If you think one person can’t make a big difference, you haven’t heard the story of Dr. John Hayes, a retired veterinarian in Ruckersville, VA. “Our local animal shelter was kind of misleading, because they only took dogs—all injured and abandoned cats were on their own,” says Judy Alford, Shelter Operations Coordinator at Madison-Greene Humane Society.
Madison-Greene was the answer Dr. Hayes and his colleagues had for the cats of Greene County. This no-kill shelter for cats was launched after Dr. Hayes’s retirement in 2006, though the doctor still is still working hard, providing low- band no-cost veterinary care, vetting the shelter’s rescues, and spaying and neutering strays. “We’re a small facility, but we take care of 300 cats a year,” says Judy.
Dr. Hayes, his colleagues, and the volunteers at Madison-Greene donate their skills and time, so 100 percent of donations from PetSmart Charities and the public go directly to saving and caring for the cats.
Donations are used for care of the animals, medications, food, supplies like blankets and bedding, litter pans, adoptions outings, play cages, and more,” says Judy. “A little money goes a long way.
And it does a lot of good. “We had recently had a cat surrendered to us that wandered onto a person’s doorstep dragging a 20 foot rope around her neck,” says Judy. “That rope had been tied around throat for so long it was embedded in her skin.” Madison-Greene was able to remove the rope and give the cat, who they named Natasha, everything she needed—including a forever home. “She was just adopted by a loving family with a big house and even a barn for her to roam around in,” says Judy.
So if you’ve ever thought one person can’t make much of a difference, think of what this country veterinarian has done, one kitty at a time.
Find out more about Madison-Greene Humane Society on their website, http://madisongreenehumanesociety.com
