Every single animal that comes through our shelter has a story. Some are complex, many are sad, but all of them get better the minute they arrive at the Virginia Beach SPCA. Morty did not receive the start to life he deserved. He spent much of his early years outside, living at the end of a chain. However, this neglect was only a prelude to Morty’s story. He was rescued from his dire living conditions and made his way to the VBSPCA, where he soon found his forever home.

We recently caught up with Morty and his adopted parents, Andrea and Jeremy, to see how he’s making the most of his second chance.

When did you adopt Morty?

August 2021

How did you know Morty was the one for you?

We saw Morty listed for adoption on vbspca.com. He looked like a sweet boy, so we wanted to meet him. During our meeting, Morty was loving and playful. He wanted to be close to us and wouldn’t stop licking our hands. We knew instantly he was our dog.

How is Morty doing in the home?

Coming home was an adjustment for Morty because he had no manners. He’s very smart and learned quickly. Morty loves our companionship, so we take him with us as much as possible.

What sort of activities do you do together?

We do daily walks with Morty. He loves being outside, so we play and chase him. When we are fostering a dog, Morty enjoys running around with the pup and playing together.

Does Morty have any funny quirks, or do you have any funny stories to share from your time together?

Morty loves to sit in the backseat of our cars. It doesn’t matter the temperature outside, he wants to sit or lie back there as if he’s ready to go on a ride. Morty has always loved car rides.

How has Morty enriched your life? 

Morty had a sad past before being rescued by PETA. He was chained up outside and probably not treated the best by his previous owners. Despite his past, Morty has always been full of love. He also faces discrimination from strangers, but Morty always shows them love. He is the perfect example of resilience, and he has blessed our lives.

We recently did an age test on Morty and found out that he is much older than we thought. Morty is actually around 8 years old. Knowing this has encouraged us to treasure every single moment with Morty and continue spending as much time as possible together. Morty will continue to have the best experiences with us because he deserves it!

Photo credit: TS Photography

Think of any charity in Hampton Roads, and there is a good chance that Allen Fabijan supports it. But of all the worthwhile causes that Allen champions, none move him quite like animal welfare. Fabijan continues his lifelong support of animals and the Virginia Beach SPCA through his media company, large social media presence, and his oversized personality. It is for his decades of support of nonprofit causes in the area – especially the VBSPCA – that he is receiving the 2025 Compassion Award.

“Being recognized with the Compassion Award fills my heart with overwhelming gratitude and joy,” he said. “To be recognized for something I’m deeply passionate about is profoundly humbling, and it strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for and nurturing animals in need.”

Fabijan learned compassion for animals in need while growing up. His home was always filled with dogs and wildlife in need of care – “raccoons, rabbits, opossums, birds. You name it,” he said. “My family has always felt it’s our job to care for our furry friends.”

Once he was old enough, Fabijan began volunteering at the VBSPCA shelter. He may no longer clean kennels, but Fabijan still supports the organization in a way only he can – by raising awareness of the mission and work of the VBSPCA through his radio station presence and large social media following.

Fabijan has even found healing through his work with the VBSPCA. After the devastating loss of Coletrane, his pet Weimaraner, Fabijan made it his mission to raise extra awareness for senior pets and long-term residents of the shelter.

“Seeing them find the home they needed and deserved filled the loss of losing Coletrane,” Fabijan said. “It opened up an entirely different part of my heart for doing all I could to help others experience the joy of having a pet like Coletrane in their lives. It’s the accumulated stories and experiences of lives changed for the better for those with four legs and those with two.”

Longtime supporters of the VBSPCA may associate Fabijan most with the annual Wags & Whiskers Gala. Fabijan has emceed Gala for almost a decade and plays a very active role in the Miracle Medical Fund paddle raise – employing his charm and peer pressure in equal measures to ensure as much money as possible is raised to support the animals of the VBSPCA. 

“It’s the community of advocates who support the VBSPCA that helps fuel my passion,” Fabijan said. “Everyone involved who champions animal welfare and helps create a better world for the animals who need us the most should inspire anyone to do more.”

However, Fabijan will play a different role at this year’s Gala, held Saturday, April 12th at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort. He is temporarily passing on the emcee’s microphone so he can fully savor the experience of being celebrated with receipt of the Compassion Award.

“This honor not only acknowledges my years of dedication to a cause close to my heart but also reaffirms the shared love and commitment of so many I have served side-by-side in Hampton Roads to help the voiceless animals among us,” he said. “This award is a testament to the collective effort of all who share in this mission, and I am immensely proud to be part of such a compassionate journey.”

Emily Franklin was, in her own words, “animal crazy” from the moment she was born. She recalls the love she felt for her first two pets – a pair of ferrets named Thelma and Louise – and how desperate she was as a child to have a dog of her own. Franklin’s youthful passion for animals continued to grow and led her to service on the Virginia Beach SPCA Board of Directors, where she worked tirelessly to elevate the annual Wags & Whiskers Gala into the signature event it is today. It is for her longstanding commitment to animal welfare and the VBSPCA that Franklin is receiving the 2025 Lifesaver Award.

As soon as she could talk, Franklin began asking her parents for a dog. It took many years – and too many pleas to count – but she finally got her wish in high school. A family member could no longer care for Ruby, a beautiful red Doberman, and Franklin’s parents agreed to take her in. “It was the best day. I was thrilled,” she recalled. Ruby passed a year later, and next came another red Doberman named Lila. But it wasn’t until Franklin’s husband Taylor brought home a dog named Jax that she felt the full emotional impact of four-legged companionship.

“The gift of caring for another being without the ability to ever have verbal communication instills a trust in not just another soul but one deeper within yourself,” Franklin said. “That love will change you.” Now a mother of three, Franklin has taken care to instill respect for all animals into her children – lessons aided by the family dogs, who she lovingly calls “the boys.” “There is nothing greater about our life with our boys than seeing them with our children,” she said. “Knowing the love that they have for our children gives me a joy and comfort that knows no bounds. In turn, having our boys teach our children responsibility, confidence, compassion, trust, and ownership will only shape them to be better people. Rescue and adoption have taught our family the importance of selflessness and appreciation for those who cannot advocate for themselves.”

Taking the importance of selflessness to heart, Franklin began volunteering her time as a member of the VBSPCA Board of Directors in 2012. She was encouraged to do so by her brother-in-law and current Board member Scott Taylor. “They had me at hello,” Franklin said. Once on the Board, Franklin faced a dilemma not uncommon to visitors of the shelter. She fell in love with every furry face she saw and wanted to add them all to her family. “I remember spending time at the VBSPCA with my friend [and fellow Board member] Maria Elmer,” Franklin said. “I remember telling her that I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to volunteer specifically in the shelter because I would end up adopting them all.” Soon after, Franklin found her calling.

“Right after that, we were at Gala,” Franklin said. “I walked over to Maria and said ‘this is how we can help. Let’s chair the Gala together next year.’ We organized the revival of the VBSPCA Wags and Whiskers Gala that next year. It was a smashing success.” Franklin served as Gala Chair from 2015-2017. The Wags & Whiskers Gala has continued growing in the succeeding years and is now the largest fundraising event on the VBSPCA’s calendar – raising roughly $350,000 for the animals each year. Franklin will be presented with the 2025 Lifesaver Award at this year’s Gala, held April 12th at the Marriott Oceanfront Resort.

For all the hard work put into the organization by Franklin, she insists she received far more than she ever gave.“My support of the VBSPCA has given more to me than I have to them, I can assure you,” she said. “It has been such a highlight of my last decade. Receiving this award is truly special and it feels like an award for just loving animals because every moment I spent raising money for this organization was for the betterment of the lives of the animals that come through that door.”

Every single animal that comes through our shelter has a story. Some are complex, many are sad, but all of them get better the minute they arrive at the Virginia Beach SPCA. Dani was volunteering at the VBSPCA one day when she first met Simba. He was a former stray puppy who had traveled a hard road from a public shelter in Louisiana to the VBSPCA. Dani knew that with some love and support this undersocialized dog would make a perfect addition to her family.

That was nearly 11 years ago, but Simba is still going strong in his golden years. We recently caught up with Dani to see how Simba has made the most of his second chance.

When did you adopt Simba?

May 2014.

How did you know Simba was the one for you?

I was volunteering at the VBSPCA doing laundry the day I first saw him. A few people had shown interest in him but didn’t pursue adopting him. He was a transfer from a shelter in Louisiana, where he had come in as a stray puppy, and wasn’t used to people. I love helping animals from challenging backgrounds because every animal deserves love and patience. I had Nala – a Shar Pei mix rescue who had moved to Virginia Beach with me – and knew Simba would make a great addition to our pack.

How is Simba doing in the home?

At first, he was scared of people and wanted to be free. Trying to walk him on a leash was like trying to walk a deer. But with a lot of socialization, love, and patience, Simba eventually began to thrive! Nala was his other half. She showed him the ropes and helped him come out of his shell. They were best friends until Nala passed away at 11 in 2023. Simba is now an old man and will turn 12 in October. It’s now me, Simba, and Raven, who I adopted in 2019.

What sort of activities do you do together?

He goes on multiple walks a day and loves meeting new people now! He’s gone on adventures with his fur-siblings throughout Virginia and out of state. About two years ago, we started a bucket list of 39 things to do, and we’ve checked off 16 things so far! This includes going to the Chinese Lantern Festival, watching the solar eclipse, and having his own photoshoot.

Also, Simba loves to play hide and seek around the house. We’ve played that game since he was a puppy, and he is good at finding me every time! 

Does Simba have any funny quirks or do you have any funny stories to share from your time together?

Simba will randomly flop down anywhere to roll around on his back. It can be in some cozy grass, the sand, or even on the pavement while crossing the street. People will always laugh and ask if he’s throwing a tantrum because he’ll just randomly stop and flop over – especially when he doesn’t want to leave a place or walk somewhere. He’s been doing this since he was a puppy and still does it at his old age now!

My elderly neighbor carries treats in his pocket and in his truck. Whenever he sees my pack and me walking, he’ll stop or drive by to give them treats. Simba can spot my neighbor from down the street and will stop walking and start crying until he gets his daily treat. He’s come a LONG way from being the stray puppy who avoided people and never wanted to be touched!

How has Simba enriched your life? 

Simba is chill, low-key, and slow-paced, and he’s taught me to take life slower and enjoy the little things. His happiness over small things and the way he’s unbothered by pretty much everything reminds me to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the little things in life. Our time together over the past 10 years has been amazing, and his silly personality always makes me laugh. 

You know that saying “who rescued whom?” I 100% believe that to be true. Simba has made my life better in more ways that I can put into words! I still remember the day that I saw his scared little face in the kennel for the first time. He is so spunky, sassy, loving, and funny, and he brings such a beautiful joy to my life. He has been the best brother to Nala and Raven, and I can’t imagine my life without him. His adventures will continue through his bucket list, which keeps growing, and he’ll continue to bring joy to my life and all those who meet Simba aka Mr. Man aka Bubbey aka Sim Sim. Thank you, VBSPCA for saving his life back in 2014 by transferring him to your shelter! I’m grateful that you did and thankful he’s in my life!

Love in the air, and this February there are plenty of meaningful and fun ways for you to help support the homeless animals at the VBSPCA!

Valentines Mini Photo Session
Book a Valentines Day photoshoot with Laurie Bateman for your fur baby and $25 will be donated to the VBSPCA. The promotion runs from February 1st to the 7th. Sign up for a slot here https://lauriebatemanphotography.pixieset.com/booking/valentine-pet-sessions-vbspca

Fall in Love with Sheltering
Come out to After Glow Brewing February 15th from 12-4 to join the VBSPCA and other local animal shelters to raise money and spread awareness of what each organization does and get an opportunity to meet some adoptable dogs.

Puppy Love at 17 Hands
Throughout the month of February 17 Hands is doing a Valentines Day themed menu where they will be donating a percentage of their sales to the VBSPCA. To participate head over to 17 Hands and order a Valentines drink!

All Year Long – Sustainable Support

The Adventures of Lucky and Bud
Share a sweet story of compassion for animals and support the Virginia Beach SPCA! Author Frank Pengitore of the children’s book The Adventures of Lucky and Bud will donate a portion of sales along with a copy of this book for the VBSPCA’s Humane Education program library.

JustGiving
The Virginia Beach SPCA is teaming up with JustGiving to support peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives. Click here to set up a fundraiser for the VBSPCA today. Have questions about the platform? Send an email to donations@vbspca.com.

Black Dog Real Estate LLC
Looking for a new home? Try Black Dog Real Estate. A total of 5% of each sales commission will be donated to the VBSPCA. Click here to learn more.

Kroger Plus
You can help homeless animals anytime you buy groceries at Kroger! Simply sign up, swipe your Plus Card when you shop, and a portion of the sale will be donated back to the VBSPCA! Sign up to participate here.

Jennifer Brickhouse Realtor
Realtor Jennifer Brickhouse of the Real Estate Group is turning housewarmings into homecomings. She is sponsoring the adoption fee of one adoptable animal at the VBSPCA for each house sold. Click here to learn more.

Papa John’s Pizza of Hampton Roads
Pizza tastes better when it is for a great cause! Use promo code VBSPCA whenever you order from any of Papa John’s 27 locations in Hampton Roads and 20 percent of net sales are donated back to us. Combine this with promo VBSPCA5 to receive five percent off any order of $25 or more. 

Become a Member
As a VBSPCA Member, every adoption we complete, every wildlife animal we rescue, every child we reach, and every pet we treat in our clinic connects back to you. YOU make our mission possible, and all it takes is $10 a month. Plus, VBSPCA members receive exclusive perks and discounts in gratitude for their dedication to sustaining our mission! Interested? Click here to become a VBSPCA Member.

The Virginia Beach SPCA is incredibly grateful for the continued support from our local community. If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser or event supporting the VBSPCA, please contact our Outreach Department at outreach@vbspca.com.

Every single animal that comes through our shelter has a story. Some are complex, many are sad, but all of them get better the minute they arrive at the Virginia Beach SPCA. Beth needed Pandie just as much as Pandie needed her – she just didn’t know it. Pandie, a sweet senior cattle dog mix, had been at the VBSPCA nearly four months when Beth first saw her online. Beth was still grieving the recent loss of a longtime canine companion, but something about Pandie stuck with her. The two shared a tearful first meeting at the shelter, and two days later Beth finalized Pandie’s adoption.

We recently caught up with Beth to see how Pandie is enjoying a life of unceasing love.

How did you know Pandie was the one for you?

We lost Scarlett – our rescue mutt of 11 years – on June 8, 2024. I did not expect my heart to be healed enough to adopt another dog so quickly, but a few weeks later, Pandie’s photos came up on my Facebook feed. Every morning, right when I woke up, I found myself checking that post, not understanding why someone hadn’t adopted this sweet pup. Later, a volunteer posted a short video of Pandie at the beach on a Beach Buddies outing. We live at the Oceanfront, and I wanted to share that happiness with Pandie every day! On July 6, I visited Pandie with my granddaughter. She took a video of Pandie hugging me and licking me while tears streamed down my face, and we both knew that Pandie was my new soul mate. Pandie officially came home two days later, one month to the day after Scarlett crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

How is Pandie doing in the home?

Pandie felt very comfortable from day one. She was immediately on all the couches and beds, even though she has four dog beds of her own. Unfortunately, Pandie’s excitement about her new beach life resulted in a torn cruciate ligament (a knee ligament similar to the ACL in humans) over the summer, and she had orthopedic surgery. She recovered like an absolute champion, with her surgeon saying even her non-injured leg that had signs of joint disease looks much healthier! 

The six weeks of intense caregiving time was extremely bonding for the two of us. Pandie eats home-cooked meals and has lost seven pounds from her time in the shelter. When people meet her, they can’t believe that she was recently injured or that she is almost nine years old! She’s really started to get her puppy energy back.

What sort of activities do you do together?

Pandie’s activity was very limited when she was hurt, but she loved being pushed in her dog stroller when I ran. Now, she and I do at least one 2-3 mile walk/hike per day, but she still fancies her stroller. She will run outside and jump in it for us to go on longer adventures outside. She LOVES the trails of First Landing State Park near our house and has spent the warmer winter days reacclimating to water exercise at the Narrows. We have just gotten back to Oceanfront walks as well. Pandie is also a wonderful road trip companion – already accompanying us on trips to Blacksburg, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C., and Charlotte, N.C., with more to come!

Does Pandie have any funny quirks?

Pandie gives the best hugs, which I knew from the day I met her. She wraps her front legs around my shoulders and puts the full weight of her upper body against me. For several months she was unable to put full weight on the rear leg, so she’s making up for it by hugging me every chance she gets. She can frequently be found laid out on her back around the house, making sure she’s prepared for ALL THE BELLY RUBS. Her tail is also in perpetual motion, occasionally swiping a drink off the coffee table or an ornament off the Christmas tree! When she’s exceptionally happy, her tail goes into full 360-degree wag mode.

How has Pandie enriched your lives so far?

She’s healed my broken heart, which is more than anyone can ask of any being. The house is full of joy again, and I look forward to coming home to her circular tail and abundant kisses. She’s also keeping me active, even when it’s freezing cold, because we have to keep up with her rehab and manage her weight.

Pandie was very much loved in her past life, but unavoidable family circumstances brought her to the VBSPCA. This is heartbreaking, but I am so happy to be able to give her twice as much love every day, since I only get to love her half as long. She gives me three times as much love in return!

Happiest of New Years!

 I can sum up the past year with one simple phrase: controlled chaos. Despite the disruption of construction throughout our clinic renovation and the general landscape of animal welfare, we have truly accomplished amazing feats this year together.

Construction on our clinic began in January, and we made adjustments to operating spaces and methodologies along the way to continue to be a trusted resource for the animals in our community and in our shelter. The clinic team, led by Medical Director Dr. Ann Marie Woyma and Director of Clinic Operations Kindra Haymaker, banded together to find innovative solutions to treat animals in need under some of the toughest conditions. Desktops became exam tables, hallways were holding kennels, equipment found homes in cupboards, and makeshift workspaces were assembled from temporary tables. Clients endured shifting check-in directions, and patients made their way safely around construction areas to get the care they needed. Shelter staff adjusted schedules and expectations as needed to work better with the clinic – never missing a step for the care of our shelter residents. Throughout it all, we managed to maintain our sense of purpose for our community, and today’s clinic is a testament to our fortitude and resilience, and a true recognition of the needs of our devoted pet owners. 

I couldn’t be more proud of the teams as they worked through the long days of construction only to see the very bright light that is our clinic today. With special thanks to PetSmart Charities and  Taylor Construction, we exceeded our expectations for the utilization of space and are now positioned to do more with more. 

In July, Jenn Fly joined our Executive Team as Director of Shelter Operations. Though we have a very strong management team in place, we had struggled to fill the director role. With a long background in animal welfare, Jenn immediately got to work providing keen oversight and new perspectives for our shelter. In this year of animal population challenges, decreases in adoption rates, and increases in owner relinquishments; her wisdom, calm demeanor, and practical approach have helped guide us to better decisions about our capacity for care and improved collaboration with community partners. It is our strategic vision to be a leading partner in animal welfare in our region, and we certainly are with our leadership in place. 

As we consider the volume of work that faces us in 2025, we realize that our greatest resource is our people. Talented and dedicated staff at all levels create the foundation upon which we grow and deliver our mission with the greatest impact. As we prepared budgets for 2025, we considered competitive compensation, overall benefits, and continuing education as critical components of our very treasured investment – committed, fulfilled employees. At our most recent annual employee awards breakfast, I looked around the room and marveled at the tremendous staff we have in place. Whether one works in kennel or cattery, clinic or Neuter Scooter, development or marketing, finance or human resources – each one serves to deliver our strongest mission to the community. 

Though the journey through the past year has been rocky at times, we are ending the year with the disruptions behind us and a clear vision of our path forward. With the support of our devoted community – donors, sponsors, volunteers, adopters, fosters, pet owners, vendors, and partners – we know that 2025 will bring expanded in-house clinic services; hopes for a new Neuter Scooter on the road; stability in our shelter, where the promise of second chances abound; new friends made at our many events, especially our Wags & Whiskers Gala on April 12th; and continued growth for staff and our leadership. 

We graciously bid adieu to 2024, having reached the end with the help of a great sense of humor and a touch of joy. We look forward to the promises of new – less bumpy – adventures in 2025 as we jump right in…for the animals.

With many thanks and a bright outlook for 2025,

Derby Bracket
CEO, Virginia Beach SPCA

December is here, and holiday season is in full swing! Whether you’re finalizing your shopping list, looking for a festive event for friends and family, or feeling moved on Giving Tuesday, you can support the homeless animals of the VBSPCA. Here’s how.

Home For the Holidays
Starting Sunday, December 1st Priority Automotive is paying half of the adoption fees of every canine and feline adopted from the VBSPCA. This promotion is automatically applied when you adopt an animal and last until December 31st or when funds run out.

Giving Tuesday – December 3rd
Support the VBSPCA on the biggest fundraising event of the year! Giving Tuesday takes place on December 3rd. Our goal is to raise $20,000 on this international day of giving. Your donations make second chances possible for homeless animals. You can make a donation by visiting the VBSPCA Facebook page, Instagram page, or our website.

Holiday Tribute Gifts
This holiday season, give a gift to animals in need. Donate in honor of someone special during the month of December and receive a greeting card insert that makes the perfect holiday gift. You can make your honorary donation here: https://vbspca.com/honors-and-memorials/.

Yappy Hour – December 8th
Join us Saturday, December 8th from 1-3 p.m. at Pups and Pints for a Howl-iday Paint Your Pet Fundraiser hosted by Crush It On Canvas featuring an Ugly Sweater Competition. Have a festive time in support of the VBSPCA whilel Crush it On Canvas leads you step-by-step as you paint your furry friend. Don your ugliest sweater for a chance at a prize. Sign up here: https://vbspca.com/yappy-hour/. 

Holiday Tale for Two – December 16th
On Monday, December 16th join us for our Tale for Two but with a Holiday twist. During our Holiday Tale for Two children will have a holiday tale read to them, meet a couple of shelter animals, and make treats for themselves and the shelter animals.Sign up here: https://vbspca.com/a-tale-for-two/.

Holiday Elf
Give an adoptable shelter animal a much deserved break from the shelter, and you receive all the holiday snuggles you could ask for! We are asking families to take home one of our shelter animals from Dec. 22nd through Dec. 26th. Email foster@vbspca.com to sign up, and our staff will pair you with the perfect furry friend!

Mechanical Service Company Holiday Fundraiser
Mechanical Service Company is holding a holiday fundraiser to support the animals of the VBSPCA from October 9th until December 9th. Customers are encouraged to drop off items from our Wish List.

All Year Long – Sustainable Support

The Adventures of Lucky and Bud
Share a sweet story of compassion for animals and support the Virginia Beach SPCA! Author Frank Pengitore of the children’s book The Adventures of Lucky and Bud will donate a portion of sales along with a copy of this book for the VBSPCA’s Humane Education program library.

Black Dog Real Estate LLC
Looking for a new home? Try Black Dog Real Estate. A total of 5% of each sales commission will be donated to the VBSPCA. Click here to learn more.

Kroger Plus
You can help homeless animals anytime you buy groceries at Kroger! Simply sign up, swipe your Plus Card when you shop, and a portion of the sale will be donated back to the VBSPCA! Sign up to participate here.

Jennifer Brickhouse Realtor
Realtor Jennifer Brickhouse of the Real Estate Group is turning housewarmings into homecomings. She is sponsoring the adoption fee of one adoptable animal at the VBSPCA for each house sold. Click here to learn more.

Papa John’s Pizza of Hampton Roads
Pizza tastes better when it is for a great cause! Use promo code VBSPCA whenever you order from any of Papa John’s 27 locations in Hampton Roads and 20 percent of net sales are donated back to us. Combine this with promo VBSPCA5 to receive five percent off any order of $25 or more. 

The Virginia Beach SPCA is incredibly grateful for the continued support from our local community. If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser or event supporting the VBSPCA, please contact our Outreach Department at outreach@vbspca.com.

Every single animal that comes through our shelter has a story. Some are complex, many are sad, but all of them get better the minute they arrive at the Virginia Beach SPCA. As an older and FIV-positive kitten, Fiadh (pronounced FEE-uh) was being overlooked in favor of her younger cattery mates and had spent most of her young life in the care of the VBSPCA. When a potential adopter who was familiar with FIV-positive cats was introduced to Fiadh, she knew she had to end Fiadh’s long wait for a forever home.

Fiadh adjusted quickly to her new home, where she is a nonstop source of affection and entertainment. We recently caught up with Darcy to see how Fiadh keeps her on her toes.

How did you know Fiadh was the one for you?

I decided to get a pet so I wouldn’t be so lonely but wanted a pet that would be OK with being home alone during the day while I am at work. I went to the VBSPCA to see what cats they had. Fiadh was introduced to me, and I was told that she had a hard time finding a home because she has FIV. There were a couple of other kitties that were precious, but my mind kept going back to Fiadh. She had been at the shelter almost her entire young life and was having trouble being homed. My sister had a cat with FIV, so I was familiar with it and knew that she would live a mostly normal kitty cat life. I didn’t want her to stay at a shelter longer than she needed to just because of this. I decided to adopt her so that she could have a nice comfy home to call her own. 

How is Fiadh doing in the home?

Fiadh is doing wonderful! She has such a silly personality! She loves playing tag and chasing me around the house. When I first brought her home, she hid under my dining room hutch the whole night, but by morning she was ready to become friends. She is the most loving cat I have ever known. She wants to be up on my shoulder ALL THE TIME! She greets me at the door every day when I get home, and when I bend down to pick her up she gets right on my shoulder and gives me hugs and kisses. She also has a bit of an attitude and lets me know when I am not giving her enough attention! 

What sort of activities do you do together?

One of Fiadh’s favorite things to do is hide around corners or under furniture and dart out and attack me as I walk by. She also will just randomly run up to me and punch my legs with her little paws and then run away. Sometimes, she grabs my legs when she does it and holds on for a couple seconds before running off. She also loves to sit in the window and watch the birds. She makes a cute little chirping sound while watching them. 

Does Fiadh have any funny quirks?

Fiadh is a bit of a thief! She has stolen my parking passes and other random things that get left lying around. It took me a while to figure out it was her taking my things until I saw her running off one day with my new replacement parking pass! She also likes to steal Q-tips from the trash can and kick them around the house. I have since gotten a bathroom trash can with a lid. She also likes carrying her toys around and playing fetch with herself. She throws them up in the air, hits them across the room, and then off she goes! She loves belly rubs and getting foot massages, and she’s very sociable and loves making friends with visitors. Everyone thinks she is so silly and loves her personality. 

How has Fiadh enriched your lives so far?

I love coming home and knowing that she is right there waiting for her hug! I have a cuddle buddy now to curl up and watch movies with and I can always count on her for a good laugh!

Every single animal that comes through our shelter has a story. Some are complex, many are sad, but all of them get better the minute they arrive at the Virginia Beach SPCA. Baxter was one of 24 dogs to make the journey from St. Landry Parish, Louisiana to the VBSPCA in August 2023. A sweet dog to those he knew and trusted, Baxter could also be guarded around strangers. This made Baxter a difficult dog to adopt out, and he spent 155 days in our care.

Enter Wyatt, a volunteer dog walker for the VBSPCA. He and Baxter formed an instant bond, and it was soon apparent that the two were meant to be. We recently checked in with Wyatt to see how this pint-sized pup is turning heads in his forever home.

How did you know Baxter was the one for you?

I met Baxter while volunteering. I had started the training for dog walking and was firm that I did not want to adopt a dog for a couple of years. Baxter was the first dog I walked. He walked about 20 yards and did his business. From there he firmly planted himself and would not go any further no matter how much I tried to coax him. He was extremely stubborn, and I couldn’t get him to walk further. He immediately turned around and led me back to the kennel. The entire time he seemed apathetic toward me. He led me back into his kennel, I took his leash off, and he became affectionate. All he wanted was some pets and love. The way he looked at me obliterated any resolve I had to not adopt. While he didn’t want to go on a walk it was clear he did want me to stay and spend time with him. I knew almost immediately that he was my dog. We wrapped up the adoption process about a month later, and we’ve been best buddies ever since.

How is Baxter doing in the home?

Baxter has truly come out of his shell since coming home with me. He initially had heartworms, which was a very long process to resolve. Luckily, he is very laid back, so I didn’t have to calm him down very often. Now that his treatment and recovery are over he is energetic and playful. He can be scared of the big wide world at times, but I am slowly working on getting him more comfortable in public.

What sort of activities do you do together?

We cuddle and watch movies, and go on runs and walks. He has amassed many fans on our walks through our neighborhood. It’s not every day people see a lab-basset hound mix! Baxter loves to play tug of war and keep away. He is also fond of car rides when it isn’t too hot, but, unfortunately, his short little legs make it difficult for him to position his head out the window.

How has Baxter enriched your lives so far? 

Baxter fills my life with joy daily. Every day before bed I spend 5-10 minutes fully dedicated to petting and scratching him. It is a nice moment that we share that has brought us closer together, to the point that I can truly say we are best friends. When I get home from work the stress of my day melts away as he greets me. His excitement brings me back to a childlike wonder and appreciation for the world. On our walks I get to spend quiet moments with him, something I think people don’t give themselves otherwise, at least I didn’t. Baxter makes me grateful. He makes me appreciate the world and its beauty. I feel he has broadened my horizons, and I don’t know what I’d do without him.