Please make checks payable to "Humane Society's Mountain Shelter" and mail to:

 

Any non-profit organization is only as good as its volunteers. The Mountain Shelter is always looking for enthusiastic animal lovers willing to work for our cause — the animals. There are many ways to volunteer including:

1. Shelter Work - This includes "hands-on" work with the animals, like cleaning, feeding, walking, bathing, petting, etc. Can also include answering the phone and other duties.
2. Thrift Stores - The stores are run by volunteer help under the direction of store manager Tricia Spear.
   • Located in Blairsville, GA, at 208 Earnest Street (in the building where the Blairsville Seafood Market and Grill was formerly located) and in Hiawassee, GA, at 1390 Highway 76 East in the Chatuge Harbour Shopping Plaza (across from Towns County Schools).
   • Hours - 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 2 PM Saturday; closed Sunday.
   • Call the Thrift Stores at 706-745-0033 in Blairsville and 706-896-7548 in Hiawassee to sign up.
3. Fundraisers - The Mountain Shelter has special events throughout the year to help raise the money needed to support projects like the spay/neuter program. For fundraiser dates, see "Upcoming Events."
4. Adoption Days - Animals from the shelter are taken to other sites for viewing and adoption. Adoption Days usually occur on Saturdays, and are not held during the winter months. For dates of Adoption Days, see "Upcoming Events."
5. Foster Parents - Pet lovers temporarily share their homes to provide care and prevent animal euthanization. (The Foster Parent Program is not being offered at this time while further research is being conducted and program guidelines are being developed.)
6. Pet Sponsorship Program - Not ready or able to adopt? Do the next best thing and help sponsor a dog or a cat HSMS. This successful program has resulted in finding loving homes for many hard to place or special needs animals.
   Sponsorship is a one-time fee of $50 which reduces the cost of the adoption. This helps HSMS recoup monies spent to treat and care for the animals and gives a potential adopted a break on the adoption fee. Many seniors take advantage of sponsored pet adoptions.

Donations
The Mountain Shelter relies on the generous support of its donors. Donations of money or items can be made in various ways. See the list below for more details.

1. Everyday items are necessary to maintain our operation. Use the form below to donate new or used items that can be put to good use. Be sure to indicate your phone number so we can contact you.
   
   • Cat Food - Dry or Canned, Kitten and Adult
   • Dog Food - Dry or Canned, Puppy and Adult
   • Cat Litter and Litter Deodorizers
   • Pooper Scoopers, Litter Pans
   • Cat and Dog Carriers for Transport
   • Folding Crates for Offsite Adoptions
   • Dog and Cat Beds - Donate a Kuranda Bed!!!!
   • Bandanas, Shampoos (especially flea and tick), Brushes, Combs, Nail Clippers
   • Flea Control Products (Frontline, Advantage, Promeris, Comfortis, Adams Sprays, etc.)
   • Tennis Balls, Toys for Dogs and Cats, Peanut Butter for Kong Stuffings
   • Treats, Biscuits, Rawhides, Greenies, Bones
   • Leashes, Collars, Choke Collars, Gentle Leaders, Harnesses
   • Small Rugs, Blankets, Towels, Washcloths
   • Toilet Tissue and Paper Towel Cardboard inserts (used for toys and hiding treats)
   • Chicken and Beef Broth - Boullion or Crystals
   • Any Cleaning Supplies
   • Any Office Supplies
   • 33-Gallon Garbage Bags
   • Toilet Tissue
   • Paper Towels
   • Antibacterial Hand Soap
   • Any and All Household Tools
2. Monetary donations will be accepted anytime including at adoption days or at the Shelter. They can also be mailed to:
   Humane Society's Mountain Shelter
   P.O. Box 1252
   Blairsville GA 30514
   
   or, donate online via PayPal
   

   
   
   
3. Memorials - Donations can be made in honor or in memory of a beloved pet or a loved one. All memorial donations are recognized with a personal note.
   
   
   
4. Food - Food can be donated in the bins located at either of the Ingles stores in Hiawassee or Blairsville or can be brought directly to the Shelter.

Please be a responsible pet owner and have all your pets spayed or neutered. Our goal is to reduce unwanted litters and therefore reduce the pet overpopulation. To this end, we will spay or neuter every adopted animal before it leaves the Shelter for its new home. We also hope to open a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Blairsville in the near future.

Ask your friends and neighbors to join you in being a responsible pet owner. This not only includes basic care like food and shelter, but also spay/neuter, collar and ID tag, vaccinations, and loving that pet for a lifetime. If every person in your community would do these simple things for their pets, strays would not be roaming our neighborhoods. There would be some very happy pets living out their lifes with the owners they adore. If every community in Towns and Union County would recognize the pet overpopulation problem and take action, the Humane Society's Mountain Shelter could reach its goal of becoming a "no-kill" facility. There are not enough homes for all of them. Do the right thing - be responsible for your pet.