Oconee Regional Humane Society, Inc

Have a Heart to Help Animals Impacted by Heartworm Disease!

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, and the Oconee Regional Humane Society is back with our Have a Heart campaign to drive community awareness of heartworms' devastating impact and raise critical funding to help more animals impacted directly upon intake at the shelter. 

An anonymous donor will match up to $12,500 raised from this campaign from April 1-April 30, 2024! 

Donate Today to Double the Impact!

Did you know that heartworms are among the most dangerous parasitic worms that infect our companion animals? Over one million dogs are estimated to be infected with heartworms yearly, according to the American Medical Veterinary Association (AVMA). Dogs become infected when bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic larvae. These larvae are deposited on the pet as a mosquito feeds and quickly penetrate the skin to migrate into the pet's bloodstream. Eventually, adult heartworms can grow to ten or twelve inches long and make their home on the right side of the heart and pulmonary arteries. There, the presence of heartworms leads to arterial and lung disease and, in some cases, heart failure. 

Heartworms can live inside your pet for 6 months before a test can tell your veterinarian they're there. To stop the cycle, keep your pet on heartworm prevention beginning at 6-8 weeks of age! 

Signs of heartworm in a dog may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after exertion, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Signs of heartworm in cats include coughing, asthma-like attacks, periodic vomiting, lack of appetite, and weight loss. Unfortunately, in some cases, the first sign for cats is collapse or sudden death. 

While this disease can be found in all 50 states, the climate and topography of the Georgia Lake Country make it an optimal breeding ground for mosquitos carrying this dangerous disease. 

The team at ORHS often encounters heartworm-positive dogs upon intake! We'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to three very special dogs who are going through heartworm treatment AND are still looking for a forever home! 

Meet Tanner! 

Tanner is an eight-year-old black dog with a heart full of joy and a tail that never stops wagging. Found as a stray, Tanner's past may be a mystery, but his personality is anything but! He's a social butterfly, always ready to greet everyone with a wagging tail and an ever-present smile! Despite starting the difficult and painful treatment for heartworm disease, Tanner's spirit remains unbroken.

Will you consider a $50 donation today toward Tanner's treatment to double the impact to $100? 

Meet Polly! 

She's already made incredible strides as a three-year-old mixed breed since being found as a stray with her two puppies. She has already been spayed, received FHO surgery to repair an old leg injury, and is soon to begin life-altering physical therapy. All while also being heartworm-positive! 

Will you consider a $75 donation toward Polly's treatment to double the impact to $150 this April?  

Meet Athena! 

Athena is an English Bulldog with a heart as big as her courage! Found as a pregnant stray, she has been nurturing her five adorable puppies with all the love and care a mother could give. But Athena is more than just a mother; she's a fighter. She is heartworm-positive and in dire need of treatment. As her puppies are soon to be weaned, we can start her on the path to recovery. 

Heartworm treatment is a long and challenging journey. Would you consider a $100 donation toward Athena to double the impact to $200 this April? 

           DONATE TODAY, AND YOUR GIFT WILL BE MATCHED FOR DOUBLE THE IMPACT!  

Help us secure another $12,500 for our Have a Heart campaign by the end of the month, providing $25,000 in generous support to this campaign.

To learn more about our work and to see these animals and others available for adoption, please go to www.orhspets.org or follow us on social media. 

ORHS is a non-profit animal welfare organization serving Greene, Putnam, and surrounding counties. We are dedicated to reducing pet homelessness and helping pets and their caregivers have the best quality of life available. Our programs of rescue & adoption, pet food distribution, low-cost spay/neuter, education, training, and limited financial assistance for medical treatments are how we improve the quality of life of our pets and community. With a very limited staff, we utilize more than 150 volunteers to help run our shelter and programs. You can help by donating monetarily or by donating your valuable time and talents.