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Greetings!
As the holiday season approaches, we at the Athens County Humane Society are filled with gratitude for our incredible community of supporters—like you! Together, we’ve made a remarkable difference this year, giving countless animals the love, care, and second chances they deserve.
In this holiday newsletter, we’re sharing a few heartwarming stories of animals healing from illness and injury to find their perfect forever homes, some of our goals for 2025, upcoming events, and some adoptable pets waiting on their families to find them. We also want to thank our incredible volunteers and fosters who make our work possible.
This season is all about spreading joy, and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to our mission.
Wishing you and your loved ones—both two- and four-legged—a joyous holiday season filled with love and cheer!
Warmly,
Angela Marx
Executive Director
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Trap-Neuter-Return Program Helps Nelsonville Stray Cats
We’re excited to share news of our upcoming partnership with the city of Nelsonville. Nelsonville has had a long-standing issue with stray cats within its city limits. Nelsonville City Auditor Taylor Sappington recently proposed a partnership to assist ACHS in addressing this issue. Plans are in motion to start working with our TNR program volunteers and in 2025, we aim to spay/ neuter 100+ strays within the city limits.
Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is a process in which community cats are humanely trapped, spayed, or neutered and returned to their outdoor homes. This addresses the root cause of overpopulation while allowing cats to continue living in their familiar territories without contributing to the cycle of unwanted litters. Over time, TNR gradually reduces the population numbers.
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Nelson & Leia: Finding a Soul Mate and a Forever Home at the
Same Time
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Nelson joined us a year ago as a very sick, elderly dog. His journey to recovery has been long and challenging. Today, however, Nelson is healthy and living his best retirement years.
During his recovery, Nelson was placed in a foster home to receive the TLC he needed. There, he found comfort in an unlikely companion: Leia, an 8-pound Chihuahua who, like Nelson, has a physical challenge—she is blind.
Their friendship began with simple cuddles and soon blossomed into an unbreakable bond. Nelson’s joyful hound cry guides Leia on walks, letting her know exactly where to follow. They even share treats, each bringing one to the other to enjoy together.
Nelson’s dedicated foster mama decided to give him a forever home so he and Leia could stay together. Now, they spend their days side by side.
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Celia’s Story : From Stray Injured Mama Cat to Cherished
Family Member
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Celia, a super sweet young cat, came to us in a sorry state with her two newborn kittens. She had a large injury and infection to her eye that would require surgery and the eye to be removed. She was struggling to survive herself, but add in her newborns, and she was certainly in a dire situation!
But thanks to our Humane Agent Andy McDonald for rescuing her, Dr. Aanestad at Athens Vet Clinic for providing medical care, and the committed Foster Caretaker who took her and her babies in, we were able to give them the care they needed to thrive. Now, Celia and her babies are all in their forever homes.
Celia, now Leela, is “one of the greatest things to come into my life, and is very happy and a total cuddle bug,” reports her adoptive mama.
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From Sick Stray to Beloved: The Journey of Harry, Ron & Hermione | |
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Life on the streets is hard for any animal, but it can be an uphill battle for survival for small, sick, stray kittens. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were found in the middle of the summer abandoned at Richland Ave Park in Athens. They all had horrible eye infections. It was so terrible that Ron lost his eyesight, and Harry needed to have an eye removed.
A fabulous foster gave them love and care until the most perfect family entered their lives and (wait for it)… ADOPTED ALL 3!!!
Dr Nathanael Hopkins, a veterinarian, and his awesome wife, Bailee, have given these three a permanent home together. Dr Hopkins even performed eye removal surgery on Harry this week. We are so happy that this little family is now part of a bigger forever family.
With our supporters, we can turn more stories like these three kitties into tales of love and new beginnings.
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Upcoming Events
Adoption Events - Held the 1st and 3rd Sunday every month from 1 pm-3 pm at Friendly Paws Pet Supplies & Grooming, 940 E. State St in Athens.
Pet Loss Support Group - Meets the 1st and 3rd Saturday every month from 9:30 am-10:30 am at the Athens Public Library, Small Meeting Room
Galentine’s Day Lunch - at the Ohio University Inn on February 15th. Party with your BFF! It’s an afternoon filled with laughter and songs with Improv Comedienne and Songstress Mary Miller. Enjoy brunch and a special Pink Galentine cocktail.
Raffle! Hideaway on the Hocking - Enter our raffle for two nights at Athens County’s luxurious new vacation retreat at Hideaway on the Hocking.
For tickets, details, and more info on all the above, visit athenshumane.org/events
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LAPIS - Female, 4 months old
This gem of a kitten lives up to her namesake, which symbolizes such qualities as knowledge, observation, and patience. Lapis is adorable, healthy, and playful. She enjoys playing with her sister, Beryl, and will do best with another kitten or cat in her forever family. Lapis has great litter box habits and uses a scratching pad. She's an explorer and likes to adventure but is also super sweet with her foster mom.
To meet Lapis, submit our adoption app here - athenshumane.org/adopt
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