Home

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

“Special Dog Seeking New Home”

skylar is a wonderful and intelligent sweet man. He passed his CGC test with flying colors and is so friendly and gentle! Sklyar has the most expressive and telling eyes. He’s about 2 years old and 61 lbs. He has been a favorite in many circles.

Skylar will be a truly devoted companion. Skylar has learned many cues and tricks, enjoys car rides and since he has a moderate energy level will blend in nicely with your family. Won’t you please consider him? How can you say no to those eye

 

Welcome to SOS!If you can’t adopt, please consider making a donation or volunteering.
For more information, please call 804-358-7499 or e-mail us.

SOS is a registered 501C(3) nonprofit rescue organization with a mission to ensure the humane conditions and treatment of shelter animals and lower the rate of euthanasia in Virginia’s public shelters.

SOS formed in September 1996 in response to reports of inhumane treatment and negligence at the Richmond Animal Shelter, the city shelter financed by tax dollars. Since that time, SOS has rescued thousands of unwanted animals and established SOS Pen Pals, a nationally recognized training and rehabilitation program with the Virginia Department of Corrections. Inmates are taught professional dog-training techniques to become dog-trainers, as well as socialize cats to make the animals more adoptable.

 

SOS believes that population control is a more humane alternative than euthanasia to the tragedy of unwanted animals. SOS supports the work of the PetFix Coalition and Prevent A Litter, both of which have reduced the euthanasia rate in Central Virginia through their low-cost spay/neuter programs. SOS is passionate about legislation to strengthen Virginia’s animal welfare laws to ensure that all impounded animals are treated humanely – especially when their lives must be ended.

In 2001, SOS was supportive in the passing of a state bill to reduce the number of homeless and stray animals, track individuals breeding dogs for illegal purposes and to regulate those who breed cats and dogs for resale, including “backyard breeders”.  This groundbreaking legislation is the first of its kind in Virginia and in February of 2003, Petersburg, Virginia adopted the same breeders’ ordinance.

SOS is proudly sponsored by http://www.safe-online-casino.co.uk/

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

test

Posted on November 16, 2011 by

bjkfhdkjhgfehgejgkjjgnlodjhflshfiluehfrnrfvswhrkhv

Posted in Test | Comments Off

Programs

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

Thursday Night Bingo – Pop’s Bingo World
210 Giant Drive, Richmond VA (click address for map)

Join us every Thursday night at Pop’s Bingo World and play bingo to raise money to help animals and support the SOS Pen Pals program.  Doors open at 5:00 pm. First game starts at 7:00 pm.  If you are interested in volunteering, please call 804-358-7499.

“Bacchus & Beast”
A Fall Wine Tasting event sponsored by Save Our Shelters.

Proceeds benefit the rescue, adoption and advocacy of shelter animals

Call 804-358-7499 and reserve your tickets with all credit cards. Includes wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction.

If you can donate an auction item, please call 358-7499.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Penpals

Posted on September 26, 2011 by
The Pen Pals program was first introduced at the James River Correctional Center located at State Farm, Virginia, in April 2001.  Since then, SOS has successfully introduced the program to five other Virginia correctional centers, including the Buckingham Correctional Center, Brunswick Correctional Center, Lunenberg Correctional Center, Fluvanna Correctional Center and Central Virginia Correctional Unit.Professional trainers, working with SOS Pen Pals, select dogs from shelters and rescue organizations.  Before entering the correctional facility, the animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and tested and treated for intestinal parasites and, if necessary, for heartworms.
While at the correctional center, the animals live with inmate handlers carefully selected to participate in the program.  As well as provide for the animals’ every need, the dog handlers socialize and train the dogs.  Many of the animals participating in SOS Pen Pals have never known love or stability until they enter the correctional centers.With SOS Pen Pals, the inmate handlers are given an opportunity to return something positive back to the community –a healthy, well adjusted and socialized animal companion.  The handlers obtain a feeling of satisfaction and pride by knowing that they are helping the animals.  Other benefits for the handlers include enhanced self esteem, the opportunity to learn teamwork and new job skills, improved communication skills with fellow inmates and correctional center personnel, and increased morale throughout the center.  They also experience the unconditional love of a pet.

Thanks to their efforts, over 4,000 dogs and cats have been adopted since the program’s inception.

SOS Pen Pals focuses on positive reinforcement training techniques, including clicker training.  The SOS Pen Pals trainers prepare materials and conduct classes with the handlers so that they also become knowledgeable in areas such as canine healthcare, safety, social structures and behavior.  Upon graduating, the dogs are crate trained, leash trained and responsive to voice commands and hand signals.  Many of the SOS Pen Pals dogs later obtain their Canine Good Citizenship certification with their new families.

SOS Pen Pals has been featured nationally in stories by the Associated Press, the Animal Planet cable TV network and Dog Fancy magazine and have been supported by the online casino community.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Adoption Process

Posted on September 26, 2011 by
DOG ADOPTIONS
The Adoption Process 


Thank you for your interest in adopting aSOS Pen Pals dog.  Our animals are housed and trained in correctional centers throughout Virginia.

Our adoption counselors and trainers review the information contained in the adoption applications and conduct telephone interviews to ensure that the dogs are placed in homes best suited for their personalities and any special requirements.  The application and interview process makes it easier for us to learn more about you so that we can help find the perfect match for your home.

SOS Pen Pals dogs are selected from shelters, rescue organizations and veterinarians.  The SOS Pen Pals trainers evaluate the dogs to ensure that they are well suited to participate in the training program.
All dogs are spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations, heartworm tested, de-wormed, and kept current on flea/tick and heartworm preventative.  Other medical needs are provided while the dogs are in the training program.  We fully disclose any known health problems to prospective adopting families.
SOS considers all applications equally. Some dogs receive multiple applications and when this happens we try to choose the best placement for that particular dog.  We also do our best to guide an adopter towards the best possible match for them. 

To submit an application or learn more about the adoption process, go to DOG ADOPTIONS.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

About

Posted on September 26, 2011 by
Who We Are 

According to the National Council on Pet Population Study, 56% of dogs and 71% of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized.

In Virginia alone, according to the office of the Virginia State Veterinarian public search, in 2006, 114,843 dogs and cats were euthanized.  In 2007, thanks in part to the efforts of organizations like Save Our Shelters, that number decreased to 97,207.

Save Our Shelters is working here in Virginia to make these statistics even lower.  Through groundbreaking programs such asSOS Pen Pals, homeless dogs and their inmate caregivers are being given second chances and the opportunity for a new life.
SOS Pen Pals promotes inmate rehabilitation and increased positive communication and interaction between correctional center staff and the rest of the inmate population.Inmate handlers learn viable job skills and some have gone on to become professional dog trainers following their release.  By working cooperatively to help the animals, the inmates learn responsibility, patience, tolerance and life-long problem solving skills. 

Since its inception in 1996, Save Our Shelters has rescued and placed more than 4,000 dogs and cats in loving homes.

SOS Board of Directors


Joan Peaslee, President

Paige McCleary
Paige McCleary graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Art History.  She has a Master’s of Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work.  Paige has worked providing services to homeless individuals as well as in hospital settings with people who have complex medical conditions.  She currently is employed with the Virginia Department of Social Services in the Adult Services Program.

Paige lives in Richmond with her husband and three rescued dogs, Scully, Jax, and Stan.

Deirdre Wray

Paige Guzzardi

Steve Thacker

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off