Compassion in Action: August 2026

A Month of Teamwork. A Lifetime of Love. 

Even the nicest shelter is no substitute for a loving home. In August, 488 pets left the Richmond SPCA for families of their own. It’s a reminder of what we can accomplish when our staff, supporters and community come together. 

A highlight was Clear The Shelters, the nationwide initiative to help homeless pets find homes. For the second year, The Betty J. Parmer Trust sponsored a full week of fee-waived adoptions at the Richmond SPCA. From August 17 - 23, that generosity helped 137 pets go home with their new companions. 

The sponsorship honors the late Ms. Parmer’s deep compassion for animals and the pets who brought joy and comfort to her life — especially Max, her beloved dog who stayed by her side during her final years in Richmond and through hospice care. Her legacy now helps other people experience that same profound bond. 

Behind every adoption was work that visitors might never see. Our Pet Support Services team transferred 302 animals into our care in August, more than any other month this year. Welcoming so many pets meant more daily care from our Animal Care team and enrichment specialist, and more spay and neuter surgeries, medical procedures and treatments from our Internal Veterinary Medicine team. 

As potential adopters arrived, our adoption counselors worked closely with each family to find the right match and make the experience a positive one. Colleagues across the organization supported the effort, from preparing the building for more visitors to spreading the word throughout our community. 

Thank you to our staff, The Betty J. Parmer Trust, and everyone who helped these pets find families. Your compassion made August more than a busy month, it created hundreds of new beginnings for these deserving animals. 

81,017 lives saved since becoming no-kill in 2002