It’s part of the job: Military families know that being in the service means moving around a lot — to a different state or even a different part of the world. And sometimes, that means one member of the family, a beloved dog or cat, won’t be able to come along.
“We’re a high military location,” says Margie Wiley, a financial advisor in Suffolk, Virginia. “When military families move, they may have to surrender their pet. It’s heartbreaking.”
That’s why a group of animal-loving folks banded together to start Suffolk Humane Society.
Finding the Right Fix
“Ten years ago, when a pet had to be surrendered because a military family was moving or someone passed away, the dog or cat had to go to the local pound,” says Margie. There, the animal might be kept for up to 300 days, “but that’s not the right fix,” Margie says.
“Instead of keeping the animal in a cage, we place them in a foster home as fast as possible, and then work on finding them a new home.”
Being with fosters instead of at the pound can be a vital part of whether an animal gets adopted. “You can imagine how upset the pets can be,” says Margie. “They’re away from their humans, out of their home, and confused.” Being with fosters and other animals helps the pets transition more easily. That ultimately makes them more adoptable.
Meet Samson
Take the case of Samson, a Lhasa-Apso mix. “He wasn’t in the best shape when he was surrendered to us, and he wasn’t the nicest dog,” says Margie. Samson was shaggy, dirty, and so upset he didn’t even want to be touched. But after getting a bath and a haircut—and most important, patient foster parents—Samson was a changed dog.
“He stopped thinking that people and other animals were going to hurt him, and he came out of his shell,” says Margie. “Six months later, he was the happiest, sweetest little boy, and he was just adopted by a local family.”
Another part of Suffolk Humane’s mission is education about spaying and neutering. “Some people think that if they get their dog spayed or neutered, it will affect their personality,” says Margie. “That’s not true at all. The only thing it will do is keep puppies and kittens out of the pound.”
PetSmart Charities Grant Funds Community Outreach
Donations and grants like the one from PetSmart Charities help Suffolk Humane keep animals in happy homes. In addition to allowing Suffolk Humane to care for surrendered animals, funding helps them do more community outreach.
“One of our community programs centers on reading for kids,” says Margie. “We bring therapy dogs into schools, and children with stutters or reading challenges sit and read aloud to them. It helps the kids overcome their fear of reading.”
When families have to surrender a pet, says Margie, it’s a heartbreaking thing to see. Yet there’s nothing like helping that pet find a new home. “We saw a need in our community, and we found a solution,” Margie says. “It’s a balance.”
