Pen Pals

The Virginia Department of Corrections, in cooperation with Save Our Shelters (SOS), hosted the first graduation of the Pen Pals Program at James River Correctional Center on May 24, 2001.

The SOS Pen Pals Program places hard-to-adopt dogs from local pounds with carefully selected inmates for an intense eight-week training program. Upon graduation from the program, these dogs are housebroken, leash trained, receptive to voice and hand commands, and ready to be placed in the community. More information about Pen Pals with photographs of some of the "graduates" view the external website - Save Our Shelters (SOS)

Botetourt Correctional Center receives dogs from BARK - Bandit's Adoption and Rescue of K-9's. BARK is a non-profit organization that rescues orphaned or abandoned pets from animal shelters in the Richmond area.

The Pen Pals Program is offered at the following facilities:

• James River Correctional Center
• Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
• Botetourt Correctional Center
• Buckingham Correctional Center
• Pocahontas Correctional Unit (grooming & cat foster house)
• Lunenburg Correctional Center