The COVID-19 pandemic brought plenty of unforeseen situations to Habersham, with one of the most prominent being the mass vaccination site at the Habersham County Fairgrounds that has vaccinated thousands of Georgians. What started as something the Habersham Animal Shelter staff worried would cause them to lose potential adopters became a new way for dogs to find their forever homes.
“We have had a blast with the Guard and so have the dogs,” says Madi Nix, Habersham County Animal Care and Control director. “There have been a few dogs that are actually a little bit under-socialized that some of the [members of the] guard have actually been picking up and taking out on golf cart rides to help socialize them.”
During the vaccination site’s busier days, shelter volunteers walked dogs in “adopt me” vests up and down vaccine lines as visitors from around the state befriended and took home shelter dogs. But as appointments slowed down, the National Guard members stationed at the Habersham vaccination site have stepped up to help the residents of the shelter get the love and attention they need.
One of the dogs the guard has made the biggest impact on is Marley, a dog who lost her home when her owner entered assisted living. She was scared and aggressive, but now, she looks forward to walks, playtime and cuddles from her favorite guard members.
“Marley has really come around thanks to our volunteers and staff, and the guard,” Nix says. “I think without having that socialization option for her, she would not have made the progress that she has with us, because she was pretty much forced to see hundreds of people every day. But they were all people that were kind and that wanted to help her.”
Some Guard members have expressed interest in adopting the dogs they’ve bonded with during their time at the Habersham vaccination site. “It’s pretty cool that they [the guard] actually have built a relationship with the dogs in the shelter,” Nix says.
Shelter volunteer Rosa Allen has been the “ringleader” in bringing the dogs and the National Guard together, according to Nix. “She has been amazing,” Nix tells Now Habersham.
You can see the furry friends up for adoption and schedule a time to meet them on the Habersham County Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.
