Old Dominion Humane Society Earns ‘Best Pet Rescue’ Designation
- Lenora Kruk - Mullanaphy
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS), a volunteer-led, nonprofit dog rescue in Fredericksburg, was voted “Best Pet Rescue” in the Free Lance-Star’s annual “Best of the ‘Burg” 2026. For the third year in a row, ODHS took top honors in the newspaper’s annual reader poll that celebrates the best the community has to offer.
“ODHS is proud to receive ‘Best Pet Rescue’ that recognizes the hard work that goes into caring for the rescue dogs every day,” said Chrissy Hamilton, ODHS founder. “It’s been a labor of love throughout the years, and it’s especially satisfying to see the dogs’ progress every day. It’s amazing to watch how the dogs we’ve rescued begin to blossom and become comfortable in their surroundings thanks to the fosters and volunteers who nurture them.”
Since its beginnings, 9,400 dogs have been saved. The rescue is led entirely by volunteers.
Hamilton began the no-kill rescue in 2013. Since its beginnings, 9,400 dogs have been saved. The rescue is led entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to making sure the puppies and dogs are provided with care and socialization; transported to veterinary appointments to be spayed/neutered, medical needs and emergencies; and microchipped for permanent identification. The volunteers head weekly strolls and hikes, as well as other outings, to give them exercise and decompress from being in the facility. With about 250 dogs in foster or at the facility waiting to be adopted at any given time, teams of volunteers have formed to clean the facility; wash and dry large amounts of laundry (dog blankets, towels) daily and scour bowls so they’ll be ready for the next feeding.
Hamilton was a student at Massoponax High School when she found her niche through a small animal care class. It was her favorite class and the place she felt most at home. She said her motivation and inspiration to continue the mission to rescue dogs is witnessing their progress and hearing stories about them after they’ve been adopted. She loves seeing the dogs in photos on vacations with their forever families, including one pup that was sitting contentedly on a yacht.
“Dogs deserve better, and they deserve all the happy endings,” said Hamilton. “It’s my hope that people will become part of the solution in saving the rescue dogs instead of just looking at it as a sad situation.”
Now in its 13th year, ODHS continues to be a safe haven for dogs that are unwanted, surrendered, neglected, mistreated and rescued from hoarding situations. ODHS began with only a few volunteers and is currently at 300. The Fredericksburg facility has nearly completed renovations—in addition to an expansion last year--that provides more space for Little Dog Land (smaller adult dogs), the main room for the general population, Intake (for new dogs that need to be vaccinated and examined before entering the general population), a grooming room, a lobby, spaces to host Puppy Pawties and an office.
Old Dominion Humane Society provides well-matched, permanent homes for dogs in need through rescue, rehabilitation, and education.
ODHS is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg. Adoption events are Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m., Fridays from 6-8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adoption surveys submitted in advance are preferred and take priority over walk-ins. For more information about the dogs available for adoption and adoption surveys, as well as upcoming events, volunteering, fostering and donating, visit https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.
