Hurricane Help: Middleburg Humane Foundation Takes On Animals in Need
Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photos by Callie Broaddus
“If in our realm, we will try to help every animal in need.” Mandy Smith, adoption coordinator for the Middleburg Humane Foundation, is clear on the charitable organization’s mission. She also underlined the critical role of others, saying it’s only possible “with community help.”
Middleburg Humane was founded in 1994 by Scruffy’s Ice Cream Parlor owner and animal advocate Hilleary Bogley. Today, the foundation operates a 23-acre farm shelter that includes a grooming salon and pet supply boutique, as well as a resale shop in Marshall. Folks with a home or pasture to share can peruse an online photo gallery of available animals or arrange a visit to the shelter. They can find everything from a floppy-eared beagle mix to four gray kittens or a pinto horse named Calypso, all waiting for adoption and rehoming.
Beyond Hunt Country, a shared love of animals unites Middleburg Humane Foundation with other shelter operators in an informal, national network. This link came in handy when Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, devastating Asheville, North Carolina. The consequences of the storm led to an increased demand for animal shelter care. The decision was made to empty out two nearby shelters in Milton and Yancey County to make space for the expected influx of newly homeless animals.
On October 1, 150 animals from the shelters in Milton and Yancey County were transported to Virginia, with Middleburg Humane accepting 27 kittens, puppies, cats, and dogs. Conditions in North Carolina had been harsh. The shelters had lost power and water, and only a few staff members had been able to make it to the facilities to provide care. As a result, all the animals were sick.
Within two weeks, according to Mandy Smith, all the cats and kittens were in foster homes. The Middleburg Humane Foundation offers special training for fosters, “Middleburg Kitten College,” which trains them to provide health care, such as administering antibiotics. Though some of the dogs and puppies were in foster care, others still needed medical attention at the shelter. Smith said that despite all hardships and travel to get where they were, the animals “remain as sweet as can be.”
The Middleburg Humane Foundation expects a second wave of animals in November. “We are prepping for another round of hurricane relief,” Smith says. She explained that the foundation won’t know specifically what to expect. With the capacity to rehabilitate and rehome equines and “outside” animals — chickens, donkeys, horses, pigs, and more — Middleburg Humane Foundation offers services that most, if not all, other shelters in the region do not.
Smith shares, “We can’t do what we do without the support of staff, donors, fosters, veterinary partners, and rescue partners. Communities have really stepped up.”
Those interested in helping have several choices. Monetary donations offer flexible support. Alternatively, the organization maintains an online list of needed supplies and foods for material donations. Volunteer opportunities are also available to anyone interested in fostering animals or helping in other ways. “I can’t stress enough how important volunteers are to making the shelter run,” Smith says. “They let our staff focus on medical issues. And … we always need fosters.”
Of course, the ultimate goal is for the animals to find a home. Cuddly kittens, loyal dogs, and more are all waiting. ML
Middleburg Humane Foundation
5000 Cunningham Farm Drive
Marshall, VA 20115
(540) 364-3272
middleburghumane.org
Published in the November 2024 issue of Middleburg Life.