Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 6D
- FORSYTH COUNTY NEW - today, JaqWNY W. INS.
Joyce Richert inspired
by devotion to animals
By Jfcn Riley
Staff Writer
After rescuing several aban
doned dogs and cats near her home,
Cumming resident Joyce Richert
decided to dedicate her life to
assisting Forsyth County animals.
“There were many animals
dumped on this road (James
Burgess), and I was constantly tak
ing them to the shelter,” she said.
So, six years ago, Richert decid-
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ed to volunteer at the Forsyth
County Humane Society and has
been there ever since. Now, while
animal dumping is not as bad as it
used to be, Richert says that it is
still a big problem.
In order to help Forsyth County
dogs and cats, Richert has been a
Foster Home Chairman for the past
five years. She coordinates the vol
unteers who keep animals in their
homes until permanent homes can
be found.
WOMEN OF FORSYTH
Currently, Richert has several
animals herself, including two
“senior citizens.” Shadow, a black
cat, was her late father’s pet and is
17 years old. Also, Blackie is a 14-
year-old mixed-breed dog that has
had two strokes. However, he is still
very friendly.
She also has two other cats,
Tigger and Callie, as well as two
horses. Fancy and Bandit.
One of the things of which
Richert is most proud is that the
Forsyth County Humane Society
spays and neuters all of the animals
that go through the system. That at
least ensures that other unwanted
puppies and kittens are not born
after the pets are finally adopted.
Instead of just giving the ani
mals away, the Humane Society
tries to educate pet owners and
ensure that the animals are going to
a good home. There is a charge
involved for the vet bill, which usu
ally runs from SSO to S2OO.
Richert emphasizes the fact that
mixed-breed animals do make the
best pets, and deserve just as much
love as pedigreed animals. She said
that some people have very bad atti
tudes when it comes to purebred
animals. Richert actually has seen
people use shelter animals as a test
to see if children will take care of
an animal, and then go get a “good
dog.”
Many people criticize animal
shelters for euthanizing animals, but
Richert maintains that the Forsyth
County Humane Society does its
very best to find good homes for all
Joyce Richert,
foster home
Chairman for the
Forsyth County
Humane Society,
has dedicated her
life to animals.
She is shown with
one of her three
cats, Tigger and
one of her two
horses, Fancy.
Photo/Jim Riley
of the animals that end up there.
But Richert said that the real
cruelty is animal abandonment. “To
me, nothing is worse than dumping
a dog,” she said.
While there are some lucky
ones, (like Richert’s dog, Blackie),
most either starve, die from disease
or end up harassing wildlife or live
stock.
Foster parents for animals are
always needed and appreciated by
the Humane Society. People with
unused fenced yards or acreage are
especially needed. If interested, call
Richert at (770) 889-1365.
While the Humane Society and
her job as a dental hygienist take up
much of her time, Richert also
enjoys riding her horses on her 11
acres and in the surrounding area.