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In December 1987, MHF President Hilleary Bogley opened Scruffy's Ice Cream Parlor in Middleburg,
Virginia to gain community support for a shelter and to raise money to start the Middleburg Humane Foundation (MHF). For the
first six years, an adoption program called Scruffy's Strays was run through the ice cream parlor. Their pictures and stories
were posted on the walls at Scruffy's. Needy animals were cared for in foster homes and proceeds from Scruffy’s paid
for spaying, neutering and needed veterinary care. While the parlor did not raise much money over the next few years, it did
begin to raise community awareness and support, bringing many concerned people, volunteers and community leaders together.
Scruffy's no longer raises funds for the shelter but is a wonderful public awareness outlet for the animals. In 1994, MHF
was incorporated and listed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a board of directors.
 In the summer of 1994, a dream became reality when an abandoned, turn of the century
farmhouse on 4 + acres in Marshall,
Virginia was purchased by a handful of animal lovers. They
shared a vision of creating a farm shelter where animals who had suffered abuse or neglect would have a second chance
at life. Through the faith of a few people, and the generous support and hard work from the MHF staff, volunteers and the
whole community, MHF has rehabilitated & found quality homes for over 4,500 animals.
For the past 14 years, MHF has maintained the farm shelter and continues to offer many important
programs as well as general foundation operations all through private donations and fundraisers.
Hilleary Bogley, a Licensed Veterinary Technician, is the Founder and President of the organization.
Hilleary has over 24 years of animal welfare experience. She also serves as a court-appointed Humane Investigator for Fauquier
and Culpeper
Counties in Virginia.
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