Wishing all the best for the new year while remembering the impact of 2025…
This past year has been one of incredible change for our organization, all designed to keep in step with the needs of our community and their animals. While our mission to eliminate animal suffering and increase human compassion stayed constant, the work done to accomplish this was refreshed, reviewed, and even reinvented for stronger results.
This reinvention began with the full operation of our expanded clinic. The increase in spaces demanded more staffing, greater expertise, improved technology and equipment, and teamwork in harmony to produce quality results. All were in play to meet the growth in demand from our pet owners for accessible, affordable care. We have used the second installment from our PetSmart Charities Accelerator grant to focus on effective and efficient staffing and compensation, combined with advanced continuing education to keep the talent pool best equipped to serve the most important needs of the animals. We will continue to focus on these areas with our final grant installment for 2026.
The medical care extends to our shelter animals and provides the healthiest adoption candidates possible. With a fresh perspective in our shelter leadership, protocols and methodologies have been updated to meet today’s shelter environment. The difficult nature of sheltering and caring for homeless animals was more apparent in 2025 than in recent years. The economic and emotional factors that drove intakes up also affected the number of adoptions. The shelter teams worked diligently to create pathways for second chances even when the obstacles were tough. Our focus on medical care, enrichment, foster options, and solid animal welfare expertise welcomed over 17,000 people through our doors and helped find solutions or connections for close to 2,000 animals.
Our strategic plan for 2026-2028 was created with strong, innovative input from all areas of leadership and our board of directors. There is a pragmatic operational vision in conjunction with stretch goals for the sustainability and success of our business—not just our mission. Growth is inevitable as the community need is never stagnant, but controlled growth is the stabilizer for our nonprofit initiatives. Operating on a zero-based budget is mandatory. The renewed focus on outreach and structure of our development and marketing teams is a clear example of reviewing the current state and building for an improved future state. For 2026, we will ask more of our leadership to guide the business through multiple channels while controlling expenses with intentional, impactful solutions. It’s a balancing act and I feel strongly we have the team that can be successful in their outcomes.
The wins of the year also include the change in venue of our Wags and Whiskers Gala to the Marriott Oceanfront with a return this year on April 11th; a sold out, fun-filled Puttin’ for Paws Golf tournament; a new fully equipped Neuter Scooter to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026, allowing us to reach more animals throughout Hampton Roads more safely; six new board members to help guide the organization and be voices for our mission; successful donor interactions throughout the year culminating in a fabulous donor appreciation event at the Breeden home in December; and the retention of dedicated staff through a renewed focus on a positive culture and continuous learning. Teamwork starts at the top here and extends throughout the organization; sharing what we know ensures success.
As we close the 2025 year, it is important to recognize that the greatest wins are those that involve our four-legged friends—whether adoption, behavior counseling, healing, or rescue—we exist to do our work because the cause is simple: they NEED us.
As we enter 2026, we know that change is constant, the future unknown, the care never stops. But we can enter 2026 with the grace that gives each of us the spirit and energy to serve a purpose greater than ourselves. That is my intention.
With a grateful heart
-Derby
Last Updated: January 6, 2026 by vbspcaadmin
Letter from the CEO
Wishing all the best for the new year while remembering the impact of 2025…
This past year has been one of incredible change for our organization, all designed to keep in step with the needs of our community and their animals. While our mission to eliminate animal suffering and increase human compassion stayed constant, the work done to accomplish this was refreshed, reviewed, and even reinvented for stronger results.
This reinvention began with the full operation of our expanded clinic. The increase in spaces demanded more staffing, greater expertise, improved technology and equipment, and teamwork in harmony to produce quality results. All were in play to meet the growth in demand from our pet owners for accessible, affordable care. We have used the second installment from our PetSmart Charities Accelerator grant to focus on effective and efficient staffing and compensation, combined with advanced continuing education to keep the talent pool best equipped to serve the most important needs of the animals. We will continue to focus on these areas with our final grant installment for 2026.
The medical care extends to our shelter animals and provides the healthiest adoption candidates possible. With a fresh perspective in our shelter leadership, protocols and methodologies have been updated to meet today’s shelter environment. The difficult nature of sheltering and caring for homeless animals was more apparent in 2025 than in recent years. The economic and emotional factors that drove intakes up also affected the number of adoptions. The shelter teams worked diligently to create pathways for second chances even when the obstacles were tough. Our focus on medical care, enrichment, foster options, and solid animal welfare expertise welcomed over 17,000 people through our doors and helped find solutions or connections for close to 2,000 animals.
Our strategic plan for 2026-2028 was created with strong, innovative input from all areas of leadership and our board of directors. There is a pragmatic operational vision in conjunction with stretch goals for the sustainability and success of our business—not just our mission. Growth is inevitable as the community need is never stagnant, but controlled growth is the stabilizer for our nonprofit initiatives. Operating on a zero-based budget is mandatory. The renewed focus on outreach and structure of our development and marketing teams is a clear example of reviewing the current state and building for an improved future state. For 2026, we will ask more of our leadership to guide the business through multiple channels while controlling expenses with intentional, impactful solutions. It’s a balancing act and I feel strongly we have the team that can be successful in their outcomes.
The wins of the year also include the change in venue of our Wags and Whiskers Gala to the Marriott Oceanfront with a return this year on April 11th; a sold out, fun-filled Puttin’ for Paws Golf tournament; a new fully equipped Neuter Scooter to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026, allowing us to reach more animals throughout Hampton Roads more safely; six new board members to help guide the organization and be voices for our mission; successful donor interactions throughout the year culminating in a fabulous donor appreciation event at the Breeden home in December; and the retention of dedicated staff through a renewed focus on a positive culture and continuous learning. Teamwork starts at the top here and extends throughout the organization; sharing what we know ensures success.
As we close the 2025 year, it is important to recognize that the greatest wins are those that involve our four-legged friends—whether adoption, behavior counseling, healing, or rescue—we exist to do our work because the cause is simple: they NEED us.
As we enter 2026, we know that change is constant, the future unknown, the care never stops. But we can enter 2026 with the grace that gives each of us the spirit and energy to serve a purpose greater than ourselves. That is my intention.
With a grateful heart
-Derby
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