Monday, February 2, 2026 testimony by Kathy Shenkle with her Shenalfax pet club newsletter readers Ref. HB 856 designating “rescue and shelter cats and dogs” as our “state pet” Ref. HJ Res 711 “commending no-kill animal rescues and shelters" Mr. Chairman. Virginia is for pet lovers. I am in favor of designating “rescue and shelter cats and dogs” as our “state pet.” You passed a resolution last year to commend “no-kill animal rescues and shelters for their commitment to helping cats and dogs get adopted by loving families.” My support is noteworthy because I really wanted to designate the orange tabby as our state cat right now. The American Foxhound has been our state dog for 60 years, but we have no state cat. My Shenalfax pet club newsletter is published in honor of my orange tabby rescue Fritzy Schnickelfritz. The title reminds us where he was rescued, adopted and lived – Shenandoah, Alexandria and Fairfax. Over 1,000 people read, “Is Virginia’s Dog a Dying Breed?” but over 12,000 fans read my story on Diesel, the German Shepherd Dog who was adopted from a shelter, trained, and became a famous actor. Animal rescues and shelters rely on staff and pet fosters to keep their resident cats and dogs well-treated, family-ready and ready to play. Let’s make the cats and dogs served by these dedicated caretakers be our state pet. Hopefully, this will encourage people to adopt cats and dogs from rescues and shelters in Virginia. You can adopt one of the 25,000 cats and dogs now at a rescue or shelter in Virginia today. I looked it up on petfinder, and so can you.

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COMMENT 4 (should be first) +++ Let’s designate the “orange tabby” as our “state cat” now & name “rescue and shelter cats and dogs” as our “state pet” too, either now or next year. +++ We have had a state dog for 60 years (1966), but no cat. Other states have state cats named for their breed or color pattern such as the Maine Coon, tabby & calico. Orange cats & other tabby colors are found in every cat breed & even in the same litter of kittens. +++ There are precedents. We have a state dog. A patron changed the category from “state bee” to “state pollinator” & the nominated bee from a native one to an imported European honeybee despite objections. +++ Many times, we designated more than 1 thing at a time in the same amendment to this designation bill (2 fish, Shakespeare festivals, outdoor plays, cabins, drinks, flowering Dogwood trees & 3 state songs). Therefore, we can have 2 designations in 1 bill. Please name the state cat first, or in the same amendment relating to official emblems and designations. +++ A BILL to amend and reenact § 1-510 of the Code of Virginia, relating to official emblems and designations; Cat — Orange tabby, Pet — Rescue and shelter cats and dogs. +++ A BILL to amend and reenact § 1-510 of the Code of Virginia, relating to official emblems and designations; Cat — Orange tabby. +++ A BILL to amend and reenact § 1-510 of the Code of Virginia, relating to official emblems and designations; Pet — Rescue and shelter cats and dogs. +++ Here is how it would be in your agenda: HB856 – Status: In Subcommittee – Rescue and shelter cats and dogs; designating as official state pet. Official emblems and designations; state pet; rescue and shelter cats and dogs. Designates rescue and shelter cats and dogs as the official state pet. AND/OR - Orange; designating as official state cat. Official emblems and designations; state cat; orange. Designates the orange cat as the official state cat. OR - Orange Tabby; designating as official state cat. Official emblems and designations; state cat; orange tabby. Designates the orange tabby as the official state cat. OR - Tabby; designating as official state cat. Official emblems and designations; state cat; tabby. Designates the tabby as the official state cat. +++

You might want to know that my orange, domestic shorthair tabby, Fritzy Schnickelfritz was the inspiration for this bill. In the past five years, he was expected to be named the state cat, after the pony and the bee. Possible designations for the state cat included many types of cats, such as orange tabby, tabby, domestic shorthair, Fritzy Schnickelfritz or Fritzy. The wording of “rescue and shelter cats and dogs” being a state pet is meant to include Fritzy despite it being a large category, unlike the state dog – the American Foxhound. After being released from an animal testing lab, he was rescued in Woodstock at the Prosser’s new house. Labs are supposed to give adoptable cats and dogs to a shelter when they are done with their experiments. He had scars on his belly and was not afraid of humans, cats or dogs, so he expected everyone to be nice. It looked like he was missing the third eyelid that cats usually have, and he had a scar on one eye. Unlike every other cat I know, he would not eat meat. He only ate one type of dry cat food. He drank water from buckets and bowls around the house. He was nose-to-nose with visiting cats through screens and windows without reacting to the cats who visited us, even if they were making territorial sounds. Fritzy never marked his territory and never tried to exit the house. Those are most of the clues that he was a released lab cat – including two veterinarians suggesting it. It was heart-wrenching when he died when he was only nine years old. In his honor (and his memory), I created my Shenalfax pet club and newsletter to encourage people to love, train, play with and respect cats and dogs. I spend much of my day researching cats and dogs and editing websites for animal shelters in Virginia, California and New Jersey. Shenalfax is often filled with photos of adoptable pets at shelters including Fairfax, Alexandria, Shenandoah County, King George County and Richmond. One day there were 30,000 orange cats ready to adopt near Richmond. I wish I could adopt them all. Maybe we could build a women’s retirement home and cat shelter. What I really wish is that I could have my cat back, but obviously that is not possible. With diminishing vision, it might be best to have a dark cat, or a plush toy cat as I have now. That sounds silly, but it is fun. I think all families should have pets and learn how to take care of them properly. If I can’t have my own pet, then I will help everyone else’s pets. Well, thank you for recognizing rescue and shelter cats and dogs.

Poem and Photos by Kathy Shenkle, © Kathy Shenkle and © Shenalfax, 2025 I wrote this poem to honor the cats and dogs who lived with or visited us (nine in Virginia) in over eighty years: Joe Button / Fluffy & Puffy / Mary Mary & Brownie / Butterball & Juliet / Muffin & Biscuit / Fritzy Schnickelfritz / and visitors: Bengal Brown Tabby / Ding Dong Ollie & Tuxedo Max / Calico Calli. Kathy Shenkle’s Pet Poem for Rescue and Shelter Cats and Dogs Loved by my family over eight decades NEAR EVERY cat that we may see appeared at home in time of need. THEIR VARIED fur was short and neat. Their meows and purrs were cute and sweet. THE TABBIES six were three, two, one with stripes of orange or gray or brown. TWO OR three wore formal tux - one gray, two black with white, a touch. ONE SOLID white with tie and tail was by the sea without a sail. THESE CATS were known in south or north with trails to take on their right course. WE LOVE the cats who came as guests and wish all cats the very best. WITH EACH of them at sleep or play, they all were loved on every day. TO DOGS we now do throw a bone. Two also lived with us at home. A TERRIER of foxy wire with pedigree of champ grandsire WOULD JUMP and dig his way aground and make his way around the town. A COCKERPOO that ate zucchini, without the singing of Puccini, A MUFFIN with touch of brown, he also liked to get around. NOW ONE might like to eat a Triscuit. Our next pet feline was named Biscuit. RIDING IN the car was pleasant. They were not provided pheasant. THEY RODE in style from south to north and back again from north to south. WELL AS you know, that does not rhyme so wish me better luck next time. WE WISH these tales would never end. Just think of pets as our dear friends. Poem and Photos by Kathy Shenkle, © Kathy Shenkle and © Shenalfax, 2025

Monday, February 2, 2026 by Kathy Shenkle and Shenalfax Pet Club Newsletter Readers Good morning committee members. Virginia is for pet lovers, especially rescue and shelter cats and dogs. Along with 12,000 readers of my Shenalfax pet club newsletter, I support House Bill 856 designating “rescue and shelter cats and dogs” as our “state pet.” My support is significant because I wanted my own cat or his type to be our state cat. Ten months ago, you passed House Joint Resolution Number 711 commending no-kill animal rescues and shelters for their commitment to helping cats and dogs get adopted by loving families. Shenalfax was created to honor my orange rescue cat Fritzy Schnickelfritz, and to showcase cats, dogs, horses, and those who love them. The name Shenalfax honors the places where Fritzy was rescued, adopted and lived – Shenandoah, Alexandria and Fairfax. Over 12,000 webpage visitors read my Shenalfax issue on the famous shelter German Shepherd Dog, Diesel. About 1,000 people read my article, “Is Virginia’s Dog a Dying Breed?” Fritzy and I were watching the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving in 2013 when we learned that the American Foxhound developed by George Washington has been our state dog since 1966. Thirty percent of shelter pets are purebred, so our state dog is included. Pet rescues are animal shelters without walls. Shelters rely on rescues and pet foster parents to help future pets stay socialized and give them a temporary break from the shelter. Let’s make the cats and dogs served by all of these dedicated caretakers be our state pet. Designating rescue and shelter cats and dogs together as our state pet is a good way to recognize Virginia’s favorite pets and those who will love them. Thank you for your time and support.

My name George Craig and I live in Winchester,, VA. I am writing in favor of HB 8 and ask for your support and "yes" vote. It is important for Virginia to be prepared when there is an Article V convention called and to ensure the commissioner sent follow the limitation of their authority. Thank you.