Over the past decade, one of Virginia wildlife’s greatest resources was Dogue Hollow Wildlife Sanctuary, a nonprofit in Lorton dedicated to rehabilitating wildlife, especially raccoons. Last week we lost the organization’s director, Jenna Such, a champion for wildlife, but we will always remember her generous spirit and determination to help animals in need. Pictured: A baby raccoon who went to Dogue Hollow for care.

“Jenna took her work as a rehabber above and beyond,” recalls Alexandria Animal Services Sergeant Megan Boyd. “She helped baby, sick or injured raccoons from Alexandria but also assisted our team. She had a great sense of when injured animals needed assistance or would be better to heal on their own, and she’d generously provide guidance when we needed it.”

Focusing its rehabilitation efforts on raccoons, Dogue Hollow offered raccoons a place to grow and heal in indoor and outdoor spaces, designed to let them explore and play until they were ready to return to the wild. They regularly shared photos and videos of a raccoon’s favorite toy, updates on how a new resident was recovering from an injury and “happy tails” when the animals in their care were able to return to the wild.

Two raccoons from Alexandria were helped by Jenna and her team at the sanctuary; It and Indy were found trapped in a trash can by a local resident who contacted Animal Services. Though the frightened, hungry raccoons had likely been stuck for several weeks, they were able to make a full recovery thanks to the care and attention of Jenna. They continued to live together at Dogue Hollow until they were able to return to the wild. Pictured: It and Indy settling in at Dogue Hollow.

“The support that Jenna provided to wildlife helped countless animals,” says Boyd, “and we will work to help future animals in that same spirit”

 

 

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria thanks the Dogue Hollow Wildlife Sanctuary team for their dedicated support over the years, and our thoughts are with them as they determine how they will move forward. Anyone wishing to learn more about Dogue Hollow or offer support as they move forward past this loss, can contact them via their Facebook page HERE.

Pictured: Indy in one of Dogue Hollow’s many raccoon living spaces.