Virginia Federation of Humane Societies

Spay Virginia is a project of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. Our goal is to work with shelters, local governments, rescue groups and private veterinarians to provide pet owners and caregivers in Virginia with access to convenient and affordable spay/neuter services. Thanks to the support of our generous donors, we had the privilege of awarding 55,000 to 40 vfhs member organizations in 2023. This ongoing initiative has made a positive impact in the lives of pets and contributed to the overall well-being of our communities. Members for 2023 - 149 (109 organizational and 40 supporting)

High five is dedicated to reducing the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in Virginia by the transfer of animals from under-resourced and rural counties to areas where their chances of adoption are far greater. Moving animals from one location to another can result in a decrease in length of stay, a more diverse selection of animals for adopters and a decrease in euthanasia overall. Save Virginia pets is dedicated toreducing the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in Virginia by serving underresourced areas or organizations in need. In 2023, 179,000 of gants were provided to organizations.

Conference and education: each year, vfhs presents a multi-day conference featuring renowned speakers who offer training on latest progressive practices in animal care, professional and organizational development, fundraising, spay/neuter programming and increasing lifesaving for sheltered animals. The annual conference is incredibly important to the Federation's lifesaving goal, not only for the training it offers but also because members are able to develop strong and strategic partnerships which support their individual lifesaving efforts. In 2023, we launched our vfhs educational program which offers ongoing trainings on a variety of topics based on input from vfhs members. These virtual trainings are free to all vfhs members.

The debra griggs vfhs emergency rescue fund was established to memorialize former vfhs board president debra griggs who passed away in november 2023. This fund will provide support for vfhs members on an as-needed basis for one-time larger scale animal needs and situations including but not limited to: hoarding, abandonment, and natural disaster. Applications will be considered throughout the year.