The Richmond Animal League held its “Best In Show” grand finale Nov. 13 at Plant Zero - the culmination of a 10-week fundraising competition among six community members. The evening consisted of a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and a band. Sunni Blevins of NBC12 was emcee for the event. Wendy Ashby of Midlothian became the organization’s “Best In Show” after raising more than $16,000. In all, she and the five other candidates raised more than $75,000.

The Richmond Animal League is getting ready to open a low-cost spay/neuter clinic on its Chesterfield County property. The Loving Spay/Neuter Clinic, set to open in November, will provide low-cost surgeries and vaccinations for area pets. It will be open to pet owners and humane groups from the Richmond region and other nearby communities, said Susan Kelly, RAL’s director of development.

Calling all dog lovers and their pooches for a day of treats, tricks and lots of barking along Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue.  On Saturday, the Richmond Animal League will host its second annual Woofstock festival to raise funds and awareness for pet adoption.  To kick off the event, dog owners and their furry friends are invited to participate in the “Strut Your Mutt” walk at 9:30 a.m. on Monument, between Allen Avenue and Lombardy Street. Organizations and groups can create a “pack” of walkers by registering online to collect pledges and donations to turn in Saturday. However, all dogs and their humans are welcome and encouraged to participate and collect donations individually; there is no preregistration requirement. Walk-up registration begins at 9 a.m. the day of event.

Kevin and Leah Gross sat on a bench yesterday afternoon under the shade offered by the trees near the Richmond Animal League. The Grosses, who live in Hopewell, were waiting for the return of their newest family member—9-month old beagle Knock-Noc. Knock-Noc was one of about 25 pets spayed or neutered yesterday courtesy of the Richmond Animal League, which also celebrated its 30th anniversary with an open house at its facility in Chesterfield County, near Courthouse Road and Midlothian Turnpike.

When Susan Kelly started her job 18 months ago at the Richmond Animal League, she was told she’d be sharing an office with Pauline. No problem, Kelly thought. The operation is a nonprofit, so Kelly figured plenty of people were sharing offices as part of a typical cost-saving mind-set. As it turns out, Pauline isn’t your typical co-worker, and the RAL isn’t your typical office.

At least 50 people have called the Richmond Animal League about Roo, the 5-month-old Chihuahua whose photo was on yesterday’s front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

At least 50 people have called the Richmond Animal League about Roo, the 5-month-old Chihuahua whose photo was on the front of today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch. “We had an incredible response,“ said Susan Kelly, director of development. “He’s the most popular dog in Richmond right now.“ About 20 people filled out applications to adopt him, Kelly said, but Roo isn’t eligible for adoption yet.