Describe your nonprofit’s mission.
The mission of the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is to advance the compassionate treatment of animals by providing sheltering, medical care, and behavioral services for dogs and cats; promoting permanent, caring homes; and furthering education and outreach.
What need in our community brought about the creation of your nonprofit?
The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA was chartered in 1914 and moved into all cinderblock chicken coop in 1955 to provide shelter and care for the lost and abandoned animals in our community.
In 2006 the shelter became one of the first in the country to achieve no-kill status, beginning a decade of growth leading to real results in our region, including a decline in feline population.
How has your nonprofit made a difference in our community?
This year we are celebrating 10 years as a No Kill community. In the past decade, the CASPCA has found homes for more than 32,000 animals, reunited over 6,500 lost pets with their guardians and spayed/neutered more than 50,000 animals to reduce overpopulation.
How can community members help you achieve your mission?
Community members can donate, adopt, volunteer, foster and shop to support the animals in need at the CASPCA. As a non-profit we rely on the support of donors to fund the life-saving care we provide to animals in our care. Adopters and foster families provide loving homes for pets – both permanent and temporary. Over 600 volunteers give their time, expertise and compassion to our animals, and purchases at The SPCA Rummage store benefit the animals at our shelter.
Tell us a story that has come out of your work.
The following is a story from the point of view from Mattaponi, a dog who received life-saving care from the CASPCA clinic:
“The CASPCA Clinic has seen a lot of crazy things, but a dog who was shot in the shoulder by an arrow? That’s a first. I’d been spotted by a local resident, who reported me to Animal Control. Nobody was sure how long I’d been suffering and in need of medical attention.
I was at the CASPCA with the arrow still lodged in my shoulder. Dr. Anna Sims carefully removed the arrow, took care of my wounds, and clinic staff plucked all the ticks off my body. Everyone at the clinic was impressed with my positive attitude, and couldn’t believe how friendly I was after everything I had been through. There’s a good chance that I will always have a little bit of a limp, but I’m getting better every day.mattaponi-1
While I’ve been on the mend from my injuries, they discovered that I have heartworms and started treating me. It’s not contagious, but I’ll need to take it easy and stay on medication for a little while longer.
The good news is that I have been cleared for adoption! Hopefully the right family will want to take me home in time for the holidays. Sure, I’ve got a limp and some time to go before I’m 100% better, but I’m keeping my head up and my heart open. I guess not many dogs can say they’ve been shot by an arrow and lived to tell the tale.”
Learn more about Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA
Meet Your Nonprofit is a special feature brought to you in partnership with Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Strengthening nonprofits to realize the potential of our community.
