February 2022 Newsletter
Word.
If there is one thing that you learn in animal rescue it is resilience. Despite the hardships we faced in 2021 due to Covid, we continued to provide many services to support our community. Always laser-focused on our mission to achieve a No Kill Community, we concentrated on programs designed to reduce the unwanted pet population and help keep pets in loving homes and out of the Shelter. The four pillar programs on which we focused our efforts were:
- Low Cost and No Cost Spay/Neuter Transports for over 250 pets
- Free TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) for over 300 cats
- Distribution of over 14,500 lbs. of free pet food
- Providing over $5,000 in acute vet care assistance for community pets.
As we reflect on 2021, we can’t help but feel overwhelming gratitude for everyone in the Culpeper community who supported these efforts. The dedication and commitment of our board, volunteers, and donors allowed us to not just cope, but adapt and improve during a tumultuous time.
Patricia A. Werick
President, Culpeper Humane Society
Mark Your Calendars
We are looking for volunteers to help with these in-person fundraisers! If interested or for more information, please contact Teresa Kidd Long (teresaistyping@yahoo.com) Volunteer for these fun events by selling our CHS products for sale, passing out literature, working our Pooch Smooch booth and collecting donations for our many community programs.
April 16, 2022
Poppycock at Wollam Gardens
“Poppies” sounds like “puppies,” so Wollam Gardens is partnering with the Culpeper Humane Society and Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue to host a dog adoption event during the festival!!! Poppies and puppies! Puppies and poppies! Oh, my! Plus, your dog can attend the festival!!!
September 4, 2022
Woof and Wag at Mountain Run Winery
Bring your best friend out for a unique event at the winery. Featuring vendor booths, a casual 5k that you can walk, jog or run with your doggo, music by Bailey Hayes will be providing live music, and Bowles Southern Fried, 7 Moltin, Two Sisters Coffee and B-Radd Ice cream Food Trucks.
We hope everyone can join us for great food, wine, pet contests, face paintings, games and more!!!
2022… so far
Unchained Canines of Culpeper
Another dog taken OFF chain! We were able to improve the quality of life for this chained dog by getting him off chain, outfitted with a 10” x 20” pen, providing an insulated doghouse and equipped with a big wire crate (for overnighting in house), providing a free rabies vaccine and a new harness and leash. We were lucky to have the doghouse donated, but sturdy pen panels are expensive, and we are seeking funds to replenish our war chest.
Financial Wins
- CHS has been awarded a $10,000 grant by Two Maudes for our TNR program.
- Our Betty White’s 100th Birthday Fundraiser received over $3,600 in donations.
- Our NEW $1,000 Club, has four members, raising $4,000 to support our programs. Spread the word to your company, colleagues, friends and family members, and your civic or school groups about our $1,000 club. A donation of $1,000 will:
- Provide 720 lbs of dog kibble for our Pet Pantry for 2 months, or
- Provide 1,440 lbs of cat kibble for our Pet Pantry for 4 months, or
- Provide spay/neuter operations for 12 cats, or
- Provide much-needed funds for acute vet care in our community
You may make a lump sum donation or set up a recurring $100 monthly donation in PayPal for 10 months.
We’re Gonna be On TV!
Culpeper Media contacted us asking if we would like to do a broadcast segment describing our rescue, yes, please! After meeting with Jon Krawchuk, Station Manager and Nicolle Wooten, Cinematographer and Film Tech, they decided to film a six-segment series on the Culpeper Humane Society. What a great opportunity to broadcast all that we are and to provide an in-depth discussion on the many programs that we offer our community. Three interviews have aired already; segments on our TNR program, Low-cost and No-cost Spay/Neuter programs and Pet Pantry program. As President, I discussed our vision, mission, strategies, and a provided an overview of each of our programs. Many thanks to Jon, Nicolle and Culpeper Media for this wonderful opportunity to spread the word about Culpeper Humane Society.
After airing on Culpeper Media, we were provided with links to each episode, which we have posted on our website. Click on the links below to view each episode.
https://www.culpeperhumane.org/community/pet-pantry/
https://www.culpeperhumane.org/community/trap-neuter-release/
https://www.culpeperhumane.org/community/spay-neuter-assistance/
Recruiting for Critical Positions
Adoption Coordinator to conduct virtual home visits with potential adopters. (Must be at least 18 years of age.)
- Must be proficient in the use of Zoom, Facetime and Microsoft Word.
- Must have the flexibility to conduct virtual visits during the day, evenings and weekends.
Effective listening and keen observation skills a must. Hours vary but during peak adoption season this position may require 6+ hours per month.
Administrative Assistant to the President
- Must be available to work daytime hours (at least 1-2 days a week for a couple of hours, although some work can be taken home and done at your leisure) and have reliable transportation to run local errands (eg, pick up mail, make deposits in bank). Our flexibility always built into position.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and be willing to learn new rescue-specific software programs.
- Detail orientation and excellent organizational skills a must.
Fundraising Team Members
- Teen or adult volunteers needed to assist our Fundraising Manager with in-person events and Facebook campaigns.
- Ability to function with a team and follow directions.
- Reliability and willingness to make and keep commitments a must.
Always Needed…
- Foster Homes for cats and dogs
- Transporters to drive the CHS van with cats and dogs to/from low-cost vet clinics (must be willing to drive 40+ miles) or pick up pets, meds or sundry items locally using your own vehicle.
If you meet the requirements and are interested in any of these positions and are already a volunteer please, contact us at info@culpeperhumanesociety.com, if you are joining us as a new volunteer, please submit a Volunteer or Foster Application.
Blast from the Past
News from our past adopters!
Mystique, Thena, and Eclair
The trio (our Maribelle, Tessa and always, Éclair) still love piling up together for a snooze. They used to be able to fit into the little pod on the cat tree!
Salem and Sabrina (Rory Beauchine)
Our former Rory, on the left, is living happily with her new Dad and handsome, dark sibling, Salem, but you know she rules!
Magnus and Luna
Looking like a god and goddess (we knew them as Windi and Marcella).
Current Adoptables
The extraordinary events of the last two years prompted us to make some shifts in our Foster/Adoption programs in 2022. Demand for adoptive pets decreased dramatically the last quarter of 2021, leaving 20 kittens (Now adolescents) in our foster homes. As a foster-home-based rescue, our number of new rescues are dependent on the number of available foster homes. We are now faced with the challenge that we cannot take in new cats/dogs in until our existing foster kitties are adopted, transferred or we add more foster homes. Please share these adorable, adoptables with your friends, relatives, and colleagues so they can find their special, forever home.
Sookie and Lorelei
Vegas and Wren
Farfalle
New Program: Foster Hospice Homes!
We now have 2 foster hospice homes. Teresa Hogan and Jori Zirbel have each opened their hearts and their home to provide hospice care for some very special kitties. We are providing them with vet care, meds and special diet pet food to support the special needs of these fosters. Below are more details about these wonderful loving kitties
Mitchie
Mitchie came in a ragged little orphan. After several vet visits, good drugs, lots of healthy food and supplements and plenty of loving care, she is putting on weight and very happy to be ‘home’. Mitchie’s foster mom, Jori, said “I collected her from the colony in the middle of October. She could barely stand, collapsing down right away, and she leaned against things when she did walk. Her weight was 3.45 pounds at 8 months. She didn’t do anything but eat every 2-3 hours and sleep. Now she is very active, climbs and jumps on everything and loves to play. Her weight is 4.98 pounds! The vet has said she thought Mitchie had a chance to survive, she would probably be small and wouldn’t have as long a lifespan.” While she does have a congenital liver issue which is life shortening, Mitchie is loved and cared for by Jori for as long as she needs a home.
Sundae
Sundae was taken out of the freezing weather by Teresa Hogan. A pathetic, straggly stray that looked like he’d been living outside for a long time and suffered lots of wounds, but was still so good-natured. After a couple of vet visits it was determined that he was around 10 years old and those “wounds” were skin cancer. The vet says with the daily application of a topical medicine on his skin, Sundae could enjoy several more years. He is now on a special diet, looking like a huge snowball, and feeling great. Sundae is enjoying life in a loving, wonderful home with the Hogan family! He is one of the sweetest, cuddliest, and funniest cats you’ll ever meet, and the Hogan’s think he is just the cherry on the top of their sundae!
In Memoriam. Koda.
We are heartbroken to report the passing of the magnificent Koda. I fostered this big boy and loved him to pieces. But I knew I couldn’t give him the wonderful life that Gary and Winnie could provide. It was always a joy to receive texts and photos of him! Koda was a very special dog, so unique, emotionally intelligent, gentle, playful, funny. Big Boy, Big Heart. Patty Werick
Koda was a big boy – a very big boy. In fact, he was bigger than he was supposed to be. Everyone who met him commented on his size. After his adoption, during his first trip to his new vet, the staff speculated on his lineage. Most were certain he was part Dane. Curiosity led us to check his DNA, and we were surprised to learn he had a very clear legacy for several generations solely of Labrador Retriever and German Shorthaired Pointer. Both breeds are large, but not as large as Koda.
Not only was Koda extra-big in size, but he lived big. He ran big, he played big, and he loved big. He enjoyed other dogs (not cats) and was happy to play in the dog park. What he really loved, however, was to be with people. Koda loved people – especially his people. He lived to make you happy and to receive your praise.
Yes, Koda was a big boy, but he wasn’t as big as the hole he left in our hearts once he was gone. We’ll see you at the Rainbow Bridge sweet boy. Gary and Winnie McDermott
