Julia Wagner Animal Shelter Closing for Construction in July: New Contract Signed with WC for Animal Control Services

Front Royal’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter on Progress Drive closes for three weeks starting July 1 while interior construction projects, including new floor tiling throughout, are completed. The work is expected to take until July 22.

Shelter Executive Director Kayla Wines said dog adoptions will continue by appointment at the shelter while adoption events for cats and kittens will be hosted at the Front Royal Petco store and at the Humane Society of Warren County’s “Pick of the Litter” thrift store.

Wines said adoption fees are waived through the end of June “in an effort to clear some space.”

“We are asking the public for their patience as we navigate the next few weeks. We’ve got a lot of heavy lifting to do to prepare for the work being done and will appreciate any volunteer help offered,” she continued.

If you are able to lend a hand the first week of July, reach out to Wines at director@humanesocietywarrencounty.org

Meanwhile, through the HSWC’s most recent newsletter, Wines announced a successful updating of its contract with the County of Warren and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to continue providing locating, intervention, and pick-up response-centered services to the shelter’s housing service for the community’s stray, abandoned, abused and homeless animals. The agreement will be in place from July 1, 2024, until June 30, 2027, with the County initially providing $412,000 for the first year with a 2% annual increase over the three-year period. Wines paid tribute to this year’s new sheriff, Crystal Cline, whose predecessor had folded the Animal Control Program, assigning general duty deputies to the task.

Wines paid tribute to the members of the new Warren County Sheriffs Animal Control team, describing them as “compassionate, dedicated, animal loving, hard-working officers … We are very proud to have such a wonderful relationship with our local law enforcement and first responders again.”

Sheriff Crystal Cline plays with one of the shelter dogs. Courtesy Photo-Graphics HSWC

The deputies now participate in a new “First Responder Wednesday” program where a deputy comes to the shelter and poses with an adoptable animal. “Not only does this help the pets in our care with socialization,” Wines said, adding that sharing posts with animal control helps reach a wider audience and assists with creating “happily ever afters for our adoptable pets.”

Wines also reported on the shelter’s latest rabies and microchip clinic (840-B John Marshall Highway) at which Landry Renovations & Repair on June 15 provided 85 free rabies vaccines and 20 microchips for needy pet owners. Throughout last year, the shelter provided trap, neuter and release (TNR) services for 368 feral cats. The treatments are aimed at keeping the feral cat populations down.

“Did you know,” Wines teased, “that two feral cats and their offspring can turn into 400,000 cats in just seven years!” she said, adding that “all the TNR surgeries were done at our very own HSWC spay-neuter clinic.” Since each surgery conducted by the two veterinarians at the clinic cost about $75 each, Wines is asking shelter members and others to consider making donations to the two-year-old clinic by calling 540-635-4734 or by mailing a check to HSWC, 1245 Progress Drive, Front Royal, 22630.