Portsmouth Humane Society Blog

3rd Annual "Cause for Paws" - A Great Success!!!

2011-05-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of paws paraded around Portsmouth during the 3rd Annual "Cause for Paws" 5K Run, Dog Walk & Festival, which was held Saturday April 30, 2011 at North Landing in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Over 300 attendees and their canine companions came out to support the Portsmouth Humane Society's annual fundraiser, which raised over $29,000- a record amount for the event!

A 5K Run kicked off the event, with over 100 participants running the course through Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth. Dogs and their owners then participated in a 1 mile dog walk which was followed by the Festival. Supporters were able to shop from local vendors, learn about the dedicated work of rescue groups, enjoy delicious food and relax to the music of the "Joint Therapy" band.

The money raised from the event will go towards our Capital Campaign for a new shelter. The urgent need for more space and the need to comply with new, more stringent state regulation has compelled us to embark on a capital campaign to improve our facilities with a new building.

At approximately 9,500 square feet, the new building will include expanded dog runs, an indoor exercise area, a cat play room, puppy and kitten nurseries, a humane education area, a lost and found station and more.

The cost of the new shelter will be $1.9 million with a goal to raise $1 million in private donations towards construction of the new facility. PHS has already committed and pledged funds that will cover almost half the costs of land acquisition and building construction.

3rd Annual "Cause for Paws"

2011-03-09T06:58:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite time of year- "Cause for Paws" time! The event committee is busy preparing for this fun-filled experience, which will take place on Saturday, April 30. Last year we raised a record-setting $25,000 for the animals and I am confident that we can surpass that amount this year. We've added a 5K Run to the mix or you can opt for the leisurely 1 mile Dog Walk. After that, stroll through the festival which will include local Rescue Groups, vendors, live music, food and more!

You can raise money to participate in the dog walk and even win some great prizes, including a Nintendo Wii! Create your own FIRSTGIVING webpage and supporters can donate directly to your cause!

Visit www.portsmouthhumanesociety.org/causeforpaws.html for more information or to register to participate! We hope to see you there!

The Fur Ball was a SUCCESS!

2011-02-21T11:53:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to announce that we raised over $30,000 from the 1st Annual Fur Ball Gala on Saturday Jan. 29, 2011!! That is a tremendous amount, especially considering this is a first-time event. All the proceeds from the event, which was held at Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel, will go directly to the Capital Campaign for a new shelter.

Our guests enjoyed cocktails, a delicious plated dinner with dessert, live entertainment from Strickly Bizzness, free photo booth photos from the Boardwalk Photo Booth Company, a complimentary pet reading from animal communicator Chris Stakes, professional photos from Ramone Photography, and opportunities to bid on silent auction items or purchase raffle prize tickets.

The event was such a success that we have already set the date for next year- January 28, 2012! I cannot say THANK YOU enough to the sponsors, participants and guests of the event!! We could not have done it without your support!

Attend the 1st Annual Fur Ball!

2010-10-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

Portsmouth Humane Society is pleased to announce the
1st Annual Fur Ball Gala!

The Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center will be hosting the event which will feature:

Full plated dinner with dessert

2 Complimentary Drinks with Ticket

Live entertainment

Raffle prizes

Silent auction

Dog bar (featuring delicious dog treats)

Professional Photographs from Ramone Photography

Photo Booth

Pet Communicator Pet Stakes

and much more!

The proceeds from the event will go directly to the Capital Campaign for a New Shelter!

Visit www.portsmouthhumanesociety.org/furball.html to purchase tickets!

portsmouth humane society

2010-08-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

5 Tips to Protecting Your Pet from the Heat

2010-06-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

While you're inside, avoiding the intense heat of our Virginia summers, don't forget that Fido is also looking for an escape. It's important to keep in mind a few easy tips that will prevent your furry friend from becoming dehydrated or suffering from heat stroke.

1. Make sure your dog has plenty of shade to relax in during the day. If you don't have large trees or a covered patio in the yard, consider ways to keep your pet inside as much as possible when it's hot. Keep in mind that there might be days when even the shade is too hot to be comfortable. Also, remove bedding from your dog's crate. Your dog will be much more comfortable laying on the cool crate bottom rather than a pile of blankets.
2. Refill your dog's bowl with plenty of fresh, cool water throughout the day. Don't make your pooch drink warm, stale water. Also consider giving him an ice cube treat to help him beat the heat!
3. NEVER leave your dog in the car when it's hot. Not even for five minutes. Doing so is putting him at risk for heat stroke, which is a serious medical emergency.
4. Exercise early in the morning or late in the evening. When you take your dog for a walk, remember that he's doing it in a fur coat and the heat may be too much for him to handle. Also, the cement and asphalt may burn his paws, so stick to the grass.
5. Watch for signs of dehydration or heat stroke. Dogs can't sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. It will become lethargic, eyes will become bloodshot and it may even start foaming. Don't wait for symptoms to progress. Get your dog into a cool location and provide small drinks of cold water.

If you keep these tips in mind, you and your furry friend will enjoy a fun and healthy summer together!

FREE Dog Spay/Neuter Surgeries

2010-05-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

In an effort to eliminate pet overpopulation in our community PHS is offering FREE dog spay/neuter surgeries to Portsmouth pet owners. To qualify, the pet owners must live in the neighborhoods of Craddock, Prentis Park or Lincoln Park or residents who receive Government Aid (proof required).

For all other Portsmouth pet owners, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations are available through our mobile clinics.

Donate Your Time- Volunteer!

2010-04-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Donating to our shelter doesn't always mean giving monetary gifts. In fact, there are many other ways you can show your support for the animals at the shelter. One way is to volunteer your time to help the animals!

There are many ways you can volunteer. You can walk a dog, cuddle a cat, wash food dishes, help clean the cages or assist at one of our many off site events. On a day to day basis we rely greatly on the support our volunteers can provide to the animals.

We are excited to announce our newest Volunteer Opportunity, the P.A.C.K Training Team!
The P.A.C.K (Portsmouth Association of Canine Knowledge) is a group of PHS volunteers who are trained to teach dogs basic obedience commands and focus on any behavioral issues so the dogs may be more prepared for their forever homes. The P.A.C.K Team is open to any PHS Volunteer who is willing to dedicate at least 1 hour per week to spend with an assigned dog, as well as attend a monthly training meeting with a certified trainer to evaluate the dog's progress. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our Volunteer Manager at volunteermgr@portsmouthhumanesociety.org or by calling (757) 397-6004.

We hope you can find a place in your life and your heart to support our animals!

Buckets and Buckets of Kittens...Welcome to Kitten Season!

2010-03-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Kitten Season is upon us at PHS and we will soon be flooded with kittens who may be too young to be adopted (they must be 8 weeks old to be available for adoption). What is Kitten Season you ask? Kitten Season is the time of year when cats give birth, filling our shelter with litters and litters of kittens. The Kitten Season begins in spring, peaks in the late spring or early summer and ends in the fall.

Unfortunately, we do not have the space and resources to care for each of these kittens the way they deserve- which is where our Foster Parents come in handy!

Open your heart and home to provide temporary care for a kitten when you become a Foster Parent. We will supply you with food, bowls, blankets and instructions to allow you to successfully care for the kittens. We supply the resources- you supply the love!

Please call us at (757) 397-6004 or email adoption@portsmouthhumanesociety.org for more information on becoming a Foster Parent!

2nd Annual "Cause for Paws" is almost here!

2010-03-29T08:05:00.001-07:00

Join us on April 17 from 12pm-4pm for the annual "Cause for Paws" Dog Walk & Festival! The event will be held at North Landing in Olde Towne Portsmouth and is sure to be a good time for all involved.

We invite you to register to participate in the 1 Mile Dog Walk by visiting http://www.portsmouthhumanesociety.org/causeforpaws.html. You can win some great prizes by getting friends, family and co-workers to sponsor you!

There will be a festival involving Animal Rescue Groups, local Vendors, raffle prizes, great food and fun! Of course all are invited, two-legged and four!!

http://www.portsmouthhumanesociety.org/causeforpaws.html

Socialize With Us!

2010-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Portsmouth Humane Society blog! We've joined Facebook and Twitter, so a blog is the next best step. Stay tunned as we discuss upcoming events and happenings at PHS, as well as trends in the Animal Welfare scene!