NEWS:
Thank you!
Thanks
to everyone who made the Chili to the Rescue Cook-Off Challenge such a
great success. For photos . . . and the winner . . .
click here!
Bark
in the Park Pet Food Drive
Sunday May 20
Norfolk Tides vs. Pawtucket Red Sox
Harbor Park, Norfolk
Gates open 12 p.m. Game time 1:15 p.m.
FREE ticket with 5 lbs or
5 cans of dog or cat food ($5 value)
Click here to download Bark in the Park flyer (please post and share).
For more information about Norfolk Pet Pantry, click here.
Important Pet Pantry Update
Beginning in May, the Norfolk Pet Pantry will be open on the 2nd
& 4th Saturdays only until further notice. The times will
remain 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
We are requalifying recipients of the Pet Pantry and are requiring 2011
tax returns to verify combined income. Those on government
assistance do not have to bring tax returns, only proof of receiving
assistance. Verification must be provided by April 21 in order to
continue receiving assistance.
Please also remember to bring proof of spay/neuter for each animal.
More Pet Pantry Donation Thanks
On
7 April, the young ladies of Girl Scout Troup 1613 visited the Norfolk Pet
Pantry again and delivered a whopping 98 pounds of pet food, treats and
litter as well as cash and pet food coupons. Representing the Troup
on this visit were Faith Hoskins, Briona Hoskins, Alexa Mejia and Addison
Villanueva. We wish to express our sincere appreciation for the
generous donations collected by Girl Scout Troup 1613.
Adoption Works!
Best of all, both of these lovely animals found new homes. Aristrocat's story is below.
Aristocat's Golden Paws Adventure
Senior
Siamese, Aristocat, found a new home through the Golden Paws Program! He
originally came to us as a stray and was never claimed despite being
neutered and declawed. We suspect he was intentionally abandoned due
to some health issues. Aristocat suffers from an over-active thyroid
gland (hyperthyroidism) which is a common condition in older cats.
Untreated, cats become very thin, have irregular heartbeats and with the
increased metabolic rate, they can also suffer from chronic diarrhea.
Such was the case with Aristocat.
After performing blood work to determine the severity of his
hyperthyroidism, Aristocat was started on medication that would regulate
his metabolic rate. He started to put on weight, his coat became
shinier and he had normal bowel movements. Obviously, all of these
health improvements increased his WOW! factor and he was quickly adopted
by a family that understands he will be on this medication for the rest of
his life. He will also need periodic blood work to monitor his
thyroid function levels.
It’s great news for another of our senior animals who benefited from the
Golden Paws Senior Adoption Program. Because of the subsidy offered
by Friends of NACC, those who adopt our senior animals can get a financial
‘leg-up’ on medical costs that may occur down the road. A number of
our senior animals have easily managed health issues, and often have a
negligible added cost for their care.
Best wishes to Aristocat…a laidback, affectionate guy and certainly one
of our all-time favorite animals. Scroll down to see Scooby's Golden Paws
story.
If you'd like to support great stories like Scooby's and
Aristocat's,
please click here.
Scooby's Golden Success Story!
Scooby,
an 8 -year-old Chihuahua/rat terrier mix, was originally adopted from NACC
6 years ago. Sadly, his owner had to go into assisted living and could no
longer care for him. The family, also unable to keep Scooby, wanted to
place him in a shelter hoping he would be adopted into another loving
home.
After being turned away from other shelters, the family brought Scooby to NACC. They gladly offered to help Scooby in his journey. After providing a thorough medical check, Scooby hit the adoption floor. As a senior animal, he qualified for the Golden Paws Senior Program. It wasn't long before a senior adopter spotted Scooby and a match was made. Scooby now lives with Mr. Skidmore and his new best friend, an elderly Pug. Through the Golden Paws Senior Program, Mr. Skidmore was able to adopt a senior pet at no cost!
We love happy endings like this. Friends of NACC is proud to provide financial support that helps make Golden Paws Senior Program possible. If you'd like to support great stories like Scooby's and Aristocat's, please click here.
Golden Paws Senior Program
We
are excited to announce a great new program at Norfolk Animal Care Center!
Golden Paws Senior Program assists both senior shelter
animals with placement into a new home and also gives senior adopters over
the age of 65, an opportunity to adopt a new companion at reduced or no
cost. 
All senior pets over the age of 7 will have adoption fees reduced by more than 50% of the regular cost of $75 to $35. This reduced fee of $35 will also apply to any adoption by a senior adopter who is 65 or older. We'll waive the ENTIRE adoption fee If a senior adopts a senior pet. For details, click here. And to see Baxter's success story (pictured at right) click here.
Wanted: Foster Families!
We're
looking for volunteers to provide foster homes for shelter animals.
Opening your home gives animals the extra care necessary so they may be
placed for adoption. Some require temporary foster homes because they are
too young for adoption, may have an injury or may need a different
environment than the Adoption Center can provide.
If you are interested, click here for more information.
Pets for Patriots
The
Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption
Center and Pets for Patriots,
Inc., a not-for-profit that
connects loyal adult shelter
pets with our country's loyal
service men and women, joined
forces to increase the adoption
of adult and other at-risk
shelter pets.
Working with Pets for
Patriots, Norfolk Animal Care
and Adoption Center gives our
veterans, service members and
their families the gift of
unconditional friendship and
love while providing millions of
dogs and cats a second chance at
life.
ADOPTABLE PETS OF THE DAY
The Norfolk Animal Care Center has many wonderful dogs, cats, bunnies, and other small animals needing to find loving families and forever homes. Please visit the shelter as new animals arrive every day.
SPAY & NEUTER
In 2010 and 2011, The Friends of the Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center assisted SpayHampton Roads in providing spay/neuter clinics in the Norfolk community. As a result, 278 cats and dogs in the community were spayed/neutered for free and a positive effort toward reducing the number of homeless animals was made.
| Event Spay/Neuters | Lifetime Cycle Reductions | |||||
| Clinic Date | Dogs | Cats | Total | Dogs | Cats | Total |
| 2010 Total | 46 | 97 | 143 | 2,300 | 9,700 | 12,000 |
| Jan 2011 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 440 | 1,700 | 2,150 |
| Feb 2011 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 300 | 1,300 | 1,600 |
| Sept 2011 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 500 | 1,800 | 2,300 |
| Oct 2011 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 250 | 2,100 | 2,350 |
| Nov 2011 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 650 | 500 | 1,150 |
| Dec 2011 | 15 | 3 | 18 | 750 | 300 | 1,050 |
| Totals | 104 | 174 | 278 | 5,200 | 17,400 | 22,600 |
Minnow
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center provide funds for special medical procedures that are needed by NACC shelter animals. This helps improve the animal's health and chances for adoption.
We are so pleased to report that our little Minnow has found a forever home! Thanks so much for your support and contributions which have allowed us to provide medical treatment for our animals in need.
Please help us to continue this important cause by donating to the medical assistance fund here:
FRIENDS OF NORFOLK ANIMAL CARE CENTER
Mission Statement: To support the Norfolk Animal Care Center in sheltering and caring for Norfolk's stray and homeless animals, to promote and facilitate adoptions, to assist with special medical care, to promote and support spay/neuter in the community and to educate the public about responsible pet ownership.