Gwen, a short-haired Tortie, was given to the AAHS because her owner could no longer take care of her. (Photo/Marcie Opraseuth)
ATHENS, Ga.—Today’s economy has affected businesses nationwide, including animal shelters, which have seen an increase in pet owners giving up their animals because they can no longer afford them.
Fewer people are adopting these pets, which is putting an enormous strain on animal shelters everywhere. Athens Area Humane Society has implemented adoption and fostering programs to alleviate the overflow of animals.
“It’s sad to see even more helpless animals lose their home because of the economy.” said Paul Schofield, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, “It’s important to get as many pets adopted as possible.”
The AAHS shelter is off Beaverdam Road, where only cats and small animals can be adopted. Larger animals, such as dogs can be rescued at the adoption center in Athens.
AAHS’s fostering program allows volunteers to take care of small pets such as cats, hamsters or rabbits in their own home.
According to Becca Willard, a foster parent for AAHS, applicants must meet a few requirements: attend orientation, have permission from your landlord, undergo an inspection of the home and own a fire extinguisher.
Fostering a cat or small animal can last from a couple weeks to a few months, depending on the reason. Cats that need socializing with humans stay longer in the foster home. In other cases, the cat may only stay a few days, while going through a transition period to a new home.
During the time volunteers foster these animals, they must keep a log of the animal’s health. This includes any eating or behavioral problems. The AAHS will come to the foster home and administer any shots the animal might need.
The Fostering program saves animals’ lives. It gives the animals time to become suitable for adoption. To volunteer as a foster parent visit the AAHS website www. athenshumanesociety.org.
AAHS has an adoption center located at Pet Supplies Plus on Alps Road, where potential pet owners can go to adopt cats or dogs.
The adoption center has been at Pet Supplies Plus for a little less than a year, according to Jess Prosser, general manager of Pet Supplies Plus. A lot of people come to the adoption centers, which brings in business for the store.
Adoption hours for Pet Supplies Plus are on Monday through Friday, 1p.m. to 7p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 12p.m. to 6 p.m.
Edited By: Jordan Stepp
Thursday, May 21, 2009
More pets need homes in rough economy
By Marcie Opraseuth
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Marcie and Jordan,
ReplyDeleteThis story has a lot of good information, including the Web site for the Humane Society and the adoption hours at the pet store. People interested in adopting or fostering an animal will get what they need from this story.
The lead is straighter than it needs to be, but it gets to the point quickly, and the quote in the third paragraph completes the first part of the story effectively. Quotes from your other sources would be good, too. Look out for unnecessarily long words, like "implemented" (started) and "alleviate" (ease or reduce) from the second paragraph.
Avoid using uncommon acronyms like AAHS. On second reference, Humane Society is easier to read and understand, rather than asking people's brains to remember and spell out the acronym.