Upcoming Winchester SPCA event to help pets find home

The Winchester Area SPCA announced by email that they will be participating in a nationwide event in order to help deserving pets in the shelter find a loving home.

This event apart of BISSELL Pet Foundation is dedicated to ending pet homelessness by sponsoring reduced adoption fees.

Winchester SPCA will be participating in this event from December 2nd to 11th at their 111 Featherbed Lane location.

More information can be found on The Winchester SPCA website.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VA Severe Weather Awareness week

lightning

Friday marked the final day of Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week, focusing on outdoor weather safety, specifically, how and where to take shelter when severe weather strikes.

This weekend’s storms are expected to bring severe weather to our area.

Including isolated tornadoes possible from late Saturday through Sunday.

On Sunday, most areas will face a risk of strong winds and possible hail.

If you’re outside when severe weather hits, seek shelter indoors.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, move to an interior room or basement for safety

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

WASPCA launches “Adventure Tails”

The Winchester Area SPCA has officially introduced the start of their new program “Adventure Tails.”

The goal of this program is to help enrich the lives of the shelter dogs and help them develop by becoming familiar with public settings and everyday activities while providing personal attention.

Volunteers will take shelter dogs on approved outings to dog friendly businesses or outdoor settings like parks.

Socializing the dogs and giving them additional structure has shown to lower return rates while also giving them a break from the shelter environment.

The WASPCA is currently accepting volunteers for the program through:

  • a link available here
  • physical copies can be returned to the Volunteer Coordinator’s office located in the Adoption Center at 111 Featherbed Lane
  • by email to volunteercoordinator@winchesterspca.org

WASPCA discussed the launch of the program with New Director Scott Bradley during the final week of Furrever Summer with a Newsmaker Segment available here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Riparian forest funding

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry is now accepting applications for Riparian Forests for Landowners Program project funding.

This is a new statewide landowner assistance program that helps landowners create riparian forest buffer.

Selected service providers will facilitate the installation of, and one year of maintenance on, riparian forest buffers at no cost to the landowner.

Riparian forest buffers are areas near streams, lakes, or wetlands that contain a combination of trees, shrubs, and other perennial plants, primarily to provide conservation benefits.

Riparian forest buffers filter nutrients, pesticides and animal waste from agricultural land runoff, filtering sediment from runoff, stabilizing eroding banks, providing shade, shelter and food for fish and provide wildlife.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.