Mission Statement
Operation Hood Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) cat rescue organization whose purpose is to provide for the adoption and placement of rescued cats and kittens from the property located at the corner of Hood Drive and Jefferson Davis Highway in Fredericksburg, Virginia (also known as “The Hood”) and place them in permanent homes. Operation Hood is dedicated to the care and well-being of these homeless cats and educating the public on the need to spay/neuter pets, the prevention of animal cruelty, responsible pet ownership, and actively encouraging trap-neuter-release (TNR) in the community. Operation Hood Inc. will:
- Provide food, fresh water, and shelter to the abandoned, homeless cats currently living in “The Hood” or rescued from this location.
- Spay or neuter all cats in their care and provide all appropriate veterinary treatment.
- Place adoptable cats in nurturing foster homes while they await placement in permanent homes.
- Provide a safe haven for cats rescued from Hood Drive who are not adoptable due to their age, handicap, breed, or temperament (with the ultimate goal of securing permanent homes).
- Place cats in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes, following a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a cat into their homes and lives.
- Educate and promote the importance of spaying/neutering companion animals and TNR in the community.
- Educate the public on how to help prevent animal cruelty and abandonment.
One Journey Ends, Another Begins
Operation Hood celebrated its 4th anniversary on January 2, 2020. We would like to take a moment to give an update on where we are today with our journey on Hood Drive. As many of you are aware, the situation when we began was an enormous undertaking. With help from dedicated volunteers, the support of the community, and cooperation of the land owner, we were able to trap and relocate the cats from Hood Drive to a non-disclosed location referred to as “The Fence.” The Fence is maintained by volunteers that care for the cats daily; feeding and maintaining the area in which the cats reside.
Back in October 2016, we were informed by the land owner that we needed to remove the remaining cats from the property at Hood Drive, and at that time put out a plea to the community asking for help. The response was positive and uplifting to know others felt as compassionate about the cause. Once we determined the number of cats remaining was not as large as we first thought, we began trapping and relocating the cats to the Fence. There was much to consider with the choice of relocating the cats as the colder months were quickly approaching and getting the Fence ready for winter was our main focus, along with trapping and removing the remaining cats from the Hood. Although our journey at the Hood has come to a close, some have already found forever homes, and we will continue the search for the others who remain within the Fence.
As we close one chapter we begin another. We have been asked what Operation Hood will do now that the cats at Hood Drive have been removed? We plan to continue to monitor the area of Hood Drive until the property is sold and developed with the permission of the current land owner. Operation Hood is focusing on re-homing cats within the Fence enclosure, working with community outreach programs through our local shelters, educating the public on TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) while assisting with TNR within our community, and educating others on how to get involved and make a difference. Over the past year Operation Hood has helped with hoarding situations taking in cats that have since found forever homes, spoke to girl scout troops, attended a summer program at a local school speaking to students about TNR and the importance of volunteering within your community to make a difference as well as assisted local residents who have requested help involving community cats.
Operation Hood has many areas that need volunteer support such as assisting with cat care at local pet stores, assisting with fundraising events, fostering cats, assisting with cat transports, colony feeders, and social media support. If you are looking for an opportunity to give back and want to make a difference, consider volunteering to help the cats of Operation Hood and our community. Go to our “How can I Help” tab on our page and submit a volunteer application. A representative will contact you to discuss ways you can make a difference!
Back in October 2016, we were informed by the land owner that we needed to remove the remaining cats from the property at Hood Drive, and at that time put out a plea to the community asking for help. The response was positive and uplifting to know others felt as compassionate about the cause. Once we determined the number of cats remaining was not as large as we first thought, we began trapping and relocating the cats to the Fence. There was much to consider with the choice of relocating the cats as the colder months were quickly approaching and getting the Fence ready for winter was our main focus, along with trapping and removing the remaining cats from the Hood. Although our journey at the Hood has come to a close, some have already found forever homes, and we will continue the search for the others who remain within the Fence.
As we close one chapter we begin another. We have been asked what Operation Hood will do now that the cats at Hood Drive have been removed? We plan to continue to monitor the area of Hood Drive until the property is sold and developed with the permission of the current land owner. Operation Hood is focusing on re-homing cats within the Fence enclosure, working with community outreach programs through our local shelters, educating the public on TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) while assisting with TNR within our community, and educating others on how to get involved and make a difference. Over the past year Operation Hood has helped with hoarding situations taking in cats that have since found forever homes, spoke to girl scout troops, attended a summer program at a local school speaking to students about TNR and the importance of volunteering within your community to make a difference as well as assisted local residents who have requested help involving community cats.
Operation Hood has many areas that need volunteer support such as assisting with cat care at local pet stores, assisting with fundraising events, fostering cats, assisting with cat transports, colony feeders, and social media support. If you are looking for an opportunity to give back and want to make a difference, consider volunteering to help the cats of Operation Hood and our community. Go to our “How can I Help” tab on our page and submit a volunteer application. A representative will contact you to discuss ways you can make a difference!