Large Animal Seizure Month, Record Fundraising, and Pick of the Litter Thrift Store Move Highlight HSWC Quarterly Report

According to its Quarterly Report, the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC) is celebrating a packed and inspiring almost first half of 2025. Those five-and-two-thirds months were filled with events, milestones, and some exciting news that promises to shape the Society’s Wagner Shelter’s future. From record fundraising to a coming Main Street move, the energy at the shelter is high, and the animals—and the people who love them—are benefiting.

In its introductory overview to members receiving the Quarterly Report it was noted that, “2025 has been an eventful year so far, and we’re not even half way through. May was an exceptionally busy month around the shelter with multiple events including a kitten shower, weekly adoption events at Petco (as always), an adoption event with United Bank, the Dogs of War ceremony, a school presentation, and puppy yoga!

You can never teach your puppy yoga too young, can you? And below, a dog spectator at the Dogs of War ceremony at the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter’s Dogs of War Garden. Courtesy Photos HSWC

Large Animal Seizure case raises monthly expenses

“Also in May, we worked a large seizure case with our local animal control deputies consisting of 60+ animals from one household, bringing our total intake for May 2025 to 106 pets. That’s almost double what we normally intake in a single month! And as you can imagine, also costly. If you would like to contribute to our special programs like Olive’s Fund, which pays for extensive medical needs for shelter pets, we would be most appreciative!

“On a more positive note, we are so happy to share some great news about Pick of the Litter Thrift Store:

We are moving to Main Street!!!! Yay!!

The Pick of the Litter Thrift Store hopes to see an increase in walk-in visitors with its coming move to Main Street in Front Royal’s downtown commercial center.

“We weren’t exactly planning anything BIG, but an opportunity came about and we are, once again, reaching for our goals. Expanding the thrift store is no small undertaking, but we are up for the task.

“Our current lease is up October 1 and the overhead is a little high for our liking. Luckily, the space opened on Main Street that is bigger than what we have now, will increase our foot traffic, and is going to significantly reduce our overhead costs. Not only that, but did I mention it’s on Main Street!? We wanted to tell you all first and we’ll be making a public announcement in the coming weeks.

“The new lease starts September 1, so we have a month to get the new location looking all spiffy before customers join us for the Grand Re-Opening on Friday, October 3, 2025. More info on this coming soon so keep a look out for your members only invite to the event!”

Record Fundraiser Brings in Nearly $70K

“To quote staff, the annual Barks & Bags Fundraiser had its ‘BEST. YEAR. EVER.’ Thank you sponsors and supporters!!

With help from generous sponsors and community supporters, the event raised just under $70,000. Local businesses like Ellen Aders – State Farm Agent, Jean’s Jewelers, City National Bank, and more joined forces to make the event a success. Every dollar helps support the pets of Warren County, and the strong turnout reflects the community’s deep love for animals.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

And you still have five days to get ready for the first one!

“Our 2nd annual “Furrever Summer” Block Party Event is back on June 28, 2025 here at the shelter from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.! We will have hot dogs and popcorn for .50c each, a cool down station, a puppy play yard, adopt-a-plushie and other games for the kiddos, prizes, raffles, craft vendors, the ice cream truck, $20 adoptions and the River 95.3 will be on site for LIVE broadcasting!

More Events

“Our Summer Rabies & Microchip Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the HSWC Spay Clinic. All dogs MUST be leashed and all cats in carriers. Rabies vaccines are ‘by donation/pay what you can’ and microchips with registration are $30.”

The Rabies and Microchip Clinic is coming July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the HSWC downtown Spay Clinic. All dogs leashed and cats in carriers, please.

New Fundraiser

“We’ve come up with a NEW fundraiser to help support our special programs and will have all of these items available at the thrift store when we re-open at our new location in October! (Currently available at the shelter)

“We have earrings available to help support the TNR and Spay it Forward Programs! For a $10 donation, you can make a significant impact to our TNR and Spay it Forward programs for the community and look fabulous doing so! There are several different designs to choose from and each one has a ‘punny’ little saying on it!

The 2025 animal-friendly packaged earrings are in, in support of the TNR and Spay it Forward Programs. Below graphic stresses the importance of community commitment in support of its stray and homeless animals

Available Items:

“The shelter has new swag available! We have tie-dye T-shirts in both adult and children’s sizes. We also have pop-out paw print photo frame magnets with our logo, water bottles and chap stick! More Larry stickers should be here this week!

“Come by and see us on June 28th at our “Furrever Summer” event and grab yours before it’s gone! Pricing: Adult T-Shirts $20, Kid’s T-Shirts $15, Water Bottles $10, Magnet Frames $ 5, Larry Stickers $ 1, Chapstick $ 1.”

And we will conclude our HSWC Quarterly Report summary with news of a past staff rehire in a new role, followed by a HSWC Board Meeting update.

Staff Spotlight!

Julia Schneider – Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator.

“Julia was rehired in April of 2025 and we are thrilled to have her back. She previously worked on our canine team and has since gained the necessary skills to take on this role.

Re-hired in a new position for her is HSWC Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator Julia Schneider.

“Julia has worked with children and adults in previous industries and is very personable. She has taken the lead on updating our volunteer handbook, onboarding process, and represents the shelter and all things HSWC at community events and organizations.”

Board meeting update

“After our annual board meeting in April, members have re-elected Sara Bates and Tom Yager and voted to elect Laura Phillips to fill a vacant seat. Our updated executive committee is as follows: President – Krista Beahm; Vice President – Sara Bates; Treasurer – Ally Ryder; Secretary – Renee Baker.

“Members also voted ‘yes’ to the addition to our by-laws regarding HSWC assets at all locations including the thrift store and spay clinic.

And since she’s been such a Good Girl lately, I promised my little friend GiGi I would conclude with a cat picture, here a kitten rescue.