Through a partnership with the Virginia Department of Corrections, inmates at Virginia correctional centers - Buckingham Correctional Center, Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, and Lunenberg Correctional Center – train and socialize rescue dogs with the guidance and instruction from two professional dog trainers. The Pen Pals program not only lowers the rate of euthanasia in Virginia’s city dog shelters, but also provides life skills to inmates. Our rescue dogs chosen for the program come from Richmond Animal Care and Control, Richmond Animal Leage, and the Southside SCPA. On average, 50-60 dogs are rescued and placed into loving homes every year through Pen Pals!
The Pen Pals program promotes inmate rehabilitation while increasing positive communication and interaction between correctional center staff and the rest of the inmate population. Inmate handlers learn viable job skills and some have gone on to become professional dog trainers following their release. By working cooperatively to help the animals, the inmates learn responsibility, patience, and emotional confidence among many other character building qualities that improve and enhance external relationships. These skills and attributes are acquired while training a dog that may not have had a chance for a happy life. Every time a dog leaves the program to go its new home, the inmate handler feels a sense of accomplishment and pride that they have given back to their community in a positive manner, leaving a smile on both ends of the leash!
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5711 Staples Mill Rd.
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23228
Create an alert and get notified with newly adoptable pets that meet your criteria.
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FETCH a Cure's Pen Pals operates in correctional centers in Central Virginia and has it's central office in Richmond, Virginia. We mostly adopt out to families Virginia, DC, and Maryland, but will consider out-of-state adoptions on a case by case basis.
Additional adoption info
We require an application to be filled out, which can be found at fetchacure.org/pen-pals/adoption-process/
Pixie's Pen Pals requires reference checks, which may include your landlord and current veterinarian, and a home visit to ensure your new canine companion is going to a safe and healthy home.
Unless otherwise noted, Pen Pals adoption fees are $275 for dogs 5 years and younger, and $175 for dogs 6 years and older.
11613 Bundle Road,
Chesterfield,
VA
23838
Richmond, VA 23220
Chesterfield, VA 23832
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