life.
If the prospect of warm fuzzies isn’t enough, the Humane Society of Loudoun County has laid out five more reasons cats make great pets.
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They’re Fairly Self Sufficient
Remember, they chose us. Cats have remained fairly unchanged genetically, meaning they are still capable of living in the wild (but we do discourage allowing domestic cats to roam outside). Cats are still incredibly low maintenance, and very independent, and self-sufficient. Cats also groom themselves, so they don’t need frequent baths. We do, however, recommend they have their teeth and ears cleaned regularly.
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Small Space, No Problem
Cats are also perfect for apartments or city living. They don’t need a huge backyard or tons of space to play and explore. They are content with nosing their way through the nooks and crannies of your home. As long as you give them plenty to do and have toys available to keep them entertained, cats are happy. A living space and a basic feather toy might be all you need to make playtime a breeze.
Cats can often adapt easily to smaller living environments if you give them a lot of vertical space to move around in, such as cat trees and cat “shelves” that are mounted on the wall.
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Housebreaking Made Easy
Cats are really good at learning potty training on their own. They like to have their own space and privacy so provide one litter box per cat, plus an additional box, and kitty litter, and they will be happy.
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Shhhh
Worried that bringing a pet into your home might disrupt things? No worries! Cats are relatively quiet animals; they are almost always in stealth mode. Yes, they’ll meow every now and then, but you don’t have to worry about them barking or even making much noise when they walk.
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They Bring the Love
The main reason people become pet owners is because of an innate love or affinity for animals. Cats bring tons of love and joy into a household. They are wonderful pets and companions.
If you want to take part in National Cat Lovers Month, please consider adopting through the Humane Society of Loudoun County. There are plenty of cats available for adoption so make sure you take the time to read through all the available information on our website in order to make a fully informed decision. Your future cat companion may be just a click away!
Bonus Way to Celebrate National Cat Lovers Month:
FOSTER
While fostering is still a commitment, it is a more temporary way to help out an animal in need. Your individual attention will give a cat a boost of confidence until it finds its forever home. And if you are interested in fostering, consider fostering a senior cat, a special needs kitty, or an orphan kitten. Follow this link to learn more about fostering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.
By Madeleine Devost
“He’s as happy as a clam!”
These were Diane Rice’s words after deciding to adopt Rebel (“Reb”) – a senior dog she had been fostering for two months through the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC).
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Diane, one of HSLC’s board members and foster parents. Over the past few years, Diane has fostered seven dogs 8 years old and up, two of them with HSLC. She offered some insight on how rewarding it is to foster and adopt senior dogs.
Diane and her husband, Mike, began to take in older dogs as they grew older themselves. Although senior animals sometimes come with health problems, HSLC covers all necessary medical expenses when fostering, including spaying and neutering. They found joy in giving these dogs the best lives they could for as long as possible.
Reb doing his best impression of a taco– with help from his cave bed.
Rebel was rescued from an abusive household in which he was neglected and threatened by his owners. The Rices offered a safe and caring home where he could heal both emotionally and physically. They didn’t change his name which is important when taking in older dogs as it helps them to adjust more readily to their new environment.
After just a few weeks, they decided that Reb belonged with them for whatever time he had left. We can only imagine how thankful he was for their care.
One of Diane’s fondest memories of Rebel was when he would burrow under the blankets and towels in the house. Taking this cue to heart, she bought him a cave bed. Late one night, Rebel was sleeping peacefully in his new bed and it looked like he was wrapped up in a taco shell!
Recently, Reb passed away with Diane and Mike by his side. Diane shared the sad news on Facebook:
This dear little old man left us tonight for the Rainbow Bridge. Rebel was 14 and the sweetest Beagle ever. Although he had only been with us for a little over a year, we enjoyed every day of our time together. He was a real Momma’s boy and LOVED belly rubs and food food food! We will miss him so very much!
You can’t change a senior dog’s past. But, you can give them the care they deserve in their golden years. In return, they will reward you with boundless affection, devotion and love.
By Stephanie Oporto
Tonight Mochi – now known as Hubble, went to his furever home. As always, it was a bittersweet “goodbye”. This time was a new experience for me as a foster mom as I am also a stepmom in training.
I admit, I do shed tears for each cat who has been adopted in my care–but this time was different.
We didn’t have Mochi long but our Ella (8 years old) bonded quickly to him. He was super friendly and was her little buddy. She’s been a great helper, seems to truly love cats and takes a real interest in animals.
Tonight as the forever family met with Mochi, Ella had a hard time. Normally I’m the one who has the hard time. But as the family started to leave, Ella broke down and cried in my arms. It was heartbreaking to say the least. Yet somewhere in between our tears, I felt there was something positive that could come from this moment.
I have been teaching the kids what it means to foster and why I choose to do what we do. Most importantly, I stress that I am not “giving a cat away” as it may seem to young eyes. I want them to understand that we are saving them–that this is for the greater good. I hope she understands (I think she does) and I hope this teaches the kids what it means to love and care for animals on a deeper level. It is important to fully respect and protect them and see them as a life worth living and not ever as an accessory.
We talked about it and I think she feels the same way I do. There is sadness, of course, of missing them and wondering “Will he be okay?…will he be loved?…can they love him like I do?” In the end, I think it was actually good for Ella to know she can care for something and really love another.
So tonight we all cried a little, both sad and happy tears as it turns out. We love you Mochi and all the joy you will bring to your new family, their son and those who are lucky enough to meet you!
By Madeleine Devost
June is Adopt-a-Cat-Month®. Started by the American Humane Association in 1974, the month marks an opportunity for animal shelters and rescue organizations like the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) to encourage the public to adopt rather than shop for feline companionship. Here are two recent stories that show how wonderful adopting can be.
Felix is living his best kitty life.
Melissa and Jeff found their new best friend after he was rescued along with 35 other cats from a home eviction in Stephens City (read the full rescue story here). The pair have adopted several cats over the years. They usually adopt older animals that need extra love but made an exception with Felix (originally named Foxy). The couple immediately fell in love with his playful and boisterous personality. Felix is just over a year old and loves to relax and spend time cuddled up on the couch. He has brought so much joy to this forever family.
Another one of our new parents, Jacqueline, adopted three kittens after the passing of her Weimaraner at the age of 15. Jacqueline stated that she knew it was time to open her home to more rescues, particularly cats. After she and her family reviewed pictures of a new litter with three kittens –Peaches, Archie, and Toby– they felt an instant connection. Thankfully, not wanting to separate the siblings, Jacqueline and her family adopted all three!
Peaches, Archie, and Toby playing on the stairs.
After two weeks in their new home, the kittens have all developed unique personalities: Archie the “snuggler”, Toby the “couch potato,” and Peaches the “regal queen.” Jacqueline highlighted how much joy the kittens have brought to the household, racing up the stairs and sitting in the windowsills to watch the passerby. She loves that the kittens bring such a unique energy to her home.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, HSLC has taken extra measures to ensure that potential adopters feel comfortable meeting our cats. Melissa and Jeff shared that they felt very safe throughout the adoption process and were excited to be able to meet Felix in person before adopting. Likewise, Jacqueline found the process to be safe and seamless, noting “It’s clear that HSLC really cares about the animals they are placing.”
If you are interested in adopting a cat through HSLC, please visit our website to view the available animals and complete an application.
By Alycia Kent
On April 28, a team of volunteers from the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) mobilized to help save a desperate family of five kittens and their mother from underneath a residential deck. Because of the cold weather, it was imperative that the kittens were rescued as quickly as possible. It took no more than a post in the volunteer Facebook group to rally the team needed for the mission.
In a heartwarming act of heroism, the volunteers were able to rescue the family in 24 hours. An experienced foster family took in the kittens and is in the process of helping them recover. The quintet of kittens were aptly named after the Golden Girls and Dorothy’s ex-husband, Stan. No doubt, they will bring just as much joy to the world as the original characters did on the small screen. The feral mother cat was spayed and vaccinated before safely being returned to her outdoor home.
The volunteers weren’t done yet, though. Another friendly cat was also found on the property, badly injured. She was rescued and taken to the vet to treat her wounds. Once recovered, she will be put up for adoption.
Amidst all the uncertainty in the world right now, one thing is clear. These volunteers quickly, selflessly, and heroically helped seven cats, and now six of them have the opportunity to find their forever homes. According to Donna Drake, HSLC Vice President, “We cannot save these animals without our amazing group of volunteers and rescue partners. They are the reason we can save and help so many animals and give them a better life.”
Thank you to the HSLC volunteers Pam Harvey, Heidi Wallner, Molly Boyne, Aseel Alsabawi, Amy Richards, Dora Lea Spring, and Jennifer Reed. Thank you also to Tina Creller of Mountain Cats TNR and Felicia McDonald of The Cats Voice.
THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED. WE WILL UPDATE OUR WEBSITE WHEN WE KNOW ARE NOTIFIED OF THE NEW DATE.
FREE EVENT!
Saturday, April 25 Sign-up for Volunteers and Fosters:
Join Claude Moore Park and other local organizations for a celebration of our favorite wild and domestic animals. Discover different animals that are in need of good homes while learning about the wild animals that have one outside!
Since wild animals can’t be pets, staff will help you craft your own “wild” animal to take home.
This event is a place for adoption and wildlife conservation. Currently we are expecting A Forever Home, the Human Society of Loudoun County, BREW (beagle rescue), Pet Connect & Rescue, and the Nirvana Ridge Ferret Rescue will be here. There will be animals here to view and adopt. NO VENDORS will be present.