Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Today on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio’s Around Atlanta edition, our hosts Todd Schnick and Bryan Nonni catch up with Meredith Millwood, director of communications and public relations for The Atlanta Humane Society.
Many may not realize that the Atlanta Humane Society is the oldest non-profit organization in the city of Atlanta. The organization was founded in 1873 and its original mission was to assist women, children and animals. Today, the organization specializes in ending companion animal homelessness in the southeast and works to stop the euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals. Cats and dogs are the animals that are specifically aided by the organization and at any given time a visitor to The Atlanta Humane Society can find a variety of cats and dogs available for adoption. Currently more than 8,000 animals are adopted each year.
There are two Atlanta Humane Society shelters that metro Atlanta residents can visit to look for an adoptable pet, the Howell Mill location in midtown and the Mansell Road location in Alpharetta. Each location houses approximately 100 dogs and puppies and equally as many cats and kittens. Meredith adds that many people visiting the shelter for a pet may have a preconceived idea of what they want, but in getting to know a potential pet parent, the Humane Society often changes the customer’s mind about what kind of pet would work best for their lifestyle. “A lot of times we have someone come in and say, ‘I always wanted a shepherd’, and we walk them through, if you’re going to get a shepherd you’re going to be on 30 minute walks twice a day, they’re going to have lots of energy and then they say, ‘I live in an apartment in the city.’ So we say, have you ever thought about a Chihuahua?” Meredith also stresses that it is important to take the time and meet a few animals, spend some time with them, play with them and make sure it is a mutual match.
The cost for adopting an animal through the Atlanta Humane Society is very affordable and the added benefit of saving an animal from homelessness is something that should make pet parents feel especially good. Pricing for adoptions changes based on the current number of pets housed at the Humane Society locations, and all animals that are adopted have already been spayed or neutered. Summer is kitten season and pet parents can expect no charge for adopting a cat or a kitten during this time. The shelter does run promotions on larger dogs frequently where dogs more than 25 pounds will have 50 percent off their adoption fee. Typically, puppies under six months of age are $200, dogs over six months of age ate $125, kittens are $100 and cats more than 6 months of age are $50. These prices are very nominal compared to the cost of buying a pet from a breeder or a large pet chain, though… a perfect companion is priceless!
In addition to offering pet adoptions, the Humane Society also provides a variety of obedience training courses at both locations. The initial course is six weeks and costs just $135. During the course, pets are taught basic commands and learn to walk on a leash. The courses also help strengthen the bond between pet and owner and as the dog learns what makes the owner happy, bad behaviors become less frequent and can totally stop altogether.
The Atlanta Humane Society hosts events through the year as well. The organizations largest event of the year, The Inaugural Walk for the Animals is coming up on Sunday, October 18 at Atlantic Station. Individual walkers and teams are invited to join in the fun and pets are welcome too. The three-mile walk through midtown begins at 9 am and proceeds help support saving animals in the state of Georgia from homelessness. There are other options for getting involved with The Atlanta Humane Society, volunteers are always welcome and duties assigned typically consist of walking the pets and playing with them. The Humane Society also needs foster parents to temporarily house pets that may need a break from the shelter or are recovering from health issues.
The organization has a full vet clinic that is open to the public and in order to continue its mission of ending companion animal homelessness and the overpopulation of cats and dogs, the clinic provides $35 spay/neuter and microchip services several times per week at both locations.
Come find the newest member of your family today at The Atlanta Humane Society. Get more information about the organizations and see animals for adoption by visiting www.AtlantaHumane.org. Also, check out their social media pages:
___________________________________________________________________
The “Around Atlanta” segment is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact 770-383-3360.
Please download and subscribe to all of the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcasts on iTunes. If you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.