Did you know October is adopt a shelter dog month?  In recognition of this, ORHS will be running a special the entire month.  Our adoption fee for all our puppies will be lowered to $175.  This fee includes spay or neuter of the pup, microchipping, age appropriate vaccines and deworming.  We will also offer an additional $25 rebate once any of our canine adopters submit proof of completion of a training/obedience course with a professional trainer.  Course must be completed within 6 months of the date of adoption to qualify for the rebate.

September 2018
By Maggie Moran

As summer is winding down, I look back on the last eight months and wonder, as we all do, where did the time go. We have been very busy at The Oconee Regional Humane Society Center. We have had many litters of puppies and kittens as well as older dogs and cats. It’s always great to get a healthy dog or cat but sometimes their condition, when we rescue them, would break your heart. And some will look into your eyes and almost say “thank you”. Most of the time we were at max capacity with one recent litter born in the bathroom. But we have also had wonderful families that show the love and care these helpless animals need. As we say goodbye to our furry friends, as they go to their forever homes, we know that the work we do at ORHS is more than rewarding.
 
ORHS is dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community. We rescue animals from animal control facilities and from other homeless situations. We provide a safe haven with foster families or at our Adoption Center, until the animals are adopted into loving homes. We work to end animal over population and disease through an aggressive spay/neuter program. We do our best to socialize them before they go off to their forever homes.
 
Since March 1st, we have been collecting donations for our Treasure/ Yard Sale on September 22nd and 23rd. This is our big fundraiser of  the year and I can tell you our many volunteers have shown up and worked until the job was done. Pricing, packing up boxes, moving and rearranging storage units and meeting customers for pre-sales. Our community has been very generous with their donations.
 
With fall approaching, we will be advertising for board members. You might ask, what does an ORHS Board member do? Each member serves a three-year term and is expected to attend a monthly meeting, and actively participate in at least one committee. All members serve on a voluntary basis. But the real reward is knowing that you played a major role, in saving a desperate animal and helped in finding them a forever home. If you are interested, please stop by for a board application or call us at 706-454-1508.
 
WILL YOU HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

As it goes with many Lake Oconee residents, Chris and Darrell Kaniowski began as part-time members of our community in 2013. Chris was a stay-at-home mom to their daughter, Jennifer, and Darrell was the head of gas turbine manufacturing for Siemens in Charlotte, North Carolina. During Darrell’s 36-year tenure with Siemens, the Kaniowski’s moved many, many times…even living in Saudi Arabia twice! Chris became a permanent resident of Lake Oconee in 2016, with Darrell continuing full time employment until just several weeks ago. They look forward to traveling a lot over the next few years, even venturing to Australia in 2020!
 
ORHS is now, however, the lucky recipient of their volunteer time! Both Chris and Darrell want to give back to the community and feel that ORHS is the perfect place to start. When they came by to visit the shelter and volunteer, both said they didn’t care what they did…they just want to help where they were needed most! The Kaniowski’s now help primarily with our Cat Program but can be seen helping when the dogs need it too. Darrell enjoys helping those who can’t help themselves and has become a “regular” since his recent retirement. Chris, however, has been with of our Team for a while now and continues to be an integral part of enriching the lives of so many homeless animals.
 
A huge thank you, Chris and Darrell, for your willingness to help and determination to make a difference!

by Amy Manville, ORHS Dog Director

Penny Davis arrived in the Lake area a little over a year ago. She is a retired Nurse and Healthcare Executive from Chicago. Her passion for animals led her straight to ORHS, when a friend told her about the organization. She's been volunteering on the Puppy Care Team and helping with Adoption events for 9 months. She has two Rescue pups of her own, “Stella”, a 15-year-old Lab/terrier mix, and “Rizzo”, a 2 year old complete mix. She spends her days golfing, reading, playing Bunco, enjoying her grandbabies, and helping out at ORHS. We love her tenacity, Chicagoan accent, and true love for the rescue dogs and puppies.
Thanks Penny!!!

Debbie Spann means so much to ORHS. She came into our world almost a decade ago and immediately made an impact. We got to see a side of Debbie that not everyone knew or could appreciate. She began volunteering at adoptions and soon became chairman. From there her soft heart and generosity seemed endless. She became our landlord in 2012, offering much needed space for our adoption center and allowed us to really make ourselves at home. We would see her most days when she would stop by volunteering for puppy duty or for her puppy and kitten fix. When she met a couple of special needs puppies, she knew they needed her so she adopted them. At last count she had adopted 3 dogs and 2 cats.
 
When we began to hold our Treasure Sale events, Debbie was there in a completely different role, first providing an amazing space for the sale and then with her pickup truck and trailer and some much needed helpers to do furniture pickups that helped us bring in extra dollars in sales. She would often find one of us to share her thoughts and ideas for the future, many of which we’ve implemented. Once she knew what we needed, she simply made it happen.
 
Recently Debbie moved to Savannah to be near some friends and we feel her absence every day. She promised to visit often and before she left she told us “I’m only three hours away. Just call and I’ll be there.” And we have no doubt she will always be there for us. That’s the Debbie we know and love. We miss you Debbie!

by Jackie Stolarski

It was about seven years ago that two very special people came into the ORHS world. Porge and JJ Casey had just moved to the lake and couldn’t wait to get involved. Porge had helped establish a rescue group in Baton Rouge and was a wealth of information and ideas, and JJ quickly stepped up to be our Treasurer. Their involvement only continued to grow, and in no time they were board members, running our community food program, creating our newsletter, helping with adoptions and volunteering for animal care. Any time we needed help they were there for us, and they have truly made an impact to our organization.
 
Porge and JJ are about to make a move to the Atlanta area and it will surely be impossible to replace them. Although we will miss seeing their smiling faces every week, they have promised not to be strangers. We will look forward to their visits and hope to see them often. We cannot thank them enough for their generosity and willingness to do whatever it takes for the animals. We wish them all the best!

LAKE OCONEE DENTISTRY PATIENTS CELEBRATE “MUTTS” AND HELP RAISE MONEY FOR ORHS

Lake Oconee Dentistry presented members of The Oconee Regional Humane Society with a donation to  help them continue in their mission of improving the lives of animals in the community and finding loving and permanent homes for the cats and dogs in their care. Throughout the month of July, the dental practice offered free x-rays to anyone who scheduled an appointment and made a $10 or more donation to the ORHS. Lake Oconee Dentistry also matched every donation, dollar for dollar, up to the first $1,000 raised.

Celebrated on July 31st, National Mutt Day was created in 2005 by animal welfare activist Colleen Paige, to help highlight the many mixed breed dogs in need of homes. According to national statistics, approximately 80% of all dogs in shelters are mixed breed. Mixed breed dogs end up in shelters more frequently, and they tend to wait longer in shelters before getting adopted due to the higher demand for pure breeds. Despite this, there are many advantages to owning a mixed breed dog, as they tend to be healthier, better behaved, and live longer than pure breeds.
 
"The Oconee Regional Humane Society provides a great service in our community but that also requires a lot of volunteer power and financial assistance,” says Dr. David Bradley. “We wanted to do something special for National Mutt Day that would help support their mission."
 
ORHS is most grateful to the Bradley’s and Lake Oconee Dentistry for initiating this special outreach fundraiser and for the support they share with the community.

This summer, Del Webb invited us to participate in their annual Open House. This event showcases community businesses and groups that residents new to the area might want to become involved in, but not know that they are available. The response to ORHS is always welcoming and supportive. We are able supply people with information on our many programs and offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to fit their schedules and interests. ORHS is thankful to Del Webb for allowing us to share our love of animals with them each year.

by Lynn Herbert

Who knew we could paint??
43 dog, cat, chicken and rooster lovers got together at The Iron Fork in Eatonton one night in August to do just that. Many thanks to Katie Bragg, owner of The Iron Fork, for opening up her restaurant to us for the evening. Thanks also to Kate Cook, owner of Artini’s Art Lounge in Athens, for spearheading the event. While guiding us on each portrait and lending a “small” amount of true artistic tweaking, we each went home with a picture of our fur baby! Some might hang over the fireplace, while others in the bathroom… but we all had a great time! Best of all, we raised money for ORHS! It was a sell-out, so look for it next year and book early!

Sue is a North Carolina transplant who has lived in GA since the early 70’s and in the lake area since 1988. She retired as a State Farm Agent in Conyers and happily gave up her long daily commute in exchange for volunteering, playing bridge and hand quilting.
 
In Sue’s own words, “It’s hard to describe why I have become so passionate about our mission at ORHS. I have been deeply committed to volunteerism throughout my working years, serving as Heart Assn President, Red Cross blood committee for metro Atlanta, and other organizations as well. I do know that I am enormously impressed by the depth of commitment these volunteers have, even those of us who can only stand in awe of some of them. I’m just humbled and honored to work with them. I have never participated in an organization that willingly gives its volunteers important work to do, as opposed to busy work and then only occasionally. Maybe that’s what fires this enthusiasm and passion. Each adoption gives me such a rush, and each sad story makes me want to take that little animal home …… as there are many of those at ORHS.”
 
My first real contact with the shelter was when I adopted a precious older cat at ORHS. It’s really hard not to take another one home every week! My cat owns me and seeing her emotional wounds heal reminds me daily that we do important, worthwhile work for these sweet and helpless little animals. Wish we could do more!
 
Thank you Sue for ALL that you do for to ORHS !

This past Memorial Day weekend 9-year-old Celia O’Shea and her 7-year-old  brother,  Harrison, held  their fifth, yes, FIFTH “LEMONADE FOR PAWS”
event at Paper Soiree. And it was a smashing s u c c e s s and raised $1,111.00 for ORHS.
 
This year they were joined by friends, Emerson and Sidney Thurmond and Rylie Kirk. To date, they have raised close to $3,500.00. Bravo to all of you!  ORHS is  so thankful and proud of you for taking the time and using your talent to help our furry friends.

By Tracy Tvrdy

The 2018 Pet Food Drive was held Saturday, May 26th in the Publix shopping Center from 9 am until 2 pm. This year a bake sale was added as an extra feature which helped to raise funds to purchase food for the dogs and cats rescued in  our ORHS program as well as for providing pet food at the Greene and Putnam Counties monthly Food Distributions.
 
This is always a fun event because you see the generosity and support of the lake community for ORHS and its mission of protecting and rescuing and spay/neutering  animals. The great news is that at this year’s PET FOOD DRIVE we collected a record amount of monetary donations and many pounds of dog food. Please email Tracy Tvrdy chair of Food Distribution if you would like to volunteer at our next Pet Food Drive Ttvrdy@gmail.com.

Jill and Roger Schurig in honor of Joe McCurdy
Mary and Brit Spann in honor of Jill Schurig’s birthday
Susan and Mark Blanton in honor of Audrey Mellen
Patricia Wojnas in honor of Dave Delich’s birthday
Linda Bradley in honor of Cody who celebrated his 14th birthday
Joan and Robert Aijoe from “Annie” in honor of Lynn Herbert’s birthday
Joan and Robert Aijoe from "Annie” in honor of J. R. Herbert’s birthday
Gary and Susan Strack in honor of “Romeo”, Patty and Jeff Simmon’s dog
Joan and Robert Aijoe from “Annie” in honor of Lynn and John Hebert’s anniversary

*As of August 31, 2018

Kathleen Wright in memory of Malcolm Nancy and Fred Hunter in memory of Peggy Harris
Frances and Jerry Hill in memory of Jim Jenkins Bonnie Stewart in memory of Havi and Malcolm
Maggie and Bob Moran in memory of Amy Manville’s father in law Del Webb “Stampin’ Scrappers” in memory of Laurie McKercher Maggie and Bob Moran in memory of Margie Wallace’s father
Jackie and Any Stolarski in memory of “Reesie”, beloved dog of Porge and JJ Casey Carol and William Britten in memory of “Bunker”, beloved dog of Susan and Jon Swift Maggie and Bob Moran in memory of “Reesie” beloved dog of Porge and JJ Casey
 
In memory of Gloria Adams, mother of Karen Stevenson
Carol and Anthony Clavarelli
JoAnn and William O’Brien
Nancy and Dennis Perna
Barbara and Dennis Fornari
Donna and Joe Rachal
E.L. Raymond
 
Patricia Turpin in memory of Katrina Miller Porge and JJ
Casey in memory of Anne Stolarski
James Otten and Bridget in memory of Johnnie Ruth Blackwell
Frances and Jerry Hill in memory of Bob Seerley
Linda and James Bay in memory of Charles Robert “Bob” White
Frances and Jerry Hill in memory of Ed Chambers
Maggie and Bob Moran in memory of Anne Stolarski
Lauren and Jim Hardeman in memory of Amy Hardeman Brown
Linda and James Halsey in memory of a special friend, Brian Rogers
Frances Miller in memory of Cora Bell Moore
Andres Wuori in memory of “Lucky”, Karen and Wayne Bain’s cat
Residents of Greene Point Health and Rehab in memory of Anita Veazey
Jackie and Andy Stolarski in memory of “Jamie”, beloved dog of Debbie Spann Jackie and Andy Stolarski in memory of “Ritz”, beloved dog of Beth and Mike Leahy

 
In memory of Wendy Barefoot
Debra and James Steen
Margaret and Stephen Ruzika
Martha and Richard Franks
Carol and Michael Lynch
Sharon and Joseph Gorman
Annelies Peters
Shirley and George Shattuck
Terri Riley
Nancy Aquino

Sylvia Dixon and Cayla, Taylor and Ryan in memory of Janice Campbell
Pat and Dianne McNabb in memory of “Coco”, beloved dog of Joanne and Harvey Brown
Alpha Rogers and “O’Malley” in memory of “Coco”, beloved pet of Joanne and Harvey Brown
Susan and Mark Blanton in memory of “Sophie”, beloved dog of Susan Henry
Patricia Walters in memory of “Bunker”, beloved dog of Susan and Jon Swift
Pat and Bob Rech in memory of “Coco”, beloved pet of Joanne and Harvey Brown Gary and Susan Strack in memory of “Bunker”, beloved dog of Susan and Jon Swift
Bevery and James Burwell in memory of Neil Wright, beloved father of Joy Warner

In memory of Jimmy Thurmond
Bob, Mary Anne and Matt Gaw
Nancy and Fred Hunter
Betsy Yancey
Mary and Jeffery Gravley
Melanie and James Hicks

*As of August 31, 2018