The return to school finds The Heritage Humane Society celebrating a milestone summer of Animal Camps and a fall line-up of more kids’ events for young pet enthusiasts. Greater Williamsburg’s largest animal shelter continues to nurture the interests, capture the curiosities and create hands-on fun for children with its array of year-round programming.
Summer season of fun, fur and learning
This summer The Heritage Humane Society hosted seven week-long Animal Camps, its most ever. Camp weeks were divided by grades, rising first through third, and rising fourth through sixth. Led by the shelter’s Humane Education & Activities Manager Kendell Thomas and her team, nearly 100 young animal enthusiasts got hands-on with a mix of educational experiences, animal interactions, and outdoor fun.
The Heritage Humane Society’s classroom, sponsored by The Tide Radio and WYDaily, served as the hub for most of the activities. Registration included the 2024 summer camp T-shirt, daily snacks, crafts and games, pizza provided by Papa John’s Pizza of Hampton Roads, a water fun day and behind-the-scenes experiences at the shelter. Throughout each week, campers met an array of adoptable pets, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles, and more. They also played a role in animal care by helping with feeding, cleaning and enrichment tasks.
Each week’s schedule featured presentations from community partners. Colonial Williamsburg’s team came weekly and brought historical farm animals and taught campers about the vital roles animals played in early American history. The nonprofit Viper Reptile Rescue introduced campers to fascinating creatures like an alligator, iguana, and tortoises, giving them a close look at the world of reptile rescue. Camp favorites Loughan Campbell and her Labrador Retriever, Gin, made their annual visit weekly to show off agility skills, amazing tricks and discuss positive reinforcement training.
This summer’s camps raised nearly $30,000 in support of the shelter’s humane education efforts. Campers came away with new friends, hands-on learning, and made lasting memories while engaging with animals and community partners.
Leaving with new friends
Some campers left with more than just memories. For Silas, one of HHS’s Animal Aces Kids Club members, camp led to adopting Misty, a senior cat. Silas first met Misty during a birthday party at The Heritage Humane Society and was thrilled to see her still waiting for a home when he returned for camp. Misty, who had been overlooked due to her age, found her forever home with Silas. Inspired to pay it forward, Silas sponsored the adoption fees of two other cats, Richard and Speck. While Richard has since been adopted, Speck is eagerly awaiting his fur-ever home.
Silas’s mother shared, “Misty is the friendliest cat. She follows Silas everywhere and they’ve become best friends. Our whole family is smitten with her. Thank you for introducing Misty to Silas. A perfect match, those two!”
Another heartwarming adoption involved Rio, a dog who spent 506 days at The Heritage Humane Society before finding his perfect match during camp. Preston, a camper, introduced his family to Rio, who has since become a beloved member of their household.
Preston’s Mom shared an update from Rio the dog, “The first few days have been full of rest and time for me to adjust. I have my own room, but I prefer snuggling on the couch with the little humans or in bed with Mom and Dad. The little girl gives the best back scratches, and each of the four kids gave me a special toy — though I quickly convinced them to help me tear them apart! The boy in the purple shirt plays a great game of tug, and the blue fetch stick the oldest boy got me is perfect for chewing. I love watching cartoons with the youngest. Mom and Dad keep telling me I’m a good boy, and there’s so much love and warmth here. I’ve found my furever home!”
“You know you are doing something right when your campers return the next year,” shares Kendell Thomas, Humane Education & Activities Manager of The Heritage Humane Society. “We even had some kids request to come an additional week. Our kids club, camp and other events like movie nights and yoga have inspired an army of young people who feel a sense of ownership of The Heritage Humane Society. They stop in to visit, check the adoption status of animals they have met and have even donated their own money to help the homeless pets in our care. I am in awe of their dedication to Heritage.”
Fall into fun
Looking ahead, HHS has more family-friendly events on the horizon. Online registration is open for the following:
- Movie Night. Scheduled for Aug. 31 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., this kids-only event lets kids enjoy a night out, ideal for parents to enjoy their own date night. For $20 per child, the evening includes a pet-themed educational activity, a movie, popcorn, and pizza. Kids will also get a chance to meet some adoptable pets at the shelter. Open to all children ages 6–12 years old.
- Dog Yoga. Perfect the cat-cow pose, downward dog or just enjoy sharing yoga space with some of the shelter furry friends. Being held Aug. 31, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., for $20 per person, bring a mat and be ready to breathe, move and have fun while meeting dogs available for adoption.
- Birthday Parties. Held year-round, leave the party planning and clean-up to The Heritage Humane Society by planning a birthday party in the shelter’s classroom. Select from three different party packages. The shelter team makes birthday parties fun, interactive, and educational, and party hosts leave knowing that they supported pets in need.
- Animal Aces Kids’ Club. Also available year-round, young pet lovers can join with like-minded peers to learn more about pet care, advocate, volunteer and develop a mindset of giving back to support their local community. This club is limited to just 50 kids, so sign-up soon.
- Winter Break Animal Camp. For those already missing summer camp, stay tuned — registration for the Winter Break Animal Camp will be opening soon.
Adoptable pets waiting for their Gotcha Day
Over 240 dogs, cats and small pets are currently in the shelter’s care. Adoptable pets are available to meet during The Heritage Humane Society’s visiting and adopting hours from noon to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
To learn more, visit HeritageHumane.org, call 757-221-0150, or visit The Heritage Humane Society located at 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
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