Southampton County Humane Society
We are a small group of volunteers who work together with local rescue groups to coordinate veterinary medical care, placement, transport, and adoption for companion animals from Southampton County, Virginia.
About Us
Our Mission
To promote the humane treatment of companion animals in Southampton County by coordinating access to affordable veterinary care, transfer, placement, transport, and adoption of companion animals to rescue organizations and forever homes.
Our History
Southampton County Humane Society was founded in April 2020, building on volunteer efforts that began supporting the Southampton County Animal Control Shelter in 2015. Initially, Partners Among Cats And Canines (PACC) helped the shelter with access to low-cost veterinary care and animal transfers. By 2020, volunteers unified under one mission to support the shelter and expand community services for companion animals.
Since then, we’ve increased the local animal save rate, with consistent leadership from our founding board members. We’re now planning to expand the board to boost community involvement and further our impact.
While we face challenges like securing reliable funding and establishing a physical presence, community support remains strong and essential as we work to grow and improve animal welfare services.
Our Community Partnerships
SoCo Humane Society builds strong partnerships to enhance animal welfare across Southampton County and beyond.
Our Community:
We support the county shelter and animal control by connecting the public with resources for animal placement and veterinary care. Through regional partnerships, we extend our impact to Western Tidewater, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and more.Southampton County Animal Control / Sheriff’s Office:
We assist with scheduling vet appointments, funding medical care, and coordinating animal transfers, working closely with the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control.Board Members:
Our board advises on strategy and governance, ensuring alignment with our mission and long-term goals.Local Veterinary Clinics:
We partner with local clinics and organizations like PETA to provide timely medical care for animals in need.Local Hunting Community:
We help rehome retired hunting dogs, offering affordable immunizations and partnering with huntsmen to foster and transport dogs to appointments and adoption events.Regional Rescues:
Our collaborations with no-kill rescues ensure successful adoptions by providing animal histories and coordinating pre-transfer medical care.
Our Compliance Requirements
Viginia State Corporation Commission Annual Registration
SoCo Humane Society was officially incorporated in Virginia in April 2020. The Certificate of Incorporation confirms our legal status as a nonprofit organization. We renew our annual registration every year in April. View our Certificate of Incorporation.
IRS 501(c)(3) Approved (Letter of Determination)
We received our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS shortly after incorporation, affirming our tax-exempt status and allowing donors to make tax-deductible contributions. View our IRS Letter of Determination.
IRS Form 990
We file IRS Form 990 annually to maintain transparency about our financial activities and fulfill state business tax obligations. This form provides insights into our operational expenses and revenue sources. Search for and view our IRS Profile here [EIN: 85-0711513].
Charitable Solicitation
We are registered to solicit charitable contributions in Virginia, complying with state requirements to ensure trust and transparency with our donors. This registration is renewed annually.
Virginia Department Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Reports
All animal rescues and shelters across Virginia are required to submit an annual report to VDACS, detailing our intake policy, our annual intakes and outcomes, and the sending and receiving shelters with whom we partner. View our most recent VDACS report.
Board Governance
Bylaws & Conflict of Interest Policy
Our bylaws define the governance structure and operational procedures, guiding our decision-making processes. Our policy ensures Board Members avoid situations where their personal interests could conflict with their responsibilities to the organization. View our board-approved bylaws and Conflict of Interest policy here.
Intranet Portal
Our secure Intranet Portal enables volunteers to access resources, communicate, and stay informed about organizational updates. Board Members and volunteers can register for access to this Intranet, pending board approval.
Training on Board Governance Best Practices
Our Board Members have access to knowledge articles and training materials on best practices for board governance and nonprofit development through our partnership with BryteBridge nonprofit consulting.
Financial Accountability
The financial history of SoCo Humane Society outlines the growth and financial trends since our inception in 2020, reflecting our fiscal responsibility and strategic management. Our 2022 Financial Statements provide a detailed account of our financial operations over the year, including income, expenditures, and assets, underscoring our commitment to transparency. View our 2022 Financial Statement.
SoCo Humane Society partners with Chazin and Co. Nonprofit Accounting for bookkeeping, tax compliance, and financial reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability. Our Letter of Engagement with Chazin and Company outlines the scope of their services and expectations.
We are proud to hold a Candid Gold Seal of Transparency on the GuideStar Charity Check registry. Organizations earn Seals of Transparency by contributing information about their mission, staff and leadership, programs, and goals. View our GuideStar Profile and certification here.
Business Technologies
SoCo Humane Society prides itself on utilizing a progressive and efficient technology stack designed to enhance our operational efficiency and community outreach. Our tech stack includes:
Google Workspace for Nonprofits enables our team to collaborate effectively.
DonorBox with Stripe and PayPal work together in our ecosystem to offer our donors a simple and secure experience.
Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud helps us track the animals in our care and coordinate services around veterinary care and transport.
QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based bookkeeping solution we use to keep our finances in order.
Zapier automates our report management, improving efficiency.
Slack help us share resources and communicate across volunteer and transport coordinators.
TechSoup is where we go to find discounted software for 501(c)(3) approved nonprofit organizations.
Our 2024 Goals
We’re expanding our board to bring in fresh perspectives and improve community outreach. Formal processes for onboarding and leadership transitions will ensure continuity.
Our volunteer program will offer better training, and we’ll partner with a regional nonprofit to boost volunteer engagement. With animal rescue insurance secured, we’re planning more adoption events to increase our presence.
As members of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, we benefit from discounts, training, and legislative involvement. In 2024, we’ll also release a community impact report to highlight our progress and goals.
Southampton County Humane Society
Southampton County Humane Society, Inc. is an approved
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. [EIN: 85-0711513]
Contact us via email:
info@socohumanesociety.org