The Almost Home Pet Adoption Center has worked to find homes for thousands of animals in Nelson County over the past two decades. This year, the center celebrates a milestone anniversary of 20 years for the center.
On April 24, 2004, Almost Home pet adoption center in Lovingston had its grand opening. It was years in the making with preparations for the shelter dating back to 1991.
Up until that point, animals were kept at the countyās animal control department or with foster families.
Almost Home is a no-kill shelter founded by Bette Graham, who was also the centerās former president before retiring two years ago.
The center is owned and operated by the Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County.
Through its 20 years, the shelter has been able to place 22,000 stray and unwanted dogs and cats in homes.
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The shelter was able to facilitate these adoptions not just through the center, but also community events and partnerships with other no-kill shelters.
āEverything that comes here stays until it is able to find a home or can be transported to another no-kill shelter,ā Graham said.
There are some long-term stays.
Tye, a male Mountain Cur, has been at the shelter for 18 months while awaiting a new home. The staff said heās a favorite and super sweet to be around.
When first walking up to the cages, the dogs are jumping and barking.
Denise Merricks, vice president of Almost Home, explained this behavior sometimes scares potential adopters.
āThe dogs arenāt usually like that when out of their kennel, but theyāre stressed out in the shelter and it gives them a bad look,ā Merricks said.
Now, the shelter is full of different hound breeds. During the day, most of the dogs get moved to outside cages to get fresh air and have more space to roam.
āTheyāre hunting dogs that were thrown away,ā Merricks said.
There are 16 dog rooms at the shelter, each painted by a different artist to look like the inside of a home.
āThe artists volunteered their time to paint the walls of the dog rooms to send a message that the dogs should be in a home with a family, not chained in a backyard or in a shelter,ā Graham said.
Longtime volunteer Peyton Coyner, who was on the original Humane Society board of directors and project manager overseeing the construction of Almost Home Pet Adoption Center in 2004, toured the shelter with Graham.
Graham and Coyner went around to every room explaining who painted them and their story/connection with the shelter. The rooms are painted to look like living rooms and bedrooms with each having a different artistic look to them.
The dog rooms are at capacity with some of the rooms having two dogs. The cat rooms were almost empty, which was surprising for staff because usually they are filled with strays.
Graham said that they think itās due to the shelterās trap/neuter/release program for feral cats. Through this program, the shelter has neutered 2,500 cats.
She told the Nelson County Times she doesnāt know where the shelter would be without its volunteers.
According to Graham, the first two years of Almost Home being open, it was only volunteers, there were no paid staff.
Now, the shelter still runs on volunteer support from dog walkers, cat caregivers, and foster parents along with its paid employees.
Coyner still volunteers his time to transport the animals, he takes them to different shelters and homes when needed.
āIām taking a load of cats and dogs to New Jersey tomorrow,ā Coyner said.
Thereās going to be a 20th anniversary celebration on Sept. 28 at Blue Toad Cidery in Roseland. From 3 to 5 p.m. there will be a free family event including a corn maze, food trucks and music. Animals will be able to be adopted during this time. From 7 to 10 p.m. there will be a ticketed VIP indoor event with live music, silent auction, food and an open bar.
āThereās a lot of love in this place, thatās for sure,ā Merricks said.
To learn more about Almost Home or see adoptable pets, visit the shelterās website at https://www.nelsonspca.org/ or visit the shelter daily from 1 to 4 p.m.