We Were Adopted: July 15 – 21, 2024

Our humane center had a great week of adoptions! We are so excited to share that 65 pets found loving homes with wonderful adopters. We also love hearing your adoption updates, and recently received a sweet alumni update that you can read more about at the bottom of this blog.

We are still running our Purrfect Pair adoption special! Through the end of July, you can adopt two cats or kittens for one adoption fee. Swing by and adopt siblings, a bonded pair, or let our Adoption Counselors make a recommendation of two feline friends who would make a purrfect pair for your household.

Cats adopted last week

Not pictured: Nectar, Plant, Boston, Ron, Onyx, Keppel, Outlander, Barbee, Shere Khan, Cornflower, Puma, Seattle, Achovy, Ava, Zoro, Amos Slade, Neo

Dogs adopted last week

Heartwarming moment of the week

We recently received an incredibly heartwarming update from Jessica Hughes who has adopted several senior dogs from us. She recently adopted Fern, who had been in our care since March, and opened her home to this sweet pup after losing one of her other seniors. We loved hearing Jessica’s story, and wanted the chance to share her Q&A with the rest of the community. See below to learn more about how Jessica started her journey with senior pets.

What prompted you to adopt senior pets?

Actually, in my younger years, teenage through my twenties, I worked in elderly care by offering caregiving, companionship and activities directing. I loved creating friendships and enriching the lives of the elderly. As my life changed, building my own family, I couldn’t fill the same roles I did before in that capacity. So, I combined my love for dogs and senior care into a space I could manage with bringing senior pups from the Richmond SPCA into my home for their own happily ever after.

Can you tell us about your pets? Age, breed, any special notes?

I have a heart for beagles and hounds. Sadly, there seems to always be a senior beagle at the shelter. They are a loveable breed who really bonds with their humans, and mine have been great with my kids. We currently have four beagle mixes named Grandpa, Fern, Nigel, and Chloe. They all are 8 years or older, and each has a unique loveable personality.

• Grandpa is always happy. Old age doesn’t slow him down. He is known for giving kisses, running into a room to happy dance, and asking for back scratches.

• Fern is a gentle soul. She loves to watch the sunset from the back window, go for walks, and sleep next to my children.

• Nigel is a character. He is always by my side. He is known for being a floppy couch potato who is always up for snuggles.

• Chloe loves her toys and puzzles. She is super sweet and loves a good playtime in the yard. She has bonded closely with my kids and enjoys their attention.

What has been the most rewarding part of adopting senior pets?

The most rewarding thing is seeing them really enjoy life. Chloe loves to roll around in the grass. Grandpa says good morning to everyone. Fern is excited to have her own yard. Nigel sleeps restfully in his favorite chair. Knowing they get to be well loved pets instead of homeless shelter pups is fulfilling to me. They deserve it!

What are some special moments you’ve had with our Richmond SPCA alumni?

My family loves to do “Spoil our dog” days. That is where we take one puppy out for an afternoon of fun and alternate so everyone gets a turn. We took Grandpa out last weekend. We stopped by the Richmond SPCA to say hi to his old friends. Then, we went by a pet store for treats, and ended with grandpa having some ice cream at the park. He had a skip in his step the whole day.

What drew you to the pets you adopted from us? What caught your eye or attention?

You can’t ignore their cute faces, but also, they were all good with my kids and other dogs. They do have some medical needs, but the Richmond SPCA does great at establishing their care to prepare them for adoption, and it’s been really mild in terms of extra care requirements. I leaned toward dogs that had been in the shelter for some time without any luck finding a home. When they’ve been in the shelter longer, they are so appreciative to go home.

Anything else you want to include?

I want to share that we just said goodbye to our first beagle Bingo who started it all. She was the inspiration and success story that motivated my family to keep loving senior dogs because of how rewarding it was to have her. Bingo was the kindest and happiest dog, and in our care, she lived an entire year longer than anticipated by her vets. In that year she started every day with giving kisses, ended every day with happy dances, and in between taught my kids to bond and be responsible.

Senior dogs may be with us for shorter periods of time, but the love they bring and memories they make last just as long as any other puppy.