20th Anniversary Bash

An Evening of Music and Merriment!

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Nelson SPCA 20th Anniversary Bash, a celebration of two decades of dedication and compassion.

Resources

Nelson SPCA

Helpful Information for Pet Care

Whether you’re a new pet owner or a long-time pet lover, our carefully curated resources are here to support you in providing the best care for your cats and dogs. You’ll find essential information and services to help ensure their health and happiness.

Jump to a section using the links below.

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:

  1. Basics: Food, grooming, and exercise.
  2. Health: Vaccinations, common health issues, and vet visits.
  3. Training: Commands, house training, and behavioral solutions.
  4. Safety: Home and outdoor safety, and emergency preparedness.
  5. Enrichment: Mental stimulation and socialization.
  6. 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 Affordable Veterinary Surgery & Dental Care logo

Helping Hands Veterinary Surgery and Dentistry

1605 Rhoadmiller St,
Richmond, VA 23220
(434) 244-6338
Website

VCA Animal Hospitals logo

VCA Animal Hospitals

445 Westfield Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 973-6146
Website

Lovingston Veterinary Hospital logo

Lovingston Veterinary Hospital

8151 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-4881
Website

Woodworth Animal Hospital logo

Woodworth Animal Hospital

2001 E Main St.
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(540) 942-5163
Website

Lynchburg Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic logo

Lynchburg Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic

1211 Old Graves Mill Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(434) 448-0088
Website

Augusta Regional SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic logo

Augusta Regional SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic

33 Archery Lane
Staunton, VA 24401
(540) 245-5635
Website

Anicira - Harrisonburg Veterinary Center logo

Anicira - Harrisonburg Veterinary Center

1992 Medical Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 437-1980
Website

Virginia Kincheloe Spay & Neuter Clinic logo

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.

  1. coverage options
  2. premiums
  3. deductibles
  4. reimbursement rates
  5. check for any exclusions or limitations
  6. 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 logo

Nationwide Pet Insurance

trupanion Pet Insurance logo

Turpanion Pet Insurance

healthy paws Pet Insurance logo

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

embrace Pet Insurance logo

Embrace Pet Insurance

ASPCA logo

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Illustration of a two dogs looking upward toward an incoming ball - graphic divider element

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 logo

Pet Supplies Plus

1240 Seminole Trl
Charlottesville,VA
434-979-2009
Website

Petco logo

Petco

1621 Emmet St N,
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 244-6338
Website

PetSmart logo

PetSmart

101 Community St
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 964-9213
Website

CFC Farm & Home Center logo

Colleen Feed and Seed

4071 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Arrington, VA 22922
(434) 263-4919
Website

Tractor Supply Co logo

Tractor Supply Co

921 River Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 984-2190
Website

Ace Hardware logo

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 logo

Camp Merricks

Dog boarding and daycare in a home setting
Website

Blue Ridge Canine Safehouse logo

Blue Ridge Canine Safehouse

Behavioral modification and emotional rehabilitation for rescue dogs

Website

Rover logo

Rover

The nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers
Website

Pet Housing

HOWS - Houses of Wood & Straw logo

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.

Visit Website

Dogs Deserve Better logo

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.

Website

Other Businesses that Support Us and Our Mission

Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery logo

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.

Website

Appreciation for Creation logo

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.

Website

Basic Necessities

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.

Website

Illustration of a two dogs looking upward toward an incoming ball - graphic divider element

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

Cat Silhouette graphic design element
Cat Silhouette graphic design element

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.

Nelson SPCA
HOURS
Monday - Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm (except major holidays)
LOCATION
29 Stagebridge Road
Lovingston, VA 22949
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