Hope for Life Rescue Transforms Lives of Abandoned Animals in Virginia Beach

The non-profit shelter takes in neglected and abused dogs and cats, providing them with medical care and a cage-free home environment to prepare them for adoption.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Hope for Life Rescue team in Virginia Beach is committed to protecting the lives of abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. The organization rescues dogs and cats from high-kill shelters, provides them with necessary medical care, and houses them in a cage-free, home-like setting to reduce stress and increase their chances of being adopted. With the help of dedicated volunteers and community donations, Hope for Life Rescue has maintained a high save rate for the animals it takes in.

Why it matters

Animal shelters across the country are struggling, and Virginia saw nearly 20,000 dogs and cats euthanized in 2025. Hope for Life Rescue is working to combat this statistic by taking in animals that other shelters may not be able to, providing them with the care and resources they need to be adopted into loving homes. The organization's cage-free, home-like environment also helps reduce stress and improve the animals' chances of finding permanent families.

The details

Hope for Life Rescue is a pro-life organization that takes in a variety of animals, many of which require immediate medical attention due to neglect or abuse. The shelter houses the animals in tempered glass rooms instead of traditional cages, allowing them to roam freely and feel more at home. This approach has been found to reduce stress and make the animals more likely to be adopted. In 2022, the organization rescued 1,268 animals and incurred over $350,000 in vet bills, which are funded through donations and the efforts of dedicated volunteers.

  • In 2025, nearly 20,000 dogs and cats were euthanized in Virginia.
  • In 2022, Hope for Life Rescue rescued 1,268 animals from across Hampton Roads and beyond.

The players

Hope for Life Rescue

A non-profit animal rescue organization in Virginia Beach that takes in abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs and cats, providing them with medical care and a cage-free, home-like environment to prepare them for adoption.

Martha Wilkins

The Assistant Director of Hope for Life Rescue, who oversees the organization's efforts to transform the lives of animals in tough situations.

Suzie Shipley

A volunteer at Hope for Life Rescue who helps with various tasks, including taking dogs home overnight and fostering animals.

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What they’re saying

“We don't euthanize for space or anything like that. That is why it is important, too, for finances, adoptions, because the more we can get adopted, the more we can take in.”

— Martha Wilkins, Assistant Director, Hope for Life Rescue

“Different volunteers do different things. Some take the dogs home overnight, some are fosters. Everyone does what they can, we do dishes, we do anything.”

— Suzie Shipley, Volunteer, Hope for Life Rescue

What’s next

Readers can donate to Hope for Life Rescue through the 'Paws for Charity' campaign, which aims to raise $25,000 by March 18. Donations can be made by visiting the shelter during operating hours or through the campaign's online platform.

The takeaway

Hope for Life Rescue's commitment to protecting the lives of abandoned, abused, and neglected animals, combined with its cage-free, home-like environment and the support of dedicated volunteers and community donations, is making a significant impact in reducing euthanasia rates and transforming the lives of dogs and cats in need across Virginia Beach and beyond.