beauty in the breakdown

🚨 Foster Caregivers Needed! 🚨

We are in need of temporary fosters for dogs, cats and puppies. Our building is full and our shelter partners are asking us to help them save more pets. Fostering for us is easy and we'll teach you all you need to know. Getting to know a pet while it's in your home helps us learn more about them and match them with great adopters. Please consider fostering for us and/or sharing this post!

Read the blog on Java at https://meow.af/meet-the-stunning-kitten-with-incontinence-and-hind-leg-paralysis-who-travels-all-over-the-united-states-with-her-mom-educating-people-about-special-needs-cats/

Last week, NOVA Pets Alive pulled adorable Pumpkin from a rural shelter where he was at risk of euthanasia due to a possible upper respiratory infection. Today, he's snuggling happily with one of our foster families after a trip to the vet for some medication.

Will you help us save more kittens like Pumpkin?

It's #GivingTuesday, and we're hoping to raise enough funds to rescue a dozen more kittens who are at risk of euthanasia due to upper respiratory infections, ringworm and other illnesses in 2018. Please consider helping us achieve our goal by helping in one of the following ways:

1) Make a donation at https://secure.lglforms.com/form_e…/s/pesM1y6r466RMz_D-7zWvw

2) Sign up to foster for us: the more fosters we have, the more lives we can save! Apply at https://www.novapetsalive.org/foster

The good news: over half of Virginia’s shelters are saving over 90% of dogs!

Via Fairfax County Animal Advocates:

Several weeks ago, a Good Samaritan alerted us to a local homeless man and his dog. She had been helping this man by giving him dog food, but wanted to know if we could help get flea and tick preventative, neuter surgery, vaccinations, etc. for the dog.

Four of us put on our hiking boots and brought supplies out to the camp, where we met the guy who calls himself "Penny Hill Bill" and his dog, Buddy. Bill is a veteran who lives outside the majority of the time, and Buddy is his best friend on Earth. Buddy has lived with him since he was a puppy, and he's very attached to his dad. Despite being homeless, Penny Hill Bill does his best to take good care of Buddy, who looks happy and healthy.

Last week, we took Buddy to the vet, where he received an exam, vaccinations, a microchip, heartworm, flea & tick medications, and testing for some common ailments (Penny Hill Bill had Buddy neutered already). We then took his rabies certificate to the shelter and renewed his Fairfax County dog license. Buddy did fantastic at the vet and even gave us kisses!

Sadly, Buddy tested positive for Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia, both of which can have serious complications. Though he's not showing symptoms of either disease right now, the vet prescribed him a course of antibiotics because the test showed very strong positive results.

Wilfred came to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter as a stray, so we don't know too much about him. It's estimated that he is about 12 years old, and he may be at least partially deaf. He moves a little slowly and can be hesitant around strangers, but once he gets to know you, he is the sweetest, calmest boy who LOVES treats, head scratches, and exploring his surroundings. He appears to get along with other calm dogs, too. Wilfred is a gentle old soul who should be sleeping at the foot of someone's lounge chair with his loved ones nearby. Do you have room in your heart to see that Wilfred's senior years are filled with love, treats, and comfort?

Meet my new foster, Dakota!

From Jeanne Taylor Photography / Pet Portraits:

Nana just wants a best friend. She's four years old and has been here longer than any other dog in the shelter. We can't figure out why no one has snatched her up! Nana loves to play with other dogs in play groups but she's happiest when she's hanging out and relaxing. She is appreciative for every little bit of affection shown to her and she always says 'thank you' with her big, expressive eyes. Want to adopt the sweetest dog in the shelter? Meet Nana!