Animal Rescue of Tidewater was established January 1999, and since its inception, has rescued/adopted out over 2,100 dogs and cats.  Based on continuous calls for assistance from members of the community, we have realized that our effectiveness in helping more animals can come by reaching out to the people best situated to help them.  In many cases, this help can be offered in the form of spay/neuter.  Our “SpayHR” campaign was launched in spring 2010. The campaign has two components:

• The Norfolk Pet Project – offering free spay/neuter to Norfolk neighborhoods based on income levels and calls to Animal Control.
• Regional Media Plan – to educate our community about the number of animals put down in the Hampton Roads (Virginia) area each year, how spay/neuter can greatly help reduce that number, and inform the community that quality low-cost spay/neuter clinics are available in several Hampton Roads cities.Most publicity for homeless animals is focused on the animal in need at the shelter, or out on the streets.  However, we are trying to take a step back to get to the point of avoiding that animal being in need by trying to help the human element of the equation (who is in a better position to effect change).  If an explanation of how spay/neuter can save the lives of multiple animals in a shelter, and that the procedure can be done at a cost lower than expected (and sometimes for free), we believe people will decide to have their pet spayed/neutered.

This campaign is based in large part on research by PetSmart Charities® and IPSOS Marketing. Read the summary HERE as well as the Humane Society of the United States’ “Truth in Numbers“. Read the summary HERE. These studies focus on animal homelessness, public opinion on spay/neuter, and people’s willingness to spay/neuter their pets.

QUESTIONS? E-MAIL US OR CALL 757-456-1215