Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS), a nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, earned the Free Lance-Star’s 2024 Best of the Burg for “Best Pet Rescue” in May. An annual event, the newspaper polls readers to determine their favorites in a variety of categories as a way to celebrate the best the community has to offer.
In addition, Chrissy Blake, founder of ODHS, has been named a 2024 Hometown Hero by Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen law firm. Each year since 2010, the law firm shares the stories of the Hometown Heroes that generate positive change in the community and lives of others.
“ODHS is honored to receive these awards that recognize the hard work in caring for the rescue dogs, ensuring they’re safe and healthy and placing them with well-matched homes,” said Blake. “As the original founder, I’m at ODHS every day and see the dogs progress. “I’m so proud of all of them and the fact that we’ve helped to rescue nearly 7,000 dogs since ODHS began in 2013.”
Blake said she found her love of animals as a student at Massaponax High School in a small animal care class taught by Heidi Martin. It was her favorite class and the place she felt at home.”
Her motivation to continue the mission to rescue dogs is seeing their progress and hearing stories after they’ve been adopted. She loves seeing the dogs in photos on vacations with their forever families, including one that was sitting on a yacht.
“Dogs deserve better, and they deserve all the happy endings,” said Blake. “My hope is that instead of people just looking at it as a sad situation, they’ll become part of the solution.”
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. . ODHS began with only a few volunteers, and the number has now reached 300 dedicated people. The Fredericksburg facility has more than doubled 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.