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 […]

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 — […]

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 […]

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 […]

You Made a Difference for Lil Bit – And So Many Others!

  As we enter this time of thanksgiving and reflection, on behalf of all of us at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, I want to thank you for your continued support. Because of caring donors like you, we have been able to help even more animals this year—42% more to be exact! One of these animals was a special cat named Lil Bit. Lil Bit came to us as a momma cat with her litter, but […]

New Community Action and Planning Committee at the Roanoke Valley SPCA

We currently have a wonderful problem here at the Roanoke Valley SPCA! Our list of community partners and event invites keep growing and growing… but we do not currently have the manpower to participate in as many events as we’d like. To solve this problem, we are looking for dedicated people to join our exciting new volunteer committee: the Community Action and Planning Team (CAP Team)!   The goal of this team is to work […]

Why Sponsoring a Roanoke Valley SPCA Event is a Win-Win for Your Business and Our Community

The Roanoke Valley SPCA is more than just an animal shelter—we are a vital community resource dedicated to creating lasting connections between pets and people in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. With over 25,000 homeless animals adopted into loving homes since 2004, we have a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of both animals and the families who welcome them into their loving homes. But none of this would be possible without the […]

Unlock the Outdoors: How Catios Improve Your Cat’s Well-being

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. What is a Catio? A catio or cat patio is an outdoor enclosure specifically designed for cats. It allows them to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors while keeping them safe from potential dangers such as traffic, predators, and diseases. It is a secure patio […]

The Roanoke Valley SPCA and Virginia Tech Launch Innovative Partnership

Aimed at boosting shelter animal adoptions and welfare locally and nationally, the partnership offers hands-on learning and research opportunities for faculty and students. ROANOKE, Va. (August 13, 2024) – A novel partnership between the Roanoke Valley SPCA and Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences aims to improve shelter animals’ well-being and adoption success while providing hands-on learning and research opportunities for faculty and students. The collaboration will be led by Megan Arant, a new School […]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SCAM ALERT

We’ve been made aware that community members who have lost their pets are being targeted by someone posing as a third party from the Roanoke Valley SPCA. THIS IS A SCAM. The scammer is asking for a credit card number in order to treat their found pet who was supposedly hit by a car. We know of at least two people who have been targeted in the last hour, but do not know how many more are […]

Fraud scheme impacts Roanoke Valley SPCA and other area businesses

We were recently made aware of a fraud scheme using the name of the Roanoke Valley SPCA to steal money and merchandise from at least six area businesses. Susan Johnson who also uses the name Susan Wiltcher created false documents, a fake volunteer profile by the name of Julie Jackson and went so far as to forge our board president’s signature, while posing as a shelter volunteer. When she did not receive donations from one […]

Celebrating 20 Years of Compassion: Our Journey and Vision for the Future

As we stand on the cusp of our 20th anniversary at the Barbara & Warner Dalhouse Education & Adoption Center, I can’t help but feel immense pride and gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve shared together. Our shelter has been the heart of the Roanoke Valley SPCA, serving as a beacon of hope for animals in need and I feel grateful to have been involved in more than half of those years. Through your unwavering […]

Standing Strong Together: Serving Animals and Communities Through Support and Compassion

At the Roanoke Valley SPCA, we believe in the power of compassion, resilience, and unwavering support for our furry friends. Each day, we provide a safe haven, medical care, and love to animals in need. As the calendar year comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting on the first five months of our fiscal year (July 1 – Nov. 30), and we can’t help but feel immense gratitude for the incredible support from our community. […]