Corky, a female Corgi mix, playing in an exercise pin at the Athens' Animal Control shelter. Corky was recently adpoted.
For those looking to help Athens’ animals in need, Athens-Clarke County Animal Control and associated rescue groups are looking for donations, adoptions and volunteers to help homeless dogs, especially during a economic slump when many people do not want the expense of a pet.
Kathy Casper, the administrative secretary at Animal Control’s shelter on Beaverdam Road, said she has seen more families forced to give up their pets due to economic woes.
“I’ve had stories of people that are moving in with their family members who already have animals, so they can’t bring their animals in on top of that,” Casper said. “They don’t have any choice but to bring them here.”
While the shelter holds dogs that Animal Control picks up off of the street for five days to allow for potential owner retrieval, no such rule applies for owner surrenders. Animal Control tries to give them as much time as possible to get adopted, but it depends solely on room available at the shelter. The shelter can hold 30 to 40 dogs at one time, dogs that the shelter cannot accommodate are euthanized.
Adoption rates tend to slow with the economy as well, according to Bly Bain, president of Athens Canine Rescue. This rescue group’s license allows them to hold only 25 dogs at a time, and the group can pick up new dogs from the animal shelter only as dogs are turned over. Usually, they average five to 10 adoptions each month but counted zero in September.
“More adoptions would be great,” said Bain, “but people just don’t have the money to take on a pet right now. “
The perceived increase in owner surrenders can be positive for those looking to adopt a dog: many of these dogs are pure breeds, the same as those you can buy at a pet store or from a professional breeder.
“People pick a certain breed of dog and they like that look or that specific personality,” said Bain, “and now you can really get that for a fraction of the cost by going through a group or a pound.”
Another benefit to adopting an owner-surrender from the animal shelter or a rescue group is that many of these dogs are housetrained and used to living with a family. Rescue groups are particularly useful for gauging how an animal will adjust to a new home since it lives with a foster family as it waits for adoption.
“We learn its personality,” said Bain. “We learn if it’s good with kids and cats and how it does on car rides, how much exercise it needs, what treats it likes. We try to train it as well as possible. So you’re getting a dog that should blend in really well the day that you get it.”
Charisa Gowen was promised a dog last month when she turned 15. She and her mother looked online at Animal Control’s volunteer-run Web site, Athenspets.net, which offers pictures and information on available dogs as well as links to local rescue groups. After picking a dog, they came in to find it had already been adopted.
“Then we saw her playing in the pen,” Gown said, gesturing to different dog at her feet, a Husky-shepherd mix that she was adopting. “And she was just really cute.”
Bain encourages people that are unable to adopt to become foster owners through a rescue group, caring for a dog until it gets a permanent home. Athens Canine Rescue reimburses all expenses, including vet bills and food. The group also accepts monetary and supply donations.
Athens-Clarke County Animal Control also encourages donations as well as volunteers to come walk, play fetch and give time and affection to the sheltered dogs.
“We’ve had a steady stream of volunteers coming in and that always helps because of word of mouth,” said Patrick Rives, the superintendent of Animal Control. “People come in and see nice clean shelter and happy dogs and that helps.”
Christy Champagne, Animal Control supervisor, believes that the rewards of adopting outweigh the costs.
“You’re definitely saving a life when you adopt from here and I think that’s a big incentive for people,” said Champagne. “We certainly let people know that we do have to put dogs to sleep, and when you adopt from here you’re helping [prevent] that.”
Edited by Antionette Rollins
