Compassion in Action: July 2025

Each animal’s story at the Richmond SPCA starts with our Pet Support Services team. In July, they brought 384 pets into our care: 176 who were surrendered by their guardians, 202 transferred from 22 other shelters and rescues, three strays and three pets who entered our crisis boarding programs. But the animals who come into the shelter are only the beginning of the compassionate impact made by this group of nine dedicated individuals. 

For hundreds more pets and guardians in our community, Pet Support Services is a guide to help in times of hardship. They connect families and individuals who need help feeding their pets to our Pet Pantry, through which the team distributed 1,572 pounds of dog food and 689 pounds of cat food in July. For those experiencing crises, they can offer short term boarding for the pet while a person is getting treatment or finding housing. This month, they reunited four pets from our temporary boarding program with their families. They also help guardians get behavior support, find pet-inclusive housing, access to low-cost vet care, and navigate rehoming pets directly with new, responsible homes. During July, they fielded more than 800 calls and emails. 

Our July Compassion in Action report below offers a glimpse at the impact of many more programs delivered by the Richmond SPCA that help pets as well as the people who love them. 

Recurring monthly gifts from our Pet Pals donors ensure we are prepared to say “yes” to the next pet or person in need of help. A small monthly gift adds up over the course of the year, equipping us to shelter, treat, train and more. Join the Pet Pal ranks today to help save lives every month!

77,270 lives saved since becoming no-kill in 2002

Data visualization by Laura Roose. Photos by Pet Support Services team.