Become a Member

The Virginia Federation of Humane Societies invites you to become a member. Membership is per calendar year (January 1 - December 31), however you can join for the current year up to the month of June.

The Federation has three membership categories:

• Active Membership is open to animal welfare organizations (e.g., humane societies, SPCAs, animal welfare leagues, rescue groups, sanctuaries) that have been incorporated in Virginia for at least a year, have non-profit status as recognized by the IRS, and have objectives consistent with those of VFHS;
• Associate Membership is open to any non-profit incorporated or unincorporated animal welfare organization or animal related agency operating in Virginia (including animal control agencies and organizations incorporated outside of Virginia) that has objectives consistent with those of VFHS;
• Supporting Membership is open to any individual who cares about animal welfare issues, living in Virginia or elsewhere.

All Members enjoy benefits including discounts on the cost of registration for the Annual Conference and other educational programs, and access to members-only networking opportunities including member message forums on the VFHS website. Members also receive regular updates on animal welfare legislative issues and have a voice in the issues that VFHS promotes.

Additional membership benefits are available to Active or Associate Members only and are listed below.  If you have any questions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS AND DUES

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

Annual dues are $85 for organizations with more than $1,000,000 in assets; or $65 for organizations with less than $1,000,000 in assets. You may download an application here.

In addition to the other benefits described above, Active Members receive one free copy of the current edition of the annual Law Book.  Active Members may post job listings on the VFHS website at not cost, and individuals within Active Member organizations may apply for scholarships from the VFHS Scholarship Fund.

Active Members making an initial application must also supply:

• a copy of their current Bylaws;
• a copy of their articles of incorporation and charter;
• a copy of the IRS letter of determination showing non-profit status;
• if the organization is a foster-based group, a copy of the adoption agreement.

Each Active Member organization shall elect or appoint a delegate from the organization to represent the organization at the Membership Meetings held by VFHS.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Annual dues are $45. You may download an application here.

Associate Members may post job listings on the VFHS website at no cost, and individuals within Associate Member organizations may apply for scholarships from the VFHS Scholarship Fund.

An Associate Member may participate in the programs of the Federation, but does not have voting privileges.

SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP

Annual dues are $35, or $25 if the individual is an employee or volunteer of an Active or Associate Member organization. You may download an application here.

A Supporting Member may participate in the programs of VFHS but does not have voting privileges. Supporting Membership is not available to organizations.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA FOR ORGANIZATIONS

Active and Associate Members shall support the principle that animals shall be placed in good homes and will actively strive to make such placements for all animals in the organization’s care. No animal shall be adopted, sold or given away for research or experimentation or for any other purpose than as: (1) a pet; (2) a service animal for the physically challenged; or (3) a search and rescue or police animal. Animals in the care of the Active or Associate Member organization shall be provided the elements of care required by the Code of Virginia, and each animal in the organization's care shall be provided the necessities to achieve the highest quality of life possible. No animal that cannot be placed in a home due to safety or health issues or that simply fails to be adopted over a prolonged period of time should be subjected to suffering from physical or psychological distress due to prolonged confinement. Active and Associate Members that operate shelters or foster homes shall comply with all laws governing confinement, disposition, care, mandatory sterilization, and, when applicable, regulations pertaining to the operation of a pound.