Mission:

The SPCA Eastern Shore is a private nonprofit 501(c)3 non-euthanasia (no-kill), limited intake animal shelter. We provide shelter, food, medical care, and adoption services for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats. These services are funded solely by private donations and adoption fees. At the SPCA, we treat our shelter pets with the same love and care we give our own, and that means providing them regular medical care, monthly heartworm and flea preventative and annual vaccinations. Our unique shelter provides a homelike environment that focuses on constantly improving our pets’ mental and physical well being to ensure they remain highly adoptable and happy while waiting for their new, forever families to find them. However, as a limited intake shelter we can only take the animals when we have space and staff to care for them. This means that sometimes when a owner calls to surrender their pet, we simply cannot take them. A sad fact is that the SPCA cannot adopt out pets as fast as cats and dogs are being produced. Remember, nation-wide, only half of all animals coming into shelters are able to be adopted out or returned to owners. The real roadblock to a no-kill society is pet overpopulation. Get your pet spayed or neutered as soon as it is old enough, and encourage other people to do the same. When you’re looking for a new pet, adopt one from us and support the spay/neuter of all cats and dogs.

History:

In August of 2005, the SPCA Eastern Shore rededicated itself to our true mission- to provide a safe haven for animals in Accomack and Northampton Counties on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. For many years the SPCA had served as the housing facility for the Animal Control divisions of Accomack and Northampton Counties. After a consultation with the Humane Society of the United States, our SPCA Board of Directors felt that the true mission of our SPCA was being overwhelmed by our obligations to the two counties. Due to space considerations and the constant influx of stray and feral animals, adoptable animals were unable to be held for longer than the legal minimum. In July of 2004, the counties opened the new Regional Animal Control Facility for the purpose of housing the Animal Control function of the county governments. Our SPCA has been able to successfully place 98% of the animals seeking shelter with us. We continue to work with the new Regional facility, drawing animals from them to place for adoption. This is truly a co-operative effort by people who care deeply about the welfare of pets in our community.

How much does it cost to operate the shelter?

It costs approximately $10,000 per month to operate the shelter, which is not out of line with other shelters around the country. This funding comes almost entirely from you, our generous members—not from any state or county government. Times are tough economically, but if you can please remember us. Every little bit helps us shelter these animals and find homes for them.

Location:

The SPCA Eastern Shore is located at 26528 Lankford Highway on south-bound of U.S. RT 13 just south of Onley, Virginia corporate limit.