Spay Neuter Pre-Pay And Register

Please don't forget that our next pre-pay and registration for the low cost spay and neuter clinic is coming up on AUGUST 6TH from 5-6 PM at The Market on E. State Street (formerly University Mall).

Please bring with you
Payment (unfortunately we can accept CASH ONLY)

And any qualifying paperwork you may need if signing up for financial assistance.

Prices and documentation needed can be found on our website.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Want to know why spaying and neutering is so important? Check this out!

It seems like we spend so much time stressing the point, but sometimes you need a little comic relief when it comes to the topic of animal population control. Many people cite the reason for not getting their animals spayed or neutered as they want their child or children to "witness the miracle of birth". These songs, aimed at a younger audience, explain why spaying and neutering is so important. You just might find they get stuck in your head, too.


Spaying and Neutering music videos that are sure to get stuck in your head, drive the point home, and make you smile a bit all at the same time. And for an extra bonus smile, both songs synchronized to footage from Disney's "The Lion King"

Featured Adoptable Animal: Ball

Ball is a domestic long haired black female cat. She's an adult, and knows exactly what she wants in life! She's shy around strangers, but is cuddly with those she knows are her true friends. Ball isn't too keen on children, and would do best in a house without them. She's currently an indoor and outdoor cat, and gets along peachy with other cats. Ball has been waiting for a new home for a year, and she really could use all the love and affection you have in your heart. Are you someone who could learn from Ball, and give her the second chance in life she deserves? If so, check out our website and begin the adoption process!

Aren't sure if you're ready to adopt yet? Here are some things to consider.

If Ball doesn't sound like she would be a good match for you, we have a list of perfectly wonderful animals all waiting for their forever homes. Check them out!

Photos from Allen Pet Clinic Party and Breed Specific Legislation

I've gotten photos from the Allen Pet Clinic Party, mostly of our dear friend Maddison, who is adoptable through us. She was there for a heartworm test, and was just a sweetheart the entire time.

Maddison is a pitbull, and many people were hesitant to approach her because of that fact. But Maddison is well behaved, and living proof that the breed of a dog does not determine its temperament. Maddison did quite well with all the cats (although they did not like her so much!) and was wonderful with every child who approached her.

The Humane Society is opposed to breed specific legislation, which is normally aimed at dogs like Maddison. You can read the Humane Society of the United States' official position on "dangerous dogs" and breed specific legislation (BSL) here.

Unfortunately, some areas of Ohio have enacted breed specific legislation, a list of which can be found here.



While laws may not always be "fair", they are unfortunately the law, and must be followed. Currently, Athens County has no breed specific legislation in action, some of our neighboring counties do. It is important to know the laws regarding animal ownership, and to fight them, when appropriate and necessary through legal means like petitioning and public education.

Since I've started volunteering with the ACHS, I've been asked any number of questions. One of the least asked questions is "How can I help?", which saddens me. One way that people can help without committing time, effort, or money (although you're more than welcome to, in fact, encouraged, to help with those things!) is to be knowledgeable about our organization and what we do, as well as the welfare laws and rights concerning animals. By learning these things, and passing them on, you do help in your own special way. Word of mouth is a very powerful thing, and a lot of animals end up in bad situations due to misinformation.

For example, I am pictured here at the Allen Pet Clinic Party speaking to a woman about just some of the many things we do. Our vice president, Shelly Lieberman, must be a ninja with a camera, because I never even knew I was being photographed. Kudos to her!

Week in Review - July 19th through July 25th

Monday, July 20^th, a letter to the editor was published in the Athens News that I would encourage anyone and everyone to read. It is about the care and return of abused animals to their owners, and a situation that I, personally, went through that was even more rough to come to terms with.

In similar news, three new kittens were found abandoned this week in Nelsonville. Abandoned is, of course, the polite way of stating it as they had to be pulled from the Hocking River. Luke, a male orange tabby, Leia, a female dilute calico with the most gorgeous orange patches, and Bea, a gray tabby female who all look to be about 7-8 weeks old were found this past week. They’ve all been given a good cleaning and once over, have been de-wormed and de-flea’d, and are being fed and housed, but are still outdoor cats at the moment.

The life of an outdoor cat is not one that I would recommend for anyone, if they can help it. It’s dangerous, especially for tiny kittens who don’t know well enough about the perils of the world. They can climb under car hoods to seek shelter from the heat of the day, run into the road and get hit by cars, be carried off by wild animals or destroyed by domestic pets that are not properly trained or controlled. Bea has been missing for two days, and it’s worrisome. Luke and Leia, however, have been very social with all those they come in contact with. They play together, as well as with other cats at the apartment complex they are being held at. They tolerate gentle large dogs quite well, and are very loving towards people.

It’s no doubt in my mind that Luke and Leia, as well as Bea, are littermates who were dumped by some unfortunate soul who felt that it was their only option. I would like to encourage readers to keep an eye out in their neighborhood. Spring is a particularly rough time of year for people and their animals. Let your neighbors know about our low-cost spay and neuter clinics and the other services we offer. Perhaps even lend them a helping hand if they have an accidental litter that they don’t know what to do with. No animal should ever have to be dumped unceremoniously alongside the road, in the river, or worse.

The Athens County Humane Society is a completely volunteer organization. The economy is tough on everyone right now, and people may think they have no option but to get rid of their animals. The ACHS understands tight funding – we’re a non-profit organization that relies solely on fundraising, donations, and membership fees. But we try to help as much as we can, and often our volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty to help an animal or owner in need.The Humane Society of the United States has even had to suspend their financial aid program to help keep pets and families together, however they still offer some tips for cutting the costs of pet ownership.

This week was not all bad, however! The Athens County Humane Society attended Allen Pet Clinic’s anniversary party on Friday, July 27^th. T-shirts were available, as well as literature and cats for adoption. I myself volunteered for two hours, and found that it was interesting to see the number of people who did not know what kind of services we offered, or that we even existed! Many people had misconceptions about the organization, which were cleared up. It was a bittersweet event for me, hearing the stories of people and their animals, which they had brought with them.Most of the animals had been rescued or adopted, while others spoke of animals long past who had met a bitter end due to cruelty on behalf of their neighbors, friends, or even family. It was wonderful to see so many people take an interest, no matter how hesitant they were.

July 25^th was our adoption event at the Market on State Street. I did not attend, but I’m sure it was a blast, and I’m certain many more people had a chance to witness the wonderful animals that we have for adoption, as well as learn a little bit more about our organization. Hopefully some of our wonderful friends found homes, and I will update a bit later on that.

I also had the opportunity to attend a local music festival, Diamond Music Fest, set up by Nick Collura of Insea Sound Shop of Nelsonville. The event, held at Lake Logan, was a wonderful time to get to know some of the people in the overall larger Southeastern Ohio area. I met a good many people from Athens County, and a good many people who just "got" the concept of what's going on and what we're trying to do. It was a good way to get the word out and, since it was a dog friendly event, meet some pooches who were rescued or adopted and are now leading happy, healthy lives.

Also, don’t forget, coming up on August 6^th is our register and pre-pay session for the spay and neuter clinics. We can accept CASH ONLY, unfortunately, so bring that, as well as an ID with a street address in Athens County. If you are applying for low-cost assistance, bring photocopied proof that you qualify. A list of acceptable documents can be found on our website. For low-cost help, the name on the ID must match the name on the documentation. Prices can also be found on our website. The prepay session is, again, AUGUST 6^th from 5-6 PM at the Market on State Street (formerly the University Mall, the building with Elder Beerman’s, Claire’s, and Tractor Supply).

If you’re wondering why spaying and neutering is such a big deal, check out this information.

Adoption Event

On Saturday, July 25th we will be having an adoption event at the Market On State (formerly the University Mall) in Athens from 10 AM until 2 PM.

Come out and see our cats and dogs. You can fill out an adoption questionnaire on site and meet with representatives who will find just the right match for you!

A list of our adoptable pets can be found here, but rest assured that if you're looking for a fuzzy, cute companion to give a forever home to, there's plenty more! Do you have a spot in your heart and home? If so, show up to the event and discuss it with one of the ACHS representatives who would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Not sure if you're ready to adopt? Here are some things to think about.

You must be 21 or older to adopt an ACHS animal, and there is a required adoption fee for each animal.

PLEASE NOTE that if you intend to adopt a cat please bring a carrier for safe transportation to your home. No cats will be permitted to leave the event without a carrier.

Featured Adoptable Cat: Storm

Storm is the beautiful domestic long haired gray cat shown above. She was found along the bike path, sick. A kind woman took her in, and she's doing great now. She's an indoor/outdoor cat, and will accompany no matter what you do - gardening, reading, lounging around. Storm is not fond of other cats, and needs to be the only cat in a household. If you know someone who has a spot in their heart and home for a forever friend like Storm, please let them know. Are you that someone? Fill out the adoption questionnaire on our website. If you'd like to see more photos of storm, or hear more about her, check out her page, and while you're at it, browse our other friends in need of loving, forever homes too!

Spay and Neuter Registration Details

Spaying or neutering your pets is a good idea for several reasons. It prevents unwanted animals, who end up at overloaded shelters or rescue organizations or worse, dumped on the streets to fend for themselves. But it also provides health benefits to the animals in question. It is agreed by veterinary organizations that spaying or neutering your companion animal can greatly reduce its risk of developing reproductive diseases down the road - uterine cancer, breast cancer, testicular and prostate cancer have all shown to decrease in older animals who were spayed when they were younger.

The next pre-pay and registration session for the Athens County Humane Society will be held on August 6th, 2009 from 5 to 6 PM at the Market on East State Street in Athens.

Those wishing to register and prepay should show up with the appropriate amount of money. Unfortunately we can take CASH ONLY.

If you are one of Athens County's many residents below the poverty level, do not fear - there is financial assistance available for those who qualify. Details and rates can be found here. When you come to register, please bring copies of the appropriate paperwork with you.

We look forward to seeing you there!