Our
History
The first meeting of ART was in January of 1999. Our members came together initially because each was involved in improving the lives of, and finding homes for, orphaned animals. Some individuals took in stray and/or unwanted animals, restored them to health as needed, and placed them in permanent homes. Others in the group focused most of their efforts on supporting local shelters like the city funded Animal Control and privately funded SPCA. We decided that we wanted to continue and enhance these diverse efforts and have done so quite well.
During our short history, ART’s impact on the community has been profound. In addition to developing a solid network of foster homes, which allows members to rescue and adopt out many animals per month, ART members play a vital role in the development of policy and laws at the local and state level. Further, ART is an approved rescue with nearly every shelter in the region ART is incorporated and a 501 © 3 as designated by the IRS.
Our
Achievements
Rescued/adopted out approx. 2100 animals from 1999- Dec 2009. We accept unwanted animals from individuals, or, when an animal's “time is up”, from the SPCA and area Animal Control shelters. The animals are placed into our network of foster homes, they are brought current on vaccinations and spayed/neutered, ads are run, potential owners screened, and, ultimately, permanent homes are found.
Recognized by every shelter in the region
We are an approved rescue organization with the Norfolk SPCA and Norfolk Animal Care & Control, the Chesapeake Humane Society, Suffolk Animal Control, Virginia Beach Animal Control, Portsmouth Humane and we are a recognized Releasing Agency with the State Veterinarian.
Celebration Garden, Old Donation Episcopal Church, Virginia Beach
In 2005, Animal Rescue of Tidewater and Old Donation Episcopal Church created a special garden celebrating animals and animal lovers that touch our hearts and lives. The garden is filled with spring blooming bulbs, each planted to recognize a special animal or animal lover. The garden also includes a Kousa dogwood, a bench for peaceful meditation and a plaque commemorating the dedication of the garden. Bulbs are planted each fall as requested by anyone wishing to celebrate their “Forever Friend”.
Founded Animal Welfare Coalition of Hampton Roads
ART invited all animal service providers in the region to a meeting on 9/30/01 to engage in a discussion, the ultimate goal of which was to create a plan to end euthanasia as a means of controlling animal over-population in Southside Hampton Roads within the next five years.
After two meetings, the group unanimously agreed to endorse ART’s application, on behalf of the Animal Welfare Coalition, to the Norfolk Foundation for a grant to fund a year long process of data gathering and community building in the area of animal service and animal welfare, to be lead by the professional team of Joseph Riddick and Associates.
The Norfolk Foundation approved the grant application, which contained thirty-eight letters of support, including letters from three city managers on the Southside and letters from different levels of city leadership in the other cities; as well as letters from Best Friends and Alley Cat Allies. There was universal support for this approach to bringing the service providers together identifying the services available, the unmet needs and a plan for coordinated service deliver to address those un-met needs.
In early 2003, with the needs assessment complete, Riddick and Associates delivered the State of Animal Welfare 2002 to the Coalition and general public in Council Chambers at Norfolk City Hall.
Today the Coalition holds 4 week-end-long Super Adopt-athon’s annually, shares best practices among members, hosts a website offering vast information to the community on animal care and available services, and networks to save the lives of literally thousands of animals each year.
Grants Received
ART has been the recipient of Spay/Neuter Grants from both PetSmart Charities and the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and we are proud of the trust these donors have placed in us to use those monies to save the lives of hundreds of animals in Hampton Roads.
APPROVED TO RECEIVE A MICHAEL VICK PIT BULL
After a rigorous application process, ART was selected to receive one of the pit bulls seized when the dog fighting operation at Michael Vick’s Surry County home was raided. The dog is adjusting beautifully to normal life and we are thankful for the courageous judge who ordered that the dogs be assessed individually instead of summarily killed. That precedent setting decision creates a life-affirming future for all dogs seized from fighting operations in the United States and beyond.
CATALYST FOR PASSAGE OF “THE WATER BILL”
With the help of Delegate Kenny Alexander who patroned House Bill 673, ART members worked tirelessly on “The Water Bill” to ensure humane hydration for Virginia’s animals. This legislation removed the language that water must be replenished only "once every 12 hours" and in fact says that water must be provided "appropriate for the weather and temperature". That means cool water in the summer and not-frozen water in the winter. We are grateful to Delegate Alexander for his vital role in creating better laws for animals in the Commonwealth.
What
We Do
Rescue and find homes for stray, abandoned, shelter-released and owner-released animals
Advocate for improved animal welfare
Educate the public about animal welfare and animal issues
Focus on spay/neuter as the underlying solution to animal population control
Work to build coalitions with our animal welfare partners
Raise funds to support our work
