By Page H. Gifford
The Fluvanna SPCA is heading into the heart of summer with a new director, expanded partnerships, and several programs designed to improve the lives of animals in its care.
From a nationwide adoption event to new volunteer training and rehabilitation efforts, shelter staff members are finding new ways to place animals in homes and strengthen their connections throughout the community.
Fluvanna SPCA and BISSELL Pet Foundation team up to “clear the shelter”
From July 5–26, the Fluvanna SPCA is teaming up with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for its Empty the Shelters adoption event, which allows members of the public to pay what they can to adopt an animal.
The reduced-fee adoption event is taking place at 306 participating organizations in 37 states. At the beginning of the event, the Fluvanna shelter had 130 animals in need of loving, permanent homes.
“This helps reduce the adoption fees and gives the public the ability to adopt a pet and give them a home,” Director Zach Boerboom told 29 News in a recent interview. “In our last event, we got 25 animals adopted. We want to get more adopted this time, but any number of adoptions is good.”
The shelter is normally open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., but will also be open Tuesdays from noon to 5 p.m. during the event. For more information, visit fspca.org or call 434-591-0123.
100 days of Chai and Cappo
Chai and Cappo came to the FSPCA in January as part of an animal neglect case, and staff members have been amazed by how far the two dogs have come during their stay at the shelter.
Both dogs arrived skinny and undersocialized, but thanks to the tireless work of Fluvanna County animal control officers and shelter staff, they became happy, healthy dogs.
Chai and Cappo’s case is not unique. They are neither the first nor the last animals to become the subjects of court proceedings when abuse or neglect is suspected.
Because strict regulations apply to animals involved in court cases, Cappo and Chai were placed on a restricted activity plan for 100 days. They were allowed only on-property leash walks and supervised time in the play yard with specific individuals approved by law enforcement.
They could not be seen by the public or interact with other dogs, further limiting their opportunities for activity and enrichment. Meeting Cappo and Chai’s mental and physical needs required creativity and dedication from the shelter’s behavior and clinic teams.
Long days spent largely confined to kennels would be difficult for any young pit bull-type dogs. Cappo and Chai’s caretakers created an enrichment and training plan focused on helping them learn “how to dog” in a new environment while building their strength.
Staff members used a wide variety of toys and training tools to keep Cappo and Chai’s days full despite the restrictions. Activities ranging from lick mats to basic training helped enrich their time at the shelter and prepare them for life in a home.
Chai and Cappo remained resilient, friendly, and loving despite their difficult beginnings. Staff members and volunteers were delighted to see them zoom around the play yard, greet their favorite people with full-swing tail wags, and settle in for quiet cuddles.
Watching them transform from emotionally shut-down animals into healthy, goofy dogs has been life-changing, staff members and volunteers said.
Chai has now been adopted. Cappo remains as lively and loving as ever while waiting for his permanent home.
New ways to help animals navigate their environment
A few months ago, FSPCA Animal Flow and Behavior Manager Carolyn Rositano implemented a new color-coded system to help staff members and volunteers better understand each dog’s individual training plan and the activities that can best support the animal while in the shelter’s care.
Management knew the program would be a significant change and was prepared for some pushback and plenty of questions. Instead, the shelter received a wave of enthusiasm.
Each onboarding session was attended by both new and experienced volunteers who were ready to learn, asked thoughtful questions and were eager to practice the new skills.
Since switching to the color-coded system, staff members and volunteers have seen positive changes in the shelter’s dogs, who are benefiting from consistent work designed to build their skills and exercise their minds in new and challenging ways.
The shelter will continue offering the training to volunteers and staff, along with refresher sessions and demonstrations for anyone interested. For more information, contact Rositano at office@fspca.org or call 434-591-0123.
New director
Operating a small shelter in a rural community can be isolating, particularly when it must compete with other community priorities and nonprofit organizations for resources.
Rather than simply hoping for the best, new director Zach Boerboom is working to create a broader community and expand the shelter’s resources through collaboration.
In recent months, the FSPCA has taken in 16 dogs from two overcrowded shelters. By supporting those partner shelters, the FSPCA helped relieve pressure on the organizations and prevent euthanasia decisions based solely on a lack of space.
“We were thrilled to exchange one of our fearful, long-term dogs for a graduate from ASPCA-BRC,” Boerboom said.
The ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center is a facility created specifically to rehabilitate shut-down, fearful and often semi-feral dogs in need of specialized, intensive care.
Forging and nurturing partnerships like these allows the FSPCA to help more animals while benefiting from the specialties and resources of other organizations.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many of our community members since I joined the team this past December,” Boerboom said. “It’s been a rewarding first few months, meeting the challenge of the January ice storm and getting 75% of our animals into foster homes, and finding placement for several of our longest-stay dogs—Pierre, Cannoli, Duncan and Lucy.
“It’s been a thrill to be a part of the FSPCA team and work with our amazing network of fosters, supportive volunteers and dedicated staff.”
Boerboom said that as the shelter moves further into the summer and kitten season, its work will remain focused on improving the lives of animals and people in Fluvanna County and surrounding communities.
“We will continue our efforts to mitigate the effects of kitten season with our spay and neuter clinics, raising awareness and increasing the ways we can offer support to our animals and their adoptive families,” he said.
On July 6, Mobile Vet Solutions spayed or neutered 50 animals, 25 of which went home with their adopters that day.
Boerboom is also asking community members to help spread the word about the Fluvanna SPCA by sharing shelter news with friends, acquaintances and coworkers.
People who receive the shelter’s quarterly newsletter can forward it to their contacts. Supporters can also engage with the shelter on social media, share its posts with community groups and tag friends and family members in stories about animals available for adoption.
“We need more people to see, know and be aware of the great things that are happening here,” Boerboom said.
“Lastly, I want to extend this offer to everyone. If you ever have any questions, ideas about community engagement or wish to chat about animal welfare, please reach out to me at director@fspca.org.”
