With Snowmageddon rolling into Athens County, we needed to act fast. Most of the animals in our care are warm and safe thanks to our foster volunteer network, but 24 cats and 10 dogs are housed at our Jacksonville site. They’re tended daily by Mary Connolly and Rachel Boyd, but seriously bad weather could make it unsafe to reach them. And what about our adoptable animals at PetSmart if the weather caused the store to close?

Taking no chances, we moved them all to safe temporary quarters. 

Mary and Rachel report that thanks to the quick action of our partners at PetSmart, and volunteers Suzi Parker, Dan Hughes, Ohio University student Mack Singer, and Katie Murto, every animal has been safely relocated. 

This adventure wasn’t easy, but moments like this remind us how lucky we are to be surrounded by such kind and dependable people. Thank you again, volunteers!

Cold weather makes animals burn energy faster just to stay warm. Especially for outdoor animals, a little extra food, dry bedding, and unfrozen water are especially important during cold snaps.

The chart above is adapted from The Tufts Animal Condition and Care (TACC) scales.

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ACHS Volunteers never cease to amaze! Stacy Mages is very allergic to cats, but that didn’t stop her from coming to the rescue when five abandoned kittens showed up on the O.U. campus.


Stacy and a friend saw the hungry little youngsters living around the back steps of an abandoned building on campus. No way was she going to leave them to fend for themselves. “If a kitten needs help, I’m going to help it,” she says. Not knowing how to safely catch all five of them, she posted their predicament on the Women Of Athens Facebook page. That brought Chad Keller to the rescue: Chad’s an ACHS foster volunteer and knowledgeable kitty wrangler.

From an abandoned building to happy homes:
Stacy and her son Ben with the kitties.

This was in September, and Stacy and her family fostered these kitties throughout the fall. During warm weather, they lived and played in the screen porch. When the temperature dropped, they moved to the basement family room to play video games with Stacy’s son Ben.

Now they’ve all been adopted into forever homes of their own—the last two to go were a bonded pair that fortunately stayed together. Thank you Stacy. Thank you Chad. Thank you to all our great ACHS volunteers!

Officer McDonald

Officer McDonald is a sweet, shy cat who came to us with a bite wound that needed immediate care. Thanks to a kind human who stepped in to help, he’s now fully healed and ready for his next chapter.

This handsome guy spent much of his life outdoors, but he’s quickly discovering how nice indoor living can be, especially warm naps and watching the world go by from a window. He may take a little time to feel comfortable, but once he does, he’s a true lovebug with a gentle heart.

Officer McDonald is looking for a calm, patient home where he can continue to build trust at his own pace. In return, he’ll offer quiet companionship and so much love.



He is approximately 3 years old.

Cain

Cain is a 3.5-year-old, strikingly handsome boy who has already endured more than his fair share. When he came into the care of the Athens County Humane So-ciety, he was in rough shape with wounds along his back and the scars of having spent most of his life on a chain. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the staff at the Athens County Dog Shelter and to his foster family, Cain has started to heal and learn what kindness feels like.

At his first vet visit, we also discovered that Cain is heartworm positive. While heartworm is a serious condition, Cain is receiving the treatment he needs. The process carries risks, but he has shown remarkable strength and resilience already.

After everything he’s overcome, Cain deserves the safety and love of a forever home. He would do best as the only pet, though he does enjoy side-by-side walks with other dogs. More than anything, Cain needs a home where he can finally experience the life every dog deserves, safe, cared for, and deeply loved.

Gaia

Gaia came in with a group of nine. She was the only calico in the mix! While she was shy at first, Gaia has quickly become one of the sweetest and cuddliest kittens. She’s very playful and needs a home with another cat but she also enjoys quiet nap times and warm beds. She would love a nice warm home with someone who’s ready to cuddle and play!

Gaia is approximately 8-9 months old.

Sarah & Savannah

Savannah and Sarah are a bonded pair, who need to stay together. They’re 7 months old and very, very friendly. They’ll make wonderful lap cats but they’re fiercely independent: they’ll decide when it’s lap time and don’t want to be picked up! :)

Virginia Slim

Virginia Slim is a little sweetheart. She came in with Misty was spayed on Jan. 10 and is available for adoption soon. She’s less than 4 months old. 

Misty

Misty arrived with Virginia Slim She was spayed on Jan. 10 and is available for adoption soon. She’s less than 4 months old.

This Bulletin is put together by ACHS volunteers Kate Erlewine and Tom Erlewine, with information from Mary Connolly, ACHS Executive Director. 


Please send comments and suggestions to info@athenshumane.org. 


The Athens County Humane Society isn’t part of, or funded by any national organization. We’re just local volunteers here to help animals. 
We’ve been doing this work in Athens County since 1910.


We provide the county’s only response team for cases of animal abuse and neglect. 

We care for abandoned animals, paying their vet bills, finding them shelter in foster homes, and adopting them into forever homes. 


Your support for ACHS gives immediate aid to suffering animals in Ath-ens County. We need your help!



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