Danville Animals Need Us - Matching Donation!

Homeward Trails Danville Gifted $10,000 Matching Grant from Danville Residents

Funds Will Support Animal Spay/Neuter and Medical Care

Hugo was rescued by Homeward Trails Danville from DAHS at 5 weeks oldHomeward Trails Danville (HTD) is thrilled to announce that Danville residents Bettina Belles and Henry Huson have donated $10,000 as a matching grant to support the organization’s spay/neuter, Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR), and medical support programs serving Danville animals. HTD will ask supporters to make donations that will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000 with the goal of raising $20,000 for their lifesaving programs and operations in Danville.

The HT Danville Trails UP team in the field bringing food, supplies and medical care to pet owners in Danville. HTD operates volunteer foster and diversion programs, adoption programs, free and subsidized spay and neuter for cats and dogs, TNVR, a pet food/supply pantry and a robust transfer program of animals from the local Danville Area Humane Society (DAHS). 

Recently, DAHS has been in the spotlight for the euthanasia of Eve, a senior dog who had been surrendered to DAHS by her owner and later found to have had a microchip linking her to the Lynchburg Humane Society (LHS). Eve was euthanized without LHS having the opportunity to take her back. Outrage over her euthanasia has been expressed by LHS, the animal welfare community and animal lovers from across the country, with demands for change at DAHS.

“My husband Henry and I are truly so grateful for the work being done by HTD, especially the TNVR program serving outdoor cats. This has been needed and not considered by DAHS for too long. In the wake of Eve’s needless euthanasia and as kitten season is now fully underway, we can’t think of a better program to support than HT Danville,” explains Bettina Belles. 

Since 2024, when HTD began providing ongoing TNVR in Danville, 900 cats have been sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped and more than 950 animals from both DAHS and the community have been transferred to Homeward Trails and partner shelters and rescues across Virginia. HTD has also provided more than 50,000 lbs. of food and supplies through its pet pantry.

“We continue to make great strides helping Danville animals and the people who love them, whether it’s taking in animals whose owners can no longer keep them, providing funds for medical needs or providing free spay, neuter and animal food and supplies,” says Robin Young, HTD director. “There is a lot more DAHS can be doing to decrease euthanasia and we continue to offer our resources and support to the shelter and the community to achieve that goal. A gift of this size will make an incredible impact and we are so grateful to Bettina and Henry for supporting our work. We hope the community will support this work by donation to this matching grant.”

Volunteers are needed to provide transportation, short and long-term fostering, care for neonatal kittens, and for food pantry events. Contact danville@homewardtrails.org for more information. 

HTAR was founded in 2002, rescuing more than 50,000 animals to date and has locations in Fairfax Station and Delaplane, VA in addition to Danville. For information on Homeward Trails and to make a donation for Danville to be matched, visit www.homewardtrails.org. 

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