By Kathleen Silver

(Updated 2024)

So far this year, the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) has adopted out nearly 150 dogs and cats and trapped over 115 community cats to have them fixed, vaccinated and chipped. This life-saving work is only made possible thanks to the support of caring individuals like you!

HSLC is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization committed to rescuing and caring for as many homeless and at-risk animals as possible. But, since each foster animal in our care costs an average of $1,000*, we are limited to the number of animals we can take in. Most of our donations are applied to veterinary costs to prepare an animal for their forever home. 

Your Donations in Action

Did you know that with a donation of only $25, we can treat an animal for fleas and deworm her? A $50 gift will provide needed vaccinations or pet food kits for five struggling families.

Perhaps you’ve been following a particular companion animal we are helping but cannot adopt yourself. HSLC also has a Guardian Angel program that allows you to sponsor that animal’s adoption fee ($150 for a cat and $300 for a dog), increasing their chances of being adopted. Adoption sponsorships help to defray the cost of care while an animal is in our foster network. And, if you don’t have your heart set on a particular animal, HSLC can easily choose a pet for you that needs the most help.

HSLC is a foster-based animal rescue that does not operate a shelter and therefore does not incur the expenses associated with running a facility.

Animals are Counting on You

With economic conditions being difficult this year, we know that money might be tighter than normal. But the calls to help our furry friends never stop. You can assist us in getting the push we need to help more animals in the new year. 

There are many ways you can donate to HSLC. You can make a one-time donation or start a monthly donation online. Note that you can make your gift in honor or memory of a loved one. Or you can donate from your donor-advised fund — an increasingly popular way to express your support for the causes that mean most to you. Thank you for making a life-saving difference! 

You may also like 4 Tax-Savvy Ways to Support HSLC Before Year-End.

_{*2022 figure; reflects discounts from our wonderful vet partners}

The Humane Society of Loudoun County will be bringing adoptable felines to Leesburg First Friday on November 1. Be sure to stop by and meet the kitties up close and in purr-son at Coldwell Banker Realty!

The Humane Society of Loudoun County will be bringing adoptable cats and kittens to Leesburg First Friday on October 4. Be sure to come inside and see the kitties up close and in purr-son and enjoy some free popcorn, compliments of Coldwell Banker Realty!

Every year, the Clear the Shelters campaign lights up the nation, creating a powerful wave of compassion and action for our furry friends. Running from August 10 to September 10, this year’s campaign was no different, bringing a surge of support and a renewed focus on pet adoption and donations. Since its inception in 2015, Clear the Shelters has been a beacon of hope, helping more than 1 million pets find their forever homes.

The Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) proudly joined the nationwide effort, participating in multiple adoption events throughout the campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to offer special incentives to encourage adoptions. Adult cats and dogs had their adoption fees waived, while a special “BOGO” deal was available to help bonded kitten pairs find homes together.

Among the many uplifting adoption stories, one stands out as a shining example of the campaign’s success. At the CatVideoFest event hosted at the Alamo Drafthouse in Ashburn, a potential adopter came to meet three remaining kittens from the Kittenpalooza litter. He was so moved by the trio’s bond that he decided not to separate them. In a rare and heartwarming decision, he adopted all three kittens together. It’s moments like these that make the hard work and dedication surrounding adoption efforts so rewarding.

In total, HSLC successfully placed 22 animals into loving homes during the campaign. Each adoption story is a testament to the power of community support and the difference it can make in the lives of the littlest among us.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the campaign, whether through donations, volunteering, or adopting. Your contributions are making a lasting impact on the lives of so many pets and their new families. Here’s to many more happy endings and the continued success of Clear the Shelters!

Get ready for the 6th year of One Loudoun’s signature pet event event! The Halloween Bark Bash at One Loudoun is an outdoor, Halloween-themed festival, bringing together local pet-focused businesses, animal rescue groups, and pet owners for an exciting day of trick or treating, adoptable dogs, music, costumes, and animals galore. We will be collecting donations to help the families of pets and animals in need. Please bring your unexpired adult dog and cat food donations to our tent at the Bark Bash event. Thank you!

• Dog Costume Contest
• Trick-or-Treat Trail
• Vendors
• Rescues
• Dog Caricatures
• Photo Booth
• Kids Activities and More!

The Humane Society of Loudoun County is honored to be selected again as this year’s Kite Cares partner!

By Kailyn Carr

When it comes to things we like or love, we tend to live by the philosophy that if one is good, two is even better. Why stop at one piece of chocolate when you could have two? Same goes for cats. What could possibly be better than two best friends instead of one?  Though adopting in pairs may not be for everyone, the pros—including twice the love—often outweigh the cons.

Benefits of Adopting in Pairs

Starting with kittens (we’ll get to adults in a moment), here are seven ways fur-babies benefit from a twosome according to the Kitten Lady, Hannah Shaw.

1. Learn by Observation – Kittens learn by observation and will more quickly pick up skills like using the litter box or grooming if they have another kitten or cat to teach them. 
2. Focus Play Aggression – Having a friend means they can take out their play aggression on one another (instead of on you.) They’ll also teach each other good boundaries about biting and scratching.
3. Entertain & Enrich – When your kitten has a buddy, they’ll always be entertained, active, and enriched. And a happy cat makes a happy home! 
4. Keep Out of Trouble – One mischievous kitten can be destructive if left alone, but two kittens tend to keep each other occupied and out of trouble. 
5. Easier Intro to Adult Cat – If you have an adult cat at home, two new kittens may be easier to introduce into your family than one. While one kitten may nag an older cat, two kittens will keep each other company while the older cat watches from a distance. 
6. Comfort in Friendship – Having a pal will help your kitten settle into a new home. Just like humans, kittens have an easier time feeling comfortable trying something new if they’ve got a friend to do it with them.
7. Bonded Pair Adoption – It’s easier to adopt a bonded pair than it is to introduce a new cat later. Adopting a dynamic duo ensures that you’ll have a harmonious home for years to come!

Adopting in pairs also has a positive impact on animal rescue groups like the Humane Society of Loudoun County. By adopting two animals, you free up two slots in a foster home or shelter which allows the rescue to save two more lives.

Bonded Pairs

A bonded pair contains two cats that have a special relationship. While kittens often are bonded early in life with siblings, close relationships between cats can occur at any age. This is due to their natural instinct as social animals to form a pack. These bonds often develop between mother and offspring and even individuals with no familial relationship (true best friends!)

Once a bonded pair is observed, caretakers preserve the relationship by housing the cats together and encouraging an adoption into the same home. Maintaining the bond between two cats is essential. When apart, one or both cats can become stressed, anxious, or even depressed without the other around.

Spotlight on a Purr-fect Pair: Ripley and Winston

One of our pawsome fosters, Kelly, fondly recalls her experiences fostering (and eventually adopting) mama Ripley and her son Winston. Here is what she had to say:

“Winston was always very attached to his mom and we’re so glad we didn’t separate them. They are so funny together–they roughhouse all the time and run around the house chasing each other. It keeps Ripley active as she ages. Plus, if Winston was an only cat, he would constantly be making mischief for us. Having another cat gives him an outlet for his energy. Of course, it’s also comforting to know they have each other when we’re not home. I truly think they’re happier because they always have a buddy.”

If you are interested in adopting one or more cats, visit the Humane Society of Loudoun County’s current clowder of adoptable cats here. Once you find your next family member(s), be sure to complete an application to start the adoption process.

By Madeleine Devost

Each year, over 10 million pets are lost in the United States. However, many are found when the owners take swift and necessary action. Summer can be a particularly scary time for pets who don’t respond well to fireworks and other loud noises or find themselves in strange places due to family travel. For these reasons, July is Lost Pet Prevention Month. I caught up with one of the Humane Society of Loudoun County’s most active volunteers, Jennifer Reed, who shared some useful tips she has picked up from her years of experience getting pets home safe and sound.

In preventing lost pets, owners should make sure to keep their pet safely quartered in the home when there are loud noises nearby such as fireworks, construction, or thunder. These disturbances can send pets into ‘flight mode’ and activate survival tactics that cause them to run for their lives. When this happens, the pet will likely be in a frenzy and not respond to people calling their name.

If you lose a beloved pet, Jennifer suggests placing 100+ flyers within a 2-4 mile radius of the missing area as quickly as possible.  Flyers should include only the most important and clearest information, especially a line of direct contact (such as a cell phone number). The flyers should lead with “LOST DOG/CAT” in bold and large letters, a recent photo of the pet and employ a simple, uncluttered design. If space allows, add “Do not chase or call out” and “Please report sightings right away”.

Another tool to use are Community Facebook groups where you can relay information about your lost pet and allow members of the community to share it and directly comment with any useful information. Jennifer also recommends reaching out to local shelters and informing them of the missing animal. You can make a report with the Loudon County Animal Services at 703-777-0406 or reach out to local animal tracking groups such as Dogs Finding Dogs or Full Tilt Tracking once the first steps to relocate the pet are taken.

As you wait for information to come in, create an action plan to implement once your pet is sighted.  This plan should include establishing a feeding station and feeding routine to keep the pet in the area spotted so that trapping or catching the animal is possible. Be ready to monitor the feeding station with a surveillance camera like game cameras used by hunters. That way, you will know when and if the pet is still in the area and coming to eat.

Although all of these methods are effective and essential, the absolute best way to find a missing pet is to be ahead of the curve and get it microchipped when you adopt. Microchipping allows your veterinarian’s office to look up your pet’s unique ID number. Jennifer adds that you should also ensure that your personal information in the microchipping database remains up-to-date.

Lastly, if you find a missing pet, please bring it to a vet’s office to see if he/she is microchipped.

The Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) will be at the Alamo Drafthouse at One Loudoun for CatVideoFest – the world’s #1 cat video festival! Be sure to stop by the HSLC tables for free giveaways and HSLC merch! Adoptable cats will make an ap-purr-eance from 1:30 to 3:30.  Alamo will be donating a % of gross ticket sales to the Humane Society of Loudoun County!

For showtimes, visit the Alamo website.

More about CatVideoStFest: CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience, only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area.

 

For weeks, Zozo had been a mysterious visitor to one of HSLC’s community cat sites, captivating volunteers with her elusive nature. Over time, concerns grew that Zozo might be pregnant. So, the focus of the Zozo’s care shifted from feeding to trapping and transporting her to a veterinarian.

So, two dedicated volunteers embarked on a mission to capture Zozo so she could be examined. The task was not easy. Zozo evaded capture with the skill of a seasoned escape artist. Yet, the volunteers persisted until, finally, their patience and perseverance paid off.

In a Caring Foster Home

After her vet visit, Zozo was taken under the wing of one of HSLC’s most experienced fosters. It didn’t take long for her to realize that Zozo wasn’t just any stray cat—she was friendly, social, and clearly accustomed to human company. A feeling began to stir among the volunteers that Zozo might already have a family desperately searching for her.

Their suspicions were confirmed when the foster decided to scan Zozo for a microchip—a simple procedure that would potentially reunite her with her rightful owners. And there it was, a tiny chip confirming what they had hoped for: Zozo had a family, and they had been searching for her for eight agonizing months.

The Long-Awaited Reunion

The reunion that followed was nothing short of emotional. The once-worried faces of her family were now filled with smiles, so grateful that their furry friend had found her way back home.

The story of Zozo is a powerful reminder of the importance of microchipping. It was a small but mighty chip that made a world of difference, bridging the gap between lost and found, despair and elation. It is also a reminder of the critical role HSLC’s Community Cat Program plays in reuniting lost pets with their families.

If you would like to make a life-saving difference by becoming a cat trapper or colony caretaker, please complete a volunteer application today!

By Heather Nokes

Did you know that dogs and cats do not sweat like humans? Their main sweat glands are located on their paw pads and are not very effective at cooling them off.  With summer now upon us, it is important to understand how hot weather affects our pets and how we can help them stay cool.

First, keep your pets out of the heat. This may be difficult for dogs. Most love the outdoors so much, they may not ask to come inside, even when in distress.  If unable to keep them in an air conditioned environment, be sure to provide cool shade or shelter for your pets. Clean, cool water should always be accessible to pets that spend time outdoors during summer months. Note that, effective July 1, 2020, a new Virginia law went into effect preventing tethering outside during extreme weather.

Take your dog on walks at dusk or dawn, when it is light enough to be seen by others, but still cool enough for a walk. Check the pavement you are walking on with the back of your hand. If your hand burns after a few seconds of contact, so will your dog’s foot. If it is too hot for you, it is much too hot for your pet.

To cool down, dogs will often pant to rid themselves of excess body heat. Panting is normal for most dogs but be aware of the signs of abnormal panting. Cats tolerate hot weather a little better than dogs but can suffer from heat stroke.  They often choose lying in cooler areas, drinking cool water, and adjusting their body positions.

If you notice your pet is overheating, gradually reduce their body temperature. Use ice packs, cold towels, or apply cool (not cold) water to the head, neck and chest, let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes and move the pet into shade or air-conditioning. NEVER try to quickly cool a pet by dunking them in cold water. This can drop their body temperature too quickly and send them into shock.

Contact your vet immediately if your pet shows any of the following signs:

• Heavy panting
• Glazed eyes
• Rapid pulse
• Vomiting
• Fever (the normal range in dogs is 101-102 degrees, cats is 99.5-102.5 degrees)
• Unsteadiness or a staggering gait
• A deep red or purple tongue

Lastly, never leave pets in a parked car. Even on cool days, such as 70 degrees, a car’s internal temperature will jump to 90 degrees in 10 minutes and over 110 degrees within an hour. At 85 degrees, the car will reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes, continuing higher with more time. On 90 degree days, the car will quickly escalate to over 110 degrees. Cracking windows does not prevent a car from getting dangerously hot, even in cool temperatures.

For additional information on keeping your pets safe and comfortable during warm weather, please click on the following link: AMVA Warm weather pet safety