Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC), the only open-admission animal shelter in the city of Richmond, provides humane care to stray, sick, injured and relinquished pets. By working hand in hand with the RACC Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, they are able to save countless lives and match animals with their forever humans.
Giving back doesn’t always mean donating large sums or hosting galas. Small acts of kindness make a meaningful impact. RACC volunteers can walk dogs, play with cats, donate pet food and blankets, help with laundry, provide grooming services, or become a foster. These are all vital to their life-saving missions.
This month, kitten-season is in full swing, and it takes those special volunteers who give their heart and time by being responsible for the health and socialization of kittens. We’re lucky enough at Spurrier Group to be able to “foster” the space for our foster, Susanne Loving, to keep working as well as administer neonatal kitten care. It’s a 24/7 job and while her career is in accounting, we all get the benefits of animal connection throughout the day thanks to her commitment! The increased oxytocin and decreased cortisol levels result in relaxation, a lower heart rate, and elevated mood…aka “the warm and fuzzies”.
To do something essential that makes a genuine difference, RACC hosts a volunteer orientation every Saturday at 11am that’s open to all. If you’re a local business, you can even foster a dog or cat for the day through their Casual Friday Foster program. Giving animals a break outside of their kennels and sharing their story helps them get adopted! Contact Robin, RACC’s Outreach Coordinator (robin.young@rva.gov) to find out more about how your deeds can change lives in our community.