Dixie Dogs Go North to Find Homes

We prepare to depart 2009 with a Happy Tail and a sign of what 2010 holds:


In early December, 5 Shelter dogs boarded a van operated by Semper Fi Rescue. Their destination: Massachusetts! These dogs were the first ones sent by The Animal Shelter to Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society as part of their Dixie Dogs program.



Ben, Goldie, Houston, Margie, and Rabbit made it safely to their destination, and were immediately assessed as adoption-ready, proving what wonderful dogs we have here in the South! We would love to show you all their pictures at Dakin, but we can't - Goldie, Houston, Margie, and Rabbit were all adopted in their first week! Ben is still awaiting his Northern home, but given his winning smile in his pic, we know his family will find him soon:



Dakin is accepting 5 dogs each run, 2 run per month - a total of 120 precious lives transferred for Northern adoption each year!

You can help!

To qualify for interstate transport, the chosen dogs must be quarantined for 2 weeks prior to travel. The Animal Shelter is in need of pea gravel for the quarantine yard to keep these pups healthy and ready to go! If you can set us up with some gravel, you will be an important part in rescuing these lives. Please call the shelter at 256-236-1581 or email ashelter@bellsouth.net if you know anyone who can help.



Can you spare $5 to help a cat or $10 to help a dog this winter? Please ChipIn to our Warmth for Winter Campaign!

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

These Dogs Want a Happier New Year

Our wonderful ONE Club dogs, shown below, have spent all of 2009 at the shelter waiting for an adopter who never came.

It takes an extraordinary dog to remain loving and healthy in a kennel environment, and it takes an exceptional adopter to recognize how wonderful our long-term residents really are. They may take a little longer to learn their house manners, but they have so much love and appreciation to give in return.

Can you help 2010 be a brighter year for these deserving pups? Please consider one for your home, or share them with your family and friends as they consider adding a new family member. For details on each dog, please visit our Petfinder page.

Can you spare $5 to help a cat or $10 to help a dog this winter? Please ChipIn to our Warmth for Winter Campaign!

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

Last Minute Gifts from the Heart

(our tree at Quintard Mall)

There's only one week left until Christmas! If you are still looking for just the right gift, don't forget to visit Secondhand Tails Thrift Store @ 6500 McClellan Blvd (M-Sat 10-3). You can find a beautiful gift at a great price, while benefitting the shelter!

You can also give a gift directly to The Animal Shelter in honor of your friend or loved one. If you give through our Warmth for Winter campaign, you can leave a message to the honoree on the wall! Another great way to let your loved one know you've sent love & care to shelter animals on their behalf is to send an eCard (Care2 has some wonderful free holiday eCards).

We have two giving portals for this campaign:
Razoo (fee free!)
ChipIn (uses Paypal)

Dogs and cats love holiday gifts, too! If you can find it in your heart to give a gift to the shelter this season, please contact ashelter@bellsouth.net or (256) 236-1581 or go to our Petfinder page to see the many giving suggestions under How to Help!

Are you thinking of adopting for the holiday? Remember, bringing a new pet into the home requires time and attention, and plenty of puppy- or kitty-proofing. Some fun ideas for providing the excitement of adopting on the holiday, while giving yourself time to find the right lifetime match for your entire family include giving a stuffed animal "stand-in," wrapping pet supplies with the promise of getting the new pet after the holiday excitement settles, or creating a beautiful gift certificate for redemption after the holiday.

Thank you for thinking of homeless animals this holiday season!





Did you vote for us today? The Shelter+ Challenge

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

Special Editions Looking for Special Homes

All these "special edition" dogs want for Christmas is a special home:


Mandy - Super senior seeking loving retirement home!







Cara - shy violet in need of quiet and loving environment to regain her confidence










Big Momma - Beagle diva looking to be the only baby in the family









Maizy - 3 legs? No worries! Now, throw that ball!












Barney - a big fuzzy flirt whose only request is that nobody sneak up on his blind side












Contact The Animal Shelter at ashelter@bellsouth.net or 256-236-1581 if you want to grant one of these babies their holiday wish!



Can you give just $5 to warm a cat, or $10 to warm a dog, this winter? Please Chip In!

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

Holiday Happenings!

In the spirit of the holidays, we have a number of ways you can help The Animal Shelter while helping yourself:

Charms at Couch's! Delight the animal lovers on your gift list with a dog or cat charm from Couch's Jewelers! The charms will be available at the Anniston location today (Dec 9) through Friday (Dec 11) and at the Oxford Exchange location on Saturday (Dec 12). Warm the hearts of your gift recipients by letting them know that proceeds benefit The Animal Shelter, The League for Animal Welfare, and SAVE!

Pet Photos with Santa! Monday, Dec 14 will be your last chance to get professional photos of your pet with Santa. Bring your pet to Quintard Mall between 5 and 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefits the shelter.

Vote for our Tree! Now through December 20, make sure you go to guest services and place a vote for our Christmas tree every time you visit Quintard Mall. We could win a cash prize! (How do you benefit? You get to see our beautiful tree! The ladies do such a wonderful job every year. You also have another excuse for stopping by the mall :)

Make a gift donation! The friend or relative who has everything will appreciate your donation to The Animal Shelter on their behalf. If you contribute through our Warmth for Winter campaign, you can leave a message to the honoree on the wall. What better gift for an animal lover than knowing that they helped keep homeless dogs and cats warm and safe?

Shop at Secondhand Tails Thrift Store! Get a unique gift at a great price from the store that supports The Animal Shelter. Secondhand Tails offers higher-end items. If you've never been there before, be sure to visit - you'll be impressed! 6500 McClellan Blvd, 10-3 Mon-Sat.

Did you vote for us today? The Shelter+ Challenge

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

Meet Big Momma!

Big Momma is the beagle lover's beagle! She has all those classic beagle characteristics of loving people, loving attention from people, loving food, loving scents more than anything in the universe with the exception, perhaps, of super stinky food (click here to read about beagles from people who know beagles!).

Big Momma also has some things that make her unique. She must be an only dog. She was badly attacked and traumatized by another dog and now would rather not be around them, thank you very much! She may also be a little too opinionated for a home with young children. She had a large litter of pups, and she definitely knows how to say NO! to pesky youngsters.

If you have a home free of dogs and small children, but full of adult attention and good things to sniff, please consider Big Momma!

Can you help Big Momma find the right home?

Tweet her on Adopt-a-Pet!

Foster her on Facebook!

The temperatures are falling and the gas bill is climbing! Can you help give our animals Warmth for Winter? Any amount is welcome!

Did you vote for us today? The Shelter+ Challenge

Help Chase give away $5million!

Are you on Facebook? Chase is taking votes on which charities should get a part of their $5 million give-away!

You get 20 votes. Can you spare one for us? Vote for Calhoun County Humane Society Inc (Anniston, AL):

(if the button doesn't work, click here)



Baby it's COLD outside! Can you help us pay the gas bill to keep our babies warm this winter? Please ChipIn - any amount is welcome.

Did you vote for us today? The Shelter+ Challenge

Give our Animals Warmth for Winter!

Cold temperatures are upon us already, and with them a spike in the gas bill as the shelter struggles to keep its large metal building (converted from an automotive repair shop!) warm for our animals and staff.

If you asked our animals what they want this holiday season, they'd say a warm and loving home! Well, we are trying hard to give them homes, but in the meantime we do our best to give them warmth and love. Will you help us give them Warmth for Winter?

Please ChipIn - any amount will help!

Did you vote for us today? The Shelter+ Challenge

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!