Fauquier SPCA Way Ahead of Its Time

Fauquier SPCA Way Ahead of Its Time

By Bill Cauley

Fauquier County was well ahead of the learning curve when it came to animal welfare.

In 1957, before Virginia mandated all 100 counties have a facility to house abused, neglected or stray animals, the late Betty Maloney and her family launched the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals facility in Fauquier County at her Dogpatch Farm. Located on the Springs Road in Warrenton, the family set about the task of taking care of the needy animals through this nonprofit organization.

Within two weeks of its opening, Fauquier SPCA performed a major animal rescue. It located some starving livestock in the area, taking charge of the animals, and the owner was arrested and eventually convicted of animal cruelty.

“Back then, they already had a plan in place to take care of these animals,” said Devon Settle, executive director of Fauquier SPCA. “When the state made it a requirement for each county, it was an easy transition into the state system.”

The ASPCA is well known throughout the country. Its devotion to the care and treatment of animals of all kinds is well documented. In Virginia, the Attorney General’s office has a specialized division for animal law.

“They really do a great job when it comes to pursuing animal cruelty and neglect complaints,” Settle said.

Settle, 49, initially started her career in animal care as a licensed veterinary technician 26 years ago in private practice. She joined the Fauquier SPCA staff in 2016 and her long-time experience led to her being named executive director in 2017.

She oversees many components of Fauquier SPCA and watched the organization grow exponentially.

The original shelter at Dogpatch Farm eventually became too small to accommodate a large number of animals. With only about 100 square feet of space available, it was necessary to expand.

In 1989, after receiving a donation of about 11 acres prior to its construction, the present Fauquier SPCA Shelter opened in Casanova. The property boasts 36 dog kennels, six dog quarantine kennels and three separate cat rooms, one used as a cat sunroom.

The facility also includes a spay/neuter clinic. It offers services, both to shelter and privately-owned dogs and cats. There also is a barn and fenced paddocks to house livestock.

Fauquier SPCA operates the county’s Animal Control Center, which was built in 2009. There’s also a no-kill adoption center on the campus of the original animal shelter.

Settle said while the adoption center is designated as no-kill, there are times where dangerous, aggressive animals must be humanely put down. It’s not an easy decision, Settle admitted, but when necessary, it’s the only way.

“Not every animal coming into the shelter can be adopted,” Settle said. “If there is no hope, such as a rabid animal, extreme aggressiveness, or major injury or illness, and an animal is suffering, we have to do this.”

Settle, her husband (a deputy sheriff) and 13-year-old daughter are animal lovers as well. Her daughter Morgan also helps out at the facility.

Back in 1957, when Fauquier SPCA went on its first rescue effort, few could have predicted it was going to be the start of an ongoing mission to benefit the health and welfare of as many animals as possible for the county, and surrounding areas as well.

Betty Maloney would have been proud.

Details: For more information, go to fauquierspca.com.