Highland Humane Society Receives Grant to Help Area Pets

The Highland Humane Society is the recipient of a second annual grant award from The Little Swiss Fund, this year receiving $5,000 earmarked for community pet retention and foster care. Corena Huffman is a founding member and current president of the Highland Humane Society.

“As we have in the past, this grant enables us to be able to provide both Highland County residents and community members with services for their pets including free spay/neuter, and assistance with veterinary services and appointments, transportation, pet food and supplies,” says Huffman.

“About a third of the grant goes directly to animals that were taken into our adoption program to help cover the cost of their veterinary care, supplies for their foster home and that sort of thing,” says Huffman.

The Highland Humane Society currently provides monthly pet food for 93 families in Highland County. This grant will support that program, making up for supplies that are not otherwise donated, and expand the program to other families that may need help. 

“About 10 or 15 years ago there was a nationwide shift in the approach to helping families and community members help keep their animals. So, instead of the only option being to rehome or surrender a pet if finances were tough, or there was a challenge in the home, or the pet simply kept having babies or whatever it may be,” says Huffman. “Instead of always having the shelter be overburden with intake, it was quickly noticed that assistance was what was needed; that families truly wanted to keep their animals but just needed either temporary assistance or ongoing assistance.”

Assistance from this grant is available to anyone who lives in Highland County Virginia by contacting the humane society directly. The grant does require that pets be spayed or neutered to qualify, and funds are also available to offset these costs. 

In addition to services provided by the grant, the Highland Humane Society is still operating as a rescue and able to take pets into their adoption program if they have exhausted all other efforts. Transportation to veterinary services to partner organizations within the valley is handled by volunteers to meet the unique needs of our community. Residents are encouraged to contact the Highland Humane Society to discuss any needs not listed and find the best way to care for their pets.

“We have a voicemail system at 540-468-1575 or email, info@highlandcountyhumanesociety.org, or if you know myself or one of our volunteers, you can reach out to us directly as well,” says Huffman.