Did you know...

...that we get by with a little help from our friends? It's true. Richmond Animal League has a vast network of volunteers, fosters, and loyal donors. We also have the support of many local businesses--and we can't thank them enough. Last Friday Josh from Canine Adventure took one of our long-timers, Henson the Hound, out for the morning. Henson has spent the better part of a year living in a run at RAL. Morning and evening volunteers take him out for walks, but his outing on Friday included woods, big rocks, the river, dirt, sunshine, and Josh. Canine Adventure recognizes how good it is for dogs to get out and go. They describe their services as such: We're offering your dog the thrill of discovery, the challenges of obedience, the opportunity to make new friends and learn from the old ones, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Time spent with Canine Adventure will prove to be a highlight in your dog's life. Canine Adventure provides Richmond's dogs with a healthy mix of exercise and social interaction, along with the necessary rules and boundaries set by an experienced, patient, loving handler.

We'd like to offer our thanks for what certainly was the highlight of 2011 for Henson. We hope this hound's year just keeps getting better and better. We can't wait to deliver the news that Henson has been adopted. Stay tuned.

Henson the Hound

Did you know...

...that you don't have to decide on a specific pet before filling out an adoption application? It's true. You can fill out the application, we'll call your references and work on stamping it APPROVED. An approved, open application means that you can keep visiting the shelter until you find the perfect pet for you. Once you fall in love you won't have to wait to start life with your new friend. Bringing a new pet home is an important decision, and we want it to be the right decision for you and your pet. Take your time. Visit us often, we like to see you.

Racer could not decide what color she wanted her eyes to be.

Did you know...

...that being a pet owner helps you problem-solve? It's true. Animals teach us that walking in the rain is not impossible, eating the right amount of food is good for us, and that if you feel stuck, and the gate out is locked, you may have to dig under to get through. Instead of tying us down, our pets can teach us to be flexible, and figure things out. RAL's adoption counselors work with our visitors to find the perfect match for them. You can visit us Tuesday-Friday from 4:30-8:00 p.m. and on the weekends from noon-4:00.

Did you know...

...that sporting RAL apparel makes you very cool? It's true. Just check out these cool cats for proof. We have sweatshirts from youth sizes to XXXL. You need one. Stop by the shelter or our awesome thrift store ( 13547 Midlothian Turnpike) to pick one up.

Cynthia Reed, Victorious Volunteer Coordinator
Sarah Perkinson, Awesome Adoptions Coordinator
Susan Kelly, Sadly Moved to Pittsburgh
Sharon Cornett, Ruler of the Free World

Did you know...

...that Sharon Cornett, the president of our board, has been recognized as the very first Pet Person of the Year by Family Dog Digest and Kat Simons! It's true. For a very long time people were talking about how awesome it would be if local rescue groups could work together to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia rates in the Richmond area. Richmond Animal League, Ring Dog Rescue, and Chesterfield Humane Society formed Metro Richmond Pet Savers (MRPS) to do just that. The first MRPS adoption event was held in April of 2010. The participating groups have been able to find homes for more than 500 animals since then--and MRPS is going strong! Click here for details about where MRPS will be each month!

Did you know...

...that Apollo Ono met a little girl named Hannah yesterday--and fell in love? It's true. Hannah, who will be two years old next week, and her dad came in to donate some cat food and see some "diddy dats." The diddy dats loved her, and she gave them all equal attention, but Apollo Ono was especially smitten. He's a little LaPerm cat, but he came up to Hannah's waist and kept standing right in front of her if she was making a move for another cat. When we went back to see the puppies, Apollo Ono waited at the door for us to return. At the end of the visit, Hannah said goodbye to Apollo in the appropriate way (and by that I mean that she put him in a headlock). Apollo is sitting around thinking of Hannah today and wishing he had a little girl to play with every day.

Apollo Recovers

Did you know....

that the courage of one little dog can help other dogs find a home? It's true. See if you can follow all of the good news as is unfolds here.

1) In January of 2010 Squire, a little beagle, gets left behind when his owner moves away. Squire is not alone. There are 7 other beagles with him, and four of them die before neighbors alerted authorities. Squire and the surviving others ended up in RAL's care to wait for permanent, loving homes.

2) After falling in love with his funny dancing and side-eyed looks, we ran a story about Squire to let everyone know that it was time for him to go home. We shared the story on Facebook.

3) A woman in Fort Campbell, KY saw the story--and a picture of Squire. She wanted to get him a cab and get him to Kentucky as fast as possible. Instead, she asked if she could pay the adoption fee for Squire to increase his chances of finding a family. Soon after, Squire was adopted.

4) Squire's new family saw other hounds while they were at the shelter meeting Squire. They saw Henson, who has been at RAL for almost a year, and Michelle, who is one of Squire's buddies. They wished that they could take them all home. Instead, they asked if they could pay the adoption fee for Henson and Michelle so that they, too, could find homes like Squire did!

5) With hunting season ending, shelters are seeing an increase in hound dogs and RAL is working hard to find homes for them. An adoption special is announced in which the fee for adult hounds is reduced from $125 to $75.

6) MEANWHILE, back at Fort Campbell....the person who fell in Squire and paid his adoption fee sees that Henson and Michelle are still here--and are being joined by more and more hounds. She wonders if she can help. Our Fort Campbell hero has offered to pay $25 toward the fee for any adult hound--bringing the final fees to $50 through the month of January.

7) Is a reduced adoption fee the only reason to get a pet? No. But if you are ready, could you keep this story of happy endings going by opening your heart to a hound dog? Yes.

We are constantly amazed and humbled by the generosity of our community. And now our community extends all the way to Kentucky and back!

That's worth a howl.