From the Fredericksburg SPCA:
Fredericksburg SPCA staff and volunteers celebrated Thanksgiving at the shelter with 102 homeless cats and dogs. The shelter kennels and holding areas are near capacity with the lowest percentage of animals in foster care this year at just 42%.
With donations slowing down, staff purchased items to make a special Thanksgiving feast including shredded chicken breast, green beans, carrots, and a special pumpkin pie made from dog cookies, pumpkin puree, and a little bit of whip cream. “Our community may not realize that our staff and volunteers are here, 365 days out of the year, caring for our homeless dogs and cats”, says Von Young, Marketing & Communications Manager at the Fredericksburg SPCA. “We try to make holidays as special as possible, but we know these pets would much rather find a spot at the table with either a foster or adoptive
family.”
With December just around the corner, the shelter is hoping to replenish its shelves with much-needed donations and get more animals into homes for the holidays. The Fred SPCA says that supplies of much-needed items are low or completely out. “I’ve never seen the peanut butter cupboard empty in my 5 and a half years of being here. We have several shelves of food with only a few bags left”, Von Young states. “Times are difficult for our community, and that trickles down to giving season at the shelter. We appreciate every can of food or act of service so that we can continue to serve homeless animals and keep our community programs going.”
Here are ways to get involved:
● Donate on November 29 for Giving Tuesday or start a Facebook Fundraiser. Donations
over $100 will receive a print by local artist Pete Morelewicz.
● Businesses & groups can host a Giving Tree to collect donations through December. 2ft
trees and ornaments can be provided by the Fred SPCA while supplies last.
● Register as a foster and host a dog or cat during the annual Silent Night in the Shelter
holiday event.
● Purchase an item for a homeless animal off the Fred SPCA wish list and have it sent
directly to the shelter.
To donate, see upcoming events, or learn about programs such as fostering, visit fredspca.org.
To request a Giving Tree email [email protected].
Photos courtesy Fredericksburg SPCA
