Pets from Richmond SPCA Three Times National Average

Ever wondered where most people get their pets? You may be surprised to find how different Richmond is from the rest of the country. Nationwide, only 14% of families get their dogs and 12% get their cats from shelters. Yet in Richmond, an incredible 42% of dog owners and 21% of cat owners get their pets from the Richmond SPCA. According to Bob Christiansen, a national leader in ending pet overpopulation and author of Save Our Strays, the RSPCA outperforms most other shelters in caring for and adopting such a high proportion of the community's pets. "The Richmond SPCA is doing an exceptionally fine job at adopting out animals," says Christiansen. "People are even driving into Richmond from other counties to adopt from the SPCA."

By adopting rather than buying so many of their pets, Richmond families reveal their compassion, generosity, and understanding of how great these pets can be in a loving home. Our community has surpassed many others in recognizing the problems of overpopulation and in supporting the cause of homeless animals through adoptions. Because of this increasingly progressive attitude and behavior, we have laid a firm foundation to end the killing of adoptable animals in the Greater Richmond area.

The SPCA is the single largest provider of animal care and of adoptable pets in the area. We care for almost two thirds of the area's homeless pets, double the national average for humane societies, and do so without any government funding. Government animal control agencies have much greater per capita funding and are able to pay staff higher salaries. The SPCA is able to do more with less through the hard work of staff and volunteers and the wide-ranging support of the community. Richmonders are generous not only with monetary donations, but also with in-kind food and supplies, participation in SPCA events, and open arms that welcome SPCA pets into new homes.

We wish to thank all of you who share your hearths and hearts with our silent friends and hope that you also share your pet success stories with others.