A BRIEF HISTORY of AUGUSTA REGIONAL SPCA

On April 28th, 1970, three local residents with a commitment to providing shelter for animals in need of protection decided to take
action.  Martha M. Wray, D.C. Wray, Jr., and Josephine J. Marcus signed into effect the Articles of Incorporation which began their
quest to create what is now the Augusta Regional S.P.C.A.  

In April of 1973, their dream was realized when the shelter opened in a leased building on Van Fossen Lane in the city of Staunton,
VA. This facility had 16 runs with a mere 800 square feet left to provide a public reception room, office space, medical treatment
room, rest room and storage space! As the years passed and the intake number of animals dramatically grew, so did the need for an
adequately sized shelter.  Due to the crowded conditions and lack or quarantine space, a severe outbreak of distemper in April of
1985 brought the desperate need for a larger, better equipped facility to the community’s attention.

A fund drive for a new shelter began in late 1985 and ran through 1986. The total raised was over $142,800 through the generosity
of 528 individuals and families and 71 businesses and civic groups throughout the three municipalities of Staunton, Waynesboro,
and Augusta County.

The move to our current location of 17 acres on Archery Lane took place in December 1986, and the dedication took place in April
1987.  The original building had 34 individual kennel runs for dogs, a large area to house cats and puppies,
laundry/grooming/medical facilities, a public reception area and separate offices.  A small paddock to provide shelter to livestock was
added in 1999. In 2000, the animal isolation area, Animal Control holding cages and the crematory were added.  An outdoor dog
recreation area was completed in 2003.
We are now enjoying our large addition and remodeling project which has provided us with a public reception area with separate
intake and adoption stations. We have gone from one to 7 additional animal visitation rooms; this will provide the public with much
needed space to socialize and visit with animals. A second floor has allowed space for new administrative offices, a board room, an
additional restroom and employee lounge. Other recent improvements have been the installation of new "cat condos", new cages in
the main dog adoption room,central air conditioning in the dog adoption area and paved parking. We have broken ground for our
future spay/neuter clinic, which will also be on the property.  We are very excited about the future!
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Augusta Regional SPCA is
*The prevention of the cruelty of animals  *The relief of suffering among animals  *The extension of humane education
The SPCA adheres to the following policies:
*  to provide human care and treatment for all animals needing protection in the area served by the society
* to return lost animals to their owners  * to seek suitable homes for animals without owners
* to provide euthanasia when necessary
Board of Directors

John Rorrer                                    President
Bob Scates                                     Vice President
Pamela Davies                               Secretary
Lisa Botkin                                     Treasurer

Board Members

Larry Evans, DVM,  Diyana Hagenlocker, Kim Helmick, Melissa Hewitt-Grable,
Charlie Hunter, Rick Landes, Cathy McNair, Allen Persinger,Heather Ream,
Linnea Thuresson, Jane White

Locality Advisory, Waynesboro:               Lorie Smith
Locality Advisory, Staunton:                     Andrea Oakes
Locality Advisory, Augusta County:         Jeremy Shifflett
Legal Advisor                                           John Hill

Staff

Debbie Caywood                                       Director
Linda Pettry                                               Shelter Animal Care Coordinator
Matt Chan                                                  Shelter Customer Service Coordinator/Co-Volunteer Coordinator
Donna Marshall                                         Shelter Customer Service Coordinator
Jimmie Engleman                                      Office Administrator
Pat Harrington                                           Customer Service/Adoption Counselor
Janis Rule                                                  Co-Volunteer Coordinator

Animal Caregivers

Rose Parler
Ashley Pulfer
Crystal Via
Josh Via
Sandy Martin
Amber Bennett
Dawn DelPico
Kelly Ellison
Jarrod Russell
Angela Merritt
Cody Mitchem
Candice Waybright
Coralie Brazaitis
Michelle Little
Katie Smith
Tracey Meadows
Tim Jensen
Teresa Bennett
Doug Bennett
Brandi Hurt
Rachel Pagett
  
ABOUT OUR
SHELTER