447 Hebron Road, Commerce, GA 30530
Where Are We? Exit 149 on I-85, 40 minutes north of the Mall of Georgia near the Tanger Outlets
Phone: 706-336-8749. Email: litternot@windstream.net
Adoptions by Appointment (I have a real job M-F)
I can meet you 1/2 way (driving distance please, 8 hours max - I'll do an overnight for the right adoptor)
Click here to see our Adoptable Pets
Flea season is here, and we need help keeping our pets Flea Free. Please click our Paypal button to donate a few dollars toward some Frontline Plus. Thanks!
A Long Time at the Orphanage - How About a Sweet Yard Dog?
These pets have been here the longest. Click on their pictures read their stories. Some are shy with people, but would love to be your outdoor dog, playing happily with your other dog. Some are older, but they still deserve a sunset home with people who understand they had dfficult beginnings, and will give you love as best they can. I'm a lot like the shy ones - I wasn't "socialized" as a baby, either, and I run away when people get too close. So me and my shy guys understand each other. Won't you give one of them the love they should have had their whole lives?
Adoption Fees
If you are on a fixed income, or want to adopt an elderly pet, the following fees would be less. Fee includes:- Spay or neuter
- Shots (every 3 weeks, until adopted, or 3 sets given)
- Heartworm or leukemia/FIV test (depends on age)
- Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age
- $75-$125 for puppies, kittens and cats (depending on how many sets of shots they've had).
- $75 for pets over age 8 - Give a home to a middle-aged or senior pet that would be put down immediately at most animal control shelters
- $150 for adult dogs - $250 for giant breeds like Great Danes or anything else that eats a lot,
costs more at the vet, needs a dental or causes major cleanups and repairs.
If you'd like to see a pet, I can meet you in the evenings after my "real" job that pays for the animals' upkeep, or Friday through Sunday - I'll drive a "fur piece" to find a great home for one of my "kids"!
Are Banks County Georgia Commissoners Guilty of Animal Cruelty?
Banks County has no official animal control - no way to turn in a stray or an unwanted pet. The county commissioners have for years vetoed efforts to help the county dogs and cats. These are two of the strays I have rescued in the past six months. Banks County thinks it's acceptable to let animals stay in these conditions. I don't.
Scroll down to read the stories about these animals.
I found her Thanksgiving week near my home in Banks County. She was nosing around for food in the roadside trash. I have never seen an emaciated animal that was that bad, and still alive.
I tried to approach her, but she ran off toward the woods, toward a beatup trailer I had been to for a yard sale.
I asked the family if the puppy was theirs. They said yes, that one of their female "yard dogs" had another litter, and it was the only one left - the others had been killed by a dog up the road, or died of parvo. "The kids were mean to it, so it won't come near us anymore." It couldn't get enough food because the yard dogs didn't let her eat - they were too hungry themselves. Their diet was white bread with a little dog food when these folks had extra money.
I went home and got my bigger trap, and asked the family to catch the puppy. She went in the trap the next morning. I brought her home, and very carefully noosed her and took her out of the trap. She didn't bite me, but her look of terror made me extra cautious.
I fed her a little and after an hour or so, picked her up and put her on my lap. For the next 3 days, she buried her nose in the corner of my armchair, hoping that I would go away, I guess, if she couldn't see me. I named her Glory. She was about 4 months old, and about 5 pounds.
The people who live in the trailer are extremely poor, and extremely depressed, too, I think - trash everywhere, lifeless responses to my questions and comments. The people are sad, and the dogs are sad. Since then I've spay/aborted Glory's mother (see Mama Girl in my pet list) she was about to have another litter. She lives with me, too, while I treat her for heartworm.
So Happy Thanksgiving, Glory, you won't suffer anymore. Maybe someone will see you online, and want to help you have a good life. She is learning to play, and licks my chin now, instead of hidng her head so she can't see me. The last picture was taken 5/31/09 - she is a beautiful brindle girl, part beagle and part who knows, about 35 pounds, still shy, but happy with her 4-legged friends, who she still trusts more than me.
I found him near a farm in Maysville in March '09. It took me 4 hours to shave 5 years of matted hair off his body (the 3rd picture is about 2/3 of the matt - compare it to the 8-inch scissors next to it). His right eye is permanently damaged, and his left ear was so horribly infected I got nauseous when I saw it. If Banks County had a shelter, Donald could have been turned in, and his suffering ended years ago. Banks County government is mostly farmers whose only concern is making money on livestock. Domestic pets have no monetary value, unlike the chickens, hogs and cows the farmers can sell or eat.
Donald has a new home, he goes to school every day with his new owner, and works with special needs children. Everyone deserves a life, and has a purpose in God's world.
To see a slideshow of Donald, Before and After, cut and paste this link into a new browser window, and click on the first picture that says slideshow:
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/jaguarinthedark/Donald%20The%20MegaMatted%20Mutt/
Click here to see our Adoptable Pets
We Depend on you for Donations - We get no federal, state or county money
Many humane societies and rescue groups like us are private agencies. We get no county, state or federal funding at all. All our expenses come out of our adoption fees, and from people like you. Our Paypal button below makes it easy to send us $5 - $5.75 buys a bag of dogfood, for instance. Our address is above, if you prefer to send donations by mail. Thanks!
Help Our Senior 4-Legged Citizens
Please help these elderly "retired" pets, who may never get adopted, and are living their "sunset years" with me. They need dentals badly, but without donations or an adoption fee, I can't afford to do more than basic care. Click their names to see their full descriptions, and thanks for helping our seniors! We get donated food for our younger pets, but the senior food that's best for the elderly ones is hard to come by - that's why your donations are so needed.Lisa, 11 year old Pom (adopted 11/5/08!) , Cricket, 13 year old chihuahua
Thanks! Our donation button is below.
Low-Cost Vaccinations
Click here for vaccination discounts and locations in metro AtlantaLow-Cost Parvo Treatment
Click here for information on at-home parvo treatment options for dogs that have come down with parvovirus. Discuss this information with your veterinarian.Note: I have successfully pulled 3 puppies from separate litters through parvo this year (2007) using the IV catheter fluids at-home method, with supplemental antibiotics and anti-vomiting meds. In the past, I probably lost 85% of the puppies I tried to treat with subq fluids and antibiotics alone (under the skin). I've never had the $1000+ to hospitalize a parvo puppy, but the extra cost of the catheter and other supplies is very low -- about $25 to $100 per puppy. I am not a veterinarian, but I have rescued over 5000 pets, and have had a lot of experience nursing animals through various illnesses. Any information I have is based on what veterinarians have told me or prescribed over the years.
Please foster a dog for us!
Our bigger dogs get adopted a lot more slowly than our "tinies" and "bigguns". Can you foster one of our mediums for us? They need TLC and socialization. Please call if you can foster -- 706-244-1498. Thanks!We Still Need Help With Our Fencing
We have the posts up, now for the wire! Muscle or moola gratefully accepted! If you have any used fencing, dog pens, or plastic shelving, call me at 706-244-1498. Thanks!I'm working on a Banks County spay/neuter clinic plan. Banks doesn't have animal control at all! In the meantime, I've got a geriatric Cathouse and Old Dawg Retirement Home.
Can't Adopt? Sponsor a pet!
Our geriatric cats do much better on senior cat food, but we rarely get any donated, and our funds don't permit the better quality foods very often. Even $8 will buy 8 pounds of Iams or Science Diet Senior catfood, and they really thrive on it, compared to the cheaper brands. The younger cats aren't so sensitive to food, but the old guys have more delicate systems. Click the Paypal button below to donate, or send a check "snail mail" to 447 Hebron Road, Commerce, GA 30530, tax deductible and truly appreciated.
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Feeding a Stray?
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It Won't Go Away
So Fix It Today
Please Don't Delay!
When the litter has grown, you'll get on the phone,
With no homes for them all,
The pound you will call
These animals are dyin'
Because you are lyin',
Saying "It's Not Really Mine!"
If you don't fix 'em
You're part of the problem!
Get a coupon today
For a neuter or spay
And get honest! OK?
Get a discount spay/neuter coupon at www.petorphans.com. Check the list, and find a low-cost vet near you! If you don't want to get it fixed, please be responsible and turn it in to a humane society or shelter, where at least it will be safe, and won't be allowed to breed if adopted!
We Clean 'Em Up, You Adopt 'Em! Some of Our Success Stories!
These before and after pictures show Carolina (black cocker - intake 7/15/06), Harold (shitzu, adopted), and Prince (one of 12 maltese mixes we took in, all 12 adopted). This kind of neglect takes years, and it takes hours to undo just the grooming part of it - so please click our Donation Button below - $5 sharpens our blades - there's always another Matted Mystery waiting for us! $1 feeds one of our geriatric cats for a week - we buy them senior food so their kidneys stay healthy.
4500 Adoptions in 10 years, and Still the Pounds Are Full
I now have a cargo minivan that I can haul a load of pets up north with -- in the Northeast, they're low on adoptable pets because of effective spay/neuter programs, and very cold winters!We Work with Local County Animal Control Shelters
I get many of my pets from the Stephens County Animal Shelter.The shelter website is Stephens County Toccoa GA Humane Society.
 | Donate an Orphanage-Tested Kuranda Pet BedI bought one bed a few months ago, and none of my foster dogs have even tried to eat it! Even the lab puppy! So we've signed up with Kuranda Dog Beds because we have proved to our satisfaction that they are durable, chew proof and easy to clean. And the dogs - and cats - love them. They're specially good for our senior citizens, who really appreciate something soft to lie on. If you would like to donate a bed to us, click here. Thanks! |
"Fix" the Problem - Even the Stray You're Feeding!
Get a Discount Spay/Neuter Coupon for Yourself or Your Neighbors
I know how sad it is to walk down the row at animal control, or even at our adoptions, and see all the animals waiting for a home. So "fix" the problem by reminding all your friends and neighbors to spay and neuter their pets
Sponsor a Senior Pet
For pennies a day, you can sponsor one of our long-term residents with our PayPal button--
or adopt one! They're never too old for love! In October, we adopted out Baby, a 12-year-old chihuahua, in November we adopted out a 16-year-old Yorkie, and in January we adopted out a 14-year-old Pekingese. There's always room for an old one.
What About Senior Dogs and Death?
Many people say "But it's too old, it won't last long, and I'll be heartbroken!" Perhaps an elderly animal, won't live as long as a puppy, but our culture doesn't allow us to see death as part of the flow of life -- and even if your senior pet only lasts another year or two, it will add a lot of joy, as much as its passing will bring sadness. I feel a big gap when an animal dies, but it comforts me to feel its spirit with me -- when I'm sad, I think about what a joy that animal was, and how lucky I am to have experienced that kind of love from another creature. It helps me in my relationships with people, too, because I know what it feels like to love and be loved. For children, this might be a way for them to experience death as a spiritual thing, not a scary event, even though it's painful for those of us left behind. The new pet would be like an aging relative, who may not be here for much longer, but who gives us much quality, if not quantity. To love at all is a gift, and the great mystery of death cannot take that away.
Rusty, blind 6-year-old chihuahua: 
Prince, spry old geezer, at least 10, 7 pound maltese mix -- ADOPTED 11/05!: 
Email: litternot@windstream.net
What do we spend your donations on?
We don't get a lot of donated food, so we buy what we need at Dollar General (the 22pd bag for $5.50 is cheap, and creates "good poop" - excellent!). The next expense is cleaning materials, bleach, paper towels, etc. Whatever's left over goes for flea treatment, medications for the elderly dogs who often need eye drops or senior food.A good reason to search www.Petfinder.com every day!
Small Dogs, Indoor/Outdoor and Declawed Cats Our Specialty
You hate declawing cats? So do we!
We deliberately take in cats that are already declawed, which means another kitten or cat won't have that mutilating procedure done! Most people prefer not to get it done, and are relieved to get a cat that is already declawed. Older people often don't mind an older animal, especially if it's declawed, because older folks bleed easily, and cats can "git ya" unintentionally.
We Have Friendly and Feral Barn Kitties
We have a dozen or so cats that love being outdoors only, some that are in/out (and love a nice warm spot inside in cold weather). And we hate for the animal to lose its life because its humans are having trouble.
Looking for a Great Pet or Small Dog? Try Rural NE GA Shelters
If you are looking for a small dog, check our listings, and go to our adoptions -- sometimes we get last-minute surprises that we don't have time to list! You can also find small dogs at one of the more rural animal shelters, such as Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia, Georgia, off I-85 at exit 173, 706-356-5363. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 to 4.Madison/Oglethorpe Shelter, Danielsville, GA 706-795-2868, http://www.moaspets.org.
Commerce Vet is also the pound for Commerce and Jefferson, and always has plenty of animals for adoption. The fee is $90 for dogs, $70 for cats, including sterilization, shots, and a microchip.
Great Adoption Websites
Why You Shouldn't Give Your Pet or Stray Away Free!
Go to http://www.petorphans.com for a great list of vets who do pediatric (under 4 months) spaying and neutering, in case you have a litter you want to find homes for. It's much better to get them fixed, and adopt them out -- for a price! -- that way, the animal has a value. Never give an animal away free!Name That Critter!
Harold is a ...... Shih Tzu! A bit hard to tell, as he stood by the side of the road. Despite the disgusting condition of his coat, he did manage to eat, so he's a hefty 15-18 pounds, about 5 years old, nippy sometimes (wonder why?). He was probably in that condition for at least 2 years, judging by the size of the matts. Please donate to our clipper blade fund (and shampoo, and flea meds) at the PayPal button below. It ain't cheap doing "Bald and Beautiful"!
Jennifer's Pet Rant:
Caution: The following information contains the "blunt truth" as I see it on a variety of topics:99% of humanity's problems are due to the human ego -- Mother Nature throws in a little excitement now and then just to watch the media frenzy, and to show us who the boss really is.
My Dog Was Shot - Poisoned - Killed. What Can I Do?
Rural police departments aren't often sympathetic to the problem of shot dogs. Basically, if you don't keep your dogs in a fence, you have to accept the risk that they will run off, get shot or get stolen (which happens even if they are fenced, particularly if they are purebreds).
Humane Society of North Georgia
447 Hebron Road
Commerce GA 30530
Email for Jennifer, Commerce foster home, professional scooper and answerer of varmint-related questions: Email: litternot@windstream.net
Cell if it's urgent: 706-244-1498 (Verizon - free to other verizon customers); 678-617-5947 (Cingular - free to other cingular customers)
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