Not On My Watch: Helping Henry County

I'm starting to learn a bit more about some of the shelters in Georgia. Not surprisingly, there's a lot going on. With severe overpopulation, not enough spay/neuters done, more and more animals are brought to the shelters to "get rid of the problem." Sadly, as you may know, most animals don't leave the shelter alive.

I think it would be worthwhile to spotlight some of these shelters and ask everyone to lend them a hand. Donate a dollar or two. It doesn't have to be much if we all pitch in together. Send them a donation of food or even better, find a way to help adopt or foster one or more of these at risk animals.

Right now there are a number of mamas and babies at Henry County Care & Control. Most of them face death if not rescued by Tuesday or Wednesday and that can change if more animals are brought in, then the ones who have been there the longest, are put to sleep...sleep? KILLED. I am not admonishing the people at Henry. I don't know their struggle and frankly I don't have the guts to work at a shelter. I have a feeling they're doing as much, and more, as they can to get the word out about these animals.

These are the families that are in dire need, text, descriptions and photos are directly from Betsy at Henry Co.:

There is some confusion about what nursing moms and kittens are at Henry and still in need. Here is a current update. As of today, Saturday 8.15.09 we have 4 families still alive and in need. To make it very clear these families will be held until Wednesday 8.19.09 for any Georgia Dept. of Ag. licensed rescue attempt. Nursing babies and mothers are not up for public adoption and will be released to rescue only.

Thursday morning depending on space the moms and kits who are ready to wean will be separated and put in the cat and kitten rooms for adoption. There is always a chance the rooms are full and these cats and kittens will be euthanized.

If you would like to rescue any of these families they must be removed from the shelter Wednesday 8.19.09 at the latest.

***PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS A COUNTY RUN ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY WITH NO VET ON STAFF, NO BOARDING OR TRANSPORT, ETC. YOU MUST ENLIST THE HELP OF A LOCAL RESCUE AND MAKE ALL VETTING AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS ON YOUR OWN PLEASE***

Here are photos and ID numbers of each family:

Hugging mom [gray and white] and her 2 tabby boys:
ID# 8/6-3651

(This is the family I'm hoping to get adopted out or otherwise put into foster care.)

Dilute Calico and her three girls:
ID# 8/6-3660

(I don't know anyone helping these beauties. Please get the word out on them as they need help soon!)

Kate Plus 8:

Tuxedo mom and 5 kittens of her own with 3 additional kits who came in individually and would have had to be put down.

Kate is ID# 8/3-3620

Her kittens are 3 gray and gray tabby males, 1 gray and white female and 1 black and white female. Her foster kits are one solid white teeny weeny, 1 black and white, and 1 solid black screamer. Those kittens are not sexed.
Kate has taken in these additional babies happily. We will be VERY upset to see her life end here, she is the pure expression of Motherly LOVE!

THANKS to BARB at WCR, THIS MAMA AND 8 BABIES MAY BE RESCUED. CROSSING FINGERS

Dilute Calico mom and her 2 kits ready to wean, one black and white and one orange and one tabby:
ID# 7/20-3032

Tabby is behind the two kittens and is here.

**Please Note; When forwarding, crossposting, or re-posting I ask that you leave this message intact exactly as it was written by me. I do not give permission to post my message, part of my message, or my photographs on Craig's List. Thank you for your help and support, and for respecting my wishes.**

Betsy Merchant~

Contact:

mystiblu@bellsouth.net

Henry County Animal Care and Control

527 Hampton Street

McDonough, Georgia 30253

(770) 288-PETS

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA67.html

Our Hours:

Monday-Friday:  9 am-4:30 pm

Saturday:  9 am-1 pm

Sunday:  Closed

County Observed Holidays:  Closed

The shelter is located at 527 Hampton Street in McDonough. We are located south of Atlanta off I-75. Take exit 218 and head east on 20/81 toward McDonough. Our address is 527 Hwy 20/81 East.

For all other information regarding ordinances, county codes, and other functions of Henry County Animal Care and Control please visit www.hcacc.org