Since 2014
Saving Animals & Finding Homes
Our History
Partners of Pickens Pets (“POPP”) was formed in August of 2014 to make a difference in the lives of the many homeless and less fortunate pets in our community. Through generous donations from our supporters and various annual fundraisers, since inception POPP has assisted over 1,600 needy and homeless pets with desperately needed veterinary care. In 2017, POPP became the event organizer and beneficiary of PetOberfest. PetOberfest is an annual community event and fundraiser held the last Saturday in the month of October. In 2018, POPP became the event organizer and beneficiary of Bark in the Park. Bark in the Park is an annual community event and fundraiser held the second Saturday in April. In 2018, POPP implemented a program to collect pet food and supplies for senior’s pets.
Animals Helped
Pets Re-Homed
What Drives Us
Our Mission
To enhance the futures of homeless and less fortunate pets.
Our Vision
A world with no homeless or suffering pets.
Save a Life
Why Adopt?
ADOPT DON'T SHOP
Through adopting a pet from a shelter, you will save a life and gain a new best friend. Each year over 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States. Help put an end to this epidemic – ADOPT DON’T SHOP!
Team
Our Leadership
Judy Moody
Co-Founder
You could say that love of animals is a family trait. My mom passed it down to me and the tradition continues with my husband and children. From Massachusetts, Florida, to Jasper Georgia our home has always been a haven for the sick, wounded, and unwanted.
My daughter (Leah), like her mother, wears her crazy cat lady title with pride. And allergies cannot diminish Bryan Jr’spassion for pets. Even now, my children can be found lending a helping hand with all my Partners Of Pickens Pets (POPP) fundraisers whenever their college/work schedules allow.
I have always managed to find the time and funds needed to foster and volunteer at animal shelters. While living in Marietta I earned my degree as a Veterinarian Assistant from the Animal Behavioral College and worked at two clinics owned by Dr. Blackstone. These positions gave me the experience and skills required to assume the Assistant Director position at the Pickens County Animal Shelter. My role at the shelter was challenging, frustrating, and rewarding all at the same time. But with the help of the community I was able to reduce the kill rate from a staggering 75% to 5%.
Seeing the need in 2014 while I was in my Assistant Director position, my husband (Keith a Certified Public Accountant) founded my nonprofit 501 (C) 3- Partners Of Pickens Pets.
Now that I am no longer a Pickens County employee I am free to devote all my time to Pickens County pets in need and the fundraising that keeps the charity going.
With the support of God, family, community, the ever-compassionate Dr. Chester and his staff I will continue my efforts for the voiceless.
Keith Moody
Co-Founder
I was born and raised in Pickens County.
My career as a Certified Public Accountant began in 1988 with HLB Gross Collins where I am a shareholder today.
Growing up on a farm, I was always fond of animals, but thought that animals shouldn’t be allowed in the house.
I met my wife Judy in 2010 and she quickly showed me the true love of animals.
Before long our pets became family (and were inside our home) and all the local pets with a problem became our personal projects.
In 2014, I created Partners of Pickens Pets (a 501(c)3 nonprofit) to help support our passion to make a difference in the lives of pets in our community.
Judy has an amazing passion for animals which is infectious and that passion infected me.
With the communities support we are making a difference one pet at a time.
Our Volunteers
Michele Cooper
Volunteer
I have been rescuing homeless dogs and cats since I was a young child. Any strays in the neighborhood were quickly brought home. It was always my dream to help shelter pets find homes, but also for them to find love while at the shelter. I volunteered at our local shelter, walking and playing with the dogs and fostering. Judy saw me walking the dogs one day, and I introduced her to the shelter. Within minutes she was trimming nails and playing with the kitties.
I was also involved with fundraising to supplement the shelter’s budget. In 2014, I was on the initial board of Partners of Pickens Pets as secretary. Today, I am still on the board and proud to support Partners of Pickens Pets in our efforts to improve the lives of pets in our community, and to reduce the number of homeless pets that end up in the shelter.
Kyle Brock
Volunteer
Kyle Brock, lifelong resident of Pickens County, has a passion for helping animals. Kyle loves volunteering at the local animal shelter and helping raise money for animals in need. His favorite pastime is riding the roads of Pickens County as the self proclaimed “Animal Control Officer” looking for lost or injured animals.
Kyle met Judy Moody a few years ago while volunteering at the animal shelter. They became great friends and have a special bond. Kyle has volunteered for POPP events. He also raised money on his birthday by asking friends and family for donations to POPP instead of a present.
Recently, Kyle received a great honor when the Jasper City Council recognized his dedication to animals, by naming the new dog park the “Kyle Brock Dog Park”.
Leah Kelly
Volunteer
All my life, I have been rescuing cats. It seems I was born with an an innate knowledge of them. Over my lifetime, I’ve homed, re-homed, and personally adopted over 100 kitties.
Additionally, I’ve been called upon to help with various issues from a cat stuck in a tree to a severe burn. My background in the life sciences has help many needy felines.
Volunteering with animals, as I’m able, comes naturally to me as breathing. I’ve developed a knack for sick and difficult kittens and cats. Aussie, pictured here, was the runt of her litter. She was 8 weeks old when this photo was taken. As you can see, she is thriving!
The most rewarding part of helping out with POPP is seeing a broken animal learn to trust and love. Our lives are so enriched by pets.
Paula Bowker
Volunteer
Paula Bowker has been a resident of Pickens County since 1984. Throughout her life, Paula has been an avid supporter of animal rescue groups and charities that support the humane treatment of animals.
Through her volunteer work, and as a dedicated supporter of the Pickens Animal Shelter, Paula was introduced to Partners of Pickens Pets. To this day, Paula continues to financially support PoPP on a monthly basis, and remains a loving advocate of animals in our community. Paula is pictured with her “God puppies”, Dhartha and Bhikhu Weaver.
Marla Juliano
Volunteer
We never think twice when it comes to supporting POPP. We met Judy Moody, when she ran our local shelter, our first summer in the mountains after we lost our beautiful Kelty. We were heartbroken. Since we had one rescue who was only 7 weeks old, we knew we needed to find our Sailor a playmate. We were at the shelter for well over an hour, no luck, no bond. Judy led us to a room where there was an abundance of kitties who need to be spayed or neutered. One reached his paw through the cage and touched Jay. He became our Lil Man. We fostered a kitten for POPP when our Calli (another adoptee) had kittens. He is now with my sister.
We have two of her kittens and all babies went to great loving homes. We donate baskets for auction whenever there is an event to help them raise money. We support POPP because of their selfless support of the animals.
Our cat family has grown to six now. Each time I see them, I see the love and kindness Judy and POPP give to every animal they touch. We are blessed to support them, and our community is even more blessed to have a group that genuinely helps and cares
Susan Horton
Volunteer
I am a native of Georgia and has been a resident of Pickens County for the past 10 years.
My husband Paul and I along with my son Paul Jr owns and operates Hortons Quality K9 Equipment that manufacturers K9 Gear for the Military and Police K9’s for over 45 years.
I have devoted most of my life enriching the lives of animals. I became a active volunteer of Partners of Pickens Pets after meeting Judy Moody.
I am a proud sponser of Bark in thePark and Petoberfest every year.