In our “From the Field” series we share reflections and field notes from our staff members who work hands-on, every day, to protect and improve the lives of cats
When I pulled into the parking lot of the Lynchburg Humane Society in Virginia, I expected to see a typical animal shelter. Instead, I found myself in front of an inviting country house, complete with a green shake roof and rocking chairs on a wrap-around porch. For a moment I wondered if I had the wrong address! The Humane Society’s Edythe Elizabeth Stauffer Center for Pets is absolutely beautiful.
The shelter is casual, airy, and bright; perfect for getting people relaxed and in the mood to adopt. All of the cat viewing rooms are spacious and homey and have their own unique personalities. One is even a complete replica of a kitchen, with the quirky addition of colanders attached to the walls to serve as perches for cats. The animals I saw were all content and relaxeda sure sign of a well-run shelter.
Would you ever guess this was a shelter? The Lynchburg Humane Society’s Pet Center is one of a kind.
After a warm reception from the center’s staff, I met with Executive Director Makena Yarbrough to talk about the shelter’s progress. I could clearly feel the pride she has for this shelter, which she helped design.
Makena has reason to be proud because this shelter isn’t just a pretty face. The Humane Society’s staff are saving animals at an enormous rate. For example, their live release rate for dogs in 2015 was an incredible 96%.
Part of their success with cats is due to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), and this shelter definitely proves that TNR works. Since they began implementing TNR in 2011, the shelter’s live release rate for cats went from 77% in 2010 to an astonishing 92% in 2015. Every year, they spay or neuter 800-1000 cats from Lynchburg City in their very own veterinary clinic. In 2015, the shelter also helped Lynchburg’s surrounding communities by spaying and neutering 800 cats from other areas.
Some of the Humane Society’s adoptable cats snooze in the kitchen replica viewing room
The Lynchburg Humane Society is a great example of how a shelter can protect and improve the lives of cats. Through TNR, and a drive to help the community that relies on them, the shelter is saving animals and benefitting residents every day.
Every shelter is capable of making this kind of change with the right guidance. Alley Cat Allies is working hard to make it happen, and learning from shelters that are doing it right!
From the field,
Alice Burton
Program Manager, Animal Control and Shelter Liaison, Alley Cat Allies