Giving Tuesday Fundraising

Our emergency help fund has been entirely depleted, any donations are greatly appreciated.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement that aims to encourage people to spread generosity through philanthropy. Giving Tuesday takes place every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. Many organizations, companies, non-profits, and individuals donate money to participate in this recognized day. It is common to see brands and companies launch giving campaigns as a way to showcase their mission and increase brand image. Ultimately, the day serves as a reminder for people to give back in whatever amount, form, or act of kindness they can.  The first Giving Tuesday took place in 2012 to encourage people to help make a difference and impact their community. Since the first Giving Tuesday, there are now over 240 locally-led communities with around 33.1 million participants across the United States. With selfless generosity and community support during the holiday season, Giving Tuesday has proven to change lives across the world!

Everyone knows the past few years have been hard on everyone but it has been especially hard on charitable giving. We can only give what is given so we have been faced with some hard decisions. Our emergency help fund has been entirely depleted. Our primary goal is to stop the euthanasia of healthy companion animals by supporting and promoting a spay/neuter program. A whole new generation of puppies and kittens is on the horizon unless we act now and the money is running out. Many of these puppies and kittens will be turned into animal control or abandoned and no matter how cute they are, they will end up suffering/dead.

The ADL is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax deductible.

Voice of the Voiceless

Helping our furry friends since 1982
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Who we are & What we do

The Animal Defense League of Washington County was established in 1982 by 8 concerned members of the community. They rallied to have the current shelter built (the CC Porter Animal Shelter dedicated in 1986) and made great strides toward animal welfare in this county. By 1995 the group had become fairly inactive, but still sponsored yard sales to help spay and neuter animals in the community and pay for emergency surgery for those in need.  In November of 1999 a public meeting was held and the ADL was reinstated.

Pet overpopulation

Millions of adoptable but homeless dogs and cats are euthanized annually in the U.S. because of the pet overpopulation problem. In Southwest Virginia alone, 2,376 animals brought to area shelters were euthanized in 2018. Pet sterilization is the ONLY way to stop the senseless killing of these loving creatures.

Spay/Neuter Assistance

Providing assistance to and promoting the use of the Margaret B. Mitchell Spay/Neuter Clinic, in Bristol, VA; a reduced-cost facility serving our region.

Barn cats in need of homes

ADL has beautiful, healthy, sterilized, vaccinated cats in need of new outdoor homes. These cats make ideal residents for farms, stables, barns, garages or other suitable locations with outdoor  shelter possibilities.

Programs

Black, Grey, and White cat with green eyes sitting on a wingback chair.

Spay & Neuter

The Animal Defense League offers financial assistance for the spaying or neutering of pets for qualified, low-income residents of Washington County and surrounding counties or for persons adopting a cat or dog from the C.C. Porter Animal Shelter.

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A white cat with a brown splotch on its fur laying in a sunny window.

Trap Neuter Release (TNR)

ADL supports and practices TNR.  Simply put, community cats are humanely trapped and taken to the local clinic or veterinarian  to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated.  After their recovery, the cats are returned to their 'colony' or outdoor home.

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Take action!

The Animal Defense League of Washington County, Virginia is an entirely volunteer run organisation. All of your kindness goes towards aiding animals in your local community. Please consider becoming a member to support us!
A calico cat laying in a fluffy bed.

Membership

Our monthly meetings are open to anyone wishing to join the Animal Defense League. Membership meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:30pm at The Washington County Public Library, located at the intersection of Oak Hill and Valley Streets in Abingdon.

Do you want to support the Animal Defense League directly? It's easy. Complete the membership form, pay the membership dues, and come join us at the next meeting!

A white cat with a grey striped forehead looks concerned while staring at the camera from behind a post..

Pet Overpopulation Estimates

  • Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million
  • Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million (one animal every nine seconds)
  • Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
  • Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
  • In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats
  • Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
  • Average number of puppies in a litter: 6-10
  • In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs

-Reprinted by permission of The Humane Society of the United States

Sassy grey and white cat sitting on an old chair looking generally displeased.

Our contacts

Please get in touch with us!

P O Box 2099, Abingdon, VA 24212
1-877-301-2290