Our Favorite Feel-Good Story of the Month

Baby Girl on her "Freedom Ride"

When Baby Girl arrived at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society in July 2024, she needed time, patience, and compassionate care to begin her journey toward a brighter future. Thanks to the support of our community, Baby Girl received the medical care, comfort, and love she needed while she waited for her next chapter. In December 2025, through our Highway to Home program, Baby Girl took her Freedom Ride to one of our trusted, adoption-guaranteed partner organizations, bringing her one step closer to the forever family she deserves. Her journey is a beautiful reminder that with compassion, collaboration, and a little patience, every pet’s happy ending is possible!

December Adoptions

December was a joyful and impactful month at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society! Thanks to the support of our community, 94 pets found loving homes through adoption, and 49 animals were given new opportunities through our Highway to Home program. Every adoption and transfer represents a life changed and together, these outcomes show how compassion, collaboration, and community support make it possible for GMHS to remain a safe place for pets in need.

December Shelter Snapshot

The generous support of staff, volunteers, and donors enables GMHS to provide daily care, cover special medical needs, foster animals in homes as needed, and arrange transportation to adoption-guaranteed partners.

Preventing unwanted litters and keeping pets healthy remains a cornerstone of our mission. In 2025, the dedicated team at GMHS’ Fixin’ to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic altered 4,965 pets, helping to reduce pet overpopulation while supporting healthier, happier lives for animals in our community! Each surgery represents a proactive step toward fewer animals entering shelters and more pets staying safely with the families who love them.

Upcoming Events

Compassionate Community

A very special young animal lover named Emersyn donated an incredible amount to help cats and kittens in need: 278 pounds of cat/kitten food, soft food, treats, scratch pads, toys, and a large bag of linens. Emersyn saved for these donations herself! Over the summer, she ran two lemonade stands, saved money from chores and grandparents, and used every bit of it to give back. She’s been donating for the past two years and has already adopted five kitties of her own.



Stories like Emersyn’s remind us that kindness has no age limit and that compassion truly makes the world better. Thank you, Emersyn, for inspiring us all as we head into the New Year!

We are so grateful to the amazing students and faculty advisor from Mathews High School Key Club, who recently made dog toys out of recycled T-shirts and collected donations for our pets! Thank you for thinking of our homeless animals and for making the holidays brighter.

On Christmas Eve, we were incredibly grateful to receive a generous donation from the Poplar Neck Hunt Club of dog food, cat food, treats, linens, and toys. From all of us at GMHS, thank you for spreading kindness this holiday season!

We are thankful to Camp Cardinal RV Resort for their end-of-season donation, a gift made with so much love by everyone who created memories at Camp Cardinal this year. From raffles to direct donations, guests showed up time and again to support our furry friends!

Making a Difference Together

Every day at GMHS, pets arrive frightened, hurting, and unsure, but they are met with kindness, care, and the promise of a second chance, thanks to our incredible community. Some need urgent medical treatment, others simply need time and love, but every life saved is made possible by the compassion and generosity of those who stand beside GMHS. With deep gratitude, GMHS has launched a $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge, allowing every donation to be doubled from December 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026, through the generosity of two anonymous supporters. Give today and double your impact for pets who need you most!

Candy Mountain is just one of the many pets who needed medical assistance this year. After having her eye removed, she’s now ringing in the New Year safe, loved, healthy, and home with her new family.

For information needed to make a donation of stocks/bonds, IRA Distributions, or wire transfers, please contact 804-693-5520, ext. 104 or development@gmhumanesociety.org.

Shelter Pet Spotlight - Soren



Meet Soren, a handsome buff-and-white sweetheart who is pure love wrapped in fur. He was transferred to us from another shelter, and from the moment he arrived, he’s made it clear that affection is his favorite thing in the world.

Soren is incredibly sweet and endlessly loving. He adores being petted… and then petted some more… and honestly, just don’t stop. His gratitude comes in the form of the biggest, loudest purr, a constant reminder of how happy he is to be loved. He thrives on human connection and will happily soak up attention for as long as you’re willing to give it.

With his gentle nature, affectionate heart, and all-around perfect personality, Soren truly feels like the ideal cat. He’s ready to bring warmth, comfort, and nonstop cuddles to his forever home.

Happy New Year from all of us at GMHS!

As we welcome a new year, we’re grateful for our incredible staff, volunteers, and supporters who make lifesaving work possible every day. Here’s to more compassion, more second chances, and more happy tails in the year ahead!

A HOMELESS PET IS ONE STEP CLOSER

TO FINDING A HOME

EVERY TIME YOU FOLLOW US

ON SOCIAL MEDIA!