An Urgent Situation for Cats and Kittens in Our Community

Our community is facing an unusually difficult situation for cats and kittens right now and we need your help. There is currently an abundance of illness affecting cats in our region, and it is having a significant impact on the organizations that provide shelter and rescue services to our community. At this time we are closed to regular cat intakes because of illness concerns, as are multiple other shelters in the region. That means there […]

Looking for a New Pet? How to Spot an Online Pet Scam

Finding a new pet should be an exciting experience. Unfortunately, scammers know just how quickly people can fall in love with an animal they have only seen online — and they are increasingly using that emotional connection to steal money from hopeful adopters and pet owners. Recently, the Roanoke Valley SPCA has been contacted by multiple people who believed they were adopting an animal from a legitimate organization, only to discover that the animal — […]

Supporting Heroes & Saving Lives: Our Partnership with Pets for Patriots

The Roanoke Valley SPCA is proud to partner with Pets for Patriots, a national organization dedicated to connecting veterans and Gold Star spouses with shelter pets in need of loving homes. Pets for Patriots works with animal shelters and veterinary partners across the country to make adoption more accessible and sustainable for military families. Their mission is twofold: help pets most at risk of long-term homelessness find homes, and support veterans and their families through […]

Helping Pets Thrive: Meet Megan Arant, Our Behavior Support Services Director

At the Roanoke Valley SPCA, we believe that every animal deserves not only physical care, but also the emotional support they need to feel safe, confident, and ready for life in a loving home. That’s why our partnership with the College of Animal and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech is so meaningful. Through this collaboration, we are fortunate to have Megan Arant, our Behavior Support Services Director, working hands-on to help pets thrive. Megan plays […]

From Matted to Marvelous: How Ville Got His Second Chance

When Ville arrived at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, he was full of youthful energy and spunk – but underneath his playful spirit was a problem causing him real pain. Ville’s coat was severely matted, and those tight tangles weren’t just messy. They pulled at his skin, restricted his movement, and made everyday activities uncomfortable. What he needed wasn’t a complex surgery or expensive medical treatment…he simply needed help feeling like himself again. That’s where a […]

Mystique’s Transformation

When Mystique first arrived at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, it was clear that life hadn’t been easy for her. This beautiful calico cat with striking green eyes was completely shut down—too scared to eat when people were near, too frightened to leave the safety of her hiding spot. Our staff and volunteers gave her gentle encouragement, but Mystique just couldn’t seem to settle in at the shelter.   That’s when one of our experienced cat […]

Hattie’s Healing Journey

When Hattie first arrived at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, she was just a little hound pup with big, floppy ears and an even bigger heart. She and her brother were adopted together, and for a while, life was wonderful. They had a loving dad, a warm home, and a family that adored them. But life can change in an instant. When their adopter suddenly passed away, Hattie and her brother were returned to the shelter—heartbroken […]

Dawgs Helping Dogs…and Cats

In preparation for their current hockey season, the Rail Yard Dawgs came to volunteer at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, and they brought their energy, enthusiasm, and big hearts to help our community’s pets. The theme for the day? “Dawgs Helping Dogs…and Cats.” During their visit, the team rolled up their sleeves and helped prepare food for two of our most important programs: the Emergency Pet Food Pantry and Dot’s Drive Thru.   Dot’s Drive Thru […]

Si’s Struggle

When a kind-hearted Good Samaritan found a tiny Siamese kitten with a very swollen, and badly infected eye, they didn’t hesitate to help. The little kitten, later named Si, was in obvious pain — his eye injury was severe, and he needed immediate veterinary care. The finder wanted nothing more than to help Si heal and give him a loving home. But like so many caring pet owners, they were faced with an impossible choice: […]

Albie Jo’s Journey: Helping Pets with Behavior Needs

At the Roanoke Valley SPCA, every adoption story is unique—but some remind us just how life-changing compassion, collaboration, and community support can be. Albie Jo’s story is one of those special tales. When Albie Jo first appeared in our Rehoming Gallery, his future was uncertain. His family loved him deeply but knew he needed a home better suited to his behavioral needs. Through our Home-to-Home Rehoming Gallery, they were able to post his profile and […]

Kira Finds a Home

When Kira first arrived at the Roanoke Valley SPCA back in April, her situation was heartbreaking. She had been semi-abandoned — left behind without the care, stability, or love every dog deserves. Like many rescue dogs in Virginia, Kira struggled at first. She could be destructive, chewing things she shouldn’t. Even our staff, who adored her, noticed she was becoming increasingly anxious and nippy. We started her on anxiety medication to help her cope — […]

No tricks…just treats for your pets this Halloween!

  We all know that Halloween can be a spooky time of year, but it shouldn’t be scary for our pets. It’s good to remember that they may not understand what all of the hustle and bustle is about. From the tempting treats to the strange costumes and decorations, Halloween can bring hidden hazards for our furry friends. Here are a few important things to keep in mind so everyone can enjoy a safe and […]

The Beginner’s Guide to Building a Catio

Thank you to Cat Topia for guest writing this blog post as part of one of our sponsorship programs. To learn more about Cat Topia, visit thecattopia.com.   If you’ve ever caught your indoor cat gazing longingly out the window, you know their curiosity about the outside world never fades. A catio is the perfect way to give them that experience safely. It’s a secure outdoor enclosure that lets cats enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and […]

Understanding Your Pet’s Body Language

Our pets communicate with us every day, not through words, but through body language. Understanding what your cat or dog is trying to tell you can strengthen your bond and help prevent misunderstandings. While individual signals are important, interpreting your pet’s body language requires looking at their whole body and the situation they’re in. A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is friendly, just like a purring cat isn’t always happy. Context is key! […]

So it’s Spring and you want a baby bunny…

We work with dogs and cats at our shelter, but we care about all animals – domestic and wildlife alike. With the warmth of spring and the Easter holiday coming up, you’ve likely seen ads for bunnies, chicks, ducklings, and other cute baby animals for sale. If you’re thinking about expanding your furry, scaled, and/or feathered family, please keep in mind that these pets are living beings and require appropriate food, water, shelter, enrichment, and […]

Safety & Scams

We have been made aware of a few scams regarding pets that we’d like to share to help prevent further individuals from being taken advantage of.  First, we were recently contacted by someone who was trying to purchase a puppy from a breeder. This individual found a breeder on Facebook, paid an initial fee, then paid for vet bills, then insurance, then an air conditioned crate for transportation, then was told she owed $2000 for […]

The New Year and some BIG new changes!

This holiday season, we at the Roanoke Valley SPCA are asking the community to help make sure that no shelter pet is left behind. Through our annual Home for the Holidays foster program, individuals and families are encouraged to open their homes and hearts to pets in need. This year, however, the shelter is facing an unprecedented challenge, making participation more critical than ever. Between December 20th and likely through the middle of February, we […]

An Update on Lil Bit’s Story!

We know that sometimes our emails land in spam boxes, so we wanted to be sure you had seen our update on Lil Bit. Remember Lil Bit, the momma cat with Feline Stomatitis? Here’s an update to her story! When Lil Bit arrived at the Roanoke Valley SPCA she was the proud momma of five kittens, all named after clouds by her foster family. Just as they were finding loving homes, the medical team noticed that something wasn’t quite right with her. She […]

A Message from Lil Bit

Hi friends, My name is Lil Bit, and I want to share my story with you. You see, I’m not just any cat—I’m a mom. I arrived at the Roanoke Valley SPCA with my five kittens, all named after clouds by my foster family (how cute is that?). They found loving homes pretty quickly, and soon it was my turn to get ready for adoption. But something wasn’t quite right. Just when I thought I […]

Fostering Pets with the Goal to Adopt

What does it mean when a dog or cat is available as Foster to Adopt? At the Roanoke Valley SPCA, we take pride in the amount of care and support we provide to our pets. The shelter, despite all of our best efforts, is a scary place for many animals. Most of the dogs coming through the shelter are able to adjust to their circumstances and are adopted to great homes quickly. However, there are […]