The Oconee Regional Humane Society is a non profit organization rescuing cats and dogs and finding homes for each and every one.  Not having a facility as of yet, the Humane Society relies soley on their foster program for rescuing puppies and dogs.  Foster families welcome the puppies/dogs to their homes and love and care for them as part of their family. Most of these dogs are scared, some have been neglected, abused, abandoned, starved or  are sick.  The foster families bring them back to the playful and loyal “man’s best friend” that they were meant to be.

Occasionally, a dog is rescued that is about to give birth or is found abandoned with her puppies. That is when a foster family in Athens works their miracle. Belinda Snow and her family take in the litters or the moms to await the birth of her puppies.  Recently visiting Belinda, I met “Kiwi” a Clumber spaniel who had been found in a busy part of Athens and turned into Athens/Clarke County Animal Control.  Our dog director, Bonnie, and Belinda happened to be at Animal Control testing some puppies for heart worm, when they spotted Kiwi.  There was simply no choice –they could not let this dog be put down, so Belinda took her home.

Two weeks later, On April 4, Kiwi gave birth to 9 healthy puppies.  Kiwi was a wonderful mother, always making sure all were nearby.   Two days after the puppies were born,  Belinda noticed that Kiwi  wasn’t feeling well and took her to the vet who placed her on antibiotics, and kept her for a couple days.  During this time Belinda and her children hand fed nine two day old puppies – not an easy task!  Two weeks later, Kiwi became terribly ill with an infection and high fever.  She spent a week at the vet on IV antibiotic therapy and almost died.  Due to her incredible will to survive and wonderful care by the devoted vets, miraculously she pulled through.  But she could no longer take care of her puppies.  Belinda and her family have been hand feeding the puppies since Kiwi became ill.  The puppies are thriving.

That is what Belinda likes to do.  She and her husband, Dwain, and children Hunter, McKayla and Kylaun all pitch in and take care of litter after litter, until they are old enough to be placed in a foster home.   Kiwi is now recovering at her new foster home in Greensboro. 

Bonnie Stewart, director of Adoptions for the Oconee Humane Society said that Belinda is her right hand in Athens and never says no to taking in dogs or puppies.  She also helps out with adoptions on Saturdays.  Adoptions are held every Saturday at Pet Supplies Plus on Alps Road in Athens. 

The Oconee Regional Humane Society has many foster families in the Eatonton, Greensboro and Athens area but is always looking for more.   All of them are wonderful kind loving people who adore animals. “There are many times we have to say no to people wanting to give up a dog because we just don’t have anywhere to place them” Ms Stewart said.   A big thank you to Belinda and all the foster families for giving their time, their hearts and their homes for these special pets.

If you might be interested in fostering a puppy, please call our director of foster homes, Bonnie Stewart at (404) 550-5503.  The ORHS will be kicking off their  Building Campaign Drive soon to build an adoption shelter on Harmony Road in Eatonton.

  Tax deductible donations can be mailed to:

ORHS , 6350 Lake Oconee Parkway

Ste 102, PMB 178

Greensboro, GA 30642

 Phone  706-454-1508

Visit our website at www.ORHSpets.org or e-mail us at –  ORHS@gmail.com