DeKalb unveils long-awaited expansion of animal shelter

However, the DeKalb County Animal Services shelter was designed to ideally hold 221 dogs and, on Wednesday, had more than twice that number — 493 dogs, according to Rebecca Guinn, founder and CEO of LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit that manages the facility.

Sonali Saindane, chair of the county’s animal services advisory board, said the project marks an important step forward in improving the quality of life of dogs in the shelter, but that critical work remains to be done.

“To truly address the challenges of our over-capacity, high-intake shelter, we must focus on the root causes,” Saindane said.

She said there should be a greater focus on “access to low- and no-cost spay and neuter services and veterinary care, reducing the number of animals held through the court system by pursuing legal remedies, and addressing unlicensed and irresponsible breeding.”

From the start of this year through the end of November, 603 animals have been euthanized out of nearly 9,000 admitted to the shelter in Chamblee, Guinn said.

But Guinn and others said the shelter has greatly decreased the number of euthanizations. About 90% of animals that enter the shelter leave it alive, compared to about 60% when LifeLine took over the shelter in 2013, Guinn said.

Dogs in the “pet neighborhood,” as the project is known, have more room and will be more comfortable than those in the rest of the shelter, officials said.

Credit: Natrice Miller

Credit: Natrice Miller

“This is just the start,” said DeKalb Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who is leading the commission’s efforts to address the animal shelter’s troubles, adding that she is proud to be known as “the animal commissioner” by some.

“There is so much more we can do for our furry friends.”

Spears added that about $6 million has been allocated for the pet neighborhood project, including $1.3 million from the county’s capital improvement program and $4.5 million from the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.

The county started last year to crack down on people accused of abuse or neglect, forcing them to pay for their animals’ care at the shelter or relinquish ownership, freeing the animals up for adoption. The county also passed an ordinance banning unregulated pet sales.

To adopt, foster or donate to the shelters in DeKalb or Fulton counties, visit lifelineanimal.org.