Adoption Spotlight: Cassidy

Butch Cassidy was an infamous Wild West bank and train robber. Cassidy is a beautiful tabby cat - the only thing he will steal is your heart. He loves people and has a sweet spot for ear rubs. Any love that gives Cassidy a reason to purr is good enough for him - and he loves to purr! Cassidy has bright, alert green eyes that stare at everything - searching for the next heart to steal.

Cassidy is living with 20 other cats right now. He's really looking to move out and find his "Fur"-ever home. Is that home with you and your family?

Cassidy is litter trained and neutered. All pets adopted from the Athens County Humane Society are tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and treated for internal and external parasites before adoption - a worm and flea free cat. First vaccinations are given upon adoption.

The first step to take in adopting Cassidy is to fill out an adoption application and return it to the Athens County Humane Society. The document can be downloaded directly here. Return the completed application to info@athenshumane.org

Not sure if Cassidy is the cat for you? Take a look at one of our other adoptable pets - dogs, cats, kittens and puppies, each one looking for a home and a heart big enough to welcome them.

Make sure you're absolutely certain you can handle the responsibility of a pet - a pet is a commitment for the duration of that animal's life (typically between 8 and 20 years for a cat or dog!) A pet takes time, money, and resources. Quality time, exercise, food, water and proper veterinary care are all basic necessities that every animal needs and deserves. Emergency care, major life changes (marriage, moving, job changes, kids), natural disasters and more are things that you'll need to plan for - remember to include your pets in those plans!


You must be 21 years of age or older to adopt a pet from the Athens County Humane Society. There is a required donation for the adoption of animals from the ACHS that varies based on the pet's species and age. Some people balk at the price, but consider that these animals have been spayed, vaccinated and treated for parasites before adoption - basic veterinary care like that costs an average of $181 for cats in Athens, Ohio. Our cats are loved, lovable and a great bargain - a "free to a good home" cat requires the same care and money, perhaps more.

Remember to be patient when trying to adopt from the ACHS - we're an all volunteer organization with no paid employees. Someone will call you as soon as possible!

Adoption Spotlight: Razor

Every cat has a story, and Razor is no exception. Razor was found bearing battle wounds from a fight with razor wire, hence her name.

Smart and tenacious, Razor is a special-needs cat who needs a home without other felines - she's positive for feline leukemia. She would also do well in a home with other FeLV positive cats. Despite her special needs, Razor is a healthy girl.

She's got a flexible tail that she can curl and uncurl seemingly at will. She loves to play and is curious about the world around her.

Do you or someone you know want to adopt this sweet, lonely little girl? If so, check out her page at the Athens County Humane Society website.

Before you adopt a cat, consider that a feline companion is a life-long commitment. Do you have the time, money (around $575 according to the ASPCA) and resources to handle a pet? This is particularly true of Razor, who will need special attention due to her FeLV positive status.

If you're interested in adopting Razor, check out the Athens County Humane Society adoption process.

If you aren't so keen on giving Razor her fur-ever home, but would like to see the other cats, kittens, dogs and puppies available for adoption through the Athens County Humane Society, check out the listing of adoptable pets. There's a furry companion to suit everyone's needs and wants, all of them waiting for that special someone to take them home.

Adoption Event This Saturday

Shadow, one of the many cats available for adoption with the ACHS.

The Athens County Humane Society (ACHS) will hold it's monthly adoption event this weekend on Saturday, June 26 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Market on State in Athens.

People will have the chance to meet and greet just some of the pets available for adoption through the Athens County Humane Society. These pets are waiting to find a good, forever home. Those wishing to adopt will be able to speak with Athens County Humane Society representatives at the event.

The adoption process includes an application and interview. If you are considering adopting a cat, you should have a secure cat carrier with you for transportation. The ACHS will not authorize the transportation of a cat from the event without a carrier. You must be 21 years of age or older to adopt an animal from the Athens County Humane Society.

There is also a fee associated with the adoption of animals from the Athens County Humane Society. The fee varies by animal. Dogs range between $100 and $150, depending upon the veterinary costs were incurred when they were surrendered to the organization. Adult cats aged 6 months or older have an adoption fee of $50, while kittens under six months cost $75 to adopt. The price may seem steep to some, but all animals adopted from the ACHS are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and treated for parasites (including fleas!) prior to adoption. A "free" kitten could easily run up a vet tab nearly triple the cost of adoption within the first week of ownership for the very same procedures.

Click here to read more about the financial responsibility associated with pet ownership and click here for a list of things to consider before adopting a new companion.

If you're absolutely certain you're ready to adopt, check out a list of adoptable pets available through the Athens County Humane Society. Even if they don't attend the event, these little guys and gals are looking for a "forever" home. Is it yours?

What To Do If You've Lost Your Pet

Summertime is here and the cats are starting to roam. Whether they're searching for a mate (spay and neuter those pets, guys!), looking for adventure, or have escaped through an open window or door, warm weather brings an increase in missing pets.

There are some steps you should take right away if your pet has gone missing.

When you notice your pet is missing, talk to your family members or housemates. Ask them when they last saw the animal. If they saw the pet escape, ask which direction the critter ran off in.

Take a slow walk around your neighborhood. Have some tasty treats on hand to entice the animal out of hiding. Cats who run away from home are likely scared and hiding. Check spots where your pet could hide - basement windows, under cars, porches, shrubs, garages, under decks. Start searching at your house and spiral outward. Most animals can trot at a pace of 3 miles per hour. Cats are more likely to hide closer to home out of fear. Dogs may run all over town and come back hours later, muddy and tired but happy. Keep this in mind when searching for your pet.

Work those phones! Call the Athens County Dog Shelter, even if you have lost a cat. The Athens County Dog Shelter does not accept cats, but well meaning individuals might pick up your pet and drop it off. Ask the workers to give you a call if a pet of your description is brought in. Be sure to give them your phone number. You can reach the Athens County Dog Shelter at 740-593-5415. Stop by in person on Route 13 in Chauncey.

Call the veterinarians in Athens County and any vets in a neighboring county if you live close to the border of another county. Explain the situation and give them a description of your pet and your phone number. Ask them to call if your pet is brought to their practice as an injured stray or pet that someone plans to rehome.

Check with the local emergency vets. Animal Veterinary Emergency in Parkersburg and the Emergency Vet offices in Columbus are the only 24/7 critical care facilities in the area.

Call the Pooch Patrol at 740-593-6651, a radio bulletin broadcast on WATH and Power 105. They'll broadcast the details of your pet to local listeners.

Get to work placing lost and found ads in the local papers. The Athens Messenger can be reached at 740-592-6621 Ext. 231 or Ext. 233.

The Athens News can accept your lost ad via email at classified@athensnews.com, via fax at 740-592-5695 or by phone at 740-594-8219


If you have lost a pet in or around Glouster, consider calling the Morgan County Herald about placing a lost pet ad. They can be reached at 740-962-3377

Don't discount the power of the internet! Craigslist for Athens has a Lost/Found section under their "Community" category.

Make use of Facebook, Twitter and Myspace to reach friends and family members in your area to have them keep a lookout for your missing companion.

Make and post flyers reporting your pet lost. Cover a two to three mile radius. Include only the vital information and a photo, if possible. Make the phone number large enough that passing drivers can read the numbers. If the flyers are outdoors, place them in gallon plastic freezer bags to protect them from bad weather. Additionally, ask at local stores and establishments if you can place a flyer in their window. Be sure to remove the flyers once you've found your furry child! Give a flyer to your mail carrier and ask them to keep a look-out for you on their route. Mail carriers have a strenuous job and cover your neighborhood daily. Remember to thank your mail carrier for helping.


There are some steps you can take a little bit closer to home to ensure your pet can find its way back. Cats and dogs rely heavily on scent to navigate the world. While the T-shirt or pajamas you wore two days ago may not smell appealing to you, they smell LIKE you. And to a lost pet, that smell means HOME. Place a worn item of clothing outside your door to attract your pet home again.

For cats, it might be easier to find them during the peak hunting hours of dawn and dusk, when cats are most active and seeking food. Wait until it's quiet and go walking to find your kitty. Call your cats name, take a few steps, and wait for your cat to answer. Repeat these steps while walking in a spiral pattern from your house. If your cat is a sucker for treats, bring a bag of kitty treats and shake the bag every so often. If your area lacks adequate lighting, be sure to bring a flashlight to search dimly light hiding places or to get a closer look at any cats who answer your call.

Upon recovering your pet, take steps toward preventing future escapes. Cat-proof your windows and make sure visitors and family members know not to let Kitty outdoors when entering or exiting the premises.

Affix a collar with identification to your pet. Make sure the ID has your CURRENT name and phone number.

Consider getting your pet microchipped. Pets are scanned for microchips when brought to a shelter or veterinary practice. The information on the chip could be your pet's key to coming home.

Additional Reading on Finding a Lost Pet:


The Humane Society of the United States: What To Do If You Lose Your Pet

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Finding a Lost Pet

AnimalPounds.com: Tips On Where Your Lost Pet Might Go

Missing Pet Partnership: Recovery Tips: Lost Cat Behavior

The Humane Society of the United States: High Technology: Identifying Lost Pets With Microchips

Dogs in the City

Just because you don’t have a big yard does not mean you can’t adopt a loving pet. But there are some guidelines that you want to follow when choosing your apartment dwelling pooch. Certain types of dogs do better in apartment settings—adhering to these guidelines can help you have success when choosing the perfect companion.



Look for a low to medium energy dog. Examples of low energy dogs are Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Whippets and most Terriers. Dogs with low energy levels don’t need extensive walks or workouts as long as they get sufficient exercise and are not overfed. This does not mean you get to leave your dog sitting around all day—but a walk around town or a quick romp in the park is enough for low energy dogs to be satisfied.

Medium energy dogs require more time and attention. Examples of medium energy dogs are Brittany Spaniels, Akitas, Boxers and Samoyeds. While these dogs are on the larger side—they adapt well to the city life with the proper care. These dogs are able to live in good-sized apartments but they must be taken on long walks and given lots of exercise.

Toy breeds are also good—while they do have high energy they are small enough that they don’t need a lot of space to get the exercise they need. Now remember that your apartment pup can be any combination of these breeds and many more –mutts make just as good companions and normally lack the genetic defects of purebreds.

Training is also very important for having an apartment dog. And not just your basic sit, stay and roll over. In order for dogs to peacefully coexist in the city it is important for them to be very well trained on a leash. You and others around you don’t want your dog pulling you all over the crowded streets. Also you need to teach your beloved pet some noise control. You and your neighbors will be happier when your doggy uses his indoor voice.

The third most important thing to train your dog is by far the hardest. You have to teach your pup to be comfortable being alone. It can seem harsh but your dog will most likely be stuck in the apartment when you are working and you want to make the situation as free of stress as possible. The best way to train a young dog to be alone is crate training. Crate training is excellent for dogs because it gives them a safe place to be when you are not home and it also gives them a place to go and relax on their own even when you are home. Crate training must be done properly—the Humane Society offers an entire tutorial on how to properly crate train.

If you dream of having your canine companion by your side in the big city, it is possible. But remember that in order to make the experience enjoyable, it must be done right.

By Sarah Holt, ImPRessions

Moving or Relocating?

If you are looking for a new place to live, and you have pets, make sure you find a place that allows pets and does not require declawing for cats (this is a very inhumane surgery). Your pet has come to love you and depend upon you, it only makes sense to live in a place where they are welcome. Have you ever seen a video of a dog welcoming his owner back from Iraq? When you watch that video, think about all the pets that are given up by their owners and how much they must miss them. When you adopted a pet, you took on a major responsibility and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.


If you decide that you are simply unable to keep your pet, start looking for a new home with plenty of time to spare. Good homes are not found over night. When looking for a new home for your pet make sure to talk to the adopter about their plans for the future and try to place your pet in a forever home so they are not bounced around for the rest of their lives. Ask questions so that a good match can be made. Do not give pets away for free. There is a group of people, called Class B Dealers, who gather free animals and then sell them to research facilities. This happens all over Ohio and throughout the country. We cannot stress enough that you need to be careful of where you send your pet. Please visit http://www.petrescue.com/petlibrary for information and resources to help you.

Turning your pets loose to fend for themselves in the streets should NEVER be an option. Many cats and dogs left on country roads and in town, die a long and painful death of starvation. Cats and dogs are run off by people who do not want to take on the responsibility of another pet. Many are hit by cars and many in the country are shot. This can all be avoided by finding a loving home for your pet or taking dogs to the dog shelter to give them a fighting chance at a new home.

The Athens County Humane Society can assist people with finding new homes for your pets. Placements cannot be made overnight so be sure to contact us early. Some guidelines are in place and a small donation may be requested for our assistance. We will interview all potential adopters and give them exposure on Petfinder.com and other advertising.

Finally remember that pets are a part of the family and they depend on YOU. So take care of them, love them, and cherish them and they will bring you happiness for years to come.

by Briana Simmons, ImPRessions

Pet Safety in the Summer!

Summer time equals late nights, barbeques, lemonade, and bonfires – oh, and a walk with your dog! When the weather begins to get warmer, your dog is anxious to be out and play. However, there are situations that arise in the summer months that you may want to stay clear of. Here are ten helpful tips to keep your dog safe this summer.



1. Make sure your pet is wearing an identification collar or tag just in case he wanders off.

2. Make sure your dog is on heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes, is deadly to pets and is expensive to treat.

3. Do not leave your dog in the car. The heat can be fatal to both dogs and cats.

4. Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets so they can stay cool.

5. Exercise with your dog in the early morning or late at night. Dogs can get sunburned too!

6. Don’t take your pet to events with crowds of people and the summer heat. They may become stressed.

7. Don’t let your dog ride in the pack of a pickup truck. This is extremely dangerous and may be life threatening for your pet.

8. Don’t leave your dog unattained by a pool – not all dogs are good swimmers.

9. For certain breeds, a shorter summer haircut can prevent overheating.

10. Do not offer pets food or drink, especially alcohol. It may cause intoxication, depression, and even a coma.

Remember to follow these and other tips this summer. We all want to keep our furry friends safe!

By Sienna Tomko, ImPRessions

Bark For Life and Puppy Mill Awareness Week

On Sunday, April 18, the Athens County Humane Society participated in Bark for Life, a relay benefiting the American Cancer Society. The Bark for Life committee allowed all adoptable ACHS dogs to walk free of charge. Stuart, Bonnie, Speck and Mister represented ACHS, sporting “Adopt me” bandannas during the walk.


All of the dogs did extremely well and were given the chance to become more socialized with the other dogs involved in the walk. Representatives of ACHS were able to hand out information about puppy mills and the Bark for Life committee collected donations of dog food on behalf of the Humane Society.

The Humane Society also had Puppy Mill Awareness week. Tables were set up at College Gate with information about puppy mills and the adoptable dogs available. Some of the adoptable dogs also made an appearance. We were able to hand out a lot of information and hopefully reached a lot of people about the horrors of puppy mills.


By Brittany Lambert, ImPRessions

Puppy Mill Awareness Week

The Athens County Humane Society is hosting Puppy Mill Awareness at College Gate this Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see the adorable pups up for adoption and learn how to support reputable breeders who raise dogs into healthy, happy and loving pets.

While visiting with the puppies, you can also pick up a free snack, check out the t-shirts for sale, and talk with the ACHS volunteers, who are happy to answer any questions you may have. Along with the information provided by ACHS, we encourage you to further your research on puppy mills and see why the issue is important to animal-lovers and animal-rights activists alike.

According to the United States Humane Society, an estimated 10,000 puppy mills may be operating in the U.S. today. These puppy factories are interested in producing a large quantity of dogs with the least amount of money. The quality and well being of the dogs is not a priority. Puppy mills mass produce dogs with interbreeding and over-breeding, and the dogs often receive inadequate care and little or no socialization.

Puppies from puppy mills are usually sold to pet shops and bought by people who are unaware of their new puppy’s upbringing. Due to the inhumane breeding practices, the puppies are often infected with hereditary diseases that require intense medical care and result in a short lifespan.

The puppies can also be affected with personality disorders from the neglect and abuse they received in the puppy mills. It is difficult for them to socialize and develop loving relationships with their owners. Even if puppies are sometimes healthy, parent dogs are kept in very inhumane conditons.

There are many ways to help stop the expansion and influence of puppy mills in the dog-breeding market. From Puppy Mill Awareness you will learn how to actively oppose puppy mills and support trustworthy breeders who take pride in the quality of their dogs. Help your furry-friends by attending Puppy Mill Awareness and spreading the word about puppy mills to all your family and friends!

By Merete Kenworthy

Check Out Our Puppy Mill Awareness Tables!

THE ATHENS COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
HOSTS PUPPY MILL AWARENESS TABLES APRIL 13 & 14

Spring-time means that many people will be flocking to their local pet store to buy a puppy. What most people are unaware of is that 90% of puppies bought at pet stores are from puppy mills. In order to stop students before unknowingly buying puppy mill puppies Athens County Humane Society will be hosting Puppy Mill Awareness tables on campus April 13 & 14.
Informational tables will be located at College Gate April 13 and 14 from 10AM-3PM. Free cookies and adoptable dogs will be there too!
Ohio ranks among the top seven states in the country with the highest number of USDA "Class A" licensed commercial breeders. Puppy mills can be anything from a shack to building where dogs are kept 24 hours a day in confined, unhealthy cages. The dogs are there for one purpose, to breed the cute puppies you see in pet stores across America. The sweet faces you see behind the glass in pet stores have probably never felt grass on their feet and have often received no pet care. Puppy mill owners have even been known to shoot dogs instead of taking them for vet care.
The responsibility of pet ownership begins before you ever adopt or purchase your dog. Information is power and ACHS hopes to reach a new audience this spring and help thousands of dogs live better lives. If the demand for puppy mill puppies alleviates, thousands of parent dogs will be freed from a life of torture.
Educating consumers about the harsh cruelties of puppy mills will bring more power to the fight to stop the cycle of abuse. www.stoppuppymills.org