Old Dominion Humane Society Encourages Adopting, Volunteering, Fostering and Donating for National Rescue Dog Day, May 20
- Lenora Kruk - Mullanaphy
- May 12
- 3 min read
While National Rescue Dog Day is celebrated on one day, May 20, Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) cares for its rescues 365 days a year. In honor of the rescue dogs, the no-kill, nonprofit organization, which is led entirely by volunteers, invites the public to adopt, foster, volunteer and donate to help these resilient, four-legged friends.
ODHS is in its 12th year of existence as a safe haven for dogs that are unwanted, neglected, surrendered, mistreated, rescued from hoarding cases and brought from overfilled shelters in order to avoid euthanasia. Thanks to the volunteers’ tireless efforts to nurture, socialize and care for the rescue dogs, more than 8,000 canines have been adopted since ODHS opened in 2013.
A staggering more than three million dogs enter shelters each year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
ODHS brings in new dogs several times a month in an effort to care for them until they’re matched with their forever families. Volunteers rescued 22 dogs from a hoarding case in Kentucky in March and another 33 dogs living in deplorable conditions in southwestern Virginia in January. Because of devastating hurricanes in the south in October, many dogs were lost or left behind. This caused shelters to become overfilled, and ODHS rescued several dogs from a South Carolina shelter.
The dogs at ODHS are vaccinated, microchipped, medicated, if necessary, fed and given the attention they deserve. As a nonprofit organization, ODHS relies on the help of volunteers to care for the dogs, as well as foster families to provide temporary, loving homes. Donations help with the many expenses needed to keep the dogs safe and comfortable so they can thrive and get a second chance at the lives they deserve.
Consider helping ODHS mark National Rescue Dog Day on May 20 by:
Adopting Or Fostering A Dog: Fill out an application on the website at www.olddominionhumanesociety.org, and come in to meet the dog. Whether it’s adopting to give the rescue a wonderful life or fostering to provide a loving home until the dog is adopted, the pups will replay you with kisses, love and loyalty.
Volunteering: At ODHS, your time is valued, whether it’s 30 minutes or several hours. There are so many tasks to do, and volunteers find their niche. Pitching in with laundry, washing dishes, spending time with a dog or two or joining a team (Sunday Cleaning Crew, Puppy Side, Puppy Pawties, Saturday Strolls and Sunday Hikes).
Donating: ODHS is always in need of cleaning supplies, dog food and other items, as well as monetary donations. A full list of items needed is available on the website.
Spreading Awareness: Use social media to share the dogs’ pictures and bios to garner interest about rescues in need of homes. Scout troops, school extracurricular groups, community organizations and businesses can help get the word out about ODHS and the many opportunities to make the rescue dogs’ lives better.
National Rescue Dog Day was founded by author Lisa Wiehebrink, who is also the founder of “Tails That Teach.” Her work centers around humans and their connection with animals. With children as her target audience, her books tell of the value of kindness, unconditional love, patience and empathy. Her belief is that instilling these virtues toward animals will help children when they become adults. She rescued her dog, Cooper, as well as other four-legged friends, which led her to create a day just for rescues.
