Kit is a medium size hound mix, about a year old and she came to us from Animal Control.  She had been found wandering the streets and it looked like she had been on her own for awhile.  She was emaciated and she appeared to have just given up.  When Kit came to ORHS, she was still very thin, quiet and frightened. She seemed to like our volunteers when they sat with her and they eventually got her to walk on leash after carrying her outside, but she was still very afraid.  Kit needed a foster home.  Kit's foster mom sent us a description after having her for just a week.

My best description of Kit’s personality is that she’s a treasure chest full of love to share and we have the key. She is shy at first but I don’t think she’s been abused.  She has no issues with men and once she feels comfortable she wants to be with people and wherever the action is.  She thrives on affection and attention.  I really think she’s spent most, if not all of her life alone, neglected and never comforted when she was afraid.  Sad.

At our house Kit has an older foster sister who sleeps most of the time, and a 2 year old foster brother that loves to play.  He quickly showed her what toys are all about.  Now they play tug and toss toys in the air, they wrestle and then they sit in the sun together.  We thought having another dog would help Kit adjust your her foster home but I don’t think it’s necessary.  Kit loves our dogs but she is most interested in being where people are.  She always knows where I am and follows me room to room.  She gets so excited when she sees me getting her food ready.  Her whole body wags.  She seems happiest when we sit to watch tv and she gets lots of pets and snuggles.  She has a silly side to her that comes out more each day.

What frightens Kit seems to be loud noises.  Trucks or construction noises are scary and thunder will send her hiding.  She relaxes when comforted but during a storm she runs into her crate where she feels safe. When it's over, it's over and life goes on.  She's a sweet girl with lots of love to share.  Kit is smart and eager to please.  With patience I think she will be easy to train.  She is crate and house trained and she walks pretty well on leash.

This is one special little girl and with a family to love her she will blossom into a wonderful and loyal companion.

These handsome bonded brothers are just about as perfect as you can get!  Found with two other siblings out in the woods, Hercules is the tuxedo and Mercury is the beautiful marble tabby.  Both are exceptionally snuggly, affectionate and incredibly playful!  And, as if they couldn’t get any better, these boys purr like the engines of two finely tuned automobiles.  Their foster mom says one of their favorite pastimes is to nap completely intwined in the arms of the other…absolutely adorable to see!

We are looking for a home where these boys can stay together.  Hercules and Mercury offer a lifetime of fun, excitement and just pure love to anyone lucky enough to take them into their family.

Otis is our 12-year-old Beagle who is looking for his retirement home. Otis is a world traveler and would like to finally settle down for the remainder of his years.  Now that he has come to ORHS, he is having his needs taken care of and getting healthy. 

Life on the road has been a little rough and he knows it’s time to have a soft spot to land.  Otis is good with other dogs, especially young puppies.  He has been an exceptionally good companion to his foster mom.  If you would like to have Otis come to share his life stories with you, fill out an application for him. He would love to sit and reminisce his glory days with you.

Phyllis resembles the glamorous Abyssinian breed portrayed in paintings and sculptures of the ancient Egyptian cats which show an elegant feline with a muscular body.

With long legs in proportion to her lean body, big green eyes, short silky blonde hair, she looks like a Supermodel when she struts her stuff.   Phyllis is approximately 8 pounds and because she is full of extraordinary energy she never has to diet.  She is naturally small and slender.

Phyllis has an intelligent, extroverted, playful personality.  With her almond shaped green eyes, long pointed ears and inquisitive expression, you can’t help but fall in love with her. She is clearly attentive, she listens to you, but, unlike Alexa, she will keep your secret’s.  

She is also a graceful athlete. She will approach you on her terms but invites you to exercise, climb a pole, play or explore with her whenever you are available.  She loves people and other cats but may not be your ideal lap cat.

Phyllis came to ORHS after being rescued through a trap/neuter/release program in 2016. Although she is stunning and physically active, you don’t have to worry about her getting in “the family way.”  She was able to leave her wild ways behind her when she was spayed so that she, and you, don’t have to worry about all the unwanted attention being so attractive usually brings.

Phyllis loves Savage Garden (from her feral years).  She has a private meditation she repeats and she hopes you will take her to her Purrfect Place:

Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant
I think I found my best friend
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I’ve found you.

This pretty little lady is Betsy.  She was an outdoor kitty at a home where an elderly lady lived before going into an assisted living situation.  Betsy came to us last Spring, pregnant with 4 kittens.  The beautiful babies have all been safely tucked into their forever homes and now it’s her turn!  

Betsy is 2-3 years old and would be a great indoor-outdoor cat.  She does, however, need to be the only cat and would do well in a home without very young children.  Betsy LOVES to sit on your lap and is very affectionate.  If you are looking for a fun, affectionate companion, this girl is for you!  

SIMBA our little Tripawd King who has a BIG personality. He loves to talk to his neighboring canine fellas. And his sweet barks and playfulness grabs the attention of all volunteers. His eyes are absolutely mesmerizing.

This is what his foster had to say....
“Despite his rough start to life Simba has the heart of a lion. He’s happy, determined, sweet, funny, playful, independent, fearless, vibrant, adorable puppy who needs someone to help him continue to grow steady and strong. He listens, connects and wants to please. He has great determination and moves well but when he stumbles, he lands like a champ. He needs protection from obstacles but very little guidance. He loves spending time outdoors discovering new smells and sounds. Easy to train, doing well in the early stages of obedience and potty training. Sleeps all night in his crate. Simba is a wonder ! A special beautiful boy that will bring a lot of joy”.

Imagine if your whole family moved away and left you behind…alone.  That’s exactly what happened to Gigi.  She suddenly found herself all alone and outside, which is exactly where a girl like Gigi should not be:  Gigi has tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).  While cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives, the disease can compromise the immune system and can make routine illnesses (like respiratory infections) harder on the body.  It is not transmissible to humans and is only known to be transmitted to other cats by means of deep bite wounds.  

Gigi is exceptionally affectionate and was obviously very loved at some point.  She is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped.  This 2-3 year young lady will be a wonderful companion to someone lucky enough to see her beauty and potential.

Feel free to contact ORHS for more information about Gigi. Ask for Kari.

LADY GAGA .... That's me. I was born with the cutest feet. The outward feet never stops me from running with my playmates in the yard at ORHS. I get along with all dogs and I am fine with cats as well. I am in great shape but believe it or not I am food driven. I am smart and easily trainable, if you have a few kibbles in your hand. I walk great on leash with other dogs ... I always hear my volunteers calling me the "model child". Yup, come take me home, ... you won't be disap­pointed. And did I tell you ? ... I am very pretty. TAKE ME HOME !!

This shy, but sweet, little lady is an absolute joy and wants nothing more than a family to call her own.  Trixie loves to be petted and will reciprocate with head butts all day long.  But since she is shy, Trixie will need a quiet home without small children.  We think she would be overjoyed to spend the bulk of her day sitting next to her special person on the couch, binge watching chick flix or talk shows.  If you need a buddy to share your popcorn with (that won't fight you for the remote), this just might be the girl for you!

Hi, I'm Sally!  I am a super sweet yellow lab/hound mix who came to ORHS to find my forever home.  I have adjusted well to being at ORHS, but I would really like to be in a home with a family to call my own.  I have made friends with several of the other dogs at the center and love to play with them in our fenced yard.  I am house trained and know some basic commands.  Please consider adding me to your family.   

Dogs have owners.  Cats have staff.  If you work well with others and need an executive to head up your staff, the month of June is the perfect time to find the perfect cat!  June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month and at Oconee Regional Humane Society (ORHS), we’re pretty sure we may have just the cat for the job! 

Adopt a Shelter Cat Month was established by the ASPCA to promote the adoption of cats from local shelters.  It’s estimated that 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters every year and many of them never find a home.  If you’ve been thinking about adding a kitty to your family, June is a great time because ORHS offers a reduced adoption fee of $25 for all cats over one year old—this fee includes a test for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS, spay or neuter surgery, age appropriate vaccinations, deworming, flea control and a microchip.  

Here are some reasons you may need a feline executive to head up your staff:

• Shelter cats prefer leading staffs with heroes.  Since you’d be saving a life, you’re a hero!  You’re especially so if you adopt an older cat, including a senior (usually has more staff experience and a resume that is easy to interpret—what you see is what you get), a black cat (may work harder since they often get a bad rap for being spooky), or a special needs cat (often has a lovely spirit to go with that less than perfect body).
• Cats can enrich your life.  Research shows there are health benefits associated with owning a cat. Having a cat can lower blood pressure and decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Having a cat can lessen loneliness and depression.
• Your shelter cat could become an internet staffing sensation!  Many famous kitties came from shelters!  So, get photographing your top-notch staffer! 
  

You know your staff is floundering without a leader—so come on over to ORHS and take a look at our amazing kitties!  Do you need a cat who is outgoing or more introverted?  How about a cat that sits in your lap while leading your staff?  We know the personalities of all our kitties and can talk you through the kitty that works best for you!

Hi - I'm Bosco!  I am a very sweet, calm and quiet 2-year-old Dachshund/Basset Hound Mix.  I love to play with my toys and take long naps on the couch in my foster home.  I am friendly with other dogs, but I would prefer to snuggle with my foster mommy.  I promise to be the best companion ever and very loyal to my friends.

Rex is a Hound mix who came to ORHS with his siblings.  His siblings has all been adopted, leaving him behind to find his forever home.  Rex is very sweet and playful.  He is very attentive and eager to learn.  He already knows simple commands such as “sit” and “stay”.  He walks nice on a leash and would make a great companion in any home.  Rex is a very special boy as he does have seasonal allergies which can be controlled with regular medication.

Liberty is one of 8 hound mix puppies that we received at ORHS.  Her siblings have all been adopted and now Liberty is waiting for her chance to find her fur-ever home.  Liberty is full of life and loves to play with her toys and the other dogs at the shelter.  She greets each volunteer with tails wags and lots of kisses.  Liberty would do best in a home with another dog, preferably bigger, that she can play with and a family who will keep her active.

Honey is a sweet brindle hound/terrier mix that came to ORHS in May 2018. She was pregnant at the time and has since had her litter of 7 babies.  She was a great mama to her pups and is now ready to be adopted.  She is very sweet and loves to receive attention from the staff at ORHS. She likes to go on walks and play with her toys.  She is especially fond of her squeaky toy duck that she will fetch and roll around with it while hanging out of her mouth.  Her adorable under-bite makes her irresistible to all the staff at ORHS and we are hoping someone else will find it irresistible as well. 

This sweet little kitty was brought to us from a local middle school after being found with one of her back paws strangulated by a string or long carpet fiber.  The paw was extremely swollen and misshapen; it seemed almost a sure thing that Tweed would require amputation.  Our wonderful volunteers immediately started following the prescribed medical plan:  Tweed’s swollen foot received hours and hours of hydrotherapy and massage, along with oral antibiotics.  Little by little the size of her paw reduced...then a little bit of fur started growing on the bare skin...and the wound from the carpet fiber healed.  Thanks to this outstanding care, Tweed will not require amputation of her injured foot!  This adorable tuxedo is very sweet and social.  She loves to play with other kittens and, they way this girl runs, you would never know she has been through such an ordeal.  Tweed will make a great companion and an exceptional addition to any family.