New no-kill animal shelter opening in Chesapeake this fall

CHESAPEAKE — Melony Daniels, who sometimes had up to five dogs in her home, always dreamed of helping animals, finding them homes and keeping them safe.

Among her fur babies was a golden retriever named Reba — an ode to country star Reba McEntire — who’d later became the namesake for her nonprofit, Reba’s Animal Rescue, in 2011. Melony had dreams of establishing a shelter where more dogs could be served and adopted. But following a sudden death in 2017, her husband Charlie would be the one to see her vision through.

Several years later, Charlie Daniels said it’s finally coming to fruition in October. A new no-kill animal shelter and dog run called Reba’s Rescue, located at 1646 S. Military Highway, will soon serve a dozen local dogs, which he said will also help support overflow from overcrowded animal shelters across Hampton Roads.

“(Melony) always said, ‘Look, let’s start a charity. Let’s think about what we can do,'” Daniels said. “We started doing that a little bit, but once she passed, we kicked it into overdrive because I wanted to be able to show that this is what she wanted to do. I wanted to do it in her honor.”

The 3,500-square-foot facility sits on 20 acres, providing plenty of space for dogs to run and exercise. A dozen kennels will be able to serve a variety of sizes.

And locals are likely to be greeted by Bingo, a puppy on the calmer side who Charlie Daniels recently adopted from the Norfolk SPCA.

Since the nonprofit formed, it has partnered with and donated hundreds of thousands to local animal advocacy groups, such as the Norfolk SPCA. Director Kimberly Sherlaw called the new shelter a “lifesaver,” noting that even transferring just 12 dogs to the new facility will help the Norfolk shelter, which she said is 50% over capacity.

“We’re so excited that (Daniels) and his team have built the center,” Sherlaw said. “Having a new center where it’s enriching, it’s bright, it’s happy. … Dogs in our very old facility will be able to hopefully be adopted much quicker here.”

Sherlaw also said large dogs in particular are staying in shelters longer, so the additional space is especially good for them.

“This facility really took the time to think about the dogs’ experience here and how people would view that,” she said.

Once the shelter officially opens, Daniels already has plans to expand in the years to come to accommodate over a hundred more animals, including cats and horses. He and Sherlaw estimate the 20 acres can support up to 200 animals.

“It’s everything we believe in,” he said.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com