Playtime (see video below)
Imagine being dumped on a country road to fend for yourself in unfamiliar surroundings.
Now, imagine you’re a 3-month old kitten who is totally blind. What are your odds of survival?
And so begins the story of Daredevil, an incredibly sweet and trusting kitten abandoned and left to die – just because he couldn’t see. Fortunately, a friend of a Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) volunteer found Daredevil and he is now safe and sound with us.
His nonstop purring and fondness for snuggling tells us that he is grateful to be alive and in such caring hands—perhaps for the first time in his young life.
Daredevil isn’t going to see again and his ruptured eyes have already been surgically removed. Currently, he is being fostered by a caring vet assistant who works at Towne Animal Clinic.
Resting after surgery
It takes a village to save a kitten’s life. From the volunteers who rescue them from unthinkable situations to the foster parents who give them a loving home to the donors who help cover their various medical expenses. But, it’s all worth it when we can give a beautiful animal like Daredevil the happy ending he deserves.
Daredevil is looking for his forever home. Check out his video below and see if you can resist this adorable love-muffin!
The Humane Society of Loudoun County invites you to an afternoon filled with music, food and fun… Fundraising that is at Black Walnut Brewery.
Some of the activities include…
– Live Music by Todd Brooks and Pour Decisions
– Food by Sisko’s Smokehouse
– Desserts by Nothing Bundt Cakes
– Beer by Black Walnut Brewery
– Wine by North Gate Vineyard
– Face Painting and Balloons by Fab FX
– Raffle Baskets
– Children’s Games
– Hourly Door Prize Drawings
And more…….
Your ticket purchase includes giveaways from the sponsors, HSLC’s Tails and Ales glass for adults / cup for the children, door prize entry, and drink specials. When you purchase a ticket ahead of time, you will receive an extra door prize entry! Purchase tickets by using this link: 2018 HSLC Tails and Ales Tickets
Check out our awesome sponsors and donors below:
Sponsors:
Donations received from:
Calling all cat lovers! Celebrate all things cat at the library by making kitty crafts, sharing your favorite cat videos, and of course talking about your favorite felines. The Humane Society of Loudoun County will have kittens and cats for you to meet, fall in love with, and adopt.
Check out the event on FaceBook to see more infomation.
To sign up to Volunteer and/or bring your Foster – click on the following link or copy the link into a new browser window: Sat. Sept. 22nd Volunteer and Foster Sign Up
Join us at the Bluemont Fair for all the fun and crafts. Stop by our tent to find out about all the work we do and how you can help local pets and pet families in Loudoun County.
Old fashioned family fun at a “Green” Country Fair featuring traditional crafts (juried), local art & authors, craft & farming demonstrations, music: traditional, blues & country, free Children’s Fair, farm animals, Llamas…
Volunteers – select the following link to sign up: Sat. Sept. 15th Volunteer Sign Up
The volunteer signup for events is for current volunteers who have attended our volunteer orientation and signed a volunteer agreement. Contact helpanimals@humaneloudoun.org for more information.
Join HSLC at Twinpanzee Brewing Co for the first day of letting DOGS into a Tasting Room in Loudoun County!! We will have our tent up and will have our available dogs around to visit.
FYI – We are now selling our 50/50 Raffle tickets for this year. Get your tickets soon and often!!
Juli Bowman is the Youth Volunteer Coordinator for the Humane Society of Loudoun County. Recently, she has been particularly busy working with students on their senior service projects in numerous Loudoun County high schools. Learn more about these projects and Juli’s contribution to HSLC.
How long have you been a volunteer with the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) and how did you first get involved?
I started volunteering along with my kids several years ago. We encountered an HSLC adoption drive outside of Rust Library and spent some time looking at the cats and speaking with the volunteers. We were already fostering kittens with the Loudoun County Animal Shelter, but I saw this as another way to get involved – getting more out into the community, helping animals. HSLC really welcomed my kids (and put them to work!). My children loved working with me at adoption drives and events such as the Flower and Garden Festival.
What are the rewards and challenges of being an HSLC volunteer?
It thrills me to hear when an HSLC animal gets adopted. We have many goals as a part of our mission, but to me the knowledge that there is one less homeless animal and one more happy family member is rewarding news. I like to feel that I am, even if indirectly, a part of that.
It’s challenging to know that we cannot do it all. Keeping that fact from becoming a demotivator takes mental and emotional energy. I say this knowing that there are many HSLC volunteers who put in a lot more time and effort than I do, but I think we all feel this from time to time. However, I remind myself that every little bit helps. We can take a moment to celebrate a rescue or an adoption or an injured or sick animal pulling through, and that’s enough to gather new energy to do more.
Please share a recent initiative you supported.
I am both proud and thankful to have participated in senior service project programs in multiple Loudoun County high schools these past few weeks. HSLC sponsored seniors from the Freedom High School Capstone Program, the Loudoun County High School Raider Outreach Program, the Loudoun Valley High School Capstone Program, and the Tuscarora High School Capstone Program. In these programs, seniors gain foundational skills through short-term externships during the final weeks of the school year. Because HSLC is all-volunteer organization and does not have a shelter or central location, the independent project model is a perfect fit.
What role did you play in this initiative?
I provided initial and ongoing as-needed mentorship and guidance, while the students took on everything from planning, scheduling, time management, interaction with businesses and citizens of the community, all without direct supervision.
Please tell me about the specific service projects.
This year, six student groups opted to complete independent service projects of their own choosing with HSLC. Projects included the following:
- At Freedom High School, Brennan George, Mia McKinley, Sophia McKinley, and Tim McKinley sponsored a school-wide pet food drive for the Loudoun Pet Pantry.
- A group from Loudoun County High School consisting of Daniel Butler, Jack Hartmann, Collin Hughes, Matthew Martwinski, George Taliaferro, Ryan Vinci, Ryan Wigglesworth, and Jared Williams created a public service announcement video to convey the message “Adopt, Don’t Shop”.
- Loudoun County High School’s Katrina Cokain, Alexandra Saravia, and Sarah Van Hook ran a pet food drive for the Loudoun Pet Pantry in front of a local pet supply store.
- From Loudoun Valley High School, Riley Herr and Meagan Kennedy created a kit for HSLC’s humane education outreach program, making it easier for our volunteers to deliver talks to local youth groups.
- Tuscarora High School’s Quinn Herbine, Sarah Howorth, Olivia Shaw, and Lindsey Sestak conducted an adoption campaign to get the word out about a few animals that have been with HSLC for quite a while.
- Also from Tuscarora, Adriana Apintiloaiei, Sydney Bowman, Rosie Hackman, and Alex Nichols designed and constructed a cat tree for HSLC to use in fundraising. They also raised extra cash for HSLC through a bake sale.
What are the benefits of these projects?
All of these projects benefitted the animals in our community in many different ways, including funding, food, finding homes, and getting the word out to the community about HSLC and helping animals. In addition, these students got an opportunity to practice organizational, professional, and life skills through independent volunteer work.
What recommendations do you have for younger students?
It can be difficult for youth under 18 years old to find opportunities to volunteer with animals. HSLC offers kids the chance to help animals in the community through independent, group, or family projects. They can make a big difference through pet food drives, fundraising, awareness, and more. This type of work cultivates planning, communication, and time management skills, while at the same time provides for flexible hours and adaptability to any age.
Is there any advice you could share with someone, adult or youth, who is considering becoming a volunteer with HSLC?
HSLC can be quite a flexible organization to work with – there are so many varied ways to help. Volunteers of any age and capacity can and do make an impact through this organization. We are always looking for fresh ideas and enthusiasm. From very young children conducting fundraisers and awareness campaigns, to the full-time employee/parent/student who can lend technical skills, to the full-time volunteer who fosters and runs events, HSLC truly appreciates everything you do for animals.
Hundreds of shelters across the country are teaming up with NBC Owned Television Stations and Telemundo for Clear the Shelters, a nationwide pet adoption drive on Saturday, August 18 that helps find loving homes for animals in need.
The Humane Society of Loudoun County is participating in the Clear the Shelters pet adoption event so come to Petsmart and meet cats and dogs available for adoption.
To sign up to volunteer and/or bring your foster, click on the following link or copy the link into a new browser window: Sat Aug 18 Sign Up
The volunteer signup for events is for current volunteers who have attended our volunteer orientation and signed a volunteer agreement. Contact helpanimals@humaneloudoun.org for more information.
Working full-time doesn’t stop Lisa DeJohn from volunteering her time and talents to the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC). From spreading the HSLC mission at various events to helping out with fundraisers, Lisa is making a real difference for homeless animals in the community. Find out how she got started and what advice she has for anyone who has thought about volunteering for HSLC.
How long have you been a volunteer with the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) and how did you first get involved?
I’ve been with HSLC for 5 years now. I got involved not long after losing my best side kick, Black Jack, my Standard Poodle. I was devastated, of course, and not quite ready to find a new fur friend. I saw an ad for an open house that HSLC was having at the Leesburg Library. So, I decided that I would go and see what it was all about. As soon as I walked in the room, a very friendly volunteer and former board member greeted me and told me all about HSLC and what they stood for. I was taken in and very impressed. Not long after talking to this former board member, we both realized that she had once dog sat for me. I knew at that moment it was a sign for me to start volunteering, and since I wasn’t ready for a new fur friend just yet, I could at least help save and find homes for others. It’s been a heaven sent ever since. This organization is amazing, and so dedicated at everything they do. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of them.
What activity do you support at the Human Society of Loudoun County? 
I support many activities at HSLC. I help at fundraisers. I help out at many events like the Leesburg Flower and Garden Show to spread our mission to others. I sometimes help with graphic arts, like fliers or anything else they may need. I help at adoption events when I can and I’m also on the event committee that organizes the fundraisers and many other events that come up.
What are the rewards of being an HSLC volunteer?
The reward, of course, is helping the animals and knowing that we can help save and find homes for them. That makes my heart very happy; they need our voice and love when there’s no one else. Plus, it’s fun and you can meet some wonderful people and make new friends.
What are the challenges?
The challenges are that we need more volunteers and fosters. There are many that go above and beyond because there just isn’t enough help at times. For me, I wish I could give more of my time, but working a full-time job and the distance that I have to travel to and from work keeps me from being able to do more.
Please share your favorite memory as an HSLC volunteer:
My favorite memory as a volunteer is seeing an animal find a new home and knowing that it’s the perfect fit for the animal and family. Having the family share pictures showing how happy they all are is the best feeling.
Is there any advice you could share with someone who is considering becoming a volunteer with HSLC?
I would recommend that they come to one of the volunteer orientations and find what you’re interested in and what would be fun for you. There are so many ways to help! Ask many questions if you’re unsure how to help and find a mentor to shadow if you’re not sure where to begin. We are here to help make it awarding and fun at the same time.
Come meet cats and dogs available for adoption! Visit our website for a sneak peek of available Kittens and Cats as well as our available Dogs!
To volunteer and/or bring your foster animals, please click on the following link or copy the link into a new browser window: Sun, Oct 7th Sign Up
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.
Come meet cats and dogs available for adoption! Visit our website for a sneak peek of available Kittens and Cats as well as our available Dogs!
To volunteer and / or bring your foster animals, please click on the following link or copy the link to a new browser window: Sat. Sept 1st Sign Up
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.