Virginia

A Grey Muzzle grant will allow Rockbridge Animal Alliance to provide preventative medical care for senior dogs like 12-year-old Goober, who reside with their owners. The financial support will help keep senior dogs healthy, in their homes, with their families, and out of the shelter where they are at risk of euthanasia.

Rockbridge Animal Alliance serves rural Rockbridge County in Southwestern Virginia, where community outreach, humane education, and support services are priorities. RAA provides a monthly pet food pantry, low-cost spay and neuter surgeries, and veterinary assistance for at-risk pet owners. The organization was founded in 2014 as a non-profit and is supported and run by volunteers. 

The cost of living in Northern Virginia is very high, and many residents struggle to afford veterinary care for their pets, especially emergency medical care. Funding from Grey Muzzle will allow the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) to provide emergency medical grants to senior dogs’ families who make less than $50k per year and provide specialty food and supplies for our senior AniMeal clients. Both programs will help to keep senior dogs like Bunny with their loving families. 

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has been a resource for the community and a shelter for homeless animals since 1946. Through adoptions, spay and neuter assistance, education, community service, and outreach, the AWLA promotes responsible pet care across Northern Virginia.

With generous funding from The Grey Muzzle Organization, Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) is expanding its Senior Care Plan, which waives adoption fees for senior dogs and provides reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses or pet insurance premiums. The Senior Care Plan also includes senior-specific preventative healthcare before adoption, which results in healthier senior dogs with fewer long-term health issues. The plan assures adopters they can confidently adopt a senior dog like seven-year-old Lambert, a beautiful shepherd mix who has a big heart and loves a good walk. Supporting and encouraging senior dog adoptions will allow FOHA to take in more senior dogs from overcrowded shelters. 

Friends of Homeless Animals saves and improves lives one paw at a time. FOHA provides rescue, medical care, and adoption services in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC metropolitan areas. More than 16,000 cats and dogs have found a haven with FOHA over the last 47 years. FOHA’s mission statement is Home with us until they’re home with you.

Funding from The Grey Muzzle Organization will help the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA provide high-quality medical care to senior dogs who arrive at the shelter looking for a second chance at finding a forever home. The Grey Muzzle grant will enable the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA to transfer more senior dogs from shelters where they may be at risk of euthanasia due to their age and medical conditions. Dogs like Hooch, an 11-year-old hound who was surrendered to the shelter with several medical concerns, will live their golden years with a loving family.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is a private animal shelter based in Charlottesville, VA, whose main purpose is finding permanent adoptive homes for animals.

The Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue Organization (MAESSR) is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing Springers. MAESSR is active primarily in PA, DE, NJ, MD, VA, WV, NC, NY, and the District of Columbia. However, when it comes to rescuing English Springer Spaniels, there are no borders as they will go anywhere, anytime, to save a Springer.  MAESSR is committed to providing excellent medical and dental treatment and foster care for Springers, while screening potential homes interested in adopting.

The Grey Muzzle Organization grant will allow the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (LDCRF) to provide needed medical treatment to our senior dogs. This will empower potential adopters to make informed decisions about their ability to provide care for a new family member. Support from Grey Muzzle will help dogs like 10-year-old Santos, who is blind and was rescued after his elderly owner could no longer care for him. Santos arrived malnourished, with severely matted fur, glaucoma in both eyes, skin issues, and a broken spirit. Currently in foster care with LDCRF, he is getting the extensive veterinary care he needs to regain his health and be ready for adoption.

Thanks to the support of The Grey Muzzle Organization, the Norfolk Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Norfolk SPCA) will provide dental exams, cleanings, and other necessary procedures for 60 senior dogs awaiting adoption--dogs just like Cleveland. Unfortunately, many senior dogs that arrive at the shelter have teeth that have been neglected by their previous owner, due to cost or lack of awareness of the importance of dental care. With this generous grant, the Norfolk SPCA’s veterinary staff will provide expert care that will alleviate suffering and ultimately increase these senior dogs’ likelihood of finding their forever family.

Established in 1892, the Norfolk SPCA in Norfolk, VA is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country. The Norfolk Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Norfolk SPCA) shelters, treats, rehabilitates, and rehomes 2,000 companion animals annually from Greater Hampton Roads and gives them the extra time and care needed to find a forever home.

The Grey Muzzle Organization grant will supplement and enhance our rescue program, enabling us to provide needed veterinary care and long-term foster care for senior dogs. With additional funding, we will expand our program and prioritize pulling senior pets from open admission shelter and placing them in loving foster homes. Grant funding will be used to cover senior blood work, x-rays, dental care, surgery, and other medical care. Grant funding will also allow us to reduce or eliminate adoption fees for seniors consistent with recent studies that show fees have no bearing on the commitment of adoptive families.

Highland County Humane Society, Inc. is a foster-based, 100% volunteer animal rescue serving poor, rural mountain communities in VA and WV. Traditional animal control and shelters do not exist in the counties we serve, and Highland County has no permanent veterinarian. Highland County Humane Society is dedicated to promoting health, safety, welfare, compassionate care, and protection of animals through a cooperative engagement with Highland County, its citizens, and other like-minded animal welfare groups.