After nearly 4 years in the shelter system, Ellarix was finally adopted!

Over the past few years, you may have seen Ellarix featured on our Facebook page and website. Ellarix was transferred to us in 2021 from Appomattox Animal Shelter with a leg injury, and over the years, became our longest-stay dog of over 1,000 days. Thankfully she’s spent most of those days in a loving #LHSfoster home.

Ellarix has always been a wonderful dog and her fosters can attest. After 2 years they learned she is a needy, snuggly baby. She loves booty scratches, tug-o-war, and a kong full of peanut butter. Ellarix is far from high maintenance as she spends most of her time sleeping in her bed, on her favorite couch, on her foster’s bed, or really anywhere that’s comfortable!

You’re probably wondering “Wow, she sounds great, why did it take her so long to find a home?” Well, when Ellarix first arrived she had a bad tear in her leg that needed surgery. These surgeries take time and the recovery process, even longer. Once her recovery was complete her fosters couldn’t bear returning her, and adopters just stopped asking about her. That is, until this week. Finally, someone saw her story on our page and was so touched, that he came to the Center right away. He was so smitten with her loving eyes and cute ears that he set up a meeting to adopt with her fosters. And that’s what he did. After 3 years in the shelter, and 2 years in foster, Ellarix finally found an adoptive home to call her own.

Out of the 87 adoptions done this week, this was truly the most special and we are so excited for Ellarix and her new family! Thank you so much to her adopters and of course, her amazing fosters who have cared for her these past two years out of the kindness of their hearts, and asked for nothing in return.

Adoptions like these wouldn’t be possible without our amazing community, and sponsors like Bank of the James, so thank you for your support!

Pets that were adopted October 7th through October 13th.

Cats that were adopted:

Aldo, Aretha, Audi, Bucky, Calibos, Caramel Brulee, Connor, Cowbell, Daenerys, Deku, Donny, Dragonfruit, Earl Grey, Eden, Eggs, Eliza, Green Day, Hera, Hibiscus, Hippogriff, Hollister, Jen, Jimmy Two Times, Jolly Rancher, Julep, Lady Grey, Larry, Leah, Leo,Lyra, Macadamia, Marissa, Millie, Morty, Mustang, Nimbus, Persia, Pink Floyd, Pomegranate, Poppy, Queen Charlotte, Rocky, Scamper, Shade, Silvera, Silver Chair, Sir Phillip, Siren, Solage, and Thunder.

Dogs that were adopted:

Alfie, Banana Pudding, Bettlejuice, Boney Maroney, Cherry Pie, Chive, Chocolate Croissant, Cosmo. Dill, Draco, Ellarix, Freya, Froggy, Garlic, Gilly, Harmonica, Hibachi, Ichabod, Jasper, Kazoo, Kuzco, lady Bug, Martha, Miso, Miss Jiff, Nutmeg, Porky, Ramen, Saucy, Shiloh, Tracy, Truman, Vivian, Vulcan, Yankee Doodle, Zamboni, and Zorro.

We rescued 5 dogs from North Carolina last week. All but one have found loving homes!

We know many of you have been curious about whether we are able to help pets affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. While we are low on space ourselves, thanks to our wonderful fosters and adopters, we were able to take in 5 dogs and 10 cats from Rockingham County Animal Shelter. We’ve reached out to other organizations in need, and have also offered our building as a resting point for other rescue organizations transporting pets long distances.

Of the five dogs we took in last week to make space in Rockingham County shelter, three were adopted in just a few short days. Kuzto the Husky mix was nervous and overwhelmed by this displacement. Luckily, our team was able to find him a foster home to decompress, and now they plan on adopting! That leaves only one dog from the transfer left, Blondie, a 10 month old medium sized Husky mix, and we hope to find her a home fast!

We will keep you updated on the adoptions to come, and whether we take in more pets from North Carolina shelters to help free up space for more pets that need sanctuary from the terrible flooding.

Thank you so much for all the support, and shout out to our adopters as well as our sponsors at Bank of the James for supporting us this month.

Pets that were adopted September 30th through October 6th.

Cats that were adopted:

Alanis, Augustus Gloop, Baela, Batty, Bigfoot, Chai, Chimera, Cobain, Coven, Dorothy, Elle, Fairy, Froppy, Galileo, Helena, James Bond, Kelsea, Laverne, Lightning, Lime, Lion, Mage, Mickey, Omen, Oolong, Oslo, Pepa, Pepper Jack, Phineas, Ramsey, Raviolo, Ruby, Sahara, Salt, Smokey, Squeaks McGee, Tony, Toyota, and Whatchamacallit.

Dogs that were adopted:

Aaliyah, Autumn, Booger, Bowie, Candy Corn, Creek, Curly, Daffodil, Happy, Igor, Lady, Lando, Luna Tuna, Mocha, Molly, Monkey, Nessie, Nutella, Peanut, Prancer, Sid, Starr, Stuart, and Vivica.

Our long-stay kitty Mayo finally found his match this week, and so did 50 other pets!

Mayo was adopted from us in 2017 and returned in 2023 when the adopter said they no longer had time for him. Since then Mayo has proven that he is not a high-maintenance cat. He is mellow, shy, and loves to snuggle with other cats and people-watch. Mayo was declawed when he was returned to us which we believe, is the reason for his shyness.

Many people don’t notice Mayo since he’s not always the first to come out of hiding when customers enter his room. Mayo takes a bit longer to warm up than other cats, but despite his initially shy reactions to strangers, Mayo still craves affection, and is incredibly sweet. Luckily, someone finally saw this in him. Last week, a sweet lady came in and chose Mayo to be her newest kitty.

We are so grateful to Mayo’s adopter, as well as this month’s sponsors Jeff & Cary Sims, Realtors for making adoptions like these possible!

Pets that were adopted September 16th through September 22nd.

Cats that were adopted:

Amaranth, Anthony, Baby Face, Boba, Bright Heart, Dewey, Dimitra, Faraday, Gary, Haze, Hiccup, Iya, Lavender, LJ, Marley, Marshmallow, Mayo, McLovin, Ophelia, Pear, Sauerkraut, Tay, Vincent.

Dogs that were adopted:

Baebae, Bubba, Candy Apple, Coco, Cookie, Cotton Candy, Demure, Funnel Cake, Hazel, Jenga, Lily, Maeve, Marlow, Mindful, Momo, Nesquik, Ovaltine, Philadelphia, Pipsqueak, Snow Cone, Sweetness, Swiss Miss, Wavy, Yoo-hoo, Zeus, Zigzag.

50 pets found happiness this week including TV star Lexus!

You may recognize this week’s feature from one of Living in the Heart of Virginia-LHOV ‘s ‘Furry Friend’ spotlights. Lexus appeared on air a few weeks ago after we relaunched the program. Lexus is a sweet 3 month old Manx kitten born without a tail. Lexus is the most loving natured and affectionate cat, but she went through a lot before landing herself this amazing new home. Lexus was suffering from a mild prolapse that progressed the longer she stayed in the shelter. Our medical team was able to keep it under control, and help her stay healthy and clean, but a home was the true remedy to Lexus’ problem.

Thankfully, a few weeks later the young lady you see above, came in and met Lexus. She decided to take her home, and we are so excited for their future together. Thank you to Lexus’ adopter, and thank you Jeff & Cary Sims, Realtors for being our adoption banner sponsor this month and helping pets like Lexus Find Happiness!

Pets that were adopted September 9th through September 15th.

Cats that were adopted:

Amala, Bluey, Brie, Buoy, Coconut, Cruiser, Cyber, Dahlia, Doja Cat, Eloise, Gooey, Horatio, Jasper, Jubilee, Jude, Juicy, Kate, Lexus, Monterey, Radioshack, Ramin, S’mores, Sal, Salem, Sammi Jo, Sir Phillip, Suey, Toby, Twinkle Toes, Vanderbilt, Vegas, Visalia, Wolverine, Worcestershire, Ziba

Dogs that were adopted:

Albus, Charles, Charlie, Clarice, Domino, Dublin, Duchess, Maple, Nyx, Pop Tart, Pound Cake, Reeves, Solo, Zolla

Yay, Lorenzo and 58 other adopted pets this week!

This is Lorenzo, and you would not believe the progress this boy has made! When Lorenzo first arrived he had severe dental disease, and fleas that had taken a toll on his little body. He was in rough shape but with the help of our medical team, he made a full recovery. He had surgery to remove the majority of his infected teeth, and his infected skin slowly recovered. He was with us for a few months, but the wait was worth it because last week someone came in to meet him and he finally found that amazing home he was looking for! We’re so excited that Lorenzo finally found happiness!

Thank you so much to this month’s sponsors Jeff & Cary Sims, Realtors for supporting the pets at LHS!

Pets that were adopted August 26th through September 1st.

Cats that were adopted:

Ash, Bakugo, Benson, Billie Jean, Blackberry, Blockbuster, Bobby McGee, Brownie Batter, Cedrick, Chaz, Chief, English Muffin, Felicity, Flip-Flop, Flora, Franklin, Frito, Ginger Root, Hamlet, Josie, Kakashi, Kassandra, Lady Bird, Landon, Little Mac, Lorenzo, Marble, Max, Maxwell, Monty, Morticia, Mrs. Stripey, Natalie, Palutena, Pecan, Philanthropy, Prince Akeem, Ryu, Samus Aran, Sandy, Savannah, Slippers, Squid, Tabasco, Texas Pete, Thunder, Tig Notaro, Tilly, Tuna.

Dogs that were adopted:

August, Ethel, Florence, Harlem, Hoagie, Igor, Kendall, Oak, Starr, Talulah, Tracy.