Homeward Trails Danville is looking for donations that ultimately could land the nonprofit $20,000.
The Danville-based animal rescue organization announced this week that Danville residents Bettina Belles and Henry Huson have donated $10,000 as a matching grant to the group.
The money will be used for the organization's spay and neuter, trap-neuter-vaccinate-return and medical support programs, a news release reported.
The organization is asking supporters to make donations that will be matched. The goal is to reach $20,000.
"My husband Henry and I are truly so grateful for the work being done by HTD, especially the TNVR program serving outdoor cats," Belles said in a statement.
Belles said the program hasn't been considered by the Danville Area Humane Society, which came under intense criticism following the death of a dog named Eve.
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When Eve's owner surrendered the animal to the Danville shelter, a microchip scan should have revealed the dog was originally from the Lynchburg Humane Society.
The Danville shelter reported that when an employee called a microchip company to check the data, the employee was told the chip wasn't registered.
It later turned out the chip was indeed registered, but it was realized after Eve was euthanized.
"In the wake of Eve's needless euthanasia and as kitten season is now fully underway, we can't think of a better program to support than HT Danville," Belles said.
Homeward Trails Danville was formed in 2024 and operates things like foster and adoption programs, along with a pet food/supply pantry.
It also helps to transfer animals from the Danville Area Humane Society.
"We continue to make great strides helping Danville animals and the people who love them, whether it's taking in animals whose owners can no longer keep them, providing funds for medical needs or providing free spay, neuter and animal food and supplies," Robin Young, Homeward Trails Danville director.
"There is a lot more DAHS can be doing to decrease euthanasia and we continue to offer our resources and support to the shelter and the community to achieve that goal," she said. "A gift of this size will make an incredible impact and we are so grateful to Bettina and Henry for supporting our work. We hope the community will support this work by donating to this matching grant."
Volunteers are needed to provide transportation, short- and long-term fostering, care for neonatal kittens, and for food pantry events. Contact danville@homewardtrails.org for more information.
