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Goats, Growth, and a Greener Future at CASPCA

September 19, 2025

At CASPCA, we’re used to being the ones helping animals. This week, a group of four-legged landscapers returned the favor, eating their way through a big project for us!

These natural born landscapers spent several days munching their way through dense, overgrown areas of our six-acre property, helping us prepare the land for an exciting new project: nature-based play parks and walking trails designed to enrich the lives of the animals in our care.

Using goats for land clearing isn’t just fun to watch (though our staff and volunteers will tell you, it is endlessly entertaining) — it’s also a sustainable and environmentally friendly practice. Instead of using heavy machinery or chemicals, our goats safely cleared invasive brush and thorny growth while naturally fertilizing the soil. It’s a low-impact, earth-friendly first step toward maximizing the space we have and creating areas where shelter dogs, staff, volunteers, and visitors can experience the calming benefits of nature.

Sustainability is core to our mission. Just as we are dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals, we are equally committed to protecting the land and wildlife that share our community. Our campus sits in the Piedmont region of Virginia, nestled near the Blue Ridge Mountains, which serve as an important wildlife corridor. This area provides critical pathways for countless species — from pollinators like butterflies and bees to migrating birds and other wildlife — moving between habitats throughout the region.

🌱 Did You Know? The Blue Ridge Wildlife Corridor

Our shelter is part of something much bigger than just our six-acre campus!

The Blue Ridge Mountains form a critical wildlife corridor, providing safe passage for countless species traveling between habitats.

🦋 Pollinator Highway: Monarch butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators depend on connected native plant landscapes to survive.
🐦 Migratory Stopover: Charlottesville and the surrounding Piedmont region are key resting spots for migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway.
🐾 Shared Habitat: From foxes and turtles to deer and songbirds, local wildlife uses these corridors to move safely through our growing communities.
🌳 Native Plants Matter: Landscapes planted with at least 70% native species have been shown to dramatically increase biodiversity

This project goes beyond building play spaces for shelter dogs. By restoring these overgrown areas with native plants, we’re creating landscapes that serve a dual purpose: providing sensory enrichment for our animals while also strengthening local ecosystems and supporting migrating species who rely on these corridors for survival.

Once the cleared areas have rested, we’ll begin planting native species specifically chosen to support pollinators and the overall health of our land. These plants will also provide sensory stimulation for our shelter dogs, helping reduce stress and encourage natural behaviors like sniffing, exploring, and problem-solving. The result will be vibrant, restorative spaces that benefit all creatures who call our campus home — from the dogs in our care to monarch butterflies passing through on their journey.

This project represents a holistic approach to lifesaving. By combining enrichment for shelter animals with thoughtful land stewardship, we’re not only improving outcomes for the dogs in our kennels but also contributing to the long-term health of our broader ecosystem.

We’re deeply grateful to Goat Busters for kicking off this work in such a sustainable way and to our community of volunteers, donors, and supporters who make projects like this possible. Together, we’re proving that when people, animals, and the natural world thrive side by side, everyone wins.

Stay tuned as we share updates on the next stages of this project — from planting days to trail building — and how you can get involved in creating a future where animal welfare and environmental conservation grow hand in hand.

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The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is a non-profit animal shelter and community resource center located at 3355 Berkmar Drive in Charlottesville, Virginia. Established in 1914, CASPCA is proud to have served our community and their animals for over 100 years.

Everything You Need to Know Before Building a Catio

By Matthew Hildebrandt of Cat Topia • September 25, 2025

Imagine your cat stretched out in the sunshine, safely watching birds flutter by and feeling the breeze through their whiskers, all without you worrying about cars, predators, or getting lost. That’s the magic of a catio, an enclosed outdoor space designed just for cats. More and more cat parents are building catios because they offer the perfect balance: freedom and enrichment for curious cats, with peace of mind for the humans who love them. From reducing stress and boredom to protecting local wildlife, a catio can transform both you & your cat’s daily routine. This article will walk you through the benefits of building a catio, how to plan your design, the best materials to use, a step-by-step DIY walkthrough, and the safety tips that matter most. Even a small setup can make a big difference in your cat’s quality of life.