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A continued and dedicated effort to help Rockbridge County dogs and cats motivates Rockbridge Animal Alliance (RAA) and Furever Friends Lodge, two charitable, nonprofit organizations in the community.
The high point of their efforts to support atrisk families and their pets and rescue cats and kittens takes place on June 4 with the inaugural Wags and Whiskers Fundraiser, an event at Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery from 1 to 5 p.m.
Featuring live music by Jason Hostetter, the Lex Vegas Bistro food truck, a 50/50 raffle, and both a silent and live auction hosted by Huffman’s Auctions, this event will benefit vulnerable families and individuals and their furry friends throughout Rockbridge County.
Maurine Houser, board president of RAA, said, “It is our goal to support at-risk pet owners with a monthly pet food pantry, low-cost spay and neuter, and reduced veterinary costs to prevent unnecessary suffering of animals and/or the surrendering of beloved pets to shelters due to limited financial resources. Our mission is to keep companion pets and their families together.”
Since January of this year, RAA has distributed over four tons of food and provided medical services to over 33 dogs and cats.
Houser said there are significant pockets of poverty locally and a steady increase in households needing the support of Rockbridge Animal Alliance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that pet food costs have increased 15.2% thus far in 2023. For pet owners who are already struggling with limited resources, this fact is very concerning.
“The importance of our fundraising efforts is essential to the safety and health of over 247 households and the 1,200 pets RAA currently supports,”. Houser said.
The event will be sponsored by local businesses, such as Tractor Supply, The Cabell Gallery of Virginia Art, The WellPet Group, House Mountain Inn, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, C&S Disposal, Lexington Animal Hospital and CornerStone Bank.
Silent auction and live auction partners include local artists Elizabeth Sauder, Marsha Heatwole, Maureen and Rebecca Worth, and Virginia Lloyd-Davis, and local businesses such as Rockbridge Flooring & More, Glen Maury Park, Pure Eats, Holy Cow Ice Cream, Fancy Hill Plants, Glowbowl, Just Games Lexington, Pumpkinseeds, Whistle Creek Pet Nutrition, Lizzie’s of Lexington and Center of Gravity.
“Saving homeless kittens and cats and finding them a ‘furever’ home is our main accomplishment,” said Mary Huffman, president of Furever Friends Lodge.
Furever Friends Lodge, a local cat and kitten rescue, also purchases thousands of pounds of dog and cat food which is distributed to local food pantries and local cat colony keepers.
“We help keep many pets in their homes during these difficult economic times for our seniors and citizens,” Huffman added.
Through its “We Found You” grant project, Furever Friends paid to have over 500 cats microchipped when they are spayed or neutered. It also teaches the local community how to trap, neuter, and return (also known as TNR) to control unwanted litters of feral cats.
Both organizations collaborate with local veterinarians. The Well Pet Group, Lexington Animal Hospital, Blue Ridge Animal Clinic, and Natural Bridge Animal Hospital are partners, offering much needed aid to local pets.
Preserving the relationship between pets and people positively impacts physical health, emotional stability, and overall quality of life, said both Houser and Huffman.
“I appreciate this service,” one client recently commented about the pet food pantry. “It helps me out very much because I’m on SSI (Supplemental Security Income).”
Houser paraphrased Roger Caras, former president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: “Animals are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
