: The Athens County Humane Society is committed to promoting better care and compassion for animals, providing permanent homes with responsible caregivers for our companion animals, and reducing abandonment and euthanasia of healthy animals by providing spay and neuter assistance and education.
The Athens County Humane Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We are a 100% volunteer organization. We support our programs through fundraising, donations and memberships; we do not receive government funding. We are NOT affiliated with the Athens County Dog Shelter which is a county-run shelter.
The services we provide include:
lower-cost spay or neuter options and financial assistance with spay/neuter
pediatric/early spay and neuter options (spay and neutering of animals as young as 8 weeks of age)
limited foster care for homeless animals (dogs and cats)
adoption services
help with locating rescues to take in animals we cannot
Athens County Humane Society
PO Box 765
Athens, OH 45701
phone: 740.592.6047 [Note: this is a voicemail-only system; you must leave a message for us to contact you]
email: info@athenshumane.org
We do not have a shelter/place of business-the former Cat Shelter closed November 2005. Adoptions are done by appointment or at occassional adoption events. See adoption details below.
Register and prepay at a registration session. This reserves an appointment for your animal at a future spay/neuter clinic. Register sooner rather than later as clinics fill quickly and preference is given to those who have been on the waiting list longer. Our registration/prepay sessions (CASH only--no checks) are:
Date: The first Thursday of every month
Time: 5-6 pm
Where: Market on State, inside the main entrance
See complete clinic details below (pricing and requirements).
NOTICE: If you are unable to keep your cat/dog from getting pregnant, we strongly urge you to not wait to have them spayed/neutered. We suggest that you make an appointment with a local vet or contact a low-cost spay/neuter clinic. A website which lists Ohio-based low-cost spay/neuter clinics/services is: www.columbusdogconnection.com/dog_information_links.htm
STEP 2
Bring the correct cash payment and paperwork with you to the registration session.
IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SPAY/NEUTER, BRING:
A) a PHOTOCOPY of proof of government assistance through ONE of the following eight government programs or tax return (see list below) that we can keep for our records.
Proof of assistance includes any of the following:
schedule letter from Ohio Works First - Proof of Verification Form needed from ACJFS
Ohio Direction Card - Proof of Verification Form needed from ACJFS
WIC card- Proof of Verification Form needed from ACJFS
a 2008 tax return showing family income does not exceed 150% of federal poverty guidelines
a section 8 housing voucher
Ohio Medicaid Card
letter from VBA acknowledging service-related disability
Benefit letter documenting Supplemental Security Income
Benefit letter documenting Social Security Disability.
Bring a copy of documentation that we can keep NOT your original .
B) A valid driver's license or photo ID. The person's name needs to be the same as the person whose documents are being submitted as proof of low-income. The address needs to be a street address in Athens County (NOT PO Box).
C) If you qualify for spay/neuter financial assistance, you must also pay a spay/neuter copay IN CASH at the time of registration.
SPAY/NEUTER prices for those who QUALIFY for FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE are as follows:
CATS
female/spay = $20
male/neuter = $15
Dog Weight
co-pay for low-income owners: spay cost( female)
co-pay for low-income owners: neuter cost (male)
under 20 lbs
30
20
20-40 lbs
35
25
40-60 lbs
40
30
60-80 lbs
45
35
80-100 lbs
50
40
100-150 lbs
85
70
150+ lbs
100
85
You are responsible for providing accurate weight information about your dog(s) at the time of registration. Failure to do so may result in postponing appointments and/or additional costs.
VACCINES, FLEA TREATMENT, INTERNAL PARASITE TREATMENT, ETC. ARE EXTRA.
IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR SPAY/NEUTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, PRICES ARE AS FOLLOWS.
CAT
Price without rabies*
Price including rabies
in heat/pregnant
Spay (female)
47
54
+5
Neuter (male)
37
44
Dog Weight
Neuter cost* (male)
Spay cost* (female)
Neuter cost w/ rabies (male)
Spay cost w/ rabies (female)
under 20 lbs
47
52
49
59
20-40 lbs
47
57
54
64
40-60 lbs
52
62
59
69
60-80 lbs
62
72
69
79
80-100 lbs
72
82
79
89
100-150 lbs
102
102
109
109
in heat/pregnant
N/A
+5
N/A
+5
*The clinics require rabies vaccines be updated if not current. If your cat/dog does NOT have a current rabies vaccine, the clinic will automatically vaccinate the animal at a cost of $7 for the vaccine. If your cat or dog is current on their rabies vaccine, bring a copy of the rabies certificate (NOT tag) to the registration session.
In the morning, bring your animal(s) to the clinic you have been scheduled for. Pick up your spayed/neutered pet in the afternoon/evening.
Most registered cats will be taken to a nearby clinic on a weekday to be announced. Clients must be willing and able to meet the ACHS staff on the appointment day at 6 am.
STEP 4
Enjoy life knowing that your dog/cat will live a longer, healthier life, a life without the stress of finding homes for kittens/puppies, and happiness knowing that you have helped your community by being a responsible pet owner.
In 2008, 865 animals from our community were spayed/neutered at clinics hosted by the Athens County Humane Society!
How do we provide financial assistance for spay/neuter? From YOU--the people who care enough about the animals of Athens County so that cats and dogs could be spayed and neutered who most likely wouldn't have been otherwise.
If you haven't donated to the Athens County Humane Society Spay/Neuter Fund, please consider to do so today!! Help us to continue providing this much needed assistance to the animals of our community!
Spread the word about the importance of having your pets spayed and neutered by purchasing the Ohio Pet License Plate. By buying this specialty plate you will be providing funds for programs to spay/neuter cats and dogs waiting to be adopted, spay/neuter education programs, and programs to spay/neuter pets of Ohioans with limited incomes which will overall help reduce the number of cats and dogs euthanized in shelters. See www.petsohio.com for complete details (click on the license plate to go to the website)!
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Adoption should not be an impulsive decision. Before you adopt, consider carefully how ready you are for a life-long commitment--whether that commitment be a few years (rat, hamster), 8-20 years (cat, dog, rabbit or parakeet), or over 40 years (parrot, turtle, donkey).
Before you adopt, ask yourself these questions:
1. Have I realistically assessed how much time I have available to take care of an animal and its needs?
2. Do I have the time and resources available to care for the
particular type of animal I am considering and have I researched the time required?
3. Am I willing to sacrifice personal time each day (there are no
"days off" in animal care) for animal care duties, such as cage cleaning,
exercising, waste removal, feeding, etc.?
4. How will the addition of an animal affect me and the lives of those I live with (people or other animals)?
5. Can I afford the monthly care costs of the animal I am considering adopting [annual cost for a dog: $420-780, depending on size; annual cost for a cat: $575 (source: ASPCA pet care costs comparison
)?
6. Can I afford emergency care costs?
7. Can I foresee life changes (getting married, moving, , job change, having children) that may affect my ability to keep the animal?
8. Should anything happen that would make me unable to take
care of the animal, do I have a backup plan?
Adopting a friend
So, you've decided you're ready and excited about the life-long responsibility of taking care of a new family member?
We have two different adoption programs : Community Outreach and ACHS foster animals.
Community Outreach: Community Outreach animals are those that belong to members of our community and who need new homes. The animals stay with their caregivers until they are adopted. Many of these animals are those that have been taken in as strays, are the offspring of cats/dogs which weren't spayed in time, or those whose caregivers had a change in living situation and so the animals need a new home. The veterinary care these animals have received may vary. Adoption donation applies to all adoptions. If the animal is unspayed/unneutered at the time of adoption, you will be required to pay an additional spay/neuter deposit that will be returned to you when we receive proof that animal has been fixed within a specified period of time.
ACHS foster animals
All ACHS animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and treated for parasites prior to adoption. You must be 21 or older to adopt an ACHS animal.
Adoption donation for all animals are as follows:
Dogs = $100-$150 depending upon veterinary costs to ACHS
adult cats (6 mos or older) = $50*
kittens (under 6 mos) = $75*
*if cat is not spayed/neutered prior to adoption, then $25 of the adoption donation will be reimbursed to you when proof of spay/neuter within a specified time period is provided.
Please note that if you were get a "free" cat and provide the same veterinary treatment that ACHS provides to every adoptable cat; the average vet care costs in Athens, OH are $181 for females and $154 for males. The ACHS usually loses money on every cat that we adopt out.
To adopt:
1) Copy and paste the below questionnaire into an email. Fill in your responses and then email it to us. This lets us get to know you and what you're looking for in a companion.
2) After we receive your questionnaire we will review it and contact you.
3) Meet your next best friend.
4) If your family and the dog or cat are a good match in personality and lifestyle, then proceed with the adoption process which involves an adoption agreement and an adoption fee.
*A home visit may be a part of the adoption process.
Cat Adoption Questionnaire
Your name:
Address:
phone number(s):
email address:
Landlord's name and phone number (if you rent):
Name of cat(s) you are interested in adopting: ________
What is your age?
If you are a student, may we contact your parents? Please list name(s) and phone number(s)
Do you own or rent your home? If you rent, are cats allowed and have you paid any required pet deposits?
How many adults live at the home? How many children live at the home, and what are their ages? Who will be the primary caretaker of the adopted cat(s)?
Have you or anyone at your home, been convicted of or pled guilty to a crime against animals?
If you move, where will the cat(s) go?
Where will the cat(s) be during the day (in the house, in a crate, outside, etc.)? Where will the cat(s) be during the night?
Will the cat(s) be spayed or neutered if not already done so? Why or why not?
Will the cat(s) be de-clawed if not already done so? Why or why not?
Is your property safe in terms of traffic, loose dogs, and neighbors with no tolerance for pets?
What other pets do you have? Are they up-to-date on vaccines? Are they spayed/neutered? If you have no pets, what pets have you owned in the past three years, and where are they now?
Are you prepared for the cost of care over a cat’s lifetime (food, veterinary visits, carrier, litter, etc.)--at least $300/year?
Are you aware of--and can you tolerate--the damage a cat might cause (shedding, furniture scratching, not using litterbox, etc.)?
Are you prepared to own a pet that may develop behavior problems or special needs?
Who is your veterinarian, or if you do not have one, which veterinarian do you plan to use (please include their contact info)?
What are you looking for in a cat (companionship for yourself, companionship for another pet, pest control, breeding, etc.)?
How did you find out about adopting a cat from ACHS? (please circle all that apply): The Messenger, The Athens News, WOUB, Power 105, Internet/Petfinder, word of mouth, Avalanche Pizza flyer, Other (please specify)___________________
THE ATHENS COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY (ACHS) RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY APPLICATION AND TO VISIT THE APPLICANT'S HOME PRIOR TO ADOPTION.
By filling out and submitting this questionnaire I certify that all information on this application is true and complete. I understand that if selected as an adoptive home I will comply with the following conditions of adoption:
I. ADOPTER shall provide adequate veterinary care for PET, including annual vaccinations, rabies vaccinations as needed, and any other care recommended by PET’S veterinarian.
II. ADOPTER shall sign and abide by the adoption contract provided by the ACHS if approved for adoption.
If sending this application via e-mail: in lieu of an actual signature, my transmission of this document constitutes acceptance of the above terms and conditions and affirms all information is true and correct.
Declawing: Any cat adopted from us, regardless of age, cannot be declawed which is part of our contract. We do sometimes have adoptable cats who were declawed when they arrived. The Humane Society of the United States does not support the declawing of cats and 24 countries have banned the procedure (See: HSUS's policy). The ASPCA also opposes declawing (See: ASPCA position statement). Alternatives to declawing exist, such as training, providing a scratching post, trimming claws, and using claw covers (See Humane alternatives/training)
The Athens County Dog Shelter, the county-run shelter (which is not a part of the Athens County Humane Society), has many dogs and puppies in need of homes - please visit their website if you don't find the dog you are looking for on ours! www.acds.petfinder.com
Watch one of these informative videos about bringing your new cat or dog home, introducing your cat or dogs to other animals and family members, your cat or dog's health and nutrition, and other training tips such as housebreaking, teaching manners and obedience training.
We know that in Athens County there are areas with large numbers of cats living outdoors--many of these cats are fearful of people. AlleyCat Allies is an organization who focuses on the issue of feral cat colonies. You can learn more about feral cat colonies and how to deal with them by going here: Alley Cat Allies
Then you can contact us to find out how you can help--or get helped--locally.
How to help us--Volunteers and Donations
As a 100% volunteer-run organization we always welcome new volunteers. E-mail us to see how you can help. We need people to help with fundraising, spay/neuter clinics, and other Humane Society programs. We always need foster homes; you would provide a temporary home for an animals while they are searching for their forever homes.
Join a Committee!
You can join one of our committees. Membership Committee deals with issues pertaining to increasing membership, communicating with members, creating the newsletter, donations, and the election process. Education Committee works to provide information to the community about responsible pet ownership and humane animal issues. Fundraising Committee organizes events and other programs to help raise funds to support ACHS programs so that we can assist more animals in our community.
The Humane Society is always in need of:
animal crates or carriers (large and small), cat-sized humane traps (to trap feral/wild cats to be spayed/neutered), copy paper, folders with pockets, paper towels (for use at spay/neuter clinics), puppy pads (as cage liners during clinics), books about dog or cat care or training (or any other pet care books), and monetary donations.
Why become a member?
o Support an organization dedicated to its mission of improving the quality of life for companion animals in our community
o Vote in the annual election for the Officers and Directors of the Board
o Become eligible for election onto the Board of Officers and Directors
o Receive the ACHS newsletter—learn about our activities, pet care and other animal issues
Membership Terms defined
o Junior-for supporters age 17 and younger, one year term, no voting privileges--$5
o Individual-for supporters 18 and over, one year term, voting privileges--$25
o Family-a special rate for all members in one household, one year term, those members 18 and over have voting privileges--$40
o Senior-for supporters age 65 and over, one year term, voting privileges--$10
o Life-for supporters 18 and over, lifetime term, voting privileges--$200
o Business-your business can support us for one year, non-voting--$100
What are membership dues used for?
o Providing low-cost spay and neuter options for the community
o Caring for animals in foster and satellite locations
o Office expenses (paperwork for adoptions and spay/neuter clinics, phone line, newsletter, etc.)
If you would like to become a member, mail your membership dues to ACHS Membership, PO Box 765, Athens, OH 45701 and include a note with your name, address, and type of membership. Or Email or call if you are interested in receiving a membership form.
Go to top of page HONORARY MEMBERS The Athens County Humane Society would like to recognize community members who are responsible for some conspicuous act of mercy to animals or who provide or have provided outstanding aid or volunteer work for animal welfare for the ACHS.
Please help us acknowledge deserving citizens by nominating them. Send a letter describing how the nominee has aided animals in our community. The ACHS Board will then vote to recognize up to four Honorary Members for the year based on the nomination letters. Send nomination letters to PO Box 765, Athens 45701. *Please include contact info for the nominee so we may contact them.
