Message from Our President
Deb Bryant
The Story of Operation Hood
By Deb R. Bryant, President, Operation Hood Inc.
For decades, the corner of Jefferson Davis Highway and Hood Drive in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, served as a dumping ground for unwanted cats. Tragically, most of these cats were left to fend for themselves—without food, shelter, or medical care, and without love or compassion. Many died from starvation, illness, or injury. Those that survived continued to breed, and the colony quickly grew out of control.
When volunteers launched the Operation Hood effort on January 2, 2016, they were faced with a heartbreaking scene of neglect and devastation. The area resembled a junkyard, littered with old trucks, cars, travel trailers, and hundreds of discarded PVC pipes. The only “shelter” for the cats came from dilapidated sheds scattered across the property. Food and water bowls were nonexistent; when the cats were fed, they ate off the ground. Many were filthy, covered in mud, emaciated, or visibly sick.
Operation Hood immediately reached out to the community, asking for donations of insulated shelters and food. A feeding schedule was quickly established to ensure the cats received daily nourishment and clean water. Volunteers then began the difficult but essential task of trapping the sickest cats to provide medical care. Those well enough to be socialized were placed in foster homes and eventually adopted into loving families.
Cats that were truly feral and unable to be tamed were released into “The Fence”—a protected, volunteer-maintained property enclosed by a ‘Purr-fect’ cat fence. This safe haven includes permanent insulated sheds, feeding stations, and outdoor litter boxes, providing these cats with safety, comfort, and dignity.
As of now, the Hood Drive colony has been fully relocated. We are grateful to the property’s current owner for allowing our volunteers continued access to monitor the site until the land is sold.
In January 2018, Operation Hood officially shifted its focus to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as our primary mission. Our goal is to educate the public about the importance of TNR and work collaboratively with local shelters to address feral cat issues across the community. Through continued outreach and hands-on action, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of both cats and the people who care about them.
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely entirely on your support. Donations are urgently needed to cover the costs of food, medical care, spay/neuter procedures, and vaccinations. Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us continue our life-saving work.
Thank you for your generosity and compassion. We are forever grateful.
Deb R. Bryant
President, Operation Hood Inc.
By Deb R. Bryant, President, Operation Hood Inc.
For decades, the corner of Jefferson Davis Highway and Hood Drive in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, served as a dumping ground for unwanted cats. Tragically, most of these cats were left to fend for themselves—without food, shelter, or medical care, and without love or compassion. Many died from starvation, illness, or injury. Those that survived continued to breed, and the colony quickly grew out of control.
When volunteers launched the Operation Hood effort on January 2, 2016, they were faced with a heartbreaking scene of neglect and devastation. The area resembled a junkyard, littered with old trucks, cars, travel trailers, and hundreds of discarded PVC pipes. The only “shelter” for the cats came from dilapidated sheds scattered across the property. Food and water bowls were nonexistent; when the cats were fed, they ate off the ground. Many were filthy, covered in mud, emaciated, or visibly sick.
Operation Hood immediately reached out to the community, asking for donations of insulated shelters and food. A feeding schedule was quickly established to ensure the cats received daily nourishment and clean water. Volunteers then began the difficult but essential task of trapping the sickest cats to provide medical care. Those well enough to be socialized were placed in foster homes and eventually adopted into loving families.
Cats that were truly feral and unable to be tamed were released into “The Fence”—a protected, volunteer-maintained property enclosed by a ‘Purr-fect’ cat fence. This safe haven includes permanent insulated sheds, feeding stations, and outdoor litter boxes, providing these cats with safety, comfort, and dignity.
As of now, the Hood Drive colony has been fully relocated. We are grateful to the property’s current owner for allowing our volunteers continued access to monitor the site until the land is sold.
In January 2018, Operation Hood officially shifted its focus to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as our primary mission. Our goal is to educate the public about the importance of TNR and work collaboratively with local shelters to address feral cat issues across the community. Through continued outreach and hands-on action, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of both cats and the people who care about them.
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely entirely on your support. Donations are urgently needed to cover the costs of food, medical care, spay/neuter procedures, and vaccinations. Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us continue our life-saving work.
Thank you for your generosity and compassion. We are forever grateful.
Deb R. Bryant
President, Operation Hood Inc.
