Connecting Pets and Owners For 150 Years

For many years, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)  has provided homes and care to animals without a family or home. This organization has been running since 1866 to prevent wrongful treatment of pets throughout the U.S. and expanded into a large international operation, opening care centers across the globe for a variety of furry friends.

The SPCA in Charlottesville has been a staple of the community, allowing families to gain new members and people to meet lifelong companions. Even if adopting is not an option for some, the Charlottesville SPCA keeps their doors open for those who simply want some playtime with their favorite animals.

“Our main goals are for the pets to know what’s happening and for them to not be confused, and not be scared, and for them to be as comfortable as possible while they are here. And to eventually find a home that suits them,” said Alissa Smith, a cat specialist who has worked for nine years at the CSPCA.

Smith helps with cat communication, behavior, and training not only for the animals but for their caretakers. She even makes special binders containing biographical pages for the cats, showing their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and pasts. A major part of her job is pairing cats with owners that they will be comfortable with and bringing out the best in their personalities because each cat is different.

She also makes sure that the situation and transition for the cats go as smoothly as possible, taking care of the especially stressed out cats and being there for those with rough pasts. She provides home visits which are helpful to teach owners how to let their new pets acclimate to  new environments.

The CSPCA creates a calm environment for the dogs and cats after all they have been through. Soft music plays through the speakers, toys litter the floor, and a soft blanket covers the floor of each cage. All animals are given food that agrees with their specific diets and plenty of cuddles and playtime.

It has many rooms depending on the type of animal and their personalities. The dogs stay on one side of the building with a play area and walking trail, while the cats are separated depending on their behaviors and ages. The pets are placed with whomever they have bonded with, or who they feel the most comfortable with. This means pairs like brothers and sisters are never separated. If the animals have anxiety or stress, then they have their own area to be able to slowly come to terms with their situation.

“There was one cat who was an owner surrender, so she was in the basement in a room for cats who are difficult, and she had been screaming and was irritable and very upset. I sat at the front of the cage with her and just kind of got in the moment with her. I told her I was really sorry for what happened at that she wasn’t alone and she would get through it. I closed my eyes and when I opened them she was at the front of the cage rubbing her face against the bars. From then on, you could touch her. Once she was acknowledged for what she was feeling, she could shake it off and move on,”  Smith said.

The SPCA continues to make life better not only for pets, but for the people who get the privilege to have them. In just the past week from Monday the 11th to Saturday the 16th, they helped over thirty cats find new homes. The CSPCA is located on seminole trail, is open every day 12-6p.m. and has many events going on to promote and raise money for the care of pets. More information can be accessed at their website; http://caspca.org