News Archives - Valley River Humane Society

UNIQUE VRHS SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY!

Posted on June 16, 2020 by md79hsr

Have you ever wondered where all the dogs go that we take in at the shelter? Yes, we have adoption events but on any given day, any given week, our shelter is at FULL capacity! We currently have contracts with Clay, Graham and Cherokee county! That is one huge area!

Thanks to our shelter manager, Kirsty Waller, there are no-kill partner rescues in Connecticut, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York that will take some of our dogs and puppies for adoption in their facility. These facilities will accept senior dogs, medical cases and timid/shy dogs and have the resources to find them the forever homes they so deserve.

The transports to these locations have been named “Freedom Rides” by Kirsty and how appropriate! Thanks to these rescues, we are able to find homes for dogs that would not be adopted here and our shelter would have to shut its doors to new dogs. Last year we transported 969 animals. 2020 to date we have transported 360 animals!

To keep our dogs comfortable on these rides we would like to purchase new one-piece roto-molded kennels. These kennels are tough as they are made out of UV stabilized polyethylene and there are no seams. Only one piece with one door. But they are designed to stack next to each other with room for the animals to have a clean, clear air flow. And they are designed with a raised floor so when the animals do urinate while traveling, the urine will go to the edges of the crate keeping the animal dry.

These crates are twice as heavy as the ones we currently have and as you might expect more expensive. This sponsorship opportunity allows YOU to purchase one or more in memory or in honor of one of your pets. We will place an engraved plaque on the front of the kennel for all to see with your sentiment. Due to the durability of the kennels, your contribution will be around for a very long time!

We need sponsorships for 2 Large kennels at $290/each.

We need sponsorships for 20 Intermediate kennels at $240/each. Please call NOW – 828-837-2304 and ask for Kirsty to place your order!

We’re Open! COVID-19 : An Update from Valley River Humane Society

Posted on March 18, 2020 by md79hsr

Update June 12, 2020 : The Valley River Humane Society Shelter and Thrift Store are back operating back at full capacity. We appreciate the community support that was shown to us during the Covid Crisis. Thanks You!

alley River Humane Society is asking people to avoid surrendering healthy pets, following the guidance provided by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).

NACA is advising animal shelters to take extra measures to reduce shelter intake to mitigate the short and long-term effects of COVID-19, and reports that the most likely impact of COVID-19 on shelters is a trend of average or increased intakes combined with reduced foster, adoption and rescue outcomes. This can quickly lead to overcrowding and shelters being forced to euthanize for space.

Obviously, Valley River Humane Society will take all steps necessary to avoid such a critical situation, and will be adapting our intake protocols and day-to-day operations, until such time as our rescue partners resume a regular transport schedule.

The change will mostly impact the owner surrender animals. About 45% of the pets who enter VRHS are given up by their owners. We are asking owners who are not facing an immediate crisis to hold their pets for up to four weeks, and to surrender at a later date. For any pet owners who need to surrender immediately, we will still take their pets by appointment. Please call the shelter to discuss your needs at 828-837-2304, BEFORE bringing your animals to us.

VRHS Animal Shelter will remain open for adoptions of cats and dogs, and we will continue to accept stray cats at this time, in order to spay/neuter and avoid unnecessary litters of animals. We will also accept sick/injured stray dogs and at-risk animals.

Found a stray pet? VRHS is asking people who find friendly stray pets to consider fostering them until the shelter can resume normal operations. Pets typically stay pretty close to home when they go missing, so this helps get pets home much more quickly, without having to endure the stress of the shelter. Stray finders can take the pet to a vet clinic or to VRHS to check for a microchip, file a found report, and hold the pet to give the owner time to locate it.

Please understand, our main focus at this time is on reducing the overall number of animals housed at the shelter. We have had higher-than-usual intake and fewer outcomes for the past 10 days and we anticipate that trend worsening. This is a predictable pattern that occurs any time people feel uncertain or worried. Regular transports of animals to our sister shelters in other states have been suspended, due to shutdowns in those areas. Because VRHS normally operates at or near capacity, reducing intakes and maintaining outcomes is essential to avoid overcrowding in the shelter.

If we are in danger of reaching critical capacity, we may be looking for “on-call” emergency fosters, primarily for medium or large dogs, and pets with medical issues. If you have experience with fostering shelter animals and have adequate, suitable housing, please contact the shelter at 828-837-2304.

We are also in need of extra large dog crates or large exercise pens as an emergency housing option.

Plan ahead: Pet owners are encouraged to make plans for their pets in case someone in the home falls ill. People should stock up on two extra weeks of pet supplies and identify a pet sitter who can help out if the pet owner becomes hospitalized.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement saying there is no evidence that dogs or cats can be infected or could spread the virus that causes COVID-19.

For people who have been considering an addition to their family, and would like to adopt a pet, the shelter is offering reduced dog adoption fees of $30. This fee includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, Heartworm testing and current preventative. These reduced adoption fees do not reflect a lower standard of adoption criteria, and people should always view adoption as a permanent commitment to give lifelong care to any animal they take home.

We will keep you notified of updates and changes as they occur, and we thank you for your understanding as we continue our mission of saving lives.

Thrift Store Back Open

Posted on March 18, 2020 by md79hsr

Update June 12, 2020 : Our Thrift Store is now open. We appreciate the community support that was shown to us during the Covid Crisis. Thanks You!

UPDATE from the thrift store. As of Monday, the donation shed will be open for donations. We will also be doing furniture pick ups. To schedule a pick up please call 828-837-6137. If no answer. Call Debbi at 574-529-3721. Unfortunately, the store will remain closed until further notice. Thank you everyone who donates to the thrift store.

During these uncertain times it is still crucial to maintain our no kill shelter so I assure you we will reopen as soon as possible. In the meantime if you would like to help please go to our Facebook page, we have a donation button for Valley River Humane Society Animal Shelter. Please, if you can help keep the shelter operation thru the stores shut down, please please do so. They desperately need the help. Thanks everyone for any help you can give!!

It’s with a very sad heart that I must tell you that the thrift store is closed until further notice. We will post it here when we have an opening date. Thank you all for your support and donations. Please if anyone can make a donation to the shelter please go to their page. They are dependent on the stores revenue and we are asking for any help we can get for the shelter. We all love our fur babies and hope this wont be for too long.