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The best things in life are rescued

Help Us Help Them

Our organization has been credited by the Athens County commissioners with having a tremendous impact on the decrease of euthanasia at the shelter. It takes a great deal of time, effort and funding to help the dogs. We need our community's support to continue providing assistance. Please do your part in helping us save these precious animals.

About Us

Friends of the Shelter Dogs is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides assistance to the dogs in the Athens County Dog Shelter by providing veterinary support for sick and injured dogs, spaying and neutering, rescue operations and the promotion of the dogs in the shelter. All this is done in order to save the lives of adoptable dogs.

Mission

Our mission is to prevent the euthanasia of adoptable dogs at the Athens County Dog Shelter by rescue and/or adoption.

Partners

We couldn't be successful without our many community partners, especially Behavioral Analysis Reform for Companions (BARC) and the Athens County Humane Society.

ð–§¹ ADOPT ð–§¹ FOSTER ð–§¹ VOLUNTEER ð–§¹ DONATE ð–§¹ EDUCATE

Temporary Fostering

We are always in need of temporary foster homes. Please fill out an application if you think you would like to help foster a dog on a short or longer-term basis. Sometimes we just need a place for a dog to go to for a few days until they travel to a partner rescue. You can help us save a dog's life! If you can take in a pet for any amount of time, we need you. Please click the link below to learn more and submit a foster application. 

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The Impact of Our Work

See the Lives We Touched in 2025

184

Dogs and Puppies FOSD sent to partner rescues

106

Dogs placed in FOSD foster homes

50

Additional dogs spayed/neutered by FOSD

Looking to Adopt?

Every dog deserves a loving home and a second chance. By adopting, you are not only gaining a loyal companion, but also helping us make room for other animals in need. Our dogs are looking for families who will provide them with the care, patience, and love they deserve. If you are ready to welcome a new best friend into your life, please click the link below to learn more about adopting dogs in Athens County. 

Services We Provide

Veterinary Care

  • Cover vetting costs for sick and injured shelter dogs.

  • Purchasing shelter vaccines. 

  • Supporting every other month spay and neuter clinics at the shelter

Rescue

We work with partner rescues to accept dogs into their program. This frees up critically needed space at the shelter and reduces the amount of time dogs wait for homes. Partner rescues help us ensure that dogs are never euthanized for space.

Behavioral Assessments

  • Collecting information to give potential adopters and owners more information about each dog. 

  • In partnership with Behavioral Analysis Reform for Canines, we support training and enrichment for shelter dogs. 

Promotion

Promoting available dogs via local newspapers, social media, and through adoption events.

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Want to help shelter dogs?

We'd Love to Have You!

Foster

Interested in giving a dog a temporary home outside of the shelter?  We provide all vetting as well as food, crates, and toys/enrichment tools. We have both short and long-term fostering needs. Click here to submit our foster application. 

Volunteer

Interested in learning to walk dogs at the shelter or spend time with them in our play yards? We also need drivers to transport dogs to rescue or veterinary appointments. Click here to learn more and submit our shelter volunteer application.

Sponsor & Donate

Friends of the Shelter Dogs is always in need of good people who love animals, helping out, and saving lives. Donations and sponsorships are always great ways of helping our mission. Click here to donate or email us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Get in Touch

We’re Here to Help

Email Us

FOSDinfo@gmail

Write to Us

P.O. Box 576 Athens, OH 45701 

Follow Us on Social Media!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok

Thank You to Our Sponsor!

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