The Salty Dog Spaw, LLC

12/13/2025

12/12/2025

12/11/2025

Her name is Tangi.

Yesterday, she was found outside our shelter, sealed inside a taped-up box in the freezing morning air.

When we opened it, scared eyes looked up at us. She was shaking and so stressed that she was hypersalivating, clearly overwhelmed by everything around her. And yet, the moment a hand reached toward her, she leaned in, gentle and searching for comfort despite everything she had been through.

Throughout the day, during medical testing, behavioral exams, and every check we needed to do, Tangi just wanted to be near someone. She followed staff closely, rested her head against anyone who knelt beside her, and cried when she was left alone. All she wanted was to feel safe.

We are incredibly grateful someone spotted that box when they did. It was less than 30 degrees outside when she was abandoned. We truly sympathize with the circumstances her previous owner may have been facing, but we also want everyone, including pets, to remain safe. If you ever need help with a pet, please reach out to us, or any shelter or rescue in the area. And if you must surrender an animal urgently, please come inside and speak with someone.

Tangi is currently on a stray hold in case an owner comes forward. If no one does, she will be made available for adoption, and we know she’ll steal hearts quickly.

For now, she is safe, and so, so loved.

⬇️ to see Tangi.

12/08/2025

UPDATE: SCOTTY HAS BEEN ADOPTED

💔🐾 SCOTTY’S WORLD JUST FELL APART 🐾💔

3 years old • 15 lbs • Shetland Sheepdog
Surrendered with several other dogs

Scotty didn’t understand why he was loaded into a car, or why the familiar voices he knew stopped speaking to him. All he knows is that he walked into the shelter this weekend… and his entire life disappeared behind him.

He is just 3 years old, a tiny 15-pound shetland sheepdog with no medical or behavioral history provided. We don’t know much about his past, we only know that he lost it.

We now have multiple dogs surrendered in just a few days, and the shelter is desperately in need of adoptions and rescues. Dogs like Scotty are depending on strangers to give them the future their past didn’t protect.

Shelties are sensitive, intelligent, emotional dogs. And Scotty is no exception. He watches the door, he listens for footsteps, he hopes someone familiar will come back for him… but they won’t.

He needs someone who understands the breed, someone who will be gentle with him, someone who can give him the patience, love, and stability he once had, or maybe never truly did.

Scotty is not neutered, so adopters must live in Stafford County or surrounding counties.
Rescues, we need you too. His heart is too soft to stay here long.

Please share. Please help.
Scotty deserves a home where he isn’t left behind again. ❤️🐾

12/08/2025

As for right now we will open regular time today. We are closely monitoring the weather and will close if necessary. We will post an update as the weather progresses.

12/05/2025

Update:some staff are unable to make it due to certain road conditions.
We will be opening on a delayed schedule today. If you have an appointment this morning you will be contacted to reschedule. Stay warm and safe ❄️

12/04/2025

Even though we tend to follow the schools, as of right now we are still planning to open but we are monitoring the weather. Please be on the look out for a text or call from us if you have an appointment tomorrow as we may need to reschedule. We hope everyone stays safe, warm and enjoys a snowy day ❄️🐾

The Snow Has Spoken!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled week to bring you this joyful news: Northumberland County Schools will be CLOSED on Friday, December 5, 2025!

The snow is too tempting, so we're granting a county-wide pass for fun! This closure includes ALL schools and ALL offices. Please stay safe, be kind, and make a memory today!

P.S. Don't forget to thank the meteorologists)!

12/03/2025

The severity of mats. Mats are more than just a tangle in your dogs coat. A lot of people are unaware just how detrimental a mat is. Here is some knowledge on mats that will be quite the eye opener.
1. Mats pull on the skin.
2. They harbor bacteria, dead skin, debri and can smell.
3. They can create sores and wounds underneath.
4. Mats in the paw pads or armpits can change your dogs gait.
5. They are painful just existing. Creates bad blood circulation and can cause the blood to rush back to that area when removed. Hematomas. Bruising.

Removing mats:
1. Removing mats by brushing them out takes ALOT of time. And therefore costs more money.
2. Brushing them out still damages that hair.
3. Cutting them out can be dangerous especially if done by a non professional and will leave holes in the coat.
4. Clipping them out is still a lot of time, stressful and painful as the mats are pulled and tugged. It takes a very close (short) cut to get underneath mats to get them out. About 1/4 inch of coat will be left or bald spots.
5. When your dog needs the groomer to remove mats they are not set up for success. It is far more difficult to remain calm, comfortable and cooperative