Did you know...

...that being part of RAL's foster program enables you to help more animals than you ever could if you had to keep them all forever? It's true! So many of our fosters hear this: "I could never do that. It would be too hard to give them up." We'd like to offer a different perspective--straight from our fosters (we'd really like to ask the cats and dogs, but they are pretty tight-lipped about their time away from the shelter).

1. Fostering is a no-risk way to have more animals share your life! You can foster animals you might not even consider adopting because of age or health issues.
2. You get to see what it would be like to have "just one more" in your home.
3. It's a great way to give your own pets more opportunities to socialize and exercise.
4. You and RAL get a much better understanding of the animal's personality. Animals in shelter settings can be nervous or depressed. Many times they blossom in a home environment.
5. Your belief that there are indeed angels among us is continually renewed when you get to meet some of our wonderful adopters!
6. Fosters open up a spot at RAL for another animal to be saved.
7. You realize that the foster animal isn't the lucky you--you are! You get to be a hero in the eyes of a homeless pet!
8. Fosters get to see so many unique personalities develop in their care.
9. Your heart gets lots of exercise!
10. RAL covers all expenses related to fostering.

If you would like to learn more about our foster program, contact us at pat@ral.org. Fostering helps further our mission of SAVING LIVES: providing hope, help and homes to animals in need.

Willis is getting used to being a three-legged wonder before going to his loving, permanent home.
His foster mom is taking good care of him in the meantime.

Did you know...

...that RAL merchandise can make your co-workers look beautiful and happy? It's true! Huge thanks to Suzanne and Gil Burdette for making these SunTrust employees look so good!

Did you know...

that the media coverage of the increase in hounds in area shelters (including RAL) has resulted in some wonderful stories? It's true! A few of the dogs have already gone home! We've had people call and want to donate to support the hounds that just arrived--and even someone who wants to help Henson, who has been here for a long time. We also received an email from a woman named Sherri who took the time to tell us the story of Buddy.

Hi RAL ! I heard about the hunting dog additions to your shelter on the news the other day and I just had to thank you for what you are doing. I also wanted to share my hunting dog story with you. My family and I rescued a hunting dog back in the very cold winter of 2006. We were in a strip mall parking lot and saw a very skinny hound dog running around. We tried to get him, but he resisted our efforts. We ended up cornering him and, luckily, he gave in to us. He was very thin and very smelly. We took him home, fed him, and cleaned him up. He had no personality whatsoever because he had just been treated like an animal, never as a pet. I knew we had done the right thing by bringing him home but I wondered what in the world we would do with him. I had struggled many times over the years to find good homes for dogs that were much more adoptable than he was. He ran away from us several times and looked puzzled every time we tried to show him affection. Weeks went by and slowly but surely he began to change. He realized we weren't so bad after all and stopped trying to escape. He started to wag his tail and show appreciation for our affection. Eventually we let him in the house. He never once tried to mark anything in our home, he got along with our other rescues, he put up with our children and their attempts to ride him like a horse, and even our cats weren't afraid of him. He is Mr. Personality now and every time I sit on the couch he wants to snuggle. He loves blankets, walks, and treats. I am thankful every day that we didn't give up on him. Some would say he is a lucky dog but I know the truth, that we are even luckier. Buddy was at least 2-3 years old when we found him. I worried that his personality (or lack of it) was "set" by then. But it definitely wasn't. I would love for you to share his story. I wrote it hoping you would, so it might inspire someone to consider taking in a hound dog. Thank you again for helping the hounds, my family and I really appreciate it. Sincerely, Sherri Cooper

BUDDY!

Did you know...

...that the Loving Spay & Neuter Clinic has a very important birthday coming up? It's true! The clinic is going to be a year old on February 15th. The only high-volume, low cost spay/neuter facility located south of the James River, it has accomplished quite a bit in its first year. Our veterinarian, Dr. Laura Drinkwine, has performed close to 4,000 spay/neuter procedures since we opened. That number includes animals being adopted from Chesterfield County and Prince George animal shelters, Richmond Animal League, privately owned pets, and feral cats. If I were good at math, I'd calculate how many unwanted litters those procedures have prevented. But numbers involving that many 00000000's are tough.

A Very Proud Moment as the
Clinic is Delivered.

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.