Judith P. Goins was an animal lover and advocate her entire life. She worked tirelessly to rescue dogs and cats in need and help them find safe, loving homes so they did not have to spend time in the shelter. Judith’s family has created the Judith Goins Behavior Assistance Program in her memory, which will help financially challenged pet owners access behavioral resources in the Roanoke Valley.
Nearly half of the cats and dogs that are relinquished to the Roanoke Valley SPCA each year are brought to the shelter due to behavior issues; this can be anything from trouble housetraining to excessive barking or aggression. Many of the relinquishing owners simply cannot afford the training and behavior specialists who can help correct these behaviors and keep their pets in loving homes.
The Roanoke Valley SPCA is looking to be the first resource for those struggling in our community, not the last resort; the Judith Goins Behavior Assistance Program will allow us to keep more people and pets together, and help ease the stray population and space at the shelter.
This program is available for pets in the following areas: Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Montgomery, and Roanoke Counties as well as the cities of Salem and Roanoke and the town of Vinton. This program is also available to pets adopted from the Roanoke Valley SPCA regardless of location.
To learn more about the Judith Goins Behavior Assistance Program, please contact the Program Manager or call 540-339-9506. If you would like to apply for pet behavior assistance, you can complete the form online.