SPONSOR THE
Metro Spirit’s Pet Page! lauren@themetrospirit.com
Heartsong Has a Heart for Homeless Animals Heartsong Spay Neuter Clinic opened when founders Erik and Loretta Emmons of Martinez realized that their 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue was not doing enough to save the many animals from the local and state shelters. The Emmons’ opened the first clinic in Martinez in 2006. Since then they have sterilized over 15,000 pets in the original clinic and have opened two more high-quality low-cost clinics. The second clinic opened August 3, 2008, in Aiken, S.C. and the third opened October 7, 2009, in Clearfield, Utah. The new location of Heartsong Spay Neuter Clinic at 421S Belair Road boasts full-service grooming, as well as cage-free and traditional boarding and daycare services. Beginning February 20, training classes, which include Canine Good Citizen (CGC), STAR Puppy, Therapy Dog and all levels of obedience, will begin. Heading these classes is Loretta Emmons, who has been a trainer, professional handler and kennel master for more than 25 years, during which she has brought a wealth of expertise and gentle positive reinforcement training to our area. As an all-breeds handler, both canine and feline, Loretta had the opportunity to work with many breeds, gaining insight into their characteristics, training needs and behaviors. Loretta has been an AKC judge for nearly 10 years, utilizing her skills to improve the standards of those breeds. As a junior showmanship judge, she realizes the future of the sport is with the next generation. Heartsong offers education classes for local schools and has been involved with Belvedere Elementary School's Science Day in North Augusta for the past three years. The Lodge will offer day and evening camps for young people from 8-17 starting the summer of 2012. The drive to help people afford their pets’ care, thereby keeping them from the county shelters and landfills, drives the increase in services, affordable prices and opening of new facilities around the country. According to a neighboring county shelter, the efforts of the spay neuter clinic have reduced the number of euthanasia in their facility by over 2,500 per year. Heartsong Animal Rescue takes in and rehomes over 1,100 animals every year where are kept in a network of volunteers who keep them in foster homes. The model is successful because the animals are loved and treated as family members while awaiting their forever homes. Heartsong takes in the harder to place animals, those who have medical issues, and those who are forgotten at the high-kill shelters by owners who don't care that the end days of their pet may be in a cold damp cell with no one to love. Heartsong has canine ambassadors that travel
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Upcoming Benefits March 31 Block Party 2012 Sponsored by Vic’s Motorcycle Sales and Service. 10 a.m. 2113 Harding Rd (off Peach Orchard Rd) Augusta, GA 30906
with us to schools and educate our young people about the importance of commitment and responsibility. What does the future hold? Heartsong has begun the groundwork for a Community Cat Sanctuary for feral cats that have been displaced. The ongoing effort to reduce the numbers of feral cats by natural means — spay and neuter, vaccinations and allowing them to live out their lives without repopulating — is high on the agenda of Heartsong for the CSRA. For more information, visit heartsonganimalrescue.com, thelodgeatheartsong.com and heartsongspayneuter.com, or friend us on Facebook.
A benefit for Feathered Friends Forever Bird Sanctuary in Harlem, admission is $10 and the event includes live music from bands and DJs, a Poker Run, field events, a live internet feed and raffles. For more information on the event, call 706-691-5093 or 803-640-4329. For more information on Feathered Friends Forever, a nonprofit that cares for exotic birds, visit featheredfriendsforever.org. May 20 Village Deli’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament A benefit for That’s What Friends Are For, Inc., a 501C3 that raises money for local rescues, spay and neuter and more. Registration will begin in March. Call 706-736-3691 or visit thatswhatfriendsarefor.org.
Ongoing Adoption Events PETCO 4209 Washington Road, Evans Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays, 1-4 p.m. PetSmart 225 Robert C. Daniel Parkway, Augusta Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tractor Supply 596 Bobby Jones Expressway, next to Sam’s Club Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. AARF volunteers@aarf.net Augusta Humane Society 706-736-0186 Augusta-Richmond Co. Animal Services 706-790-6836
Feathered Friends Forever 706-556-2424 featheredfriendsforever.org
Old Fella Burke County pope.jodi@gmail.com oldfella.org
Girard Life Saver 706-871-8273, 478-569-9209 samantha@girard-lifesaver.org
STARS 706-592-4158 starsrescue.org
Graced Kennels 706-738-7168
Washington-Wilkes Humane 706-678-2287
Boston Terrier Rescue of South Carolina 706-726-2221 or 803-279-8069 bostonrescueofsc.org
Happy Tails 706-955-0438, 706-836-2708 csrahappytails@gmail.com
Columbia Co. Animal Services 706-541-4077
Heartsong 706-855-1241 heartsongent@hotmail.com
CSRA Chihuahua Rescue 706-825-8090, 706-763-8071 csrachihuahuarescue@gmail.com CSRA Humane Society 706-261-7387 csrshumanesociety.org
Helping Hands Humane Society 706-456-3339 wytwch@yahoo.com Long Dog Rescue 706-854-8646 bmeismer@comcast.net
Fundraising Organizations for Local Rescue and Spay/Neuter Efforts PawPrints Foundation 706-863-2067 pawprintsfoundation.org That’s What Friends Are For, Inc. c/o The Village Deli 706-736-3691 thatswhatfriendsarefor.org
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