Shelter Dog Flies To New Forever Home

A dog from Stephens County finds his forever home in the Sunshine State thanks to the Internet and the work of volunteers.

“Opey” arrived at the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter in February 2015 at the age of four months after Animal Control seized him because “Opey” did not have have anywhere to stay warm or adequate food or water.

Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Director Jeff Roberts says that “Opey” went to many adoption events, but was never picked until a woman in Florida saw his picture on an adoption website.

However, the problem became getting “Opey” to Florida and the woman who wanted to adopt him.

Roberts says that is where a group called “Pilots N Paws” stepped in.

According to Roberts, that group flew “Opey” to Florida where he is now living happily in his new home.

Roberts said he appreciates all of the work that went into finding “Opey” his new home.

“He basically grew up in the shelter,” said Roberts. “We basically had the dog available for adoption at the shelter and also at adoption events, but we never got the right person who had interest in him. We are just really glad when we had this opportunity to get him a home and work through the coordinating the pilot and getting the adopter squared away.”

Roberts went on to say that organizations like “Pilots N Paws” are vital to adoption efforts.

“These are just pilots doing good deeds for animals and I guess, also from their stand point, giving them a reason to get up and enjoy their hobby of flying, but it is very nice to be able to do this,” said Roberts.

However, “Opey” is just one animal at the shelter.

Roberts said there are plenty more animals waiting to be adopted.

“Right now, we are a little low as far as our total numbers, which is due to not having a lot of young kittens right now,” said Roberts. “That will come later in the year, but we are full and maxed out for our dog space, so we have a need to get adult dogs adopted into homes to create space for new animals that come in.”

The Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter is located on Scenic Drive, next to the Stephens County Jail and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The phone number is 706-282-3275.