What is now known as Middleburg Humane Foundation (MHF) has been a part of the Middleburg community for so long that some of its origins have passed into myth and need a little clarification.

It began as an adoption program called Scruffy's Strays in the eponymous ice cream parlor at 6 W. Washington Street, opened in 1987 by Hilleary Bogley as a means to raise money to help needy animals. Pictures and stories were posted on the walls for potential adopters to see.

For six years, foster homes provided care, and proceeds from Scruffy's paid for spaying, neutering and other veterinary care. Although Scruffy's never raised much money, it did raise community awareness and support.

Many concerned citizens came together around a dream of a farm shelter where abused and neglected animals could receive special care and a second chance.

In 1994, the dream became reality.

An abandoned farmhouse on almost five acres just outside Middleburg (in Marshall, an area of more reasonably priced real estate) was purchased by a handful of those animal lovers and given its own second chance as a farm shelter.

MHF was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a board of directors to whom Hilleary, as foundation president, continues to report.

In the 19 years since, MHF has been proud and honored to be part of the Middleburg community. Because of the generous friends it has made here, almost 10,000 animals have benefited from MHF's many programs.

The beloved Scruffy's no longer raises money for the shelter, but provides livelihood for Hilleary to supplement her MHF salary. As in many of Middleburg's businesses though, pictures and information about MHF still grace Scruffy's walls.

Since the beginning, these friendly establishments have kindly provided essential help to MHF by posting pictures of available animals and putting out donation jars for the cause.

In 1997, MHF enhanced its Middleburg presence by opening a thrift shop next door to the ice cream parlor. The shop's proximity to and shared history with Scruffy's has caused many long-time customers to think of them as one business, but they are completely separate. The MHF Thrift Shop is run entirely by volunteers and open every day of the week from noon until 5 pm. Every penny of its proceeds goes directly to shelter operations.

Beyond adoption, MHF programs assist chained dogs, provide low-cost spay/neuter and emergency medical assistance, coordinate with Equine Rescue, educate the public, compassionately help control feral cat populations, and increase adoptability with behavioral enrichment.

But the core of MHF's mission is a specialization in rescue and rehabilitation of abused and neglected animals. MHF is just one essential component of a larger system of private and governmental animal agencies that serve the area around Middleburg. The farm shelter plays a special role as a healthy, healing environment for animals too sick, weak, traumatized, or frightened to succeed in more typical facilities.

MHF takes in animals referred from many sources in several surrounding Virginia counties and even from West Virginia.

Hilleary also volunteers her services as a court-appointed Humane Investigator for Fauquier and Culpeper counties. Although she has no legal jurisdiction in Loudoun County, she cooperates and coordinates with their animal control department.

In any county, the sheriff's department is the place to report concerns about animal welfare.

MHF continues to dream big, and the need for its services has outgrown the small farm. Long-time supporters Zohar and Lisa Ben Dov have generously given MHF 25 acres of land at the west end of Marshall. Now MHF is turning to its big-hearted and animal-friendly community for donations to build a new facility. Planning is in its early stages, but fundraising is underway.

Donations payable to "MHF New Farm Fund" may be sent to Middleburg Humane Foundation, P.O. Box 1238, Middleburg, VA 20118.

More information about MHF and its programs is available at middleburghumane.com.