When nine dogs escaped from their Noble County chains starving and disease-ridden, Robin McClelland and the Appalachian Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped in to help.

In August, the dogs were surrendered to McClelland, who cared for them until they were well enough to go home with a loving family. Even as the Noble County dogs were matched up one by one, there are still many more from across Ohio needing veterinary procedures and a devoted owner.

Searching for the right owner is a difficult process, McClelland said in September.

“We tell people, ‘You’ve got to be in it for the long haul. (For example,) getting divorced is not a reason to surrender your animal,” McClelland said.

The holidays also make it difficult to weed out serious adoption inquiries.

“A lot of the people, I believe, are acting on impulse because of the sadness of it,” McClelland said. “It can also have the same effect at Christmastime — a puppy at Christmas! It’s impulsive because you hear this story.”

Families seriously interested in owning a rescue dog can view the Appalachian Ohio SPCA’s list of adoptable pups at http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=OH790.

The organization also accepts donations to fund the dogs’ food, vet bills and other necessities. Donations also go towards the construction of a winter shelter in McClelland’s backyard in Harrison County. With the frost already settling in northern Ohio, help is needed more than ever.

“Vetting takes priority. Of course we’ll have some (income from) adoptions, but right now we don’t have any money for supplies,” McClelland said. “I don’t know how we're going to do it.”

McClelland has emptied her piggy bank in support of local animals, and urges others to do the same.

“If I have $31 in my bank account and there’s a Humane Society in West Virginia that needs dog food, I’m going to send them $20,” she said. “A lot of people think ‘activist’ is a bad word…(but) when it comes to animals, they’re more than 50 years behind the times.”

To help, visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/aospca.html or search Appalachian Ohio SPCA, Inc. on Facebook.