Founded over 40 years ago by a group of people interested in preventing animal cruelty, the Humane Society of Shenandoah County’s (HSSC) volunteers are passionate about protecting the most vulnerable cats and dogs in the Virginia county and beyond.
Because Shenandoah County is a rural area, there aren’t enough adoption centers to take care of stray animals. HSSC collaborates with local vet offices, animal control officers, adoption centers and rescues to promote the health, safety and welfare of animals. The organization is made up entirely of volunteers who run a variety of education and community outreach programs. HSSC’s spay/neuter program, which launched in 2005, has spayed and neutered more than 15,000 cats in the county alone. The nonprofit’s Homeward Bound Foster and Placement Program has also seen great success in the past five years. Volunteers spend time tracking stray animals in the community, taking them off the streets and ultimately finding them new homes. Oftentimes the animals are sick or have been badly abused. One cat named Cali was found on the streets with her kittens after being shot in the forearm.
“We’ve seen it all unfortunately,” says Melisa Miller, HSSC’s Board of Directors president. “We work to heal these wonderful animals, care for them and find them the perfect home.”
After being found on the street, Cali and her kittens were placed in a foster home. HSSC paid to have her injured forearm amputated. The wonderful news is that Cali made a complete recovery and was adopted by a loving family shortly after she was healed. Other successful HSSC programs include Veterinary Bill Assistance, Purring it Forward and Fix-A-Pit.
So how did Catalyst Pet and HSSC start a partnership? Well, one of HSSC’s veteran foster moms came across Catalyst Pet on Facebook a couple of months back and gave it a try. She and her foster cats loved the easy clumping and fresh scent that Catalyst provides, so she encouraged HSSC to reach out to us. We at Catalyst Pet decided they were an ideal organization to support because of the passion of their volunteers, the extensive work they’ve accomplished in their area and the constant evolution of their programs.
“We’re so thrilled that Catalyst Pet wants to partner with us,” Miller says. “It’s clear Catalyst is passionate about helping cats and making our planet a better place. I think HSSC’s mission and Catalyst’s mission align very well.”
If you’re interested in learning more about HSSC and the ways you can help, visit their website.
