The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Northern Virginia is a non-profit, volunteer-based, private organization established by local concerned citizens to rescue domestic animals from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. We receive all our funding from membership dues, donations, and fund-raising events. We are always striving to enlarge our animal rescue operations and expand our services to the community. Our voluntary Board of Directors, committee members, and volunteers are responsible for all SPCA activities. We do not have a shelter facility, and depend on foster parents to care for domestic animals until adoption. Investigating reports of cruelty, abuse, neglect and abandonment is one of our primary functions. In most situations, an animal need not be removed from its home. Education is the key to successful pet ownership and the prevention of future inhumane treatment of animals. Adoption volunteers find homes, both through individual appointments and at our open houses for domestic animals brought into custody by our state-licensed humane investigators and dedicated volunteers. Humane education is vital to animal welfare. We offer speakers to schools, adult and children's groups, and individuals requesting information. Our public relations volunteers give us important contacts with the media and allow us to reach out to a growing number of people. We also have a newsletter; and offer free animal education articles and problem-solving assistance to the community. Our fund-raising volunteers research and coordinate new avenues to obtain funds for use in helping animals. Since we do not receive any state or county funding assistance, the fund-raising volunteers are always looking for new sources of revenue. Foster homes provide a special environment for our animals to receive the love and attention they so desperately need. Foster home volunteers provide reassuring contact for animals that may have been exposed to cruelty or neglect. They evaluate the needs of each animal and provide valuable information to prospective new owners. The SPCA does not, as policy, euthanize, and takes in animals as foster homes become available.