The West Georgia SPCA Needs You

The West Georgia SPCA is not just a one-issue organization.  From investigating animal cruelty to helping families during natural disasters or economic hardship, spaying and neutering feral cats to finding a loving home for pets without one, the organization provides many important services to Douglasville and the West Georgia community, and they do it all through donations. 

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with Martina Hemming, the West Georgia SPCA’s executive director, and she provided some great insight on the organization and what Douglasville residents can do to help them help area dogs, cats, and rabbits who are awaiting their second chance at a happy life. 

Sarah’s Critters:  Can you tell us a little about West Georgia SPCA?  What exactly do you guys do? 

West Georgia SPCA:  We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps homeless dogs, cats and rabbits get a second chance for a wonderful life.  We provide full vet care and adoption for the animals we rescue.  We also help pet owners needing help with their pets due to financial hardship or natural disaster through our “Pets Are Family Too” program.  We provide anonymous reporting for people who are afraid to give their information to the authorities regarding cruelty/neglect cases and dog fighting cases.  We also provide assistance to people who want to manage the feral cat populations in their area with spay/neuter and vaccines.

Sarah’s Critters:  Are you affiliated with the ASPCA? 

West Georgia SPCA:   That is a common misconception.  A lot of people think their local SPCA is a subsidiary of the ASPCA or the HSUS and are funded by them, but that is not true.  There are no ASPCA or HSUS shelters in Georgia.    Every SPCA is an independent organization.  We rely on local donations to help the pets and pet owners in our area.   While the ASPCA is a good organization, it is your local SPCA like us that will help you with things like caring for and finding your pet a new home when you can no longer care for them, investigating cruelty cases, providing low cost vaccine and spay/neuter services, helping feral cats and providing free pet boarding when families are displaced by natural disasters.  

Sarah’s Critters:   How can people in the Douglasville community help your organization help animals?  

West Georgia SPCA:   The number one way is to donate.  Since we are a no-kill organization, the number of pets we can rescue is dependent on what we can afford through donations.  Every donation makes a difference.  Just one person donating $10 a month will save the life of one homeless animal per year.  If you click on the blue donate button on www.westgeorgiaspca.org, you can elect a one-time or a monthly donation amount.  We need foster homes, especially for large dogs.  We can always use donations of dog and cat food, fresh vegetables for the rabbits, used blankets and Igloo dogs houses.  We also participate in eBay Giving Works, where people can list an item for sale and designate a percentage to be donated to the West Georgia SPCA.

Sarah’s Critters:   Has the economy had a major effect on your organization? 

West Georgia SPCA:  Very much so - we used to be primarily focused on care and adoption of homeless pets.  As the economy got worse, donations went down and the number of abandoned pets went way up.  We then switched our main focus to helping pet owners in financial distress to keep their pets and to helping homeless animals who need extended care before adoption.

Sarah’s Critters:  It seems like there are more and more cases of animal cruelty in the news these days; what can citizens do to help prevent this?  

West Georgia SPCA:   The best way is to recognize the signs and report it.  Look for animals with injuries, who have ribs showing, chained dogs, pets left without food and water or pets left out in the heat or cold.  You can report it to us at 770-272-3178 or e-mail info@westgeorgiaspca.org.  Don't leave your pet unattended.  Pets are stolen out of their yards to be bait dogs in dog fighting.  Small breeds are stolen to be sold at the nearest flea market or are bred and then dumped.  As summer is approaching, be aware of dogs locked in hot cars.  Even a few minutes can cause heat stroke, brain damage or death.  Immediately call 911 or Douglas County Animal Control as they can measure the car's inside temperature, and they have the authority to remove the dog from the car.

Sarah’s Critters:  What kinds of animals do you have available for adoption and where can people learn more about them? 

West Georgia SPCA:   We have dogs, cats and rabbits for adoption.  We also can provide fully vetted feral cats, rescued from shelters, to be farm cats.  We post our adoptable pets at Petfinder.

Sarah’s Critters:  Do you have any events coming up in the future that people can get involved with?  

West Georgia SPCA:   Our next event is the Charity Sale on April 16th.  All the money earned through this event goes to our Bunny Fund.  We have fundraising events and ideas throughout the year.  We welcome anyone who wants to host a garage sale, bake sale or pet food drive to help the West Georgia SPCA.  Join us on Facebook to keep up with the latest news and volunteer opportunities!

Sarah’s Critters:  Do you have a message for our readers?  

West Georgia SPCA:   Pets can't tell people where they live.   Many pets end up at animal control shelters after they have wandered out of the yard.  Most have collars on, but no ID tag or microchip.  That means that your pet has three days for you to find them before they go up for adoption.  The lucky ones get adopted, and the unlucky ones never get a second chance.  The most common thing I hear people say when they have lost a pet is that the pet never leaves the house or yard.  So, be smart before your pet gets lost and have them microchipped and/or put an ID tag on their collar.  It might save your pet's life and will keep valuable space free at crowded shelters.

For more information about the West Georgia SPCA, visit their website at www.westgeorgiaspca.org, call 770-272-3178, or email info@westgeorgiaspca.org.