Too Many Dogs

Rockbridge SPCA Pets Seeking Forever Homes

When visiting the Rockbridge SPCA, one will see the sole feline up for adoption in the entire shelter just to the right of the entrance. Normally the cat kennels are full, but at this time the dogs are the ones that need homes.

“Right now the shelter has 37 dogs and just one cat,” said SPCA Executive Director Tara Rodi last week. “The SPCA is full of dogs and some have been here for a while.”

Rodi just returned from the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies annual conference where she learned that this is not a problem unique to this area’s shelter. Shelters all across the state are seeing an increase in dog intake over the past year and a decrease in cat surrenders.

The reason for the rise in the number of adoptable canines versus felines is hard to rationalize with any scientific reasoning, but there is one cause that might be hard for animal lovers to fathom. During Covid, there were a lot of adoptions. People working from home wanted companionship and they emptied out the shelters. But now that the pandemic is over and most workers have returned to their office settings, it’s quite possible that the dogs that were adopted are not getting the attention they once had and are being returned to the shelters.

This is something that is obviously disturbing to Rodi. “I hope people are keeping their dogs,” she said.

As for the reduction in the number of adoptable cats, Rodi hopes that people are being responsible and spaying and neutering their cats. But with warmer months ahead, the SPCA is bracing for an influx of cats and kittens.

Right now the focus is on the urgent need for forever homes for the dogs at the SPCA. Because there are so many dogs at the SPCA right now, residents wanting to adopt a dog need to know that when dogs are grouped together, they tend to misbehave.

“Keep in mind every dog is competing for attention when visitors come to the shelter,” Rodi said. “This causes them to bark, jump up and down, spin in a circle, do anything to get your attention. Unfortunately, our kennels all face each other, and the dogs can see one another. Once one starts reacting, they all do.”

Rodi suggests that people interested in adopting a dog should request a one-on-one meeting with that dog.

“We ask that visitors give our dogs a chance by letting us get them out of their kennel away from the other dogs. Once out of the kennel atmosphere, their true personalities can shine.”

Another problem the SPCA is encountering with dog adoptions is that people have specific types of dogs that they want.

“People want small dogs. We have medium to large size dogs,” Rodi said. “No matter what size, a dog can make a great companion.”

There are a variety of dogs available for adoption right now, from pit bull mixes to hounds to herding dogs from ages 5 months to seniors.

The animals at the Rockbridge SPCA are never euthanized due to lack of space, which explains why some of the dogs have been there for years. Some of them even have favorite toys that they take along on walks.

The dogs at the Rockbridge SPCA are fully vetted and most of them are already spayed and neutered. The staff at the SPCA are also very forthcoming about the history of the dogs up for adoption and will provide any information about any behavioral issues or aggressive tendencies.

“People need to research the dog they are thinking about getting,” advised shelter manager Karen Beard. “Animals are expensive and they need to plan for unexpected emergencies, such as vet bills.”

Beard also urges the utmost care when it comes to interactions between young children and dogs.

“Children need to be supervised when interacting with dogs and should not be allowed to climb all over them,” Beard said.

The adoption fee for a dog is $150. To see the dogs waiting for good homes, see the ad in this week’s paper, go to the Facebook page “Dogs of Rockbridge,” go to https://rockbridgespca.net, or plan a visit to the shelter in person.

“We will have some of our dogs at the Project Horizon ‘Day of Community and Creative Healing’ at Jordans Point April 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” added Rodi.

Other upcoming SPCA events planned for the community include a canned pet food drive at the Rockbridge Spring Shred event on May 11 at Maury River Middle School, the annual meeting and party open to the public on May 17 at 6:30 p.m., the Animal Adventure Camp June 17-21 for campers ages 5-12, a golf tournament at the Lexington Golf & Country Club on July 26, a trivia night at Brew Ridge Taps Aug. 20 and the Art for Arf reception at the Nelson Gallery on Sept. 6. To attend the annual meeting on May 20, RSVP by May 17 to tara@rockbridgespca. net.

Volunteer opportunities abound at the SPCA as well. Walkers are needed for the dogs awaiting adoption.After a simple orientation on how to handle the dogs on a leash, volunteers can make their own hours. The walking trail at the SPCA has recently been expanded and provides an excellent opportunity for exercise for both humans and canines.

For those in the area who already have dogs, The Spaw, a do-it-yourself dog washing facility on the grounds of the Rockbridge SPCA, is gaining popularity. For just $10 per dog, one has access to a hydraulic lifting tub, shampoo and grooming supplies.

“The Spaw is becoming a great year-round fundraiser for the Rockbridge SPCA,” Rodi said.

Rodi has been executive director of the shelter for nine years and has three SPCA dogs herself – Salty, a Rockbridge Terrier; Nova, a Great Pyrenees-Lab mix; and Moby, a hound Dalmatian.

“A dog is always happy to see you, and provides a great source of security,” Rodi said.