Pet places around Athens

The following map has a list of places to take your dog or other pets for that matter. Some of them include parks, pet stores, kennels, and shelters.


View Pet places in Athens, Ohio in a larger map

Experience at the Athens County Dog Shelter

I took an hour out of my day to learn about the Athens County dog shelter and I wanted to share my experience. Unfortunately, the dog warden wouldn't let me take any photos, but I saw dozens of absolutely beautiful dogs and it made my heart break.

Most of the histories of the dogs there are unknown, but many show signs of abuse. One young Jack Russell Terrier mix named Sweetie (pictured above from the shelter's Web site) especially caught my eye--she was very affectionate but every time I reached down to pet her, she would cower and put her tail between her legs. One volunteer told me this was a sign that she may have been hit frequently at some point before she arrived at the shelter.

But Sweetie is just one of 24 dogs and one puppy currently housed at the shelter who's waiting to be adopted. As I walked by cage after cage, I couldn't imagine why these dogs couldn't find a home. Obviously not everyone wants a dog or their landlord doesn't allow pets, but these are absolutely wonderful dogs and for a bargain. Dogs at the shelter cost only $65; puppies at Petland other pet stores can cost hundreds of dollars. Even more alarming is that many pet stores are linked to puppy mills.

Also, Athens County (and really everywhere else in the United States) has a problem with too many dogs and not enough owners. I wrote about this in my first blog post, but it needs to be stated again. Rather than buy from a pet store, choose a dog that actually needs a home.

Not only are owners saving the dog they choose to take home, but they're also opening that spot for another dog. The Athens County shelter can hold about 45 dogs, but space is cramped and there are not enough foster homes for the dogs to temporarily stay.

As I left the dog shelter with woofing dogs and whining puppies, I saw a family coming in to adopt a dog. The young boy there had a huge smile on his face and although I was still feeling melancholy, I realized there is some hope. For every dog that is dropped off at the shelter, one will soon be adopted.

Athens County Dog Shelter Benefit Concert

Tomorrow night Donkey Coffee and Espresso is hosting a benefit concert for the Athens County Dog Shelter and Friends of the Dog Shelter--a network of volunteers that fosters dogs or places them in no-kill shelters.

The dog shelter has struggled with providing extra services for the dogs like flea and tick medicine and spaying and neutering. Any puppies they receive are given their first round of shots, but the shelter can't afford any additional medicines they may need if the puppies or dogs are sick.

But the proceeds from the concert would help pay for those services and to the volunteers of the Friends of the Shelter, who use their own personal money to pay for the dogs.

One of the organizers of the event is a senior Ohio University student who volunteers a few times a week to walk or play with the dogs. She also said the dog shelter needs things like towels, blankets, food, and cleaning supplies in addition to monetary donations.

Dogs at the shelter cost $65 with their licenses, which is an excellent bargain compared to dogs found at the pet store down the road. My most recent dog was a rescue from a shelter and he is an excellent dog--even if he isn't a pure breed.

The concert begins at 8 and the line-up includes:Kaslo, Run_Coward, Michael Rinaldi, Erin Schroettinger, and Death Beef.

The cover is a $4 donation. I plan to be there with and I'll hopefully use the pictures from the concert in a slide show.

If you want more information read Friday's edition of The Post, where I wrote a preview story about the concert.

This is definitely a great cause and I hope many students (and their moms) come out!