FAQ > Services
Even though our doors are always open, there may be open cages in adoptable areas for a variety of reasons.
Even though our doors are always open, there may be open cages in adoptable areas for a variety of reasons.
- A pet has recently been adopted! Our kennel technicians must thoroughly sanitize kennels and cages before we can place another pet in there. That can take some time, especially if there are more pressing needs during the day.
- Pets are on a stray hold. Stray holds are imposed by Virginia law requiring a waiting period to see if an owner of a stray comes forward to claim them. Virginia law requires 5 days for pets without a form of ID (such as a collar, tattoo, or microchip) and 10 days if they do have a form of ID. We cannot legally adopt an animal before it falls into our custody after the holding period.
- Pets are on a court hold. Sometimes pets are seized by Animal Control in cases of cruelty, neglect, or animal attacks. The R-H SPCA must wait for the court to make a determination for them before we can evaluate them for adoption.
- Pets are under medical and/behavioral observation. Pets that are presenting symptoms of illness are monitored in a quarantined area away from the public and healthy pets so we can establish treatment for them and prevent the spread of disease. Pets who are having a difficult time adjusting to the shelter environment may require specialized training from staff away from the general public.
- Pets awaiting pickup by a limited admission or breed-specific rescue group may also be quarantined. Some rescues request that we not adopt out pets awaiting pickup.
- We simply are not at capacity at that time. Like any other public service, there are ebbs and flows. Depending on the time of year, the needs of our community, requests from Animal Control or calls for aid from sister shelters; there may be a period of time when there are empty cages. Of course, that’s always subject to change. Walking into the R-H SPCA on any given day isn’t representative of how our census looks throughout the year.
- Overpopulation is not the only reason a pet might be homeless. Pets, particularly dogs, may be surrendered due to behavioral or temperament problems. While some mild to moderate behaviors may be modified within the shelter environment, we can’t place aggressive dogs up for adoption in good conscience. The possibility of them attacking an adopter, a member of their family, or hurting another animal or someone in the community at large is too great a risk to “warehouse” dogs regardless of their temperament just because a kennel is available.