Mission Statement
Our mission is to advance the humane treatment of dogs and cats by providing comprehensive sheltering, medical care, and behavioral support. We strive to ensure that every animal has the opportunity to find a permanent, loving home through community education and outreach.About Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA
Our vision is a compassionate community where every animal thrives. Open since 1914 and a designated no-kill shelter since 2006, we have proudly helped tens of thousands of shelter pets find loving homes over the years. Our work is inspired by the resilience of those we serve and the powerful bond between pets and people. With the ongoing support of our community, we continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of companion animals and the residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA serves as the public shelter for the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. But our work reaches well beyond our doors and county lines. We partner with adopters, fosters, volunteers, donors, sponsors, local businesses, and fellow shelters to keep pets safe and families together. Compassionate Care Clinics bring affordable wellness care to neighbors who need it. Public spay and neuter services prevent unwanted litters, while our Community Cat Program provides trap, neuter, and return for outdoor cats in the city and county. Junior’s Pet Food Pantry makes sure no one has to choose between feeding their pet and feeding themselves. And at the SPCA Rummage Store, donated goods get a second life, giving neighbors a place to shop secondhand and the shelter a sustainable source of funding.
The numbers tell the story. In a single year, nearly 3,000 pets left our care for homes of their own, our volunteers gave over 12,000 hours of their time, Junior’s Pet Food Pantry distributed more than 148,000 meals, and Rummage shoppers and donors helped fund hundreds of thousands of dollars in shelter services. Beyond adoption, we have helped thousands of pets stay where they belong… at home… through rehoming support, low cost veterinary care, and a judgment free approach to every person who walks through our doors.
There’s a spot for everyone in the pack. Volunteer. Foster. Give.
Volunteers walk dogs, socialize cats, sort donations, help staff Rummage and events. Fosters open their homes to a shelter pet for a night, a week, or longer, giving them a breather from the kennel and a chance to show off their personality. Gifts, whether a cash donation or a bag of goods dropped off at Rummage, fund veterinary care, and help stretch every resource further. All keeping second chances going for pets and the families who love them.