HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Adoptions have not been on pace for the Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA, and they are in desperate need of foster and adoptive homes for dogs.

This final week of July is the last week for the ‘Name Your Price’ adoption event where you pay what you want for a cat, dog, and kitten adoption fee, even as little as $1.

In a release, Executive Director for the RHSPCA, Huck Nawaz, says the shelter has seen an over 20% increase in intake of canines and it has left their shelter scrambling to find space.

The shelter only has 65 dog kennels on site, so they are relying heavily on foster homes to house canines. The significant increase in dog intakes is attributed in part to a post pandemic puppy bomb and to the rising cost of dog ownership, says Nawaz. Shelters across the country have seen an increase in intakes and the dogs are staying much longer in their care.

Nawaz said the first two weeks of the adoption special have resulted in only 71 cats and 23 dogs finding adoptive homes and the shelter currently has over 450 animals in its care.

According to Shelter Animals Count, the nation’s largest database for shelters and rescues, “A total of 900,000 animals have entered and lingered in our nation’s shelters and rescues since January 2021. This surplus is on top of the population already residing within organizations, resulting in an ongoing capacity crisis.”

“Dog intakes have increase dramatically while adoptions have remained stagnant. We’re entering the last week of the Empty the Shelters, Name Your Price, adoption event and it’s concerning how many dogs sill remain in our care,” said Nawaz.

The Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA is offering fee waived adoptions throughout the rest of July for all adult dogs, cats, and kittens available for adoption. The shelter will also have dogs available for adoption at Alpine Goat Brewery this weekend. The event will be on Saturday July 27th from 12pm-2pm at 212 Chapel Hill Lane in Weyers Cave.

ADOPTION AND FOSTER INFORMATION
Adoption
All animals available for adoption are:
● Spayed or neutered.
● Microchipped.
● Up to date on vaccines and deworming.
● Have been examined by a veterinarian.
● Available for viewing online at www.rhspca.org/adopt
Foster
The Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA:
● Has an immediate need for dog and cat foster homes.
● Covers the cost of food, medication, supplies and veterinary care.
● Provides behavior and medical support to foster families.
● Foster applications available online at www.rhspca.org/foster

Rocktown Now’s RHSPCA Pets of the Week for this week can be viewed here.