Stephanie’s Shelter Stories

Our military men and women sacrifice so much to serve and protect our freedom, but they should never have to sacrifice the joy and comfort of having a companion pet by their side.
In this episode, we are shining a spotlight on two incredible organizations dedicated to serving our military and their pets. Pets for Patriots gives emotional comfort to our nation’s heroes and hero families while saving at-risk shelter animals, and Dogs on Deployment provides a network of volunteer boarders to care for pets when their military owners are called to serve.
Joining us today is a local military family, Melissa and Joey, who share the heartwarming story of how Pets for Patriots helped them adopt their beloved dog, Juju, and how Juju's remarkable journey led to her being named the 2026 American Hero Pet of the Year and Dogs on Deployment mascot.
Listen now and learn how Juju's story could help you!
 
 

Losing a pet is one of the most profound griefs we can experience, and you don't have to navigate it alone. A brand new pet grief support group is coming to Coastal Virginia, hosting its first meeting on August 5th at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital in Virginia Beach. Led by Certified Pet Grief Doula and Practice Manager Terry Roman, this gentle, compassionate space is designed for anyone who has loved and lost a beloved animal companion.
Terry recently joined Stephanie to talk openly about the unique pain of pet loss.  They discuss why it hits so deeply, how to process the grief, and how to find community when the people around you don't quite understand the devastation of losing your best friend. If that resonates with you, take a listen.
Interested in joining the support group? Send a message to compassion@petcarevb.com or call the hospital for details.

The Reunite Tonight Project is helping reunite lost pets with their families!  This new local non-profit just launched in December and already has two scanning locations in Coastal Virginia, with more to come.
The founder of Reunite Tonight, Megan Baker, joins Stephanie Taylor to talk about how you can use these scanning locations to reunite lost pets with their families after hours and check to make sure your pet's info is up to date.

Kitten season is here, and that means local shelters and rescues need your help more than ever.
In this episode of Stephanie’s Shelter Stories, we’re joined by Billy the Kidden Rescue to talk all things kittens.Learn how you can help fragile bottle babies by fostering, what to do when you find a kitten outdoors, and how you can help control the homeless pet population in your own neighborhood through TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return) efforts.
Whether you’re a seasoned foster or just kitten-curious, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to help save lives...one tiny paw at a time. 🐾

In this episode of Stephanie’s Shelter Stories, Stephanie sits down with Nicole Harrig from Chesapeake Humane Society to talk about their Crisis Boarding Program, a lifeline for individuals and families facing housing instability, medical emergencies, or domestic violence. The program provides temporary boarding and medical care for pets, ensuring families don’t have to choose between their safety and their beloved companions.
Also joining the conversation is Shoshana Mostoller from My Dog Is My Home, a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving the human-animal bond in circumstances of homelessness. Shoshana shares how communities can work together to help people and pets in need.
It’s a conversation about compassion, advocacy, and the simple act of kindness that can help keep families and their pets together.

In this episode of Stephanie’s Shelter Stories, we catch up with a 2024 Shelter Pet Saturday feature, Jasmine. Now known as Jazzy, she was 14 years old when she arrived at Virginia Beach Animal Care, still hoping for a second chance.
That chance came when Abby chose to open her heart to a senior pet. Abby shares why adopting an older cat was the right choice for her and gives us a glimpse into Jazzy’s life today — including clips from her recent Sweet 16 birthday celebration.

In this episode of Stephanie’s Shelter Stories, we’re diving into Volunteering 101 — all the ways you can make a real difference for animals in Hampton Roads. Virginia Beach Animal Services explains their flexible Shelter Buddy program, perfect for volunteers on the go. Chesapeake Humane Society highlights some truly unique opportunities, including maintaining a garden for their small pets. The Virginia Beach SPCA shares how volunteers of all ages — even kids — can get involved both inside and outside the shelter. And we close with a dedicated dog walker from Norfolk Animal Care Center, who talks about why she started volunteering and how deeply rewarding it has become.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to start the new year, make volunteering your 2026 resolution!
 
 
 

This episode highlights the urgent need for foster homes in Hampton Roads. Stephanie speaks with Norfolk Animal Care Center and Chesapeake Humane Society about why fosters are critical right now—and talks to volunteers who are opening their homes to save lives. Learn how you can get involved and make an immediate impact.

In this episode of Stephanie's Shelter Stories, I sit down with the Virginia Beach SPCA and Chesapeake Humane Society to talk about their low-cost veterinary clinics and learn who qualifies for assistance. I also speak with Animal Resources of Tidewater and Spay Hampton Roads, two local nonprofits providing emergency medical support and affordable spay/neuter services to help keep pets healthy and families together.
 
 
 

Local shelters and animal rescues are working together to ensure no pet goes hungry. In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Chesapeake Humane Society and the Peninsula Pet Pantry to learn more about the vital resources available to families in need of pet food and supplies. Whether you’re struggling to feed your furry friend or want to learn how to support the cause, this conversation is full of heart, help, and hope for our four-legged community members.