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15 July 2010
Chris Roberson, the Fluvanna SPCA’s new director, maybe be taking the shelter in a new direction, but he’s quick to acknowledge that the stalwart staff and volunteers are the key to keeping the facility running smoothly.
While staff has kept the floors, indoor dog pens, outdoor dog pen, and cat cages clean while showing their care and devotion for the animals; the volunteers have showed no less in the endeavor to keep the shelter afloat in tough times.
The work of volunteers was evident one recent day with Shania Woods?? cuddling kittens to socialize them and Suzanne and Bryan Pfaffenberger grooming a cat they were planning on fostering. During school, Fluvanna High School kids come out and walk and play with the dogs while other volunteers walk them on the trail out back, also created by volunteers. Volunteers keep up the grounds, do the landscaping, serve on the board, do adoptions and even help with fundraisers. Roberson said he admires the volunteers who came to help in the snow storm six months ago and who come now to help in the blistering heat.
Even the veterinarian is a volunteer. Jim Starkey, comes in during the week to check on the animals and assess the newcomers.
“I do a preliminary physical exam, if they need care beyond what we can give them, then they will go to Fork Union or Zion Crossroads for further evaluation and treatment,” said Starkey.
Roberson, meanwhile, is reaching out to others in the community for help.
“We need to cultivate community support for our medical care fund, as well as for our spay/neuter fund so that we can save more animals and provide more Fluvanna residents with new best buddies who are ready to roll and have a life of hope and love to share,” said Roberson. “One of our key goals is for the FSPCA is to develop a specific fundraising campaign that invites wide community participation in our work to provide prompt, qualified veterinary care to our animals who need it, and to make each pet even more adaptable by providing its spay or neuter surgery prior to adoption.’’
“We go to great lengths to give every companion animal a second chance, but we cannot do it alone,’’ Roberson said. “We must invite local citizens and businesses to learn more about the lifesaving and life-changing work we are doing and to partner with us on sustaining and growing this commitment into the future.”
Roberson credits former Director Amy Kirchner and Cheryl Falkenburry with building a solid foundation for the shelter.
“There definitely has been solid groundwork put into place, the most important of it being focused on caring for the animals, bringing in volunteers to socialize the dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats, and working with volunteers to do off-site adoption outings,’’ said Roberson, who most recently directed annual giving and development for the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. “Building on the work of previous FSPCA staff, we now are focused intently on elevating our standards of cleaning, care, and communication throughout the FSPCA facility. Our staff already has received some very nice praise from visitors on how clean, calm, and organized operations are, and it is rewarding to see a staff energized and taking pride in its work. I credit Amy, Cheryl, Tricia, and the FSPCA staff, volunteers, and board of directors for keeping operations moving forward during the recent times of transition at the FSPCA,” he said.
One of Roberson’s goals is to increase adoptions and the number of shelter volunteers.
“We want to increase the number of adoptions of the great pets we have right here in our own community at the Fluvanna SPCA by offering an adoption special in honor of everyone thinking about bringing a new friend into their home. From July 15-August 15, we will be adopting cats for $10, kittens for $50, dogs for $65, and puppies for $100. Even though we are reducing significantly all adoption fees, our same adoption screening process will be in place throughout this special adoption opportunity. We want people to see the wonderful animals right here in their own backyard at the FSPCA and to make us their first stop when considering adopting.”
“We need to improve the FSPCA's engagement and involvement of the community, because we truly are a community organization,’’ he said. “As we save the lives of companion animals, provide them with a high level of care during their stay with us, and then find good homes for them, we in turn are enriching the lives of thousands of people in our community. We are tremendously thankful for the public support the FSPCA has garnered, and we need to work even harder to build community trust and support for the lifesaving work we are accomplishing.”
“One simple way in which we are encouraging the community to get involved with the Fluvanna SPCA is by expanding the hours we are open to the public. We now are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12:00 noon-5:30 p.m. During the hours leading up to 12:00 noon, the staff is working diligently on cleaning the facility, feeding and caring for the animals, providing medical care to those who are being nursed back to full health, and socializing our current residents.” Volunteers often come in the afternoon and continue to socialize the animals, playing with the cats and kittens and exercising the dogs.
Roberson discussed other goals for the shelter.
“Our most important goal is becoming a true no-kill organization, as defined by the No Kill Advocacy Center. This means that we will work to save the lives of–and find good homes for–every companion animal that comes to us who is medically treatable and behaviorally sound. The Fluvanna SPCA already is well on its way to achieving this status, as we are saving more than 80% of the animals we receive. However, even the best no-kill shelters in the nation still must request humane euthanization of those animals who are gravely ill or injured, or who are declared dangerous and are a threat to the community.”
Training and socializing are keys to a good relationship with an animal companion and what the volunteers do at the Fluvanna shelter is vital to finding that forever-home. Falkenburry often says that the main reason for shelters being overrun with animals is because of behavior issues and a lack of understanding, socialization and training. This is where volunteers are key -- even the smallest gesture can sometimes mean a great deal and prevent euthanization. Volunteer Bettejeanne Hammond is a FSPCA volunteer who gave an elderly, three legged dog a chance when euthanization seemed to be the only recourse (see 7/8 issue on full story of Hammond and Prince).
“Additionally, we need to expand our network of volunteers and foster homes so that animals with temporary special needs receive more support, and so that our resident pets have more opportunities for exercise and socialization,’’ said Roberson. “Fostering an animal or volunteering to work with animals here at the FSPCA is a highly rewarding activity for a number of people in our community, and we love having such kind folks spend time with our dogs and cats – whether at the shelter or in a simple fostering arrangement in their own homes.” The Pfaffenbergers are prime examples of volunteers dedicated to fostering cats as well as long-time volunteers Deb Howe and Sharin Montgomery who foster dogs.
Fundraising is the backbone of any non-profit animal shelter, and former Director Amy Kirchner knew what it takes to come up with ideas to generate funds.
“We have several fun ideas in the works that we believe will appeal to a wide variety of people in the community,” said Roberson. “On Sunday, July 18, there will the Float for Fido originating in Scottsville at James River Reeling and Rafting. This event is being coordinated by the Blue Ridge Rotaracy Club. People interested in tubing and then enjoying some PeeWee’s Pit Barbecue afterward should contact the Blue Ridge Rotary Club at
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. Arrival time at Reeling and Rafting is 9:15 a.m. that morning, and the barbecue and post-float party will begin around 2:30 or 3also at Reeling and Rafting’s property in Scottsville on the James River. Proceeds from the day will be donated to the Fluvanna SPCA.” (See upcoming events sidebar for other upcoming events).
“We will announce a fundraising campaign later this year designed to support the FSPCA’s medical care and spay/neuter programs, and we have additional ideas in the works for how local businesses can have their support for the FSPCA highlighted in the community. We are excited about the opportunity to provide a variety of fun ways for people and businesses to support the Fluvanna SPCA.”
Roberson explained why he has always enjoyed working with animals. “I grew up just west of Midlothian, Virginia, near the James River and the Chesterfield County/Powhatan County line. In high school, I worked for Broughton’s Kennels, where we boarded animals for the public and raised our own dogs. Working for the Middlebrooks family at Broughton’s, as well as raising our own animals, provided lifelong lessons on responsibility, unconditional love, animal care, and going the distance to make sure our companion animals receive the attention and care we owe them. Animals have always been an important part of my life.”
Roberson earned a B.A. and a Masters in Education from the University of Virginia, and his professional background includes non-profit leadership work in some unique private and public school in Virginia. He also had the opportunity to go to Colorado for four years and help create a new, experiential learning school for the Cherry Creek School District.
“This is an excellent place to learn about how to develop a successful animal welfare organization,” he said. “Probably more important than anything or any educational degree was the importance placed on hard work by my parents. They taught me that if you get up early in the morning and work hard, good things will happen.”
One question on everyone’s mind is will Roberson remain at the helm and stay the course.
“Stay. It is my understanding that there has been a good bit of transition at the FSPCA in recent years. Because my home, happiness, and heart are in Fluvanna, I hope to work with the community and the FSPCA Board of Directors to make the Fluvanna SPCA “the little SPCA that can.” I try to set an example of dedication and hard work through action,” he said. “Good intentions are not enough. It is what we do that will make a difference for our animals and help them find good, permanent homes. I hope to provide an environment of clear expectations, consistency, excellent communication, and accountability. The good news is that since there already are several areas of operations going well, we have a solid foundation upon which to build.” Many thanks to staff and all the volunteers.
One of the issues facing shelters everywhere is keeping the dog and cat population from exploding while shelters burst at the seams.
“We have many of our pets at the Fluvanna SPCA spayed or neutered prior to adoption through an arrangement with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA (which has an on-site veterinary clinic), and that really helps out our adopters. Adopters who live in the County of Albemarle or City of Charlottesville also may take advantage of the CASPCA’s low-cost spay/neuter clinic. As we better get to know the different veterinary clinics that are able to offer low cost spay/neuter to the public, we will make that information available to the community through our website, Facebook page, print advertisements, promotional flyers, and press releases. Currently, we have a number of area vets who will provide a $50 discount to FSPCA adopters who present our spay/neuter certificate.”
Some have questioned why the county supports the FSPCA and the need for the shelter.
“The Fluvanna SPCA also serves as the pound for the County of Fluvanna. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, every county and city is required to either build and operate its own pound to house the animals taken in by Animal Control, or establish a contract with a suitable animal welfare organization that will agree to accept responsibility for meeting the county’s legal obligation to the state by providing its pound services. This means that the Fluvanna SPCA is both an animal shelter and the pound. The benefit to the community of having the Fluvanna SPCA serve as the pound for the County of Fluvanna is that we are going to give every adaptable animal a chance to be reclaimed or the opportunity for a new home while providing a high level of experienced animal care. Our County Animal Control Officers work hard to support and counsel Fluvanna County residents on animal issues, and the Fluvanna SPCA partners with them to help create as many successful resolutions as possible for families and their pets.”
He added: “We hope everyone in the area will give the Fluvanna SPCA and our animals a good look. We are moving forward as a positive community organization that happens to have a few friends you might like to meet and who are just waiting here for you.”
To see some of the kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs available for adoption, please visit www.fspca.org or visit the shelter at 5239 Union Mills Road, Troy, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5:30 or by appointment. For more information, contact Chris Roberson at (434) 591-0123 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
To support the FSPCA through donations, stop the shelter or send donations to the address above or go online at www.fspca.org. All donations are tax-deductible, as the FSPCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
