Debbie Sickles has 13 children, only two of whom are human.

Her other children – seven dogs, two birds, a rabbit and a guinea pig – are part of her lifelong tradition of rescuing needy animals.

“I’ve always done this to a certain extent,” Sickles said. “I’ve always picked up every stray I’ve found.”

Sickles, an administrative assistant for the Grady College graduate school, said she takes in everything from squirrels to canines. She estimates she has taken in more than 35 dogs, as well as countless squirrels, hamsters and other creatures.

“They find us. The animals that need homes just find us,” she said.

Most of the animals are abused, neglected and in need of dire medical assistance when Sickles adopts them.

This was the case with her newest additions, Stella and Paden. Both of the worm- and flea-infested puppies weighed less than a pound when Sickles’ husband found them at the flea market.

“They were used by the older ones as chew toys,” Sickles said. “It took three baths to get their fleas under control.”

After two weeks and a cast for Stella, both animals were in healthy condition.

“All of them are spoiled,” Sickles’ son Kevin said, laughing. Like his mom, Kevin adopts unwanted pets, such as his two geckos and a cat, all from owners who could not keep them.

Sickles admits her habit can get expensive – she spends more on pet food than food for the family most of the time — but she stressed the importance of maintaining good care for animals during tough economic times.

“Don’t go to the movies and don’t go out to eat,” Sickles said. “There are other ways to economize than turning a member of the family out.”

For Sickles, taking a stray to the pound is simply not an option.

“I’ll do without before they will do without,” Sickles said. “They’re like my kids. They can’t fend for themselves.”

If a person finds a stray or cannot keep a pet, Sickles said finding a home for the animal is imperative, especially since some shelters are overcrowded.

“The shelters are overflowing with animals. People are abandoning pets because they can’t afford to feed them,” Sickles said. “This pet who loves you and is part of the family may be euthanized.”

For information on how to adopt an animal in need, visit www.athensclarkecounty.com/animalcontrol/shelter.htm.