Humane Society unveils new pet adoption center

On Nov. 1, the Humane Society of Amherst County and the Amherst County Care and Control Center held a grand opening celebration of its new shared facility.

The HSAC occupies one-third of the 8,000-square-foot building, which has been in the planning stages since 2004. The Adoption Center and Animal Shelter, while housed in the same building, operate cooperatively but independently.

A lot of thought went into designing features to make the animal adoption process simpler, faster and more successful. These features include an interview room that allows prospective adopters to interact more fully with potential pets; a grooming/bathing and veterinary exam room; an outdoor romping and training area for dogs; an indoor play room for cats, which also doubles as a gift shop; state-of-the-art air handling and waste removal systems; cheerful and bright colors were chosen as the paint scheme for the various rooms; and sunlit, comfortable kennels that provide a calm environment and happy experience for animals awaiting adoption.

One of the first things board members and staff noticed during the few weeks they have occupied the new building is that the dogs are calmer and are not barking nearly as much as they did in the old shelter. The cat room has a large window for the cats to look out and enjoy.

The new adoption center will enable the HSAC to do an even better job of fulfilling their mission to find loving and secure homes for Amherst County’s lost and unwanted dogs, cats and other animals. The setup ensures from the moment of introduction, these animals are as ready for adoption as possible by making sure they are bathed/groomed, vaccinated, tested for heartworms or feline leukemia and spayed/neutered.

By turning over the intake and shelter responsibilities — responsibilities it has administered since 1974 — to Amherst County’s Animal Control and Care Center, the HSAC can spend its time and resources working hand-in-hand with the community to reduce the number of neglected and unwanted animals, to increase adoptions and to make real progress in addressing the roots of these problems.

The HSAC has dramatically increased its adoption rates by developing relationships with shelters and breed rescue groups in other states that can successfully place HSAC animals. These shelters choose adoptable pets from the HSAC pet list on PetFinder.com. HSAC volunteers transport them to those facilitative shelters on a weekly basis.

HSAC has also created a home fostering program for special needs animals. These resourceful solutions to the local animal overpopulation problem are enabling HSAC to successfully match an increasing number of caring owners with grateful and deserving pets.

The new adoption center — built on land donated by Gert Prior, one of HSAC’s founders — was designed by Blair Smith and Linda Jones of Dominion Seven Architects and built by C.L. Lewis Construction of Lynchburg.

With its attractive, welcoming façade and location among tall oaks and pines, the adoption center is a true community success story, made possible by the volunteer efforts and financial contributions of supporters devoted to helping animals. The building was funded by long-term, low-interest rural development loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will be paid back through continuing financial donations and through major fundraising events.

The HSAC invites all to stop by and take a tour of our new adoption center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and, Fridays; Thursdays until 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Those interested in adoption but unable to come during business hours can call (434) 946-2340 for an appointment.