This article was featured in WYDaily on 8/25/23.

It’s last call for animal shelters nationwide including The Heritage Humane Society for Clear the Shelters. This annual event happens every August and local adopters are sharing their heartwarming updates about the new furry friends they adopted this month. For those looking to join the fun in finding their purr-fect match, they can still save big through Aug. 31, 2023. The Heritage Humane Society has a large selection of dogs, cats and more hoping to find their forever homes.

Now in its ninth year, NBCUniversal Local has teamed up with hundreds of shelters across the country including The Heritage Humane Society to host Clear The Shelters. This nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign that helps find loving homes for homeless animals in need.

Spin the wheel and save

Since the beginning of August, 84 pets have been adopted from The Heritage Humane Society through the Clear the Shelter campaign. Their new human companions were able to save on their adoption fees with a spin of the wheel. As an added bonus, now through Aug. 31, 2023, the wheel prizes have increased to 40%, 50%, 60%, and 75% off along with Name Your Own Adoption Fee.

An op-purr-tunity to hear from new adopters

It is always exciting for shelter staff members and volunteers to learn how adopted pets are fitting in with their new family. Here are a few of the adopter updates from those who recently adopted during Clear the Shelters month.

• Cody. This pit bull/terrier mix arrived at the shelter as a surrender this past January. Adopted this just this week, his new owner Mynda Budd shares, “Cody (a.k.a. Mr. Nibbles) is already helping bring our older pup Loki back to happy times. Surprised my kids with him today and he fits in so well. Absolutely thankful for the pure joy he’s bringing us and our other dog.”

• Bruno. This boxer mix was surrendered in Dec. 2022 and was adopted Aug. 18. New owner Sumdima Bautista says, “Bruno has only been with us briefly, but he’s such a joy. Bruno took some time, and he has adjusted to his new and forever home very well. He really makes our days brighter. He’s my new nap buddy, such a snuggle bug. We’re matching Air Signs, which I think it’s cute! We’ve decided to keep his name, I can’t think of any other name less perfect than this. He’s such a sweet angel and I am so happy to have him home. He is such a good boy!”

• Kolt. Kolt, a pit bull/terrier mix, was transferred to HHS from Portsmouth Humane Society in Aug. 2022. After 372 days at The Heritage Humane Society, he was adopted on Aug. 20 by Tandy and Ryan Thompson. His family came in multiple times to give time for Kolt to really get to know them. The family shared, “Kolt is settling in just fine! He played with Rambo (his new dog brother) for a bit and he’s getting to know his home. We’re all pretty darn happy right now!”

• Dim Sum. This dapper dude arrived at the shelter on March 15th along with two other beagles that came from a hunting club. Adopters Amanda and Lee Ibrahim are shelter volunteers. Amanda is at the shelter multiple times a week walking dogs. They have two cats at home and this is their first dog. On Aug. 13, the Ibrahims adopted Dim Sum, now known as Loki. The Ibrahims share, “Loki has been a wonderful addition to our family! He has brought us so much love, laughter, and joy these past couple of weeks. He is settling in great with us and our two cats, who we also adopted from Heritage. He is such a sweet boy and we can’t imagine our lives without him! A big thank you to The Heritage Humane Society’s staff, volunteers, and fosters who took such good care of him for five months before he found his forever home with us.”

• Dante & Daisy. This beautiful bonded pair of Shih Tzus, arrived at the shelter July 20th as surrenders, each missing one eye. Adopter Phyllis Rickard was the first one to spin the wheel on Aug. 1 and she got double her luck by spinning twice. Rickard says, “We have kept the same names for Dante and Daisy. They have become a part of the family. They are very loving and affectionate. We feel very blessed – Dante and Daisy have brought us great joy!”

• Strawberry. This sweet little kitten came in on July 23 as a stray. Sadly, they were found dumped in a box on a driveway. Adopters Brandy and Joseph Sidlo welcomed home little Strawberry on Aug. 5. They report, “We changed her name to Nyx. She’s adjusting really well to her new home and has become best friends with one of her two sisters. Her favorite thing to do is snuggle with her new dad.”

• Miss New York. Start spreading the news, Miss New York arrived to The Heritage Humane Society as a stray on May 26 and this charismatic kitty was adopted Aug. 16 by Jani and Max Parker. They share, “Miss New York is now going by Gabriella but we call her “Gabby Tabby” because she likes to talk… a lot! She’s very playful and carries her toys around the house in her mouth, which is adorable. She loves watching birds and squirrels out the window when she’s not napping. She’s a perfect addition to our family!”

Are you paw-ndering having an adopter story of your own?

Clear the Shelters has been an exciting month at The Heritage Humane Society with so many adoptions. There are so many pets needing their fur-ever homes. Meet some of them:

• King. A shelter resident since this March, five-year-old King is big on everything – size, personality and lots of love to give. This dog’s foster mom shares, “King is such a sweetheart! He has very good manners and is eager to please his people. He knows ‘sit’ and is very gentle when taking treats. He does not guard his food at all and actually prefers a person nearby while he’s eating. He has been around children ages 4-10 and was very good with them, no aggression at all. He has had a few accidents as we took some time to learn his cues, but he is housebroken. We are working on socializing him with other dogs, but so far he is a hard no with our cat. He is very strong, but is learning to walk on a leash. His leash skills have improved dramatically in the last two weeks! King is very good at being a potato desk buddy for me while I work from home during the day, but does have bursts of energy that he likes to get out. A fenced-in yard would be amazing for him to do zoomies. He also loves to be outside and get all the smells and does great when we’ve taken him for longer trail walks. He has so much love to give and is truly such a good boy!”

• Fifi. Meet Fifi, a remarkable dog with a heartwarming journey from being super shut down upon arrival to the shelter this April to becoming an affectionate and clingy companion to those she trusts. Once she opens her heart to you, be prepared for an abundance of affection and unwavering loyalty. Five-year-old Fifi is the epitome of a faithful friend, always by your side, seeking comfort and security in the company of her trusted humans. She does her signature “Fifi hug” when you officially become a part of her family. It’s important to note that Fifi may take some time to warm up to new people. Building trust with her requires some patience. However, once you earn her trust, you’ll witness an unbreakable bond and experience the joy of having a devoted companion who will stand (and hug you) through thick and thin.

• Phoenix. Three-year-old Phoenix arrived at the shelter earlier this month. Phoenix is a staff and volunteer favorite at The Heritage Humane Society. It is rare to find his cat cage without a person in front. He easily convinces passersby to stop and marvel at his sweetness with his famous belly flops and precious purrs. This affectionate and loving mini panther has the power to make any lonely heart full. Phoenix has massive amounts of love to give and makes the best lap warmer – ideal for the upcoming autumn days.

The Heritage Humane Society has nearly 240 dogs, cats and small pets currently in their care. Adoptable pets are available to meet during The Heritage Humane Society’s visiting and adopting hours from 12 to 4:30 p.m., Tues. through Sun.

To learn more, visit HeritageHumane.org, call 757-221-0150, or visit The Heritage Humane Society located at 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

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