A Valentine’s Wish for Eli and Ritz: Finding “FURever” Love

This Valentine’s week, the Humane Society of York County (HSYC) is celebrating more than just candy hearts and roses. We are celebrating the 88 lives already changed this year—20 dogs and 68 cats who have found their forever homes. But as we look around our shelter, two special faces are still waiting for their “perfect match.”

Meet Eli and Ritz, our pets of the week. Their stories are different, but their goal is the same: to find a family that understands that adoption isn’t just a moment; it’s a lifetime commitment.

Cat of the Week: Eli the Talkative Tabby

Eli is a 2.5-year-old handsome tabby who is currently holding court in our “big cat room.” While he is a social butterfly now, Eli’s journey hasn’t been easy. He was adopted as a kitten, only to be returned two years later due to owner allergies.

A Gentle Reminder: Cats can live 20 years or more. They are sentient beings who feel the sting of loss and the confusion of being “returned.” When you adopt, you are becoming their entire world.

Why you’ll love Eli:

A Great Listener: He wants to hear about your day (though he’ll definitely give you his opinion on it!).
Healthy & Ready: He’s neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and tested.
Social: With a little patience and transition time, we believe Eli would thrive with other feline friends.

Dog of the Week: Ritz the Resilient

If you’re looking for a loyal companion, look no further than Ritz. This 4.5-year-old, 60lb bundle of love has a heart of gold despite a rough start. Ritz and his friend, Little John, were abandoned in a kennel in our parking lot on a terrifying, thunderous, rainy night.

Staff found them the next morning, and since then, Ritz has been waiting for someone to prove that humans can be trusted.

Why you’ll love Ritz:

Adventure Buddy: He is dog-friendly, strong, and absolutely loves his walks and playtime.
Pure Joy: There is nothing quite like the greeting Ritz gives his favorite people.
Ready to Go: He is fully vetted and ready to move into your heart and home today.

How You Can Help the “FURmission”

We cannot save lives like Eli’s and Ritz’s without the support of the York County community. Here is how you can get involved:

Way to Help	Description
Adopt	Visit us at 8177 Regent Parkway to meet your new best friend.
Foster	Fostering saves lives by opening up space in the shelter. Sign up for our class!
Donate	93% of your donation goes directly to our pets. Consider us in your legacy planning.
Shop	Visit our PAWSibilities Thrift Shop & Boutique or shop our eBay page.

Spread a Little Happiness: Our current fundraiser is in full swing! We are working to fill our rescue with “Hearts of Love.” You can contribute directly here.