ABOUT US

Founded in 1914, after unofficially operating out of the basements and garages of concerned citizens since the early 1900s, the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA has come a long way. In 1955, the SPCA acquired eight acres of land with a chicken coop, which, with some conversion and remodeling, became the first animal shelter in the region. Over the next 40 years, the shelter building was never remodeled and became a hazard. In the late 1990s, it no longer met state building code requirements and was on the verge of being shut down. Planning for a new facility began in 2000. In 2004, after a community-wide capital campaign, the SPCA moved into our current home: a 32,000-square-foot building on a six-acre campus, which houses one-third more animals than the former facility and contains a veterinary surgical suite.

The improvements to the facility and a commitment to saving lives allowed the SPCA to increase the number of animals treated and placed in foster care. The SPCA was better able to treat and find homes for many sick and injured dogs and cats as well as older, blind, or deaf animals or those with unique needs.

In 2016, the SPCA had been at the forefront of lifesaving efforts for over a decade. Looking into the future, we knew it was time to expand our lifesaving efforts to pets living outside the shelter’s walls. Our vision for a mobile unit became a reality thanks to a $73,500 challenge grant from the Perry Foundation and our community of generous supporters.

The Compassionate Care-A-Van has made it possible for the SPCA to rescue animals near and far. Our priority is to support our neighboring shelters, and in 2020 the SPCA rescued 1,204 pets from within Virginia. When Hurricane Laura hit in August, we were able to assist with rescue efforts. In total, we rescued 2,216 animals in 2020, more than ever in a single year of the history of the SPCA. We are proud to have started a transport relationship with Rescued Pets Movement, allowing us to save homeless pets from Houston, which has one of the worst animal overpopulation issues in the country. The SPCA made 212 rescue missions in 2020, transporting animals from overcrowded shelters where the animals were in danger of being euthanized. The SPCA is fortunate to have the resources and ability to help animals in need in our region and nation. Without the Compassionate Care-A-Van, an amazingly dedicated foster family network, staff, volunteers and a very generous and supportive community, the rescue missions would not be possible!