By Jessica Dillon
As shelters across the region continue efforts to place animals in permanent homes, the Henry County Animal Shelter is reflecting on a successful mega adoption event that helped dozens of animals find new beginnings just before the holidays.
The shelter participated in a large-scale adoption event Dec. 20 in Roanoke, organized by the Roanoke Angels of Assisi. The event brought together 12 organizations, including groups focused on adopting out horses and rabbits, and drew a steady stream of potential adopters.
Henry County Animal Shelter transported 26 animals to the event and saw 16 of them adopted.
Before attending, the shelter had to ensure each animal was spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations — a cost totaling about $2,000. Those expenses were covered through donations and partnerships with local businesses.
Shelter manager Dakota Cassell said community support made the trip possible.
“An individual for Giving Tuesday donated $1,000” toward the event, Cassell said, noting that the donor gave despite the shelter not being recognized as a 501(c)(3).
Autos By Nelson also hosted donation drives at its service centers.
“Between Nelson’s and her donation, it ended up covering the mega adoption event,” Cassell said, allowing the animals to be adopted at a lower cost.
Among the animals adopted was Bug, a pit bull that came to the shelter through a neglect case. Bug was dyed red and green using animal-safe products for the event by Barking Beauties LLC, a grooming business that regularly assists shelters.
“Bug was the best gentleman ever. I mean literally, he was so sweet he let me do everything. He would’ve let me paint his nails if I had to,” said Kellie Violante, owner of Barking Beauties. “He was just a good boy who came from a bad situation. He was trusting and sweet, you just couldn’t tell he ever had a bad experience with a human.”
A family initially debated adopting Bug before deciding to take him home.
“He got his paint job on, he got a picture with Santa Claus, he got a new home,” Violante said.
Another success story was Kendrick Lapaws, a cat that had been at the shelter since October.
“He was the second adoption of the day,” Cassell said.
Preparing for the event required significant coordination, Cassell said, with two animal control officers assisting and animals transported across three vehicles.
“It was an adventure,” she said.
The shelter set up the day before the event, with Cassell transporting crates ahead of time.
“The dogs were confused where they were going, but excited when they got there,” she said.
Cassell said attendance exceeded expectations.
“They actually had made a huge line wrapped around the building waiting to get in,” she said.
The event also helped raise awareness of the Henry County Animal Shelter among adopters unfamiliar with its work.
“There were a lot of people that didn’t know about us,” Cassell said. “We actually took a case summary board, highlighting what we did in the year.”
Following the event, Angels of Assisi reached out to explore ways to continue supporting the shelter.
“It’s a great event, not only watching our animals, but other animals get adopted,” Cassell said. “They had a mini horse there, that was a fun experience to watch.”
