Active Membership Information
Associate Membership Information
Supporting Membership Information

The Federation has three membership categories:
Active Membership: Active Members are animal welfare organizations that are non-profit and incorporated in the state of Virginia. Before becoming an Active Member organization, the organization must have been incorporated for at least a year and must supply the following documents:

• Copy of the current Bylaws Copy of the Articles of Incorporation
• Copy of the organization's Charter
• Copy of IRS Letter of Determination (501(c)3)

Sheltered organizations must supply a copy of their bylaws, which state (or parallel): "This society will strive to place animals in good homes. Animals, which are diseased or otherwise unadoptable, shall be humanely euthanized. No animal shall be sold or given away for research or experimentation or 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."

Unsheltered organizations must supply a copy of their bylaws, which state (or parallel): "We support in principle that animals shall have good homes; Animals which are diseased or otherwise unadoptable shall be humanely euthanized. No animal shall be sold or given away for research or experimentation or 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."

Active Members who operate shelters must comply with the Virginia Guidelines (Regulation VR115-02-09) pertaining to pounds to be maintained by each county and city.

Each Active Member organization shall elect or appoint a delegate from the organization to represent the organization as a member of the Federation's Board of Directors. Each delegate shall be entitled to cast one vote at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Officers of the Federation shall be nominated from any Active Member organization in good standing. Final determination of an organization's acceptance to Active Membership shall be made by the Board of Directors, subsequent to the review and recommendation of the Executive Committee.

Yearly dues are $65.00 for organizations with less than $1,000,000 in assets and $85.00 for those with more than $1,000,000 in assets. Annual dues are are due by January 1 of each year.

For more information about Active Membership and the application process, please address questions to vfhs@vfhs.org.

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Associate Membership: Associate Members are non-profit humane organizations or animal related agencies whose objectives are consistent with those of the Federation.

Before becoming an Associate Member, the organization or agency must submit an application for review by the Executive Committee of the Federation and its recommendation given to the Board of Directors.

Associate Members who operate pounds or shelters must comply with the Virginia Guidelines (Regulation VR115-02-09) pertaining to pounds to be maintained by each county and city.

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

Membership dues are $45.00 per year and are due by January 1 of each year.

For more information about Associate Membership and the application process, please address questions to vfhs@vfhs.org.

Supporting Membership: Supporting Members are individuals whose objectives are consistent with those of the Federation. Each such individual shall submit an application subject to review and approval by the Executive Committee. A Supporting Member may participate in the programs of the Federation, but does not have voting privileges.

Membership dues are $35.00 per year and are due by January 1 of each year.

For more information about Supporting Membership, please address questions to vfhs@vfhs.org. Download the 2008 VFHS Supporting Member Application Form (pdf file.)