www . unioncountymag . com � 10th Anniversary
By Lisa McConnell Collins
Humane Society Executive Director
The Humane Society ’ s Mountain Shelter has had a tragic loss this year . Our beloved Board President , Bob Levy passed away from a prolonged illness on April 30 , 2022 . Bob had been our Board President and friend for the past seven years . He was a faithful supporter and champion of our organization and served in many capacities . If you ever met Bob , you definitely would remember him . His personality was filled with a joyous spirit . He was well known in our community and involved with many charities and organizations . The Humane Society has had so many positive changes with Bob leading us all the way ! Bob was the Master of Ceremony at our annual ‘ Puttin on the Dog ’ event at North Georgia Tech College for many years . Remember the guy with the Top Hat competing at the Casa Dance off fundraiser ? That was Bob ! He enjoyed living and doing whatever he could to help others . He loved playing pickleball and was one of the original advocates for the Towns County Pickleball Court addition . He was voted volunteer of the year in Union County . If you ever attended a “ Marty Party ” after business hours event , Bob was the funny guy that always had a camera around his neck snapping
Kidz Clubs at Dawg House Lost & Found Service Pet Adoption Pet Sponsorship Foster Program Community Service www . pawsga . org
Lisa McConnell Collins Director mtnshelter @ yahoo . com
706-781-3843
photos and cutting up . Many business owners benefitted from the Marty group as they exchanged business contacts with each other and sent many referrals to one another . He was an Angel and he will be greatly missed .
The Humane Society has been successful in saving many , many lives since 1987 . This shelter has grown into a beautiful facility to house and rehabilitate the thousands of orphaned animals in both Towns and Union counties and surrounding communities .
I began working as the Executive Director at the shelter in April 2008 . Having worked at veterinarian offices my entire career , I never imagined that working at an animal shelter would be so rewarding . I have a great passion for the overall well being of animals and watching them thrive . They are such a positive entity in most people ’ s lives and are some people ’ s saving grace . I have seen these animals come in with their hearts broken and pride destroyed by an unfortunate experience and
129 Bowling Gap Circle at Highway 515 East Blairsville , GA
Adoptions for cats & dogs include spay / neuter , micro-chipping , current vaccinations , deworming , defleaing
Humane SocietyThrift Stores Mountain Shelter Blairsville Store
125 Wellborn Street , Blairsville , Ga
706.745.0033
Mon-Sat 10am - 4pm Closed Sunday
Ed Philo , Blairsville Thrift Store Manager
Thousands of items to purchase at Economical Prices We accept donations Hiawassee Thrift Store 1620 Hwy . 76 , Suite 10 , Hiawassee , Ga 706.896.7548
our staff pulls them out of their fearful and depressive state , and finds them a happy , loving & forever home . You can actually see the animals smile as they leave and we certainly can see the adopters happiness .
As with the rest of the world , Covid changed the way our society functions . Our operation ’ s protocol changed slightly for the public ’ s safety . We did all intakes and adoptions by appointment only so that we could control the traffic flow . We discovered that the dogs “ showed ” better in a one-on-one environment instead of walking through the dog area enabling the adopter more able to bond with the animal . It turned out to be a blessing in disguise for adoptions . This shelter has
Summer 2022 � Union County GA Magazine � Page 15
Humane Society Mountain Shelter has adopted
out over 17,000 animals over the years
www . pawsga . org
Humane Society Mountain Shelter in Union County 129 Bowling Gap Circle at Highway 515 East , Blairsville , GA
Photo / NormC
Bob Levy & Lisa Collins Photo / Submitted
adopted out over 17,000 animals over the years . HSMS continues to offer animals that are spayed or neutered , vaccinated , microchipped , heartworm or feline tested for Felv / FIV , dewormed and are deemed as healthy to the best of our ability .
For information about our organization and the programs we offer please visit our website at www . pawsga . org . or call 706- 781-3843 . We have two wonderful Thrift Stores located in Blairsville and Hiawassee . Shopping or donating to these stores are a great way to support our mission to prevent cruelty , suffering and the inhumane treatment of animals .