This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Local Voices

LifeLine Animal Project Celebrates a Year of Lifesaving Work Managing Fulton County Animal Services

LifeLine Animal Project, a leading metro Atlanta nonprofit promoting lifesaving animal welfare solutions, is commemorating its anniversary operating Fulton County Animal Services (FCAS), a contract awarded by the county. In just one year, LifeLine has made significant improvements by implementing new policies and programs to improve adoption rates, reduce euthanasia and prevent pet overpopulation.

“LifeLine is a solutions-oriented organization, always seeking ways to resolve metro Atlanta’s most pressing animal welfare issues,” said Rebecca Guinn, chief executive officer of LifeLine Animal Project. “Leading FCAS was a natural progression, and we are proud of the successes achieved in the first year.”

Since March 15, 2013, LifeLine has:

   · Continuously reduced the euthanasia rate, reaching a record low 25.8 percent in December

   · Facilitated the adoption and release of more than 5,400 cats and dogs

   · Added a full-time animal support specialist to counsel struggling owners from surrendering their pets

Each year the Fulton County shelter intakes approximately 10,000 animals, so raising visibility in order to increase pet adoptions and retention is critical. To encourage visitors, this year LifeLine coordinated several important facility improvements at FCAS. This included the installation of a new roof with skylights in the dog kennel area by Fulton County and the addition of a free-roaming cat shelter room made possible through a grant from Purina Cat Chow.

“Not only do we want to encourage Fulton County residents to save a life by adopting from our shelter, we also want to provide them with information and resources so they can fulfill the lifelong commitment of pet ownership,” said Lara Hudson, director of Fulton County Animal Services. “Whether that’s by offering affordable spay/neuter services or encouraging them to license their pets, we are a partner with the community to help ensure the best treatment of our companion animals.”

To celebrate the one year anniversary, LifeLine will also be hosting an open house with free dog and cat adoptions at the Fulton County shelter on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Every available pet will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. This special promotion also includes a free first vet visit. At the event, information will be available on spay and neuter surgeries, responsible pet ownership and pet licensing. Standard adoption screening criteria still apply.

Along with its leadership position in Fulton County, LifeLine also manages DeKalb County Animal Services; operates two low-cost spay/neuter clinics and a rehabilitative shelter; and initiates programs like the Catlanta trap-neuter-return service for stray and feral cats.        

For more information on Fulton County Animal Services, visit www.fultonanimalservices.com or call 404-613-0358. The Fulton County shelter is located at 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 and is open Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Brookhaven