SHADYS PAW ANIMAL RESCUE

In late 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, a stray cat named Shady became friends with local children in the Lake Holiday community, Cross Junction, VA. Loved by the kids, Shady received care from families. In October 2020, a child noticed Shady's swollen face, prompting the intervention of a resident and animal rescue volunteer. Shady was taken to the emergency animal hospital, revealing an abscessed wound and a heart murmur. Diagnosed with severe health issues, Shady entered fospice care, a hospice foster care for animals, ensuring ongoing medical support. To meet his needs, a new rescue organization, Shady’s Paw Animal Rescue, was founded in January 2021. Shady, the rescue's first intake, enjoyed a happy life until his farewell in October 2021, a year after the neighborhood kids rescued him.