Our shelter is dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals and the promotion of humane care and treatment. The shelter provides a home for thousands of animals (homeless and abused) throughout the year. They are provided with good care until responsible homes are found for them. If the animals are diseased, severely injured, or unadoptable, they are gently and humanely euthanized. The SPCA provides public education through the schools and civic organizations. Activities of the Rockbridge SPCA include pet identification tattoo clinics, animal parades, animal pictures with Santa, pet shows, fundraising events, and many others. The Rockbridge SPCA also serves as the animal pound for Rockbridge County, Lexington, and Buena Vista.
1. Browse our online listings to see all available animals. Note that puppies and kittens under 6 months old are only available to Rockbridge County residents because of spay/neuter laws. 2. Visit the shelter to spend some time with the animal(s) you’re interested in adopting. During your visit, we encourage you to talk to our staff about what you are looking for and discuss your circumstances. Our staff know the animals well and can give advice about if a particular animal gets along with cats, dogs, kids, etc. and can tell you about the animal’s personality in general. 3. Fill out the application (Cat Adoption Application) or (Dog Adoption Application). Print application, submit it in person at the shelter, or scan and email to [email protected]. If you don’t have a printer you can open the application in Microsoft Word. Once opened, enable editing, fill out your application (some questions may ask to circle, you can highlight instead), save, then email to [email protected]. Your application should state your animal preferences (e.g., I am interested in Fluffy and Fido). Applications typically require between 48 and 72 hours to be processed. 4. Answer and address questions about your application with the shelter manager. 5. The pet will need to be spayed or neutered if the pet is of age and not already spayed or neutered. If the pet is not already spayed or neutered, you must pick a veterinarian in Rockbridge County to alter the pet. The pet must stay at Rockbridge SPCA until the day of surgery. It is your responsibility to pay the vet for the surgery and any possible additional services. 6. Welcome your new pet to the family! a. Take your new pet to the vet for a check up and follow vet instructions for proper care of your pet. Annual vet visits and keeping up with vaccines are vital to your pet’s health. b. Get your dog tags (you can get them for $5 at Walmart) or, at least, use a black sharpie to write your name and phone number on the collar.