Founded July 2001, a Death Row Puppy Rescue Mission Rescuing and re-homing puppies from the South destined to die.

Where do they come from?
These puppies ARE NOT coming from puppy mills OR backyard breeders. We do NOT buy these puppies and they are not abused in any way other than the fact that they are unwanted. They are or have been abandoned or left by their owners at the Southside SPCA (in Meherrin, VA) or one of their associate shelters.

Why are there so many?
Lack of spaying/neutering and pet owners who are uneducated as to WHY it benefits their pet to be spayed or neutered. Many of these puppies are "accidental" litters which happen over and over.

What are the breeds?
Our rescue pups are all mixed breed puppies that would otherwise be slated for death when the irresponsible owners turn the puppies loose in the woods or along the highways, or leave them at the shelter (if they are lucky). Because they can't afford to feed them any longer and those puppies just won't hunt.

Many of these puppies are hound mixes, beagle mixes and tracking dogs...coonhounds, bluetick hounds, lab mixes. There are also a large number of retriever mixes on our transports - Good 'ol Heinz 57 mutts! These mixes make excellent family dogs and do exceptionally well with the kids. They excel with crate training, lots of love and exercise, good food and lots of hugs and kisses.

What is the cost to adopt?
The adoption fee for all VA pups is $375 and helps to cover their transportation (a 10 hour drive), vet fees, shots, fecal tests, rabies vaccine (13 weeks or older), Heartworm test if 6 months or older, their spay or neuter and their time at our shelter. You will also be provided with a leash, collar, ID tags and FREE follow-up physical with our participating vet!

Additionally, our shelter donates money BACK to the Southside SPCA from the adoption fee of any of their puppies coming to our shelter. The money is going to their organization to aid them in rebuilding their existing shelter that is desperately in need of repair, and faces being closed down (read why). Our shelter also purchases their vaccinations, dewormers and often donates van loads of food and supplies to help them.

What should I do before coming to meet my new puppy?
Please read our adoption contract and requirements prior to coming to expedite your adoption. We have received hundreds of phone calls from anxiously awaiting families and we expect mass confusion. Please bear with us as we are still learning how to deal with so many people in such a short period. Our shelter CANNOT hold any pets and we can't take deposits. If we have the opportunity to place one of our orphaned pets we must do so, to make room for others.

To contact the Southside SPCA in Virginia, email them at: southsidespca@juno.com
or click here to visit their web site

Please use our automated phone system to answer your questions as staff is extremely limited and we don't always have time to answer the phones. Email us at: staff@sterlingshelter.org.

Top | Home