Heart Connections - December 2023

December was a fantastic month for heart connections, with 92 pets finding their forever homes! We are excited to share that in 2023, 902 pets were adopted and 660 animals were transferred to adoption-guaranteed partners through our Highway to Home program. Thank you to our adopters, volunteers, rescue partners, and supporters for making 2023 such a great year for the people and pets of the communities we serve.

December 2023 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.

2023 was a busy year for GMHS' Fixin' to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic. The clinic altered 4,177 pets this year! This is a record number of surgeries ever performed in one year at the clinic! These animals include GMHS/GCAC pets and pets from members of our community, other local shelters and rescues, and community cats. We are grateful for an amazing 2023 and look forward to continuing to offer access to low- and no-cost spay/neuter surgeries in 2024!

Call (804) 694-0349 to inquire about services and make your pet’s appointment.

Give Them Treats, Give Them Love, Give Them Your Time



At GMHS, our volunteers go the extra mile to ensure the health and happiness of each pet in our care. Volunteers can find themselves walking dogs, cuddling cats, folding laundry, handling animals at events, and so much more! We have volunteers involved in almost every aspect of the shelter and we are always looking for passionate people to join our volunteer team. Click here to learn more and get involved!

Mark Your Calendars

Sign your kid(s) up for Kids Movie Night featuring "The Aristocats"! The cost is $25 per child which includes movie, pizza, popcorn, craft, and a visit from shelter pets. 100% of the proceeds benefit the homeless pets of GMHS! Open to children ages 6-12 years old. Bring their favorite blanket, pillow, and come wearing comfy pajamas! Spots are limited, so sign up by calling 804-693-5520 or emailing GMHS Humane Educator Voula.

Join us in the GMHS Lobby January 14 from 1-3 PM, where we invite you to come for our Animal Kindness Workshop! We will be creating toys for our homeless pets. We will provide all necessary supplies and registration is not required. All ages are welcome and this event is free to our community.

Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society is excited to announce the opening of its ‘Paws’-itive Attraction annual on-line auction, and its $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge!

Click here to view the auction, purchase a ticket, buy a raffle ticket, place a bid, or donate. You’ll find great items on the Auction site that you can even ‘Buy Now!’ ‘Virtual’ tickets are also on sale that offer a gala-to-go bag filled with delicious treats for people and pets available for pickup on January 27, the day the auction closes.

Compassionate Community

Thank you so much to Claus Cares, Animal Care of Gloucester, and Animal Care of Mathews for hosting pet photos with Santa to collect donations for our homeless pets! We are grateful for your life-saving friendship! GMHS team member Caitlin Donnelly accepted the donation from Scott Sprowl of Claus Cares.

We are so grateful to our friends of Chesapeake Bay & Rivers Association of Realtors! They collected pet food and supplies from their Installation of 2024 Officers Event. Pictured is their 2024 President – Kandy Fisk, 2023 Community Outreach Chair-Cheryl Adams, 2023 President - Candace Segalini, and 2022 President – Brian Sadler. Thank you for supporting our homeless pets!

Toni Wisen (center) and Trinidy Goff (right) delivered pet food, supplies, and a $787 donation from Belroi Marketplace's fundraiser on December 3 at the Moose Lodge Pavilion. The event to support the homeless pets of GMHS was held in memory of Rich Little. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported GMHS!

Our friends with SCAT (Sharon's Critters Action Team) stopped by spread some holiday cheer with our homeless pets. Thank you, SCAT, for being one of our life-saving partners!

The Key Club of Mathews High School shared the joy this holiday season! They spread the word about pet adoption in the Mathews Holiday Parade and collected donations of pet food and supplies. They even created homemade toys for our homeless pets. We appreciate it so much!

Are you planning your end-of-year charitable contributions or planning ahead for 2024? Monetary donations made to GMHS dated between December 10, 2023 and January 31, 2024, will be doubled up to $100,000 through the Paws’-itive Attraction Matching Gift Challenge!

Donations may be made via PayPal, phone (804-693-5520), and mail

(P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061). 

GMHS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our tax ID# is 51-0206238. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Noble and Tide are

wishing you and yours a happy New Year and

best wishes for a fantastic 2024!