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Old Dominion Humane Society Celebrates National Rescue Dog Day May 20

Lenora Kruk - Mullanaphy

While the calendar marks National Rescue Dog Day on May 20, Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) recognizes these pups every day of the year. This special day acknowledges the strong bond between humans and furry friends and the impact rescue dogs make in people’s lives. For anybody who has adopted and provided a loving home for a rescue dog, it’s evident that they give unconditional love and companionship. They’ve also helped individuals who’ve experienced trauma and loss to heal.


Now in its 11th year of existence, ODHS continues to be a safe haven for dogs that are unwanted, surrendered, neglected, mistreated and rescued from hoarding situations. Founder Chrissy Blake started the nonprofit organization in 2013, and it has placed more than 7,000 rescue dogs in forever homes. With only a few volunteers then, the number has now reached 300 dedicated volunteers. The Fredericksburg facility has expanded to more than double its original size and encompasses a puppy side, Little Dog Land, a larger side, Intake (for new dogs to ODHS that need to be vaccinated and examined before entering the general population), a grooming room and a lobby.


“We celebrate National Rescue Dog Day every day and are continually saving dogs from many different situations,” said Blake. “Since ODHS is a no-kill rescue, there are dogs taken from high-kill animal shelters and other serious situations, and we care for them until they’re adopted. It’s a 24-7 job, where volunteers dedicate their time and efforts to the dogs and help them grow from scared and shy to fun and loving dogs by nurturing them. Our wish for National Rescue Dog Day is that all of our dogs are adopted to loving families.”

Blake said there are so many dogs that need homes and foster families, and ODHS strives to place them with caring families. The organization is entirely volunteer-based, and everyone works to care for the dogs, bring them to events to meet potential adopters, make sure they get exercise with fun activities like Sunday hikes for the public and keep the kennels and center clean and comfortable for them.


ODHS has been a lifeline for hundreds of dogs in dire situations, such as:

  • Envigo, a breeding facility in Cumberland County, Va., was ordered by a U.S. District Court judge to surrender approximately 4,000 beagles to the Humane Society of the U.S. a couple of years ago. The judge’s order facilitated the largest impoundment of dogs from a laboratory animal breeding compound in the 57-year history of the Animal Welfare Act. ODHS opened its doors to some of the surrendered beagles, providing them with the care and love they needed. Not long after arriving at ODHS, all of the dogs were adopted.

  • Officials found 55 animals, including many dogs, in a home in Richmond two years ago. In this hoarding case, they claimed the home “just wasn’t safe for anybody.” ODHS rescued several dogs from the case, and they were eventually adopted.

  • ODHS rescued Betty and Wanda, dogs that came from a hoarding case in Brunswick County, Va. They were two of more than 100 dogs kept on the property.

  • ODHS routinely transports and rescues dogs from a high-kill shelter in South Carolina.

  • When people surrender their dogs, the number one reason to “rehome” them is because the parents are expecting a baby. While unfortunate, these cases are all too common.


National Rescue Dog Day was started in 2018 to bring awareness to the number of amazing dogs in shelters that are waiting to be adopted; to encourage spaying and neutering; and to promote humane education to young children.

  • To help ODHS celebrate this national holiday, the community is invited to help in a variety of ways, including:

  • Share a rescue story on social media.

  • Add a rescue dog to the family to provide it with a safe, secure and loving home.

  • Consider donating items that greatly help in the rescue’s mission of providing well-matched, permanent homes for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education. Items include dog beds, bones, canned pumpkin, chicken broth, food, laundry detergent and more. A full list is on the ODHS website.The items can be shipped or dropped off at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, Va., 22408.

  • The donation of time is invaluable, and there are many volunteer opportunities for everyone. After completing an orientation, individuals are able to come and go as they please.


Volunteers can:

  •  Walk Dogs—Individuals must be 15 years and older.

  • Adoption Center—The center has many daily tasks, such as laundry, cleaning crates and kennels, filling peanut butter bones, cuddling the dogs, mopping, sweeping and more.

  • Transport Team—Joining the transport team is an easy way to help out. Dogs have to be brought to and from veterinary appointments, picked up from shelters and dropped off to fosters.

  • Doggy Field Trips—Volunteers can take a dog out for the day and go downtown for ice cream, stroll the canal path or set out on an invigorating hike.

  • Paperwork Team—There are many items to be scanned, emailed, filed and more.

 

It’s easy to volunteer at ODHS where volunteers can jump right in and help as little or as much as they’d like. https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org/volunteer

Address

3602 Lafayette Boulevard

Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Adoption Center Hours

Wednesday

Friday

Saturday

  5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

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Old Dominion Humane Society provides well-matched, permanent homes for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education.

Copyright © 2024 Old Dominion Humane Society | All Rights Reserved

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