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!

By Heather Nokes

“Kitten season” refers to the period from early spring to late fall when most kittens are born. This phenomenon is mostly due to warmer weather allowing stray or outdoor cats to venture out and begin procreating. Female cats become sexually mature as young as five months of age. In addition, because the gestation period for cats is only about two months long, they can have several litters in one year!

As kitten season ramps up, local shelters and rescues, like the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC), are in dire need of kitten and cat fosters.

Why you should foster

Andi, pictured with little Ramone, has fostered over 130 cats and counting!

Fostering kittens is a rewarding experience. As a foster, you save lives while enjoying all the adorable antics that make kittens irresistible. One of HSLC’s expert kitten fosters, Andi, has been fostering cats and kittens—over 130 in total—with her husband since 2012! She had this to say about her fostering experience:

“The best part [about fostering] is being able to watch them go from sickly to healthy or from angry/scared, hissy-spitties to lap-loving cuddlebugs.”

What to know before fostering

Andi states that while kitten fostering is fun, it can also be a lot of work. You must watch the little souls closely to ensure they stay safe. If something seems odd, do not be afraid to ask questions (HSLC has an awesome foster coordinator who can help!)  Be sure to love them unconditionally, and be happy to see them go to great homes.

What you need to foster

Kittens should be isolated from other pets in the home until vetted and given a clean bill of health. This is why setting up a “home base” for them is important. If they are young, a large dog crate will work; if older, an entire room would be a better fit.

Your home base should consist of:

• Clean, fresh bedding that is easy to change and wash.
• Soft surfaces that are not too high up, nothing that a kitten could get stuck in (trash can, boxes).
• A shallow litter box with a small amount of non-clumping litter.
• Shallow water and food dishes that are easy to clean.
• A healthy and safe environment for their foster kittens; any cleaning products should be removed from the kitten foster room.
• Small, soft toys that are not easily ingested or torn apart.

Kitten Veterinary care

The Humane Society of Loudoun County will pay for the veterinary care of its kittens. The first couple of vet visits often include deworming and/or flea treatment. If the kittens are healthy enough, vaccines and FeLV/FIV tests may be conducted. HSLC also spays/neuters around 4 months of age. More complicated reasons for a vet visit include diarrhea, dehydration and upper respiratory infections. For these conditions, medications may be sent home with the foster to give the kitten regularly. A healthy kitten is a happy kitten!

Saying goodbye

Saying goodbye may be the hardest part of fostering. It is important to remember that this is why you fostered, for a happy, healthy kitten to find a forever home!

Interested in giving cat or kitten fostering a try? Complete a no-obligation application today!

By Lauren Puckett

Did you know that performing an act of kindness actually ignites a chemical response in your brain? That’s the positive feeling you get when you do something for someone else, and it’s been coined the “helper’s high.” Beyond the momentary euphoria you enjoy, greater health and increased longevity have also been associated with this psychological state.

Here are four ways you can do a good deed (or two!) for the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) and get your own helper’s high in the new year!

DONATE

At HSLC, we are not funded by any county, state, or federal organizations. Our work is only made possible because of donors like you. Your tax-deductible donations make things like this possible:

• $20 provides two pet food kits for families in need, or two community cats enough kibble for a month
• $50 vaccinates an animal for rabies or provides five pet food kits for families in need
• $75 covers a sick exam for a foster animal
• $200 spays, vaccinates and microchips one community (feral) cat or provides 20 pet food kits for families in need
• $1,000 covers the average medical cost for a foster animal (in 2022).

In addition to providing financial support, you can donate an item or two from our various wish lists. In-kind donations from these lists help to lower our operating costs, freeing up funds to save more animals.

VOLUNTEER

As a volunteer-based organization with no paid staff, HSLC relies on volunteers to carry out our life-saving mission. We need many folks focused on animal care, of course, but we also need volunteers to cover the business side of the organization: finance, technology, fundraising, marketing, events and administration. Our immediate needs include Community Cat Caretakers in Ashburn, VA and volunteers to support our expanding dog foster program.

FOSTER

As a foster-based organization, we do not have a physical shelter. We can only save animals when we have a foster home to place them in. Foster families provide a healthy and safe environment for the animal. Fostering increases the animal’s chances of being adopted and helps them overcome the stress of being abandoned in a shelter. When you open your heart and home to an animal in need, you are giving them a second chance at life. Types of fostering include:

• Regular fostering
• Vacation fostering
• Emergency fostering
• Short-term fostering
• Special needs fostering

To become a foster, please complete an online application.

ADOPT

Each year, shelters and rescue groups take in millions of cats and dogs nationwide. “Moving” and “landlord issues” are the top reasons people give up their pets. This means organizations like HSLC have dozens of animals in their care who are anxiously waiting to meet their forever families. We hope that HSLC will be your first choice when choosing a companion animal. All pets adopted through HSLC come with the following benefits:

• Spaying or neutering at the appropriate age (even if it’s after adoption)
• Current on their vaccinations
• Microchipping
• A lifetime of post-adoption support
• Information about the animal’s behavior in a foster home environment

If you are interested in adopting, be sure to check out our available animals!

It’s hard to believe but 2024 is just around the corner. Are you thinking about adopting one or two new animal-friendly habits in the new year? If so, we’re here to help. Below are just a few resolutions to choose from:

1) Keep your pets healthy by giving them regular checkups—at least once a year and keep current with vaccinations.

2) Make dental care a priority through daily brushing and regular professional dental exams and cleanings. As many as 85% of American dogs and cats show signs of dental disease by the age of three.

3) If you haven’t already, spay and neuter your pets. Doing so helps cut down on the number of homeless animals and keeps your pets healthier.

4) Give your pets plenty of attention. Animals left at home alone become bored and lonely. They can become destructive. Provide regular play sessions, walks for dogs, and petting and/or other appropriate interaction for all animals.

5) Go easy on the treats. More than 50% of our nation’s pets are overweight or obese and face a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and cancer.

6) Prepare for disasters—fires, floods, storms, and the like. Have an evacuation plan that includes your animal companions, and prepare a traveling kit to have on hand always.

7) Be a voice for the voiceless and use social media to encourage friends, family and co-workers to save a life by adopting, not shopping.

8) Fostering also saves lives. HSLC provides regular trainings for those who are interested in fostering. Contact us at foster@humaneloudoun.org if you’re interested in fostering or complete a no-obligation application on our website.

The new year brings 365 days of renewed hope, new goals, and new opportunities to focus on our furry friends. The custom of making New Year’s resolutions has been around for thousands of years. Today, most resolutions revolve around self promises and improvements. But why not make some resolutions around your pets? 

This year, consider your pets when making New Year’s resolutions. Just like us, they could benefit from improvements to their wellness routines. It’s easy. Think about the resolutions that you want for yourself. What makes you happy? What new activity do you want to try? What are the healthy lifestyle changes you want to make? Now, see if you can incorporate your pet into these ideas. 

Here are some New Year’s resolution ideas we think will help promote a happier, healthier year for you and your four-legged friends:.

1. Exercise/Play Regularly

Exercising and playing with your pet is a satisfying experience that can relieve pet stress and lead to relaxation. Playtime can also be a great way for you to get a little exercise at the same time as your pet. An increase in activity (like playing with toys or going on walks) is necessary in order for your pet to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you have a hectic schedule, aim to get in at least 15 minutes of pet playtime/exercise every day. 

2. Brush Daily

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to establish an at-home dental care routine. Both dogs and cats benefit from teeth brushing. At an early age, pets can develop dental disease which causes them pain. The build-up of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis can worsen their problems. You can start by brushing your pet’s teeth a few nights a week and working up to daily brushings. Try keeping your pets toothpaste and toothbrush in a spot that you see daily as a friendly reminder. 

3. Groom Often

While you’re making a resolution to brush your pet’s teeth daily, why not include regular grooming? Grooming your pet can remove excess fur from the coat and reduce the amount you find on your clothes and furniture. It can also help to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Plus, a majority of pets love to be groomed. 

4. Eating Better

This is the perfect time to evaluate what, when and how much your pet is eating. Resolve to ensure that your pet is eating the proper diet for their age and nutritional requirements. Don’t just eyeball the amount of food you are giving them, use proper measuring cups. Also, stay mindful of the food your pet is eating: both meals and treats. No more table scraps. Try healthier snack options like homemade pet treats.

5. Keep Up to Date

Entering a new year, it is a good time to make sure your pet has an updated tag and microchip information. Maybe you’ve recently moved to a new house, changed your phone number or maybe your pet has lost their ID tag? Making sure their information is up to date is the best way to ensure a lost pet can make their way safely home. 

In addition to their info, establishing regular check-ins with a vet makes sure their health is up to date. Common chronic issues (like diabetes and arthritis) can be managed better when diagnosed early. Regular vet visits mean earlier detection, which will lengthen your pet’s healthy years. Making sure your pets get their yearly checkups and shots is even more crucial if they have entered their senior years. 

6. Volunteer

Still in need of another New Year’s resolution? Why not make one of your resolutions about helping your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Whether it is by fostering a rescue pet, making a monetary or food donation, or volunteering your time, giving back is one of the best resolutions you can make for the upcoming year! 

Follow this link to learn more about volunteering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

Follow this link to learn more about fostering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

The Humane Society of Loudoun County is excited to partner with House 6 Brewing to raise funds by having Bingo nights! Bring your family and friends to this monthly event where the Bingo Card donations go directly to help animals in Loudoun County.

8 games will be called. A packet for all games can be purchased for $15 or individual regular games are $2 and the final game is $3.

Melissa starts calling Bingo at 6:30 pm. Prizes will be given each game and are donated from House 6 Brewing, HSLC and other local businesses.

HSLC THANKS House 6 Brewing Co. for their support.

We are thrilled that you would consider volunteering with our organization. HSLC is an all-volunteer, foster-based organization so volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We do not have a physical shelter; all of our animals are in foster homes or display cages in a few area pet supply stores.

The first step to volunteering with HSLC is to submit a volunteer application. Once you submit an application, our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you to let you know about upcoming orientation dates. You can also check the events calendar for future orientation dates. We ask that all new volunteers attend a volunteer orientation, which are held every month, last approximately 1.5 hours, and are normally held on Saturdays at 1 PM via Skype.

At the volunteer orientation, we will present information about HSLC, describe all of our programs, and discuss how you can help. At the end of the session, our board members are happy to meet one-on-one with anyone who is ready to start volunteering, who wants to learn more about a specific program, or who just wants to chat about animal welfare.

We are thrilled that you would consider volunteering with our organization. HSLC is an all-volunteer, foster-based organization so volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We do not have a physical shelter; all of our animals are in foster homes or display cages in a few area pet supply stores.

The first step to volunteering with HSLC is to submit a volunteer application. Once you submit an application, our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you to let you know about upcoming orientation dates. You can also check the events calendar for future orientation dates. We ask that all new volunteers attend a volunteer orientation, which are held every month, last approximately 1.5 hours, and are normally held on Saturdays at 1 PM via Skype.

At the volunteer orientation, we will present information about HSLC, describe all of our programs, and discuss how you can help. At the end of the session, our board members are happy to meet one-on-one with anyone who is ready to start volunteering, who wants to learn more about a specific program, or who just wants to chat about animal welfare.