S P O N S O R
T H E
METRO SPIRIT’S amber@themetrospirit.com PET PAGE! You Can Help The overpopulation of companion animals causes thousands to be killed in our local shelters and on our streets and roads every year. It’s not a pleasant thought. It’s one of the reasons that I work with a huge network of caring people to raise money for spaying and neutering more animals, and paying for medical expenses when animals are abused, neglected or injured. We work tirelessly to try to adopt out and save as many as we possibly can. We know we can’t save them all, but we do all we can to save as many as we can. It isn’t their fault there are so many of them. It’s our fault. As a community we have continued to feed stray animals without thinking of the consequences of their reproducing habits. Once you start feeding an animal, they become your responsibility. This responsibility includes spay/neuter because, before you know it, you have a blossoming population of cute babies. Well, that’s real sweet for a little while until they, too, start reproducing. When there are so many, it is nearly impossible to take care of the vet bills to get them spayed or neutered, vaccinated and cared for when they are sick or injured. So, more animals are put out to fend for themselves, UHJDUGOHVV RI WKH ZHDWKHU DQG WKDW WKH\ KDG JURZQ GHSHQGHQW RQ \RX WR IHHG WKHP ,W¡V QRW WKHLU IDXOW  Pets have a life span that varies by breed. Whether it is five years or 20 years, they are your responsibility for their lifetime. Think about that before you adopt and animal into your life. Think about your lifestyle, and what kind of time and attention you can give an animal. They become your companion and you love and care for them. But you are their world. They depend on you for their food, shelter, comfort, wellness and companionship. They depend on you. Life does throw us curves, but we are how we handle the curves. If you have to move, find a place you can move to with your pet(s). If your grown child goes away to school, leaving you their pet, know that the pet is going to be a traumatized Pet Food Drive starting now going through the because their main caregiver is gone. Before end of the year, with many drop off points: Animal you start thinking of getting rid of the animal, think about the animal, his needs and that House, Boots, Bridles and Britches, Pet Safari, commitment given him. The pet is in an Grovetown Seed and Feed, Paw Perfect Grooming environment he is comfortable with, and you already know how to care for him. Trying to Salon, Martinez Animal Hospital, National Hills find homes for adult pets is difficult at best. It Animal Hospital, Vineyard Wine Market can be done, but it is difficult. You could start with friends and neighbors that know the pet, Through December 30 and might be willing to adopt him. Share the Sponsored by the Pawprints Foundation and Long information on Facebook, a very popular social media that spreads information far and Dog Rescue, those who wish to donate can also wide. Put flyers up at places people frequent. call to schedule a pick up. %XW UHPHPEHU LW LVQ¡W WKH SHW¡V IDXOW  706-863-2067 Below are a few pets that also really need a home. If you are willing to make a pawprintsfoundation.org commitment to them, make that call.
Upcoming Events
&DOO 8V RU *R 2QOLQH IRU <RXU FREE (VWLPDWH SEE WHAT FISH HAS TO OFFER: Âť ([SHUW :LQGRZ &OHDQLQJ ,QFOXGLQJ 6LOOV 6FUHHQV Âť *XWWHUV &KDQGHOLHUV 6N\OLJKWV 0LUURUV 0RUH Âť 8QLIRUPHG %RQGHG ,QVXUHG 3URIHVVLRQDO &OHDQHUV Âť &RPPHUFLDO 5HVLGHQWLDO 6HUYLFH Âť 6DWLVIDFWLRQ *XDUDQWHHG
(706) 305-3900
This beagle is a really sweet male, about 2-3 years old. Call 706-554-2395.
This Siberian Husky-Shepherd mix is an 8-year old-female who needs a new family. Call 706-285-4701.
Ă&#x20AC;VKZLQGRZFOHDQLQJ FRP Locally Owned & Operated This Jack Russell mix is a female, approximately 5 years old, who is playful and needs a new home. Call 706-831-3115.
These two Beagle-Jack Russell female pups are happy little butterballs who can go together or separately. Call 404-936-4121.
ÂŹ Third Annual Dog Gone Cold 5k Run/Walk Julian Smith BBQ Pit Saturday, January 19, 2013 Sponsored by Hopeful Hounds, Inc. and The American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue, organizers are currently looking for sponsors as well as participants for this fun fundraiser. Pre-registration required. 706-294-6200 hopefulhounds.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. Augusta Animal Services 4164 Mack Lane, Augusta 706-790-6836. All cat and dog adoptions will be priced at $50 from November 26 through January 2, 2013. Presents for Pets drive, collecting cat, dog, puppy and kitten food, as well as treats, leashes, toys, beds, crates and more, is going on now through Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s What Friends Are For. Items collected will be distributed among local rescue organizations. Call 706-736-3691 or visit thatswhatfriendsarefor.org.