President's Message
New Rescue Law in Virginia
CFC United Way
Events/Fundraisers
Adoption Information
Purina Labels
Special Thanks

President's Message

So much has happened, I’m not sure where to start. This has been a big year for SADSAC. We became aware of the new law limiting us to six intakes per year, and we are still watching this law carefully.

In the meantime, we have spayed, neutered and vaccinated a colony of about fifteen cats from Luray, VA, vaccinated a homeless woman’s dogs, and spayed, neutered and vaccinated various cats from all around Prince William County.

We have seen quite a few German Shepherds recently. One family of Shepherds had parvovirus, and I just wasn’t sure they were going to make it. About $1500.00 and MANY, MANY phone calls later, Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic was able to save three puppies and their mother, who took three times as long to recover. These dogs were also loaded with three different types of intestinal parasites. I owe a huge thank you to the Lemoine Family, Wendy from Pet Assistance League for placing the puppies, and Leigh from German Shepherd Rescue for placing their mother. SADSAC could not have done it without them. This was a very sad story as this little family was in grave condition when they were brought in. Sadly we could not save them all, but we saved the ones we could.

Not long after this, another German Shepherd found his way to us. He has severe hip dysplasia, and his owner signed him over to SADSAC to see if we could pay for his treatment and operations and find him a new home. An angel was watching out for this little guy because no one had any room left for such an expensive hard-luck case. Long after I had given up hope, a small series of miracles occurred and the German Shepherd Rescue and a veterinarian from Clock Tower took up his cause. A local orthopedic surgeon saw his x-rays and said she would donate her time to do a special surgery on him! In the end, he was placed with one of the vet techs that attended to him during his surgery. Yet another miracle just when I thought there was no hope.

As far as kitty adoptions, things have been quite slow. Sassy was returned and placed again, hopefully for good, Fancy found a terrific home, and JJ4 has also found a new home. Congratulations to the kitties and their new families. We are anxiously awaiting some good outdoor homes for some of our socially challenged kitties, so if you know someone, please ask them to give us a call.

One of the things I have learned this year is that I have my limitations. There are so many, and we are so few. We look forward to new homes for our foster kitties and helping others along the way. Special thanks to everyone who has supported us this year--without you, we couldn't help any. From all of us at SADSAC, we wish you all the best, purrs, headbutts and tail wags for the new year!

Sherry Meier, President SADSAC

New Rescue Law in Virginia

On July 1, 2002 a law went into effect in Virginia which will make it very difficult for rescue organizations to continue to help animals. Formerly known as Senate Bill 260 and now part of Chapter 787, this law places a number of requirements on rescue organizations and foster homes in the state. Rescuers accepting more than six animals a year must:

• register annually with the state and pay a $100 fee per group, and a fee for each foster home;



• submit to inspection of their private homes by the State Veterinarian or his representative to determine if any violation of animal law has occurred--no warrant required. Foster homes may also be inspected;



• post contact information in all pounds and shelters in the locality they serve--in some cases, this could be half the state;



• pay for a listing in the local phone book;



• make their homes accessible to the public during "business hours".

Rescuers are opposed to this law for a number of reasons. The proposed annual fees for rescue groups and foster homes are excessive. Most rescue groups lose money on nearly every animal they place. Groups will have difficulty finding the funds to pay this registration fee each year, not to mention the cost of maintaining a business listing in the telephone directory.

Additionally, rescue groups will be unable to find foster homes because people won't want their addresses to be made public, nor will they want to be subjected to warrantless inspections of their homes. And, of course, public posting of these addresses will jeopardize the safety of rescuers as well as provide the means for an owner to "dump" an unwanted animal. Finally, rescuers and foster families often are employed full time and unable to make their homes accessible to the public during "business hours" even if they had that desire.

We hope this law will be repealed in the next session of the General Assembly, and many rescuers are working toward that end. You may find more information on the efforts to accomplish this goal, including ways you can help and a list of legislators to whom you may write, by visiting http://www.ctg.net/varamend/. [Please note that this website is no longer active.]

Unfortunately, we at SADSAC will have to adjust our practices. We will be confining our efforts to neutering the feral cat colonies we know of and placing the pets we have. We regret this decision, but while this law is in effect we feel we have little choice.

CFC United Way

SADSAC's United Way CFC designation number is 7768 if you would like to make a payroll deduction contribution. We have been able to collect approximately $300.00 per quarter, thanks to your generous contributions!

Events/Fundraisers:

We are still microchipping at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic. Please call (703) 791-2083 to make an appointment.

Adoption Information

Adoption days are generally held twice a month, the 2nd Saturday, from noon to 2PM at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic, 13444 Dumfries Road (Woodbine Shopping Center on Route 234), Manassas, VA. Major holidays may interfere with this schedule, so for your convenience, we have a calendar where we regularly post dates. If you need more information, call Sherry at (703) 221-0324.

Save Those Purina Labels!

Check your dog and cat food bags for weight circles from Purina Proplan and CNM Rx diets for donation to SADSAC. You can drop them off at the clinic any time. Just tell the receptionist to give them to Sherry. We thank you in advance.

Special Thanks To:

As always, a few special thank yous are in order:

Drs. Connell and Moore and the staff at IHVC
The Barker Family
Vickie Bradford
The Purnells
Jo Kinnaly
Kathy Robinson
The Campbells
Cindy Kreiman
The German Shepherd Rescue
PAL
Friends of Homeless Animals
Sharon Walbridge
The Talabers and their gracious blood donor kitty
Siamese Rescue
Tammy Gillespie
The boarders at Cedar Run Horse Center for helping with the concession stands
The Meier Family

And the people who give money every paycheck as well as all of those who help in so many other ways that haven't been mentioned! Without your support we couldn’t help any.