Commonwealth Humane Society

12/02/2025

How do you like me now? Last time my foster mom posted, she was preparing me for surgery as my leg was diagnosed as having cancer. Shortly following the post, I had a full leg amputation. Here are my before and after pictures. How do you like me now? I am still my wonderful, handsome self – Thor, the Thunder Kitty. The surgeon did a wonderful job. My foster mom said that the stiches were so neat and tidy.

In order that other kitties at Commonwealth can receive the same great care that I have received, would you please consider giving a donation to Commonwealth Humane Society this Giving Tuesday?

If you are able to help, please use this link to the CHS PayPal account. Any amount will be greatly appreciated and strictly used for the care of the kitties.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=4UHAG8J5Y6FEE

Alternatively, donations can be mailed to: 11837 Waples Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124

07/31/2025

Dear Animal Lover,
It has been a while since we have posted on Facebook. Commonwealth Humane Society has had a few hectic years, especially after COVID. We downsized and with the help of a few volunteers, have been fostering several kitties, who, apparently, looked around, liked it here, and refused adoption attempts. Today, I come to you, hat-in-hand, asking for your support. We have had some large veterinary bills this year and are expecting more. So far, we have already spent nearly $8,000 on vet bills and have an immediate, urgent need for another $1,700. That will be followed by another urgent, anticipated need for $2,000.
Thor, the Thunder Cat, also known as our Thorasaurus, needs urgent surgery for cancer found on his leg. The cancer was biopsied and identified as one that was locally aggressive – it will not spready quickly to other organs – but will get rapidly worse on his leg. The veterinary was optimistic that if we amputated his leg, that we would stop the spread to other areas. They also said that cats generally adapt well to walking with three legs. We have found that to be true from our experience with other 3-legged kitties that have been brought to us. Thor indicates that he can maintain the role of Thunder Cat with 3 legs as he has always been an overachiever.
Rudolph Nureyev, known as Rudy (and also Fabio, for those of us familiar with the heartthrob from romance novel covers!) will also be receiving medical attention. Rudy was brought to us as a young kitten with a broken leg. The person turning him in had found him and sought care for him, but Rudy still ended up with a foot and lower leg that is not weight bearing. He has had no problems at all with it until recently when a knotty bundle formed around his elbow. It could be that his callous is just changing with age or it could be something else. We need to get this biopsied. Rudy will also need X-rays.
Finally, Luke Skywalker, known as Duke Luke, needs an examination He is our “explorer” kitty and will intrepidly investigate anything. He desperately wants to investigate the great outdoors but is not allowed outside.
If you are able to help, please use this link to the CHS PayPal account. Any amount will be greatly appreciated and strictly used for the care of our kitties.
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=4UHAG8J5Y6FEE

12/30/2018

12/30/2018

To others, Wednesday is just “hump day”; another obstacle to get through before the weekend.

To me, Wednesday is the best day, and is the highlight of my week. Every Wednesday at 5:30pm, I drive from my office in Washington, D.C. to the Commonwealth Humane Society and spend my evening with the lovely cats and dogs cared for by Chris and Linda. I always look forward to these nights at the shelter, filled with hugs, brushes, and cuddles.

My job is to get the cats and dogs ready for bed - arguably the best job there is. I feed them dinner, clean up their spaces, make their beds cozy, and give them hugs. Over the course of my time with the shelter, I’ve developed specific relationships with each cat, and grown to love each of their personalities.

As soon as I arrive, I get a running hug from Rudy. Luke Skywalker is soon to follow, rubbing his head against my arm and asking for pets while I attempt to get the food ready. Peacock and Destiny investigate the new smells wafting from the counter around my feet, while Jason makes his way into a nearby cage, as he knows that kitties in cages always get fed first. Lady in Black appears a few moments later - she loves curling up on Chris’ desk while he works, but occasionally will leave that cozy spot to investigate a dinner opportunity. I hear Squeak more often than I see him, and he will begin to make his signature noises when food suddenly becomes present. Angie is always grateful for her dish of food when it is placed in her cage next to her bed. And lastly, Dame Margot waits patiently in her cage for her food, specially picked out for her dietary needs, and pokes her head out to thank her caretaker for the night. She is usually a shy girl, but as long as you let her sniff you first, she’ll start begging for all the back scratches.

See Rudy with his brace made possible by generous donations

All of these cats & dogs have a special place in my heart, and together they make my Wednesdays something to look forward to. My responsibilities at the shelter are, clearly, enjoyable and easy - but not all of the tasks that need to be done there are so painless. There are hours of labor that occur behind the scenes of the Commonwealth Humane Society, filled with paperwork, vet visits, phone calls, budgeting, organizing, planning events, and much more. Chris and Linda sacrifice their entire day, every day, to put in all of this tedious effort - they are who keep these cats happy and thriving, and they are the ones that make my job there easy. The love and devotion they have poured into this shelter is evident through their very content kitties, and pays off every time one is adopted into their forever home.

Unfortunately, passion alone does not keep a shelter running. It is solely because of donations like yours that this is possible. Just yesterday we paid off the vet bill for heartworm treatment for a dog we took in some months ago. The dog now healthy and rid of the worms has a full life ahead of her. Chris, Linda, and I need your support to continue to care for these beloved cats. Care does not only come in the form of dinner and brushes; care sometimes also means expensive veterinary care, like Sally.

Sally Came to us riddled with heartworms and scheduled for euthanasia, but with your help we saved her, Thank You.

The cats and dogs can’t say thank you, but we can. We graciously thank you for your past support that has gotten us to where we are now – 12 plus years and counting. We’re reaching out to you during our Year-End Campaign because you’ve already demonstrated your compassion for cats and dogs like Rudy and Sally and many more besides. Our goal for 2019 is to simply continue the good work into 2019, we will never abandon any animal we have taken into care - will you consider making a special contribution to fulfill this noble objective, please help us get there?

With your support, we can continue to further our mission of providing for the welfare, shelter, and adoption of homeless cats and kittens. As a reminder, Commonwealth Humane Society’s staff is solely made up of volunteers, and program expenses are funded by adoption fees, modest sums from organizations, and donations from cat and dog lovers like you. Your support is a literal life-saver for many cats and in our shelter. Keep a furry friend cozy and healthy with your donation of much-needed resources.

If you are able to support us this holiday season, please consider using Paypal and use the go to address (shown below) to make a safe and secure donation via PayPal (be sure to label it as a gift to save fees), or you may mail us a check to:
Paypal via e-mail to: [email protected] or
By Check to:
The Commonwealth Humane Society
11837 Waples Mill Road
Oakton, VA 22124
As always, tax deduction to the maximum amount permissible by law is made easier by us sending you an IRS donation and thank you letter. These will go out by January 30th 2019. Government employees may donate via the CFC campaign for 88863.
Thank you again for your life-saving support. Our efforts are made possible by you.
Sincerely,
Meredith Burton, Volunteer
The Commonwealth Humane Society Inc
11837 Waples Mill Road,
Oakton, Virginia 22124 – USA
703.568.3600 – [email protected]
WWW.Humane.Pro
A 501(c)3 No Kill Rescue
Dedicated to the Rescue & Re-Homing of Cats and Dogs in Need
And to provide help and assistance to the people who love them

11/13/2018

Dear Animal Lover:
This year as you can see was the most difficult ever. If you are able to help that would be a real blessing, but regardless thanks for your support, it will be appreciated. Chris
You do not hear from me very often, and this year (2018), especially so. Thanks to Linda and the volunteers, my being under medical care for months on end did not stop, nor diminish the care being provided to our furry guests. However my illnesses did stop me from doing my upmost to provide funds for the society.
As a result, and at the worst possible time of year, we find the society seriously short of the required funds for urgent medical care for several furries. In fact we need donations in the most urgent way.
We have, as usual been very frugal and kept aside just enough for the food requirements and basic supplies like cat litter, but the veterinary expenses we face alone are beyond our means.
Therefore for the first time in a year or more I must appeal to you for help and request a generous tax deductible donation to help see us through this difficult time. Every penny will be spent on the animals needs and as always there are no staff on payroll, no luxury trips/conferences involved, and very little beyond the basics. Actually nothing at all.
As usual, during this holiday the furries will receive a special “Thanksgiving Dinner” of something very tasty to each ones liking, together with some extended personal attention, treats and some cheerful music to make the day special for them. It is nice to see that somehow they get into the spirit of the season and react in a positive way and this makes it all worthwhile.
Donations will be gratefully received via PayPal to [email protected] or by check payable to Commonwealth Humane Society (CHS). Donation tax letters will be sent upon request and copies of our latest tax returns will be e-mailed as requested. Those who visit in person are most welcome and yes we do take credit cards.
Thank you in advance for your generosity, it is very much appreciated.
Linda, Chris & the Furries (Meow)
Chris C. Haslam
The Commonwealth Humane Society Inc
11837 Waples Mill Road,
Oakton, Virginia 22124 – USA
703.568.3600 – [email protected]
WWW.Humane.Pro
A 501(c)3 No Kill Rescue
Dedicated to the Rescue & Re-Homing of Cats and Dogs in Need
And to provide help and assistance to the people who love them

09/17/2018

Normally after a disaster like Hurricane Florence you would have heard from me trying to raise funds to help those in need. Not this time! Sadly my health has declined so much to the point where I am unable to do much at all. Therefore I suggest you contact Samaritans Purse (very practical and honest assistance) if you want to help people, and Cheryle Barnes (page) who I know to be a reputable rescue who will help you with regard helping animals and shelters in need. In previous times, going back many years we have been on the ground and have seen the need, this time we can only help in a second hand manner and have already done so. I remember well Hurricane Sandy, and one special lady. She was standing in knee deep freezing water with her dog and cat standing on the table, the only dry place in her long island home. She was feeding them potato chips, which was all she had. Thanks to generous donors we shipped 50,000 pounds up to long island. Because of them we were able to provide, a small cooking stove, hot soup, animal food and rubber boots, along with much more. We ask you consider doing the same, as your abilities allow. Thank You.

07/19/2018

Today we say "Bon Voyage" to Sasha. Arriving from the foster home she was greeted by eager pre-qualified family who wisked her off to new life in a loving home.

07/12/2018