Julius the One-Eyed, Senior Cat Finds Forever Home
A one-eyed, senior cat with behavioral issues takes a special kind of adopter. One that is patient, willing to take a risk and a chance—and after waiting nearly one year, Julius finally found just that match.
Julius came to VVHS in August 2025 with significant eye issues that quickly worsened. One eye was not only beyond saving, but also causing him severe pain. After our team surgically removed the eye that December, Julius recovered in a foster home before returning to the shelter.
Julius was a well-mannered cat during his stay at VVHS, but after moving into our communal cat room, he started missing the litter box. Our staff checked his urine, but no medical concerns were identified. They worked with him extensively, believing that it was a behavioral issue, but Julius still couldn’t make it to the litter box despite staff’s best efforts. They believed his best chance of success was in a home where he could live outside of a shelter environment, but that required someone taking a chance on him and his not-so-gentlemanly tendencies. Someone who would give him the space to show them who he really was, to let the personality that was masked by the stress of the shelter shine.
That person was Teresa, who took Julius home for a trial adoption this July. When adopting a kitten, she and her family got a glimpse of Julius and could not stop thinking about him. What stood out to them was not the things that made him harder to place—like his looks, age and bathroom behavior—but the fact that he had been waiting almost a year for a home.
They officially adopted him in July and we’re happy to report that Julius has not missed the litter box once. Despite his vision challenges, he loves chasing toys (and his kitten sibling), opening cupboards and getting belly rubs. Julius spent a long time waiting for his forever home, but it was worth the wait. He’s living the pain-free, loving life that he didn’t know existed—the one we had all been rooting for.
Spoil Our Long-Time Shelter Dogs During National Dog Month
Did you know August is National Dog Month?
August 1 is considered the universal birthday for shelter dogs to give a birthday for those without a known birth date. Having a recognized day helps give another piece of identity to these dogs that have no home.
August 10 is Spoil Your Dog Day, but how about spoiling some of our long-time shelter dogs? Butch, Scrunchie, Hercules and Cane are some of our longest shelter residents, and we think they deserve something special this month. They’d love to hang out in your backyard or on your couch for just a few hours, or enjoy a frozen enrichment treat.
August 26 is National Dog Day, celebrating the joy of dogs and dog ownership nationwide. Want to help celebrate? Become a volunteer to walk dogs or play with them in our courtyard. Have you been on the fence considering fostering, or even adopting a dog? If you needed a sign, this is it.
VVHS was privileged to be recognized as a Local Pet Hero by Petsense (opens in a new tab), a pet specialty retailer based in small and mid-size communities.
On June 1, Petsense launched this initiative to recognize people and organizations making a positive impact on the lives of pets across the country. They asked community members in every city they operate in to nominate a local pet hero, and members from their Cottonwood store nominated VVHS! VVHS received a $250 gift card as one of the 250 local pet heroes.
Thank you to our community who nominated us and for your continual support!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and purchased corn at Corn Fest on July 18th! We were honored to be chosen as the nonprofit to sell corn, and had such a great day doing it. A big thank you to Camp Verde Parks and Recreation for putting on the event and selecting us as the nonprofit! We raised $1600 to make a difference in the lives of our shelter animals. Another shout out and to our volunteers who helped make the day a success!
Celebrate a special person, beloved pet, cherished memory, or meaningful message with a personalized lock displayed at the Verde Valley Humane Society Adoption Park.
For a $50 donation, your lock can be engraved with up to four lines of text, with a maximum of 25 characters per line.
How It works:
Order your personalized lock and submit your engraving.
Your engraved lock will be mailed directly to you.
Visit the shelter at your convenience to place your lock on the Adoption Park fence.
Keep the keys as a special reminder of your gift and the love it represents.
Locks may be placed on the fence surrounding the Adoption Park at any time during regular shelter hours. We simply ask that locks not be attached to the gate leading into the park.
Grab your friends, bring your pup, and join us for an evening of brews, community, and giving back! Join us at Smelter Town Brewery (opens in a new tab) on Wednesday, August 26 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Every sip helps support the animals at Verde Valley Humane Society, with $1 from every pint sold going to our shelter animals, making this the perfect excuse to enjoy a cold drink. There will also be raffle prizes!
We can’t wait to see you and your four-legged friends there!
Register now for the 4th Annual Verde Valley Humane Society Golf Outing and help give homeless pets the second chance they deserve! Every registration helps provide food, shelter, medical care, and hope to pets waiting for their forever families.
Your $160 registration includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, lunch and golf balls & tees. Whether you’re playing to win or just enjoying a day on the course, every swing supports animals in need.
Meet Caitlin Patterson-Evans Caitlin is originally from Virginia where she earned a BBA in Finance and a BA in History from the College of William and Mary. She is a CFA® charterholder currently working at an asset management firm based in Tempe. She has had rescue dogs her whole life and recently adopted a new rescue dog named Cedar. She is dedicated to advocating for and improving the lives of the animals at VVHS. Welcome to the Board!
Meet Dr. Linnea Axman
Dr. Linnea Axman is a lifelong animal advocate whose passion for animal welfare has inspired decades of rescuing, adopting, fostering, and supporting abandoned and neglected animals. Throughout her life, she has opened her home to cats, dogs, and even the occasional farm animal, believing that every animal deserves compassion, safety, and a loving home. Professionally, Linnea serves as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix. She retired from the United States Navy as a Captain (O-6) after 25 years of active-duty service, where she held senior leadership positions in healthcare, research, and women’s health. Her military service included deployments to Kuwait and Cuba. She has served on both nonprofit and government boards of directors.
Looking for a big, good-looking guy full of youthful energy? Meet Hiro, a handsome young dog who’s eager to trade the shelter for a life full of walks, play, and companionship.
Hiro is energetic and athletic. He will thrive with attentive adopters who can match his enthusiasm and give him the consistent exercise, training, and engagement he needs to stay happy and balanced. He would absolutely love the chance to meet any potential doggie siblings!
If you’re looking for a young companion who’s ready to explore the world with you, Hiro might be your guy. Give us a call at (928) 634-7387 to meet Hiro and see his active personality shine in our new adoption park.
On August 15th, 10% of all paint sales at Ace Hardware (opens in a new tab) in Cottonwood will be donated to VVHS. This recurring fundraiser occurs on the third Saturday of every month.
On Friday, August 28th, Panda Express (opens in a new tab) in Cottonwood will donate 20% of your bill to VVHS from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at no extra cost to you. Present the coupon at the restaurant or coupon code if ordering from the app.
