Norfolk SPCA Home

About The Norfolk SPCA

History
Established in 1892, the Norfolk SPCA is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country. Originally founded because of concerns about the mistreatment of workhorses, the Norfolk SPCA now shelters, treats, rehabilitates and re-homes household companion animals throughout Hampton Roads to give them the extra time and care needed to find that forever home.

Mission
The Norfolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a private, no-kill humane society dedicated to fostering the human-animal bond to ensure that every adoptable companion animal finds a home. The organization is a regional leader in cultivating responsible pet ownership through educational outreach, low cost spay/neuter programs and public activism.

Vision
To create a community of responsible pet owners in order to achieve a region with no more homeless pets.

No-Kill Philosophy

In 2002, the Norfolk SPCA made a firm decision to stop killing healthy, adoptable and treatable companion animals and became the first and only no-kill SPCA in Hampton Roads. Twenty years ago, the concept of no-kill and building a no-kill community was little more than a dream. Today, humane societies, animal control agencies and entire states across the country are dedicated to ending the euthanasia of adoptable pets.

Our vision of building a no-kill community in Hampton Roads began with a decision – a commitment - and has been furthered with:

• an aggressive spay/neuter campaign offered through our low-cost spay/neuter clinic,
• partnerships with local shelters & animal controls,
• a coalition of breed specific rescue groups,
• a large network of foster parents,
• programs to keep pets with their families,
• and, a community that has faith in its SPCA and wants to support our lifesaving efforts.

No-Kill Philosophy
Euthanasia of companion animals should not be used as a form of population control. These animals should not be killed because of lack of space, passage of time, or lack of resources. No-kill does not mean that no animal is ever killed in the shelter.

For non-rehabilitatable animals, euthanasia may still be the most humane alternative.

No-Kill is a term describing the philosophy of eliminating euthanasia of healthy, adoptable and treatable companion animals.

It is a commitment to ensuring that every healthy and treatable dog and cat has the opportunity to live in a safe, loving home for its lifetime. No healthy, adoptable animals will be killed simply because there is a lack of cage space or as a means of population control.

Healthy – The term “healthy” means and includes all weaned dogs and cats that, at or subsequent to the time the animal is taken into possession:

(a) have manifested no signs of a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that could pose a health or safety risk or otherwise make the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and

(b) have manifested no sign of disease, injury, a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal, or that is likely to adversely affect the animal’s health in the future. Healthy, adoptable animals may include old, deaf, blind, disfigured or disabled.

Treatable – The term “treatable” means and includes all dogs and cats (including feral cats) who are “rehabilitatable” and all dogs and cats who are “manageable”.

Rehabilitatable – The term “rehabilitatable” means and includes all dogs and cats who are not “healthy” but who are likely to become “healthy” if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners in the community. Non-rehabilitatable candidates are animals that:

(a) suffer from an incurable, painful disease or injury that no reasonable amount of care possible would give them a reasonable, good quality of life and/or

(b) have a history of unprovoked vicious behavior so severe and irreversible that they pose a public health or safety risk.

Manageable – The term “manageable” means and includes all dogs and cats who are not “healthy” but who would likely maintain a satisfactory quality of life, if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care (including long-term care), equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring owners in the community. The term “manageable” does not include any dog or cat who is determined to pose a significant risk to human health or safety, or to the health or safety of other animals.

Our guiding belief is:
Euthanasia of companion animals should not be used as a form of population control. Companion animals in shelters should not be killed because of lack of space, passage of time, or lack of resources.

• Killing healthy, adoptable or treatable companion animals sends the message that pets are disposable.
• A no-kill community is attained by providing non-lethal solutions to the community. Access to low-cost or free spay/neuter programs, pet behavioral resources, re-homing alternatives, and educating the community on responsible pet ownership are all ways to reduce the number of companion animals entering shelters.
• The success of the no-kill philosophy is contingent upon the partnership of animal welfare organizations and the community, and not simply by ending the killing of animals within an organization.
• No-kill does not mean that no animal is ever killed in the shelter. For non-rehabilitatable animals, euthanasia may still be the most humane alternative.

Board Of Directors

Executive Committee
Barb Lester, President
Jason Davis, Past President
Kathy Ferebee, Vice President
Patricia Lott, Secretary
Barb Smith, Treasurer

Board Members
Mary Babcock
Crystal Bowman-Manuel
Judy Collier
Joann Harris
Patricia Rawls
Lynn Watson Neumann
Letha McDowell
Scot Tiley

Lifetime Honorary Board Members
Barbara Bishop
Rosemary Jordan

Help Us Save Lives

As a non-profit, private organization that receives no federal, state or local government funding, the Norfolk SPCA relies on support from local businesses, organizations, and individuals to care for hundreds of animals a years, operate a low-cost clinic and provide countless services to the community. To the left are various ways you can help the Norfolk SPCA – individual ideas are also welcomed.

Become A Member

For just $50 a year, you can be a Norfolk SPCA member and receive a subscription to our Pet Gazette newsletter and a copy of Safari Alphabet, a children’s book donated to the Norfolk SPCA. For more information call our Director of Donor and Community Relations, Michelle Williams, at 757.622.3319 x115 or email mwilliams@norfolkspca.com.

Membership Levels

BEST FRIEND................................................................$25
Provides a pet 30 days food and lodging

BRONZE PAW................................................................$50
Provides a pet 30 days food and lodging, combination test
for cats or heartworm test for dogs

SILVER PAW..................................................................$100
Provides a pet 30 days food and lodging, 1st series of
vaccinations, flea treatment and deworming

GOLD PAW....................................................................$250
Provides a pet 30 days food and lodging, all vaccinations,
spaying/neutering, flea treatment, deworming, microchipping
for identification

PLATINUM PAW............................................................$500
Provides for complete care for mom and litters of puppies
or kittens, all vaccinations, spay/neuter, flea treatment,
deworming, and microchipping

GUARDIAN ANGEL.......................................................$1000
Provides for emergency/specialized medical care, x-rays,
surgeries, critical care and long-term care

Veterinary Services

Public Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Surgeries,Vaccinations and Veterinary Appoinments

Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy!

Norfolk SPCA Veterinary Clinics
Low-cost, full-service veterinary care available to persons with an annual income of less than $45,000, local rescue organizations, area shelters and animal control facilities.

Hours:
Open to the public Monday-Friday.
For scheduled appointments, call 757.383.6620

Two Locations:
5585 Sabre Road
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: 757.383.6620
Fax: 757.383.6644

Walk-in vaccine clinic (no income requirements)
Monday - Friday 9:30am - 1:00pm

Surgeries (by appointment only)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
(drop-off between 8:00am - 8:30am)

Exams (by appontment only)
Wednesday

and

916 Ballentine Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23504
Phone: 757.622.3319

Walk-in vaccine clinic (no income requirements)
Monday - Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Surgeries (by appointment only)
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
(drop-off between 7:30am - 8:00am)

Exams (by appontment only)
Tuesday & Friday

NEW! Pet Acupuncture & Food Consult
Available by appointment. Call 757.622.3319 ext. 119