Resources
New Pet Owners
Adopting a new dog or cat is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with responsibilities and the need for proper care. Here are some valuable resources to help you get started on the right foot:
General Care Guides
The ASPCA has a Pet Care library of resources that covers all the basics you’ll need to care for your new pet. These dog care and cat care guides include:
- Basics: Food, grooming, and exercise.
- Health: Vaccinations, common health issues, and vet visits.
- Training: Commands, house training, and behavioral solutions.
- Safety: Home and outdoor safety, and emergency preparedness.
- Enrichment: Mental stimulation and socialization.
- Special Topics: Introducing new pets to babies.
Veterinary & Medical Services
Local veterinary and medical services to ensure your pet receives the best possible treatment and care. We’re fortunate to have strong support from local veterinary clinics and extend a heartfelt thanks for their on-going help.
Helping Hands Veterinary Surgery and Dentistry
1605 Rhoadmiller St,
Richmond, VA 23220
(434) 244-6338
Website
VCA Animal Hospitals
445 Westfield Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 973-6146
Website
Lovingston Veterinary Hospital
8151 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-4881
Website
Woodworth Animal Hospital
2001 E Main St.
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(540) 942-5163
Website
Lynchburg Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic
1211 Old Graves Mill Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(434) 448-0088
Website
Augusta Regional SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic
33 Archery Lane
Staunton, VA 24401
(540) 245-5635
Website
Anicira - Harrisonburg Veterinary Center
1992 Medical Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 437-1980
Website
Virginia Kincheloe Spay & Neuter Clinic
452 TV Drive
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(540) 507-7461
Website
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be a real lifesaver. It gives you peace of mind knowing you can provide pet care for emergencies, regular check-ups, and unforeseen health issues.
Pet insurance is regulated, so which company you choose to go with is usually less important than what policy you decide on. To choose the best pet insurance, compare different plans and find one that fits your budget and your pet’s needs. Below are the 6 important points you should pay attention to.
- coverage options
- premiums
- deductibles
- reimbursement rates
- check for any exclusions or limitations
- customer service reviews
When looking at reviews, remember that coverage is regulated, so complaints about it should be taken with a grain of salt. However, reviews can provide valuable insights into an organization’s customer service and responsiveness.
To get you started, here are some of the most well-established pet insurance providers in the US.
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Turpanion Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Pet-Friendly Housing
Finding a home that welcomes both you and your pet can be a challenge. To help you locate a pet-friendly living space, we’ve compiled a list of housing website directories. Each link includes filters for our area and specifically for pet-friendly accommodations.
Pet Supplies
Explore these pet supply businesses to find everything you need for your new dog or cat, from food and toys to grooming essentials.
Pet Supplies Plus
1240 Seminole Trl
Charlottesville,VA
434-979-2009
Website
Colleen Feed and Seed
4071 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Arrington, VA 22922
(434) 263-4919
Website
Tractor Supply Co
921 River Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 984-2190
Website
Ace Hardware
Wintergreen Hardware Inc
2230 Rockfish Valley Hwy,
Nellysford, VA 22958
(434) 361-1919
Facebook
Local Resources
Find a variety of businesses and services that are ready to meet the needs of you and your pet.
Boarding and Pet Sitters
Camp Merricks
Dog boarding and daycare in a home setting
Website
Blue Ridge Canine Safehouse
Behavioral modification and emotional rehabilitation for rescue dogs
Pet Housing
Houses of Wood & Straw
HOWS Project is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, working to improve the lives and well-being of outside dogs in Charlottesville and surrounding counties.
Dogs Deserve Better
Dogs Deserve Better, based in Central Virginia, rescues dogs from chains and pulls at-risk dogs from shelters, saving hundreds of lives annually. They support under-resourced communities by providing spay/neuter services, fencing, insulated dog houses, vet care, dog food, and supplies.
Other Businesses that Support Us and Our Mission
Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery
Loving Cup is the only certified-organic vineyard and winery in Virginia and only one of three on the East Coast. $2 from each bottle sold is donated to Nelson SPCA.
Creation Appreciation
Based in Afton, Virginia, Creation Appreciation is a full-service landscaping company serving local and regional residential and commercial clients. Over the years, they have been incredibly supportive of our shelter, significantly contributing to our landscaping needs and playing a crucial role in our recent exterior renovation.
Basic Necessities
Basic Necessities combines local, seasonal, pesticide-free produce, and humanely-treated meat with a Slow Food philosophy, offering scratch-made meals in a relaxed atmosphere, led by wine and cheese expert Kay Pfaltz and talented chefs. They have been a long time sponsor and supporter of our shelter.
Nelson County Animal Control
Nelson County Animal Control is a distinct entity from Nelson SPCA and serves different roles within the community.
Animal Control is tasked with enforcing state laws and county ordinances concerning domestic animals. Their responsibilities include various animal-related complaints, such as:
- Animal cruelty and neglect
- Abandoned animals
- Animal bites
- Spay and neuter violations
- Animals running at large
While Animal Control and the SPCA of Nelson County serve different purposes, our shelter relies heavily on the collaboration and support of Nelson County Animal Control to fulfill our mission. This partnership is crucial to ensure the well-being and care of animals in our community, and we are grateful for their ongoing cooperation and assistance.
Stray Animal Hold — Mandatory Hold Policy
Nelson County Animal Control enforces a mandatory hold period for stray animals. The standard hold time is five days, which extends to ten days for animals wearing a collar. This emphasizes the importance of equipping pets with collars. After the mandatory hold period, stray animals are eligible for adoption.
Emergency Contact
The public is advised to call 911 for urgent animal complaints. For non-urgent matters, call their non-emergency number at 434-263-7047.
Online Information
For further details, visit Nelson County Animal Control.
Contact Information
Email: animalcontrol@nelsoncounty.org
Phone: 434-263-7047
Physical Address:
996 Morse Lane
Arrington, VA 22922
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 336
Lovingston, VA 22949
Animal Surrender
What You Need to Know
The state requires a completed Official Surrender Form for all animals brought to Nelson SPCA. SPCA staff will provide you a copy of the form after meeting the dog or cat to determine if we have the resources and capability to take the animal. Any Animals left at Nelson SPCA after hours, or without our permission and a completed Surrender Form, are considered abandoned strays and cannot be processed. These animals will be transferred immediately to Nelson County Animal Control to wait out their mandatory hold period: 5 days if not wearing a collar or 10 days if wearing a collar.
If you must surrender an animal, please fill out our “Surrender Request” or call 434-263-7722 between 1 and 4 p.m. to make arrangements to do so legally. Legal surrenders save time and money, and greatly reduce the stress on the animals.
Partners in Care
We hope this guide has helped you find the necessary support and services for your furry family member. If you know of additional resources that could benefit pet owners, please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your suggestions.