Norfolk Animal Care Center
is located at
5585 Sabre Road,
just off Lowery Road at
Military Highway near
Broad Creek Shopping Center
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Animal Visitation Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(closed Wednesdays)
Sunday
12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Office Hours:
Monday - Sunday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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All photos on our site are of animals that have been at Norfolk Animal Care Center. Images are courtesy of Norfolk Animal Care Center staff and adopters.
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Madison
We adopted Madison from Norfolk Animal Care Center on April 11, 2009. She had been taken to an adoption event at PETsMART in a final attempt to find a forever home for the little red-nosed pit bull. My husband and I spotted her almost immediately, and by the time I sat down on the curb to pet her, I had fallen in love. She had such a sweet face and we could tell she just wanted to be loved. She even let me hold her in my lap, though I think that was more for my enjoyment than hers! That afternoon we brought our other dogs to the center to meet Madison to make sure there wouldn’t be any overt issues adding another pup to our pack, and we got the approval to bring her home that Monday.
We’ve worked hard to ensure Madison’s integration with our other three dogs is successful. Just like with every change to the pack dynamic, we’ve faced a few challenges, but all our children – two-legged and four-legged alike – have adapted beautifully. Our kids love her. She truly has proven that pit bulls can, and do, make great family dogs. Madison and Kona, our border collie mix, have become best friends. They play and snuggle together all the time! Madison enjoys wrestling with Brooks, our 7-year-old, 80-pound hound mix – and alpha dog! He even lays down while they play so he’s at her level. We love that they play because his alpha status helps Madison learn appropriate dog-on-dog interaction, and her adolescent exuberance keeps Brooks “young.” Though they still aren’t sure who’s number two and who’s number three in the hierarchy, Honey, our GSD mix, and Madison have learned to respect and accept one another.
All of our dogs have given names and “pet” names. We called Madison “Maddie” for a little while, but that didn’t last long. Before adopting Madison, I would regularly ask my husband to let me have a little pink pig. Granted, we were both aware that pigs generally do not stay little or pink. Consolation? Madison snorts often, she’s red (which is just a really dark pink), and her face reminds me of a pig … so her name has become Pig. Or a number of other variations – Piglet, Pigletini (like martini), Pig-a-lig. She answers to Pig and only gets called Madison when she’s being corrected. Even then, I think she’s responding more to the tone of voice rather than the actual word.
From an unknown history to NACC to our pack, Madison is an excellent example of the good outcome that can happen when knowledgeable people take the time to see the true personality of a “risk” breed. Sure, Madison is still learning what is acceptable pack behavior and what isn’t – but that’s a result of her youth, not her breed. And sure, as pack leaders we’re challenged on a daily basis to be firm, consistent, and ever aware of our pack’s behavior – but that was our challenge even before we adopted Madison. If the staff at NACC had only seen her as strong, stressed out, and a stereotype, our family would never have gotten to know her for what she really is – a sweet, sensitive, persistent, sometimes insecure, but always great dog.
We encourage all prospective adopters to learn about the wonderful human/dog bond that can result with proper education, practice, and patience. And we thank the staff and volunteers at NACC for giving our sweet Pig – and all the other animals at their center – the opportunity to find her pack.
Danielle T. |
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Tayler P.
What can we say about Tayler P? We wanted to get a young cat, but not a little kitten, so we thought we’d adopt a cat between 6 months and one year old. Tayler P was the first cat we saw when we walked into the shelter. Her name was Queenie then; she was playing in the playpen. My husband’s son Daniel took one look at her and said, “I want that one.” Daniel had never had the opportunity to choose a pet before, so we wanted to let him choose, but we needed to sure that the kitten we picked would have the personality to get along with our other cat, Ace, who is 9. He’s normally social, but he had been living alone (without other pet companionship) for awhile, and he’s pretty spoiled, so we needed a cat who is playful but not easily intimidated.
Tayler P is exactly what we need. As soon as she got home, Ace tried to intimidate her by growling at her and hitting her on the head. She stood her ground and immediately tried to play with him. Ace was completely confused, because normally the other cat would run way. He didn’t know what to do. Within a few days, Ace and Tayler P were best friends, which is exactly what I wanted. In July, the rest of the pets we owned joined us, including Angel, our 16-pound outdoor cat. As soon as Angel arrived, Tayler P started following him around, waiting for him to play with her. By the end of the day, Angel was playing with her. Now, Angel stays inside (he’s no longer an outdoor cat, at least for now) and he’s also Tayler P’s best friend. She’s been such a wonderful addition to our home. She’s added joy to our cats’ lives and to ours. She’s a licker and a purrer, and she’s a bundle of joy. She’s brought joy to all our lives.
Rebecca H. |
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Hope (formerly Stephie)
Hi. I adopted Hope (aka Stephie) on February 1, 2009. Because of the recent passing of my mother, my brother thought it wise for me to have some companionship. It was the best thing I could have done. She has the sweetest disposition and is the greatest listener in the world. She knows exactly what I am saying to her. She loves our big back yard and her 4 friends next door. The neighbors have 2 black lab mixes and 2 Boston Terriers. The only regret I have everyday is when I have to go to work and leave her in her kennel. I race home every night to be welcomed home by the best companion anyone could ask for.
Kathy
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Max (formerly Mr. T)
We adopted Max from NACC at the end of this past May. He was originally named Mr. T by one of the shelter staff, as he was brought in as a stray. However, “Max” just seemed to fit him best. He has been an awesome new addition to our family and fits right in as though we raised him from the start. Max is the most happy-go-lucky guy and he truly gets along with anyone and everyone! After we adopted him, we had a few obstacles with skin issues to get through, but with the help of our vet and a super dermatologist, we overcame the problems and he is now the healthiest, happiest dog in town! Nothing seems to bother Max these days and because of his gentle nature, we are going to enroll him in training to become a therapy dog! In the picture, Max is the big guy in the middle. He, along with our other two dogs, is loved unconditionally by Hailey, the 3 year old little girl that I babysit, pictured as well.
Thank you to everyone at the shelter for what you do for these animals and for taking Max in, and giving him another chance at life. My husband and I are the happiest new Mommy & Daddy to now, 3, amazing dogs that we will love forever and spoil rotten!
Melissa Nagy
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Hopper
I adopted the most wonderful companion last October. Hopper was a dirty straggly mess but once he got a bath his beauty came out. You really can’t judge a book by its cover! I have never had a dog so incredibly loving, well behaved and just an all around joy. People constantly stop us on walks to tell me what a happy and great dog he is. I always mention that he was an animal control rescue. I hope that more people give these dogs and cats a chance. I could not have found a better dog and he is a loving member of our family.
Katie
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Beaumont
I just wanted to give you a little update on Beaumont who we adopted 07-21-09.
His new name is "ENZO" named after the dog of a racecar driver in Garth Stein's book
"The Art of Racing in the Rain."
He is now about 7 months and has been loving his daily visits to the dog park in
Chesapeake living up to his namesake he races at full tilt and is delighted with other
dogs and people. A natural diplomat, he plays with anyone who wants to tumble,
but is gentle with any smaller dogs.
He has already shown he can sit, shake a paw, and come. We are working on 'stay.'
And begin obedience classes in a week. He has a page on dogster if anyone would
like to see him in a video: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1033425.
Thank you all for your kind and caring help to these great shelter dogs.
Your Friend,
Miki Keilholtz
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Reese
We adopted Reese in March 2009 and we can not tell you how much of a
joy she is to have as a "family member"...she is the "social butterfly"
of the neighborhood and she just has to meet every dog and person she
sees on her walks. Reese especially likes to visit the local "puppy
store" where she meets a lot of other dogs and owners, she's a very
happy dog and loves to walk on the beach, play ball in the living room,
and wrestle with her best friend (Boston Terrier) that lives behind us.
Sincerely,
Frank & Janet Dunn
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Butterscotch
My parents adopted Butterscotch this past May (09). He is now completely spoiled rotten as I knew he would be. He is the constant companion of my mom, who wasn't sure she wanted another pet after the passing of their beloved Tazzie in 2006. Butterscotch literally will not let her out of his sight and is very protective to the point of getting a little aggressive with my dad. He seems to have some aggression towards men in general, but we think he will overcome that in time. Overall, he has adjusted very well and has completely recovered from his heartworms. He was just tested last month and the results were negative! Butterscotch spends his days going for walks with my dad, guarding the house from his favorite spot in the sun at the window, chasing the mailman from one end of the fence to the other, and enjoying play dates with my two dogs. He is very loved!
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Oakee
We adopted Oakee on May 29, 2009. As can be seen in the photo, she
is enjoying her new yard and our girls' swing set! She has been a
great addition to our family, especially after losing our black lab,
Rosie, to cancer on April 24, 2009. At one-year-old, Oakee is full
of energy and loves to run around the yard. We are looking forward
to celebrating her first Christmas with us this year.
Sincerely,
William and Barbara Bishop
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