NoVA Animal Rescue Stories From 2019 That Will Warm Your Hearts

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Residents donated their time and money in 2019 to help keep operations running smoothly at animal welfare organizations across northern Virginia. Along with taking care of their own animals, Northern Virginia shelters and rescue groups accepted animals from other parts of Virginia and nearby states that don't have the resources to take care of homeless dogs, cats and other animals.

Over the past 20 years, northern Virginia has seen major improvements in how shelters and rescue groups care for animals. That trend carried over into 2019 when thousands of animals were given a second chance. The Humane Society of Fairfax County, one of the largest private animal welfare groups in the region, was a shining example as it helped hundreds of animals facing long odds find new homes.

When a young black German shepherd named Tasha came to the Humane Society, volunteers noticed the puppy was having trouble swallowing food. Veterinarians diagnosed Tasha with a condition called megaesophagus. The condition prevented food from getting to Tasha's stomach to be digested. When diagnosed, dogs with the condition are forced to eat in an upright position. Certain types of high chairs make it easier to feed dogs with megaesophagus.

After the diagnosis, Humane Society of Fairfax County volunteers went to work building several high chairs that Tasha could fit in as she grew from a puppy into a bigger dog. Sitting in a high chair, or Bailey chair, allows the food to be given to the dog so that it passes directly down into the stomach. As Tasha became accustomed to the routine, she couldn't wait to get in her chair to eat her meals.

Tasha caught the eye of a young couple who, after learning how to feed her and provide treatment for the condition, adopted the German shepherd. Although rare, some dogs are able to outgrow the condition. "We're not 100 percent sure Tasha will outgrow it, but the family understands that and they said if she has to sit in a high chair to eat her meals, that's fine," Gina Lynch, community outreach coordinator for the Humane Society of Fairfax County, told Patch.

Lynch, who has been working as a volunteer for animal welfare groups for almost 25 years, has noticed a change in people's attitudes toward animals up for adoption. "Years ago, everyone wanted the cute little fluffy dogs. Now people are realizing that if a cat is eight or nine years old, he's still a very young cat. Or if a dog is three, four or five, he's still very young," Lynch said. "They now realize that you really are adopting the personality.”

The Humane Society spends a lot of time with adopters to make sure they are getting matched with the right dog or cat. "We're looking to make a good connection," she said.

Within the last 10 years, shelters also have seen a noticeable decrease in the number of pets being given up by their owners. Furthermore, education on the importance of spaying and neutering pets has played a huge role in reducing the number of unwanted pets.

The government-run Fairfax County Animal Shelter, in particular, has undergone a major transformation. "I've seen the shelter evolve from a pound mentality where basically the animals came in and by law if they were stray, three days later they were euthanized," Lynch explained. "It is now one of the model shelters in the United States. When you talk about the top 10, Fairfax County is always included because they’ve made so many improvements."

Lynch, who also serves on the Fairfax County Animal Services Advisory Commission, has played a role in getting the county-operated shelter to improve its operations. She serves as a liaison between the public and the county. If residents notice problems at the shelter, they come to her or other members of the commission who then make sure the reported problems are addressed.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter also improved the condition of its facilities for dogs and cats. "Collectively, you take all these advancements, and it's a much better day for animals than it was 20, 30 or 40 years ago," Lynch said.

The Humane Society of Fairfax County could not have made the progress over the past 20 years without the generous donations of money and time by the community. It has a facility in downtown Fairfax City for smaller animals and a 26-acre farm in Centreville for dogs and larger animals. "Between our donors and our volunteers, without their enormous help, we would not be able to maintain the two facilities," Lynch maintained. "We could not survive without them."

The Humane Society of Fairfax County is always looking for new volunteers and sources of funding. Learn more about helping the animal welfare group. If you want to adopt an animal, the Humane Society is there to help you.

ARLINGTON COUNTY

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which serves as Arlington County's animal shelter, celebrated its 75th anniversary in June. The league hosted its annual Walk for the Animals at the shelter, where more than 700 people participated in one of the largest and most successful walks ever in the county. The league raised more than $92,000 to help save the lives of animals in need.

AWLA welcomes donations; learn how to adopt a dog from AWLA.

In 2019, AWLA cared for hundreds of animals and helped find loving homes for many of them. Here are some of their stories:

Jackie and Jacey

Jackie and Jacey came to AWLA when they were just a few days old. When they grew older, during routine testing, AWLA discovered they had tested positive for FELV, or feline leukemia virus. This virus can be transferred to kittens from their mother, and shortens the lifespan of a cat to just a few years. Even though they had tested positive, both cats were in otherwise good health and wonderful kittens. AWLA decided to place them up for adoption with the hope that a family would give them a home for the few years that they had left. It took awhile, but eventually a wonderful family came in to meet them and fell in love. They wanted to make sure that Jackie and Jacey lived life to the fullest. Both kittens are both doing very well in their new home.

Slim Jim, also known as Bear
Slim Jim was transferred to AWLA from a rural shelter partner, and all of AWLA's staff fell in love with him immediately. He was affectionate, snuggly, and loved everyone he met. Unfortunately, about a week after he arrived, Slim Jim became very sick. He was diagnosed with parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus that he likely caught before arriving at AWLA. Slim Jim was immediately rushed to the emergency vet where he received critical care for a few days. Once he was out of the woods and feeling better, he was brought back to the shelter for continued care and quarantine, and tested negative for the virus. He made it through, and finally was able to go up for adoption. He was adopted just a few days later by a wonderful family who have re-named him Bear.

Jeeves

Jeeves was transferred to AWLA from another one of the league's rural rescue partners in West Virginia. They had had him in their care for eight months. When he arrived at AWLA, he was an instant favorite among the staff and volunteers. His face was a little crooked, likely from past trauma, and he had lumps and bumps all over his body, but all of this made him more endearing to the staff. AWLA's veterinarian performed surgery to remove some of his bumps and discovered that a few of them were cancerous. AWLA was able to fully remove most of them, but two (one in his ear, one on his leg), were not fully excised due to their position.

Luckily, the type of cancer he has is not aggressive, so AWLA set about looking for a family that would be OK with taking on the little old man who would need continuing care for the tumors. After almost two months at the shelter, he found the perfect family — a couple who were on board to do whatever they needed to to make sure Jeeves was a happy and healthy pup. He is now living happily with them and their cat.

LOUDOUN COUNTY

Staff and volunteers with Loudoun County Animal Services worked hard in 2019 to find homes for many animals brought to the county facility. Although it serves as the county-owned animal shelter, LCAS could not provide such a high level of service without the help of volunteers.

In summer 2020, LCAS will be moving into a new 25,000-square foot facility south of downtown Leesburg from its current facility just off Route 9 near Waterford. The new facility will have upgraded kennels, a multi-purpose room, indoor and outdoor spaces for all pets, including cat patios, and a rabbit habitat.

LCAS welcomes donations and new volunteers. Learn more about adoptions from LCAS.

As they awaited the new facility to open, Loudoun County Animal Services staff succeeded in finding new homes for animals throughout 2019. Here's Emma's story:

Emma

Emma was found wandering down the road in Lovettsville by an LCAS animal control officer in late February. She was taken to one of the shelter's partner vets for a full examination due to her very poor condition. Despite her neglected and emaciated state, Emma was bright, alert and wanted to be friends with everyone she met.

Emma was started on a feeding program to help her get to a healthy enough weight so she could be spayed and adopted. Emma quickly became the darling of the shelter and instantly wiggled and waggled her way into everyone's hearts. She loved chasing toys, spent time relaxing with the front counter staff and going on long walks with volunteers.

In March she was adopted by a family and has been living the best life ever since. LCAS recently received an update from the family who reported Emma loves the kids and everyone she meets. Perhaps most important, Emma is spoiled rotten and the most loyal and loving dog.