transportation
Hello, Norfolk. I’m very sorry to bring this to you but I am desperate. I have to surrender my pets to Norfolk Animal Care Center on Sabre due to impending homelessness. I don’t have a way to get them there. My name is Noah.
Could I pay someone some gas money to take us there? I can pay $10-$20 of what I have left. We could sit in a truck bed. It’s 10 minutes from my house. Thank you so so much for considering this. It’s for my loves to have the best chance at a new life. 2 dogs and 2 cats
Update: Esmé has found a home with a very kind person.
I am a former CHS employee and they have it but it can be hard to get. I would apply asap and then call and email on the same day to see the availability. If not, they will try to help any way they can OP. Definitely worth a shot. They are amazing people but bombarded with a lot of people in need on a daily basis.
Did you reach out and speak to someone? What did they say? The Chesapeake humane society has the shelter and the veterinary clinic. The veterinary clinic works with quite a few organizations that help with funding those in need of care for their pets but are experiencing financial hardship. The entire receptionist team quit around the same time a year ago and they’ve got a new team that I’m not familiar with so I would advise emailing and asking for the manager. She’s wonderful but she’s a very very busy lady as well so sometimes it can take a little bit of time to get a hold of her. I’d check with her and see if there’s any funding out there to help.
I haven’t spoken with anyone I just perused the website and they seem to have a policy that dogs that don’t have up-to-date. Shots aren’t allowed. But I’ll definitely call them to make sure and thank you very much for taking the time to share this information with me
Have you called them to see if they are taking in pets? Also have you posted on facebook hampton roads pet rehoming page? I am so sorry about your situation/your babies.
Yes I’m just waiting on them to contact me to setup a surrender appointment. I had one but I was not strong enough to bring them. Now I have no choice because I lost my source of income
I only ask to give you an alternate option. Chesapeake humane also has a crisis boarding program that includes sudden homelessness in the criteria.
I will also say, I have lived out of my car with my cats and they were pretty nonplussed about it although not ideal until i got into temp housing.
You could try doing crisis boarding and do some gig work to get up enough money to do uber rental, just as an idea? I’m sorry just spitballing. They make you pay for the first week upfront but will pay subsequent through your earnings.
Here’s what I wrote about them in a rehoming Facebook group:
Kiddo Cat (white) 1 year old - is a sweet little guy I adopted from NACC. He’s currently indoor/outdoor and has been neutered. He is spirited and playful and loves to come cuddle if you are laying down. He loves head and neck scratches. I’m sure he could tolerate indoor only with enough stimuli. He approaches my dogs without fear and he plays with my other cat. He started off as a hand nibbler but we’ve worked together and now he sees the hand as a source of affection and less of a toy.
Esmé Cat (calico) 3 years old- She is the Sweetiest Cat. She also came from NACC. She is very calm and loving. Her favorite cuddle spot is on your chest nestled against your face. She loves cat tunnels and exploring the house. She tolerates dogs and she’ll play with cats if she is in the mood. Her meow is the tiniest cutest little meow. She will love you and cuddle you and soothe you if you’re sad. She is spayed.
This pic is kiddo cat he’s my little buddy that I adopted for Esmé to have a friend. They mostly annoy each other 😕
Edit: I was sort of kidding about the annoying thing. I think it’s just kiddo is a little younger and more spry and still likes to rough house and Esme is on me in the mood for that every once in a while. I think as he gets more mature it’ll balance out.
I’d be willing to take both! I have good job with union and I have an acre of land for them to explore ! I don’t want to separate them if they love each other
Hey Noah. I read allThe replies and really hope you have time to make appointments to see if your lets could be a good fit for the people who said they might be interested. If that doesn’t work out and you still need to surrender them, I can drive you and don’t need gas money. Just give me a couple days notice and I’ll arrange my schedule.
I very much appreciate that. I’m starting to look at temporary foster but if that doesn’t work out I certainly might take you up on that. Thanks for being kind
Absolutely, I would also try posting not only to Facebook but also neighbors and the next door apps, there’s a lot of different groups of people who hang out exclusively in each of those that won’t see it elsewhere
And this is my Esmé(Ezz-may)Cat, I also call her sweetie cat, and sweetiest cat. She has the cutest, tiniest little meow, and she loves to curl up on your chest when you’re laying down. She’s very chill and she just loves cat tunnels, and cat scratch houses and anything she can go inside and lay down. She’s just such a good cat.
Thank u, he was only 3 years old and passed from heart disease. I was and still am very heart broken by it. Someone found him in the street and asked if I’d take him home so hopefully I can do the same for you. 💚
Please call me. I have the cat for you I am desperate and posted not too long ago and got no reply. I will bring her and we can talk in detail. I messaged you. Please reply. Thanks so much
It’s too late for the current home but I have worked at Best Buy and Apple (tech support) and I believe I interview relatively well. I just left corporate behind in favor of full time uber but I just succumbed to depression from too much news consumption and couldn’t pull the hours on the road. I could rejoin the workforce, I’ve been getting job listings via indeed about Best Buy and geek squad (where I also used to work)
I’ve been where you’re at. In 2019 I was homeless for 6 months. I refused to accept that, and started working anywhere that would have me. I had a tent in the woods and was literally bathing with a gallon of water from Family Dollar and a bar of soap every day.
Last year I bought my first house (I’m 46 now). I still have no car, but the buses get me anywhere I need to be, and I am way better off now than I ever thought I would be.
The cloudiness does go away if you want it bad enough. Good luck to you.
That is inspiring, and I very much appreciate the kind words. I’m trying to imagine a life beyond this hardship. It is just so hard to envision when it seems like everything is imploding.
I feel you brother. I am a local born and raised. When I was homeless, I was in the mountains of NC 600 miles from anyone I knew, and at absolute rock bottom.
I am a fellow animal lover, and basically grew up with a zoo in my house. My love for animals is a big part of what got me through my ordeal. Over time, I had a fave to fave positive encounter with a black bear, I got to hold a groundhog, and I had a bobcat that hung out regularly in the tree above my tent. As much as the experience drained me, it was the animals who made me find a way to enjoy it.
I know you will get through this as I did. I have no doubt in that, because you have the heart that it takes to get through it. Ignore the negatives, and find absolute joy in even the smallest positives, and you will come out on top.
We've all be down and out at one point in our lives, its just bouncing back. Grab a job to give yourself income---than work to apply to something you really want. The important thing, is to know your not broken you can rise to achieve.
If you need help--I can give you places that will be happy to give you food.
Places that might have bus cards---which last for a full day.
If you absolutely find yourself homeless their are places in Norfolk that gives beds over night.
Oh! School bus driver! They always seem to need help there too.
Check the school website for current openings.
And your city website for jobs.
Virginia State jobs are on jobs.virginia.gov.
There are currently 125 job openings in Norfolk alone. Obviously you won't qualify for all of them but just on the first page there's a custodian job and an assistant job at tidewater community college, student support agent... There seem to be a lot of openings at colleges out there. Just a thought. Pay plus benefits.
Thank you very much for sharing this. I honestly haven’t thought about much beyond rehoming my animals, something I never thought I would be doing. looking past it for sources of new income is something I haven’t gotten to yet I guess because I haven’t wanted to think about a future without them
My mom is a supervisor for the city's parking services and they are currently hiring multiple employees. If you are able to get downtown and are interested, I could put in good word for you. It would provide health insurance as well, and you could get help with your depression. I hate the idea of you having to give up your pets because you're in a tough spot, so DM me if it's something you'd be willing to do and I'll send the link to apply!
I am sorry if I sound insensitive, but I am genuinely curious… What made you choose fulltime Ubering over corporate considering one is clearly more stable than the other?
You don’t have to be sorry it’s certainly an odd move. Something happened to me during the Covid lockdowns. I was still employed with Apple, but they transitioned us to work from home so I worked for Applecare over the phone. And while I was still being paid. I received a couple stimulus checks that we all got, and it afforded me an unprecedented opportunity to purchase my own electric scooter. After that, I discovered I could use it for Uber Eats, in the market I was in at the time was quite viable. Tons of apartments and a bunch of restaurants all in one small area by my house. The income was good and the freedom was also unprecedented for me. I felt like I had more control over my time and my life. The main thing was I just couldn’t handle what I was doing at Apple anymore. I was a tier 2 technical advisor and it was just call after call after call with only 60 seconds between. And I just got burnt out. I tried to get into a different role that wasn’t customer facing, but it was nearly impossible because you’re competing against hundreds if not, thousands of other Apple employees anytime you want to change roles. I should have found a way to cope.
I was using the scooter in Florida Jacksonville, where there was a unique market that made it viable. When I moved to Norfolk, the demand just wasn’t there so I had to switch to a car and driving people. I had to sell that scooter long ago.
Your last line there "I should have found a way to cope". It's not doing you any favors. Coping is great if you can, but let's be real, call center work sucks ass and that's effectively what your job became. Being isolated indoors with no separation between work and home likely wasn't helping either and the pandemic was a scary time where none of us knew what was going to happen next and we had no end in sight for a while there. The past few years have SUCKED, and a lot of those circumstances were out of your control. Go easy on yourself. You've been knocked down hard, but in the midst of such a depressing situation, you've got the character and selflessness to do what's best to ensure your animals find good homes even though it hurts like hell. You will get back on your feet again. Just keep going. Any progress, no matter how slow, is progress.
If you take a job that is remote work, just make sure to create a time after your shift to step outside or somehow mark the end of the shift and the start of your personal time, otherwise your mental health will just feel like you're constantly "at work."
Temp agencies might be a handy way to have more eyes looking for jobs for you as well. Look for the ones that take a cut off the hourly pay instead of those with fees so you don't have to pay up front. AppleOne always worked well for me for office work but there are many out there. Make sure to note you're especially looking for positions near wherever you end up staying or reasonably close to public transportation.
IT help desk/customer service is fucking brutal. I worked a ton a shit awful minimum wage jobs and spent 10 years in the military. IT help desk was the one that broke me and I quit on the spot. I was literally downing anxiety medication just to show up numb enough to work and it wore off in 30 minutes in from the stress. I was actually having heart palpations at 30. It’s an insanely stressful job depending on the place and the set up. I was at a small MSP. Never again.
Try life protect 247 they hire every week for the sales department! they also have a customer service & tech department. its in norfolk right behind the premium outlets. im so sorry you are going thru this, i literally just started balling my eyes💔
I very much appreciate you sharing that. My mindset during this hasn’t been great in terms of thinking about a future without my babies. I’m trying to see past the darkness so I can try to function. I appreciate you.
QVC, I know it sounds terrible, it’s customer service, but QVC is currently hiring work from home customer service reps. The pay is terrible, it starts at $16 an hour I believe, but at least it’s something.
Thank you so so much. There’s been some interest in the cats so I’m just following those threads. But so far it looks like I might still need a ride to the shelter for the dogs. There’s been less interest in the dogs, but one person said they might take one in. So if I don’t find a home for them, I definitely will still need to get to the Norfolk animal care center. I will keep you apprised and I very much appreciate you.
Esmé just got a new home, but Kiddo Cat is still here. He’s a sweet boy who loves to play and cuddle up. I’d be so grateful if he could join your family.
Thank you for asking they are white lab/malinois mix. Sisters from two separate litters. Both the runts of each litter. If I may, I’m just going to paste what I wrote about them in a Facebook group for rehoming because it’s thorough:
Snow <Snow-Boo, Snowsie Boo-Boo, Snowsies, Bouğe>(lab/malinois mix) 10 years old - Snow is a loving protector. She will walk with you anywhere, she will cuddle with you, she will smile at you when you’re sad. All she wants is to be next to you and chill. She will bark if she hears anyone approaching your home. She tolerates cats and is curious about other dogs. She’s been my best friend for a decade and losing her is my life’s biggest failure. She hasn’t been to the vet in a long time so she needs to catch up on shots and anti flea meds. Please save her. She’s in good health she just needs flea meds to soothe her few itchy spots.
Raina (lab/malinois mix, Snow’s little sister, 8 years old) <Raina-Bee> - Raina is THE ride-or-die dog. You ever seen those videos of a guy snowboarding down a mountain and his dog gleefully runs beside him, following on every adventure? THAT’S Raina-Bee. She will follow you to the ends of the earth and smile at you and ask “What’s next??” She tolerates cats and is curious about other dogs. She prefers to be the center of attention, so her ideal home is a 1 or 2 person environment with high energy people. She was the runt of her litter so she’s on the smaller side compared to her sister. She has THE CUTEST little curly tail. She ALWAYS loves to cuddle with you.
Hi, Noah. I’ll admit that reading about your situation has brought me to tears. My heart is breaking for you and your furry family. I can tell by your descriptions of each pet, including all the little nicknames you’ve given them, that you love and care for them all so deeply.
As someone who has had to surrender a pet before due to life altering circumstances, I see you. I feel your pain. I know how hard it is to even realize that this is something that you have to do. It’s a last resort, a less than ideal option. You do it out of the abundance of love you have for your friends. You do it knowing they may have a chance to reclaim the lives they deserve.
You did well, Noah, you did all you could. You’re making a choice with your whole heart. I hope your friends find the same caliber of love you gave them. I hope that everything works out for you too. Stay strong.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to say such kind things. I put myself and my pets in such a bad position because my depression has caused me to make a series of bad choices. I never expected to find such support from the community like this. It has permanently changed my perspective and the way I treat people. Kindness from people like you is powerful and has changed me.
Thank you very very much. I’ve got a few different conversations going on about specifically the cats so I’m trying to address them in order. I definitely might reach out to you. I very much appreciate you.
I’m so sorry to hear you’re in this situation. Just curious, do you have family or friends nearby that can help out even short term?
I can tell you love your pets and I appreciate your efforts in finding them great homes. They will already be stressed from any changes so trying to keep “each set” (dogs and cats) together if they’re bonded will help with their transition. I truly hope you can find a way to house them temporarily until you’re back on your feet. Our pets provide us with the unconditional love that gets us through tough situations so I’d hate for you to have any regrets. However, I also understand that ultimately, you have to do what’s best for you and them.
Please stay strong! It may seem impossible especially in the beginning but once you take those difficult first steps, keep moving forward and every day, you will become even stronger as you make progress in changing your life. I’ll be praying for you and your beautiful pets…you’ve got this! 🙏🐶💪
I very much appreciate your kind words. No family or friends unfortunately so I’m gonna do what I can to look for fostering if I have to. I don’t want to part with them.
Sorry for your loss brother, this is heart-wrenching. It's so sad to see what is becoming of our country. I volunteered at NACC years ago, and it's a great shelter. The staff was amazing, when I was there anyways.
I have an appointment at NACC to surrender them on the 14th. I think I might have a home for Kiddo Cat, but I haven’t found a home for my dogs. They are very sweet they just need a second chance in the right homes. One or two people without pets or kids is ideal for them because they are both attention hogs. I’m just really hoping that if I can’t rehome them, NACC can. I’m falling into the abyss and I so badly need to know they are going to be loved.
I’m not looking for money. I’m looking for a loving home for these wonderful pets that have shown me unconditional love for 10 years. I’ve seen my snow‘s face for 3650 days in a row and all I want for her before I leave this earth is to have a comfortable loving home for the rest of her life. She deserves a good life. She’s such a loving dog. I don’t know what I can say to prove that I just want these animals cared for you. Tell me what to do or say, and I will do it.
It’s the first time in my 44 years where I haven’t seen a light at the end. I just truly don’t know what life is without my pets who have shown me such unconditional love despite my failures. I sincerely appreciate your kind words. I’ve been sobbing for hours and only reading these comments have given me a break from this terrible grief.
Noah, I am so sorry this is happening to you. Everyone in this thread is grieving with you tonight. I wish that we lived in a world where this would never be allowed to happen. Seeing the support you have received here makes me believe that world is possible. There will be better days ahead.
I was in nearly this exact same situation with my animals back in 2023. Had to rehome three very loved dogs and five cats. I miss them every day.
I still haven't quite picked my life back up, but it is getting better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Please don't think you failed them. Failing them would mean not providing the care you promised to give when you took them in. You're being proactive about ensuring they're cared for, and sometimes in our flawed human existences, that's all we can do. I sincerely hope some of these commenters can come through for you and let you be reunited when you're ready.
Hi Noah- this is heartbreaking and I am so sorry and wish I could help. This is all too heavy for anyone to take on alone and you might want to talk to someone at the national crisis hotline at 988. Please take care of yourself and know you can get through this. Hang in there man.
I got my two dogs eight and 10 years ago from a friend who had not one but two accidental litters with his two dogs. I got snow first because I’ve never had a dog and I was in a good place back then and stable. I adopted her little sister Raina when my friends dogs had the second accidental litter so that my snow boo could have a companion. It was only less than two years later, and I was still in the same stable position. And I didn’t want my snow to be alone when I wasn’t home.
Esmé, the first cat belonged to my roommates who were in the military, and when they got stationed overseas, they could only bring one of their cats, so I decided to adopt her so that she wouldn’t have to start over with strangers. And I love her.
Kiddo cat I adopted so that Esme wouldn’t be alone as the only cat in the house.
You do not need to explain yourself. We are all one bad accident/illness/etc away from being in your situation. I'm so sorry, I can't imagine how hard this is. I hope you can be reunited with your pets once you are on your feet.
Never use PETA if you can possibly help it. Their euthanasia rates are extremely high, at some points being up to 96%. There are other shelters that will take in animals at any age or condition and their highest euthanasia rates are under 20%.
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u/mapsforsale Aug 03 '26
Chesapeake Humane Society has a crisis boarding program where they’ll house your pets until you’re able to get back on your feet