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Have a Heart to Help Animals Impacted by Heartworm Disease!

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, and the Oconee Regional Humane Society is back with their Have a Heart campaign to drive community awareness of heartworms' devasting impact and raise critical funding to help more animals impacted directly upon intake at the shelter.

An anonymous donor will match up to $10,000 raised from this campaign from April 1- April 30!

Donate Today to Double the Impact!

Donate Today!

About Heartworm Disease

Did you know that heartworms are among the most dangerous parasitic worms that infect our companion animals? According to the American Medical Veterinary Association (AVMA), over one million dogs are estimated to be infected with heartworms yearly.

Dogs become infected when bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic larvae. These larvae are deposited on the pet as a mosquito feeds and quickly penetrate the skin to migrate into the pet's bloodstream. Eventually, adult heartworms can grow to ten or twelve inches long and make their home on the right side of the heart and pulmonary arteries. There, the presence of heartworms leads to arterial and lung disease and, in some cases, heart failure.

Signs of heartworm in a dog may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after exertion, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Signs of heartworm in cats include coughing, asthma-like attacks, periodic vomiting, lack of appetite, and weight loss.

Unfortunately for cats, the first sign in some cases is collapse or sudden death. While this disease can be found in all 50 states, the climate and topography of the Georgia Lake Country make it an optimal breeding ground for mosquitos carrying this dangerous disease.

Treatment for heartworms after infection is difficult, expensive, and lengthy.

Summer, Sterling, Steph, Lottie, Lucky, Mabel, Peanut, Pippa, and Spud were all heartworm-positive strays upon intake by ORHS in 2022. Individual treatment expenses can run upwards from $500-$1,000.

Thanks to the generous support of those that contributed to previous ORHS Have a Heart campaigns, these animals were all successfully treated and are now living happy lives in their forever homes.

ORHS's goal this year is to raise $10,000 to continue providing these life-saving treatments so more animals in our care can fully recover.

Donate today and your gift will be matched for DOUBLE the Impact! Help us secure another $10,000 for our Have a Heart campaign by the end of the month providing $20,000 in generous support to this campaign.

Heartworm disease is serious. Your support, no matter how much or how little, means everything to the dogs and cats who will be able to receive treatment and have a second chance at a forever home and a happy life.

Donate Today!