After years of work in the animal welfare community and on several county-sponsored spay/neuter committees, it became apparent to the founders of LionHearts that a specific and focused organization must be in place for a spay/neuter clinic to become a reality. In 1998 LionHearts, Inc. was formed to fill that void.

In August of 1999, the County of Spotsylvania agreed to a cooperative effort, and donated space for a clinic in their new animal shelter. The county then honored Virginia Kincheloe, LionHearts president and director, by naming the clinic after her -  The Virginia Kincheloe Spay/Neuter Clinic.  The Shelter and the Clinic opened in March of 2000.

Since that time, the Clinic has  provided low cost spay/neuter services to residents of our community for some 30,000 of their cats and dogs.  Thus, we have saved countless animals' lives as well as tax payers money by preventing the potential of many more thousands of cats and dogs from entering our already overburdened community Shelters.

LionHearts, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 classified charitable organization licensed in the state of Virginia and we rely primarily on private donations. All donations to LionHearts, Inc. are fully tax deductible to the extent of law.

Our directors, collectively, have over 75 years experience in animal rescue and placement. They have, individually and together, fought for over 20 years to end the suffering of companion animals by advocating a low-cost spay/neuter clinic.

Mission Statement

The mission of LionHearts, Inc. d.b.a. Virginia Kincheloe Spay & Neuter Clinic is to prevent the killing of thousands of companion animals in the Fredericksburg area by preventing unwanted litters through spaying and neutering at low or no cost as many cats and dogs as possible. In order to achieve this end, LionHearts, Inc. undertakes to fund and manage the clinic, expanding services, as needed when resources become available.

Board of Directors

Virginia Kincheloe: Director and president, Mrs. Kincheloe has been the driving force behind the spay/neuter clinic. Without her combination of intelligence, stubbornness and charm our clinic would have remained a dream. She has been a staunch advocate of rescue and spay/neutering for many years.. "My goal has been to provide this community with affordable and accessible low cost spay/neuter services so their will come a time when there will be no more homeless pets."

Eloise Gattuso: Director and vice-president is a real estate professional with long ties to the animal rights/welfare community. She has operated a successful feral cat sanctuary at her home for the past 8 years. After serving on countless boards and committees, she became utterly convinced that it would take a small, efficient, and highly motivated group of committed animal advocates to take the steps necessary to relieve the cruelty and slaughter brought about by overpopulation. "Education and prevention are the only ways to stop this Holocaust that occurs on a daily basis in our own backyards."

 Kimbra Kincheloe: Director and vice president is a real estate professional who has spent her life aiding her mother in animal rescue. She provides valuable good business sense accompanied by compassion for all living creatures. Her wide network of professional and community contacts continues to be of aid to LionHearts and The Virginia Kincheloe Spay/Neuter Clinic.  She also serves on the Board of Directors of Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare, a group working at the state level to end the tragedies of pet overpopulation.  "We must combat the forces that have created a mindset that it's okay to breed a lot, adopt a few and kill the rest."

As you can see, LionHearts, Inc. , d.b.a The Virginia Kincheloe Spay/Neuter Clinic, is indeed a unique entity. Politics and personalities were set aside before our group was formed so that our mission can succeed for the benefit of the animals. For more information or to send a donation please contact us at:

 The Virginia Kincheloe Spay/neuter Clinic

452 TV Drive

Fredericksburg,  VA  22408

540-507-7461

Donations are always welcomed!!